登陆注册
5162100000028

第28章

THROUGH RINGS OF FIRE

"If there should happen to be a wind we might cut a rope or two and let the big top down on them," suggested parade manager.

"Yes; it would put them out of business for the night performance, but we don't want them to fill up for the afternoon show.That's when they are going to get the money.You see, Sparling's show is bigger and better known than ours, and showing there the same day we are liable to get the worst of it.Can't you suggest anything else?""If you don't like letting the big top down on their heads, and providing there is no wind to make the attempt worthwhile, I would suggest another way.""The scoundrels!" breathed the listener above their heads."What's your suggestion?""Stampede the elephants."

"That's a dandy!And we know how to do it, eh, Lawrence?" The parade manager nodded emphatically.

"They'll never know what happened to them.We can do it before the show gets to the lot if you think best?"Sully shook his head.

"No.We'll wait till just as the doors are about to open for the afternoon show.Mind you, I'm not saying we shall do it.I'll think about the matter.Perhaps I can think up a better plan after I have gone over the matter.""Where's that boy you told me about?"

Sully motioned toward the end of the car where Phil was locked in the linen closet.

"What you going to do with him?" "Drop him when I get ready.""But aren't you afraid the other outfit will get wind of what you are doing? It's pretty dangerous business to lock up a fellow like that.""I don't care whether they get wise to it or not.They won't know where he is.After we get to the border I don't care a rap for them," andthe showman snapped his fingers disdainfully."They can't touch us on the other side of the Niagara River and they'd better not try it.Maybe Sparling won't be in business by that time," grinned the showman with a knowing wink.

Sully rose, and shortly afterwards left the car with his parade manager.Phil sat down on the floor of his compartment with head in hands, trying to think what he had better do.These men were planning adeliberate campaign to wreck his employer's show.

"Something must be done!" breathed the boy, clenching his fists until the nails bit into the flesh, "But what can I do, I can do nothing unless I can get away from here, and they will not let me out, at least not until we have gotten by Corinto."The more he thought and planned the greater his perplexity became.There seemed no way out of it.His only hope now seemed to lie in Mr.Sparling becoming alarmed at his absence, and instituting a search for him.His employer would quickly divine something of the truth after Phil had remained silent for two or three days.Perhaps, even now, the owner of the Great Sparling Combined Shows had sent someone on to learn what had become of his star bareback rider.

Phil's train of thought was suddenly interrupted by the door of his compartment being violently jerked open.

The lad's first impulse was to tell Sully, who now stood facing him, what he had overheard.Upon second thought, however, Phil decided that it would be much better to give the showman no intimation of what he had learned.

"Come out, young man."

Phil complied, glad to be free of his narrow chamber, no matter what the reason for the summons might be.

"What do you wish of me now?"

"Come into my office and I'll tell you.I understand you are a bareback rider," continued Sully, after they had seated themselves in his little office, the door being locked behind them.

"So you say."

"And a good one at that?"

Phil made no answer.He had not the least idea what was coming."My principal bareback rider stepped on a switch frog this morningand turned his ankle.He is out of the running for a week.I need a man more than I ever did.Do you want to join this show?"Phil gazed at him in amazement.

"You haven't money enough to induce me to.""Perhaps I have, but I won't induce with it," grinned the owner."I've a plan to suggest.""What is it?"

"If you will ride for me until we get to Corinto I'll give you seventy- five dollars."The Circus Boy was on the point of making an emphatic refusal, when he suddenly checked himself and remained silent, as if thinking the proposition over.

"Well, what do you say?"

"If I do as you wish, when will you let me go?" "Perhaps after we leave Corinto.""I don't believe you intend to do anything of the sort." "You think I'd lie to you?" blustered Sully.

"I'm not saying that.But I know you are not above doing worse things.I'll tell you what I will do.""Yes."

"I'll ride for you today for twenty-five dollars." "Done!"1

"Well, I must say you are brutally frank.""That's the way I do business," answered the lad proudly.

"But see here, young man, you must agree that you will make no effort to get away," demanded the showman a sudden thought occurring to him.

"I shall make no such agreement.If I get a chance to get away I'll do it, you may depend upon that.I will agree, however, to make no outcry nor to appeal to anyone to help me.If I can't manage it my own way, I'llstay here till I can.Remember, I'm going to beat you if I can, and if I can't, why Mr.Sparling will settle with you.He will do it properly, too."The showman leaned back and guffawed loudly.

"I never saw a kid like you yet.You beat anything that ever got into a freak tent.You are so infernally honest that you give me notice you're going to try to escape from me.Thanks, my boy, for the timely warning.I'll see to it that you don't get away until I am ready to lose you.If you try it you must expect some rough treatment, and you'll get it too." "Very well; I accept the terms.How about the payment in advance?"Sully drew a roll of bills from his pocket counting out the sum agreed upon.

同类推荐
  • 返生香

    返生香

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 大随求即得大陀罗尼明王忏悔法

    大随求即得大陀罗尼明王忏悔法

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • Fantastic Fables

    Fantastic Fables

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 六祖坛经

    六祖坛经

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • The Dark Flower

    The Dark Flower

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
热门推荐
  • 阴真君金石五相类

    阴真君金石五相类

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 蓝海传奇

    蓝海传奇

    穿越类爽文,没有无脑的爽,也没有揪心难受的剧情,以轻松的冒险故事为主。男主是个普通人,不是科学家也不是医生,没有投胎转世,就是开车不小心就穿越了。穿越后没有显赫的身世,没有掌握四大发明,没有得到公主的青睐,也没有得到神兽的蛋蛋,他穿越后很快就融入了当地生活,如果不是一时兴的决定,也许平平静静的在一个小镇做个公务员就结束人生了。他的传奇不是掠夺了多少资源,杀了多少人,他甚至没有亲手杀过人。被刀砍死的那你怪刀好吗?他只是个冒险者,虽然有点腹黑,但是很多人都评价——他是个好人!兄弟能把刀放下了么?
  • 紫龙传说

    紫龙传说

    王龙和美女龙回到了天火城,天火城主和城主之子来迎接他俩,王龙将所有的功法都传给了城主之子,因此,城主之子便接替了天火城的位置,最终,城主之子便成为了新一代的城主,而王龙则成为了整个大陆的一名高手。
  • 十朝诗乘

    十朝诗乘

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • xy永恒智娜

    xy永恒智娜

    为精灵宝可梦xy的后续,大部分是小智和莎莉娜
  • 平心平天下

    平心平天下

    本书从全方位角度来展现了作者对中华优秀传统文化的认知与解读,既显示了作者的精神情怀与文化自信,又彰显了传统文化的品格情操和独特魅力。作者归纳中国文化的本体论是“一”,“一”的最初形态是“和”,基本形态是“纯”,由此产生了和谐与纯诚的文化,并且一以贯之;中国文化的辩证法是“二”,为阴阳,也为因果,更是“不二”;中国文化的特征为“三”,即三才天地人,也即体相用,不易变易简易,表现为佛体道相儒用,神奇神秘与神圣;中国文化的抱负是四为,精神是四观,智慧是四知,作者提出“以四观精神开启四知智慧成就四为人生”;中国文化的方法论是“五”,五行产生了五音五色、五液五方、五味五常等。
  • 音乐常识速读(速读直通车)

    音乐常识速读(速读直通车)

    音乐是大自然最原始的声音,是生活中的一股清泉,陶冶性情的熔炉,是带走寂寞的使者。音乐有着很多的形式,不同的乐器和演奏方式带来的音乐感受会有所不同,让我们一同走入音乐的这个充满魔力的世界,去了解和感受它吧!
  • 高峰三山来禅师年谱

    高峰三山来禅师年谱

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 祭流年

    祭流年

    崭新的人生,巧合的开始,命运的齿轮,开启了一场惊心动魄的乱世之旅。尴尬的身份,血腥的过往,将会编织出怎样一个女子?“非他不可吗?”“是,非他不可……”她赌上了一切来换取的自由和真心,到头来全变成了一场笑话。只剩下羽箭的寒芒,如雨的红雾,迷蒙了眼帘。我不怪你曾经想杀我,我只怪自己痴心妄想,以为你绝不会再杀我第二次……【情节虚构,请勿模仿】
  • 圣女王妃【全本】

    圣女王妃【全本】

    ~~~~~~~本文全部解禁,谢谢观赏啦~~~~~一个现代女孩江芷琪因为本不是这个时代的阴谋,而穿越时空回到“圣瑾国”意外被二殿下捡到,开始了自己的“圣女”生涯,圣女守节,但是在她身边的二殿下和四殿下都和她有着纠缠不清的爱与情。她到底选择了谁?还是随了后来温柔无比痴心绝代的荃麟王?她的圣女身份又该何去何从?圣女为了救他失身与他,但是换来的惩罚就是以身殉贞,但是他会看着她死?她到底怎么办?层层剥开阴谋,结果那么令人心痛,她会选择回到现代,还是死在古代……————————————————————————我的最新连载作品:《恋上你的身》http://m.wkkk.net/a/79395/《偷欢系列:花犯皇后》http://m.wkkk.net/a/76312/本人QQ:570704460爱上圣女群:66679223欢迎大家,验证信息:输入书中的人物名字就可以了