Part 28 (2/2)

Phil pulled himself together. Half a block further on the people, espying him, did laugh as Mr. Sparling had said they would.

Phil grinned out of sheer sympathy.

”I must look funny riding in this fine carriage with four white horses drawing me through the streets. I don't blame them for laughing. If I had something to eat, now, I would be all right. I am getting to have as much of an appet.i.te as Teddy Tucker has. I--”

Phil paused, listening intently.

”I hear another band and it is coming nearer,” he exclaimed.

”That must be the Sully show. I forgot in my excitement, to ask Mr. Sparling about them. I wonder where they are?”

The music of the rival band grew louder and louder, but strain his eyes and ears as he would, Phil was unable to locate the other show's line of parade.

”Where's that band?” he called up to the driver of his carriage.

”Off that side of the town, I guess,” he answered, waving his whip to the right of them.

”Well, I think they are pretty close to us and I don't like the looks, or rather the sound of things.”

At that moment Phil's carriage was drawn across an intersecting street. He looked up the street quickly.

”There they are!” he cried.

Less than a quarter of a block up the street he saw the other parade sweeping down upon them, bands playing, flags flying and banners waving. Phil's quick, practiced eyes saw something else too. The elephants were leading the rival parade, with hors.e.m.e.n immediately at their rear, the band still further back.

This being so unusual in a parade, the Circus Boy knew that there must be some reason for the peculiar formation. The elephants should have been further back in the line, the same as were those of the Sparling show.

Phil divined the truth instantly.

”They're going to break up our parade!” he cried. ”That's what they are hoping to do. Drive on! I'm going to get out and run back to tell the parade manager. They'll do us a lot of damage.”

Phil leaped from the carriage and ran down the street, his coat wide open showing his pink riding s.h.i.+rt beneath it.

”Where's the parade manager?” he cried.

”Gone to the lot. Boss sent him back.”

Phil groaned. Something must be done and done quickly.

The rival parade must be nearing their street by this time.

A thought occurred to him. Phil dashed for the elephant herd.

”Mr. Kennedy!”

”Yes?”

”Sully's show is going to run into us at that corner there.”

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