Part 35 (1/2)

”I have an even better scheme, and it will be great advertising-- one that few people in town will be able to resist.”

”Yes? I am listening.”

”Well, in the first place, have the long pole wagons fixed up to bring the people over. We can use our ring platforms to make a bottom for the pa.s.sengers to sit on.”

”Yes, that will be easy.”

”Then, take some side wall poles, stand them up along the sides of the wagon and build a roof with canvas. That will keep the inside of the wagon as dry as a barn.”

”A splendid idea. But how are you going to get the folks over here after you have done that?”

”Wait, I am coming to that. What do you say to hitching the elephants to the wagons and hauling the people back and forth?

Nothing like that has ever been done, has it?”

Mr. Sparling tossed up his hat regardless of the fact that the rain was beating down on his head and running down his neck.

”Nothing ever been done to compare with it, since P. T. Barnum ploughed up his farm with Jumbo. By the great Dan Rice, that's a scheme!” shouted Mr. Sparling enthusiastically.

”But you will have to hurry if you are going to put the plan into operation,” urged Phil.

”What would you suggest, Phil?”

”I would suggest that you send men into town on horseback, right away, having them call at every house, at the post office, the hotel and every other place they can think of, telling the people what we propose to do. Teddy and I will take horses and go out with the rest, if you say so. The rain won't hurt us, and besides, it will be great fun. What do you say, sir?”

Mr. Sparling hesitated for one brief second.

”Come on!” he shouted as with hat in hand he splashed toward the lot followed a short distance behind by Phil.

The arrangements suggested by the Circus Boy were quickly made, and a company of hors.e.m.e.n rode over to the village to tell the people how they might see the show without getting wet.

While this was being done the pole wagons were being rigged for the purpose, and the elephants were provided with harness strong enough to stand the strain of the heavy loads they would have to draw.

The wagons were to be driven along the village streets at one o'clock, the circus to begin at half-past two. That would give the show people plenty of time to prepare for the performance.

The suggestion met with great enthusiasm. Few people had ever had the privilege of riding behind an elephant team, and they gladly welcomed the opportunity.

At Phil's further suggestion a separate wagon had been prepared for the colored people. When all was ready the elephants were first driven across the ridge without their wagons, to show the animals that the footing was safe. Then they were hooked to the covered pole wagons and the work of transporting the village to the lot was begun.

The show grounds were on an island, now, entirely surrounded by water. Some of the clowns had rigged up fis.h.i.+ng outfits and sat on the bank in the rain trying to catch fish, though there probably was not a fish within a mile of them, according to Phil's idea.

”That's good work for a fool,” gloated Teddy.

”It takes a wise man to be a fool, young man,” was the clown's retort.

”Perhaps you don't know that the river has overflowed a few miles above here, and that this place is full of fish?”

”No; I don't know anything of the sort. The only water I see coming is from right overhead. Maybe there's fish swimming around up there; I don't know. Never caught any up there myself.”

After a time the clowns tired of their sport and went back to their dressing tent to prepare for the afternoon performance, the only performance that would be given that day, as it would not be safe to try to transport the people across the water in the dark.

And, besides, the owner of the show hoped to be able to get his show aboard the cars before night.