Part 36 (1/2)

Phil discovered a trap door in the roof, but it was closed

”If only there were a rope hanging down, I'd be up there in no ti to the braces

Ito try it”

Deciding upon this, the Circus Boy, after no little effort, succeeded in cli up to one of the side braces in the car

>Fro, narrow bea two that led along near the trap, Phil, after a few ripped one fir hi on a series of traveling rings, but with infinitely htfully, and he knew that he could hold on but a few seconds longer

”I've got tohard

At last he had reached the goal Phil released one hand and quickly extended it to the trap door frale projection there to support hi His hand slipped away, suddenly throwing his weight upon the hand grasping the roof tirip and fell heavily to the floor

But this time he did not rise The lad lay still where he had fallen

CHAPTER XX

THE BARNYARD CIRCUS

When next Phil opened his eyes he was lying on the grass on the shady side of a freight car with so water in his face, while two or three others stood around gazing at hiasped the boy

”I reckon you're lucky to be alive,” laughed thehim from a pail of water ”Who be ye?”

”My na a ride, eh? Reckon we'd better hand ye over to the town constable It's again the law to steal rides on freight trains”

”I've not stolen a ride It's no such thing,” protested Phil indignantly

”Ho, ho, that's a rich one! Paid yer fare, hey? Riding like a gentleman in a side-door Pullman Good, ain't it, fellows?”

”Friends, I assure you I am not a traht I've got money in my pocket to prove that I am not a tramp”

The lad thrust his hands into his trousers' pockets, then a blank expression overspread his face Reaching to his vest to see if his watch were there, he found that that, too, was asped ”That's what it was

Soht

See, I've got a lureed one of the iven him an awful clout with a club”