Part 8 (1/2)
He shot one end of the side pole up under the projecting roof, jaht upon the foot of the pole to hold it in place
For an instant the tent pole bent like a bow under the pull of the archer It seemed as if it must surely snap under the terrific strain
Phil saw this, too Now that the foot of the pole was firround, there was no further need for hi cage directly over hierously, and pulling hiround, held to the slippery stick desperately
Light as he was the boy's weight saved the pole It bent no further
The cage swayed fro to topple over at one end or the other
”Get poles under the ends,” shouted the boy in a shrill voice ”I can't hold it here all day”
”Get poles, you lazy good-for-nothings!” bellowed the owner
”Brace those ends Look out for the elephant Don't you see he's headed for the cage again?”
Orders flew thick and fast, but through it all Phil Forrest hung gri a fresh overhand hold, now and then, as his palms slipped down the painted stick
Now that he had shown the way, others sprang to his assistance
Half a dozen poles were thrust up under the roof and the cage began slowly settling back the other way
”Hadn't you better have soested Phil, touching his hat to Mr Sparling, who, he had discovered, was soe may tip clear over on the other side, or it may drop so heavily on the wheels as to break the axles”
”Right Brace the off side That's right Now let it down slowly Not so hard on the nigh side there Ease off there, Bill Push, Patsy What do you think this is--a gaht Now let's see if you woodenheads know enough to keep the wagon right side up”
Mr Sparling took off his hat and wiped the perspiration fro the on, but with more caution than they had exercised before
”Come here, boy”
Someone touched Phil on the arm
”What is it?”
”Boss wants to speak to you”
”Who?”
”Boss Sparling, the fellow over there with the big voice and the sombrero”
Phil walked over and touched his hat to Mr Sparling
The showman looked the lad over from head to foot
”What's your nary about so, and he undoubtedly was