Part 9 (1/2)

”I shouldn't like that,” objected Billy

”We don't But we can't help ourselves”

”Here, where you going?” de the path across the lot here It is ht I had forgotten about the path”

”I should think you would--”

Phil got no further in his re loudly:

”Here we are!”

Instantly fifteen or twenty shadowy forrass and hurled themselves upon the Circus Boys

Taken by surprise as they were, Phil and Teddy gave a good account of theood stiff punch, for it must be re because of the possession of well trainedunder the onslaught, and Phil and Teddy very soon went doith their assailants piling on top of them

Up to this point not a word had been spoken, nor did either of the lads have tiht be

”Here, you fellow, get off et up and I'll clean up the whole bunch of you two at a tiive me half a chance”

No reply was made to this

”Get the blankets!” commanded a deep voice

A moment later the two lads were quickly wound in the folds of a pair of large horse blankets They were then picked up, none too gently and borne off to the other side of the field, kicking and squir in their efforts to escape

Their captors, however, did not for an instant relax their hold, and further struggle proved vain

Reaching the other side of the field, the Circus Boys were duon This they knew because they heard the driver give the directions regarding letting down the tail board

Placing their burdens on the wagon floor, the captors very coolly sat down on the boys Then the wagon started Never in the old days of the road shohen Phil and Teddy were riding and sleeping in a springless canvas wagon, had they experienced a rougher ride It seemed as if every stone in the county had been placed in the path of the rickety old wagon in which they were being spirited away

About this tian to wonder He could not understand theof the attack And what had beco beside hiive the alarm, and the show people would quickly overtake the kidnappers

No such interruption occurred, however, rather greatly to Phil's surprise, so he lay still and waited for a favorable ht take a hand in the affair himself

Teddy's voice could be heard under his blanket, ina tattoo on the wagon bottoht of his captors upon the offending feet each ti from his mouth for one brief instant

”Hey, Rube!” he howled lustily, this being the signal known to circus men the world over, when one or -armed circus men to co off on the lot striking the tents and loading the show on the wagons

Teddy was given no further opportunity to protest