Part 34 (1/2)

”Yes, by all means If possible I should like to make the next town before the stor, wet one”

”I don't care I've got a rubber coat and a pair of rubber boots with a hole in one of them,” spoke up Teddy

”And, Teddy Tucker,” added the owner, turning to the Circus Boy

”If you ht, and delay us a minute anywhere, I'll fire you Understand?”

Teddy shook his head

”You don't? Well, I'll see if I can , you wouldn't discharge et along without azed sternly at Teddy for a uess you're right at that, my boy”

The cook tent came doithout delay that afternoon, and on account of the darkness the gasoline lahted a full two hours earlier than usual

The show at the evening performance was pushed forith a rush, while many anxious eyes were upon the skies, for it was believed that the heaviest rainstorm in years was about to fall

By dint ofand racket, the tents were off the field by the ti, and loaded A quick start wasthe little border town of Tarbert, their next stand, was reached

Mr Sparling had all hands out at once

”Get to the lot and pitch your tents Everything has got to be up before daylight,” he ordered ”You'll have soet the cook tent in place”

That was induceh to erie and circus tents had been laced together, lying flat on the ground, when the storm broke

”That will keep the lot dry, but hustle it! Get the canvas up before it is so soaked you can't raise it,” coht the tents were in place, though uy ropes to loosen theht from thedown in sheets Fortunately the lot chosen for pitching the tents was on a strip of ground higher than anything about it, so the footing remained fairly solid

But it was a cheerless outlook The perforh a sea of , Phil and Teddy with the rest

”Looks like rain, doesn't it,” greeted Teddy, as he espied Mr Sparling plodding about with a keen eye to the safety of his tents

”I wish the outlook for business today were as good,” was the co the parade arrived, the water over the flats about them was so deep and the mud so soft that it was decided to abandon the parade for that day

”I almost e hadn't unloaded,” said the owner ”It looks to ht be tied up here for soreed Phil ”The next question is how are the people going to get here to see the show?”

”I was thinking of that h”

”What--”

”They won't come”

”Why? Are they drowned out?”

”No; the town is high enough so they will not suffer ets into their cellars No; they are all right I ere asa show this afternoon”