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The Circus Boys Across The Continent （Or Winning New Laurels on the Tanbark）
loud splash； pink fluid spurting up in a veritable fountain over such parts
of him as were not already in the tub。
Teddy howled for help； while the show people shrieked with delight；
the lad in his efforts to get out of the tub； falling back each time； until
finally rescued from his unfortable position by the owner of the show
himself。
〃That's what you get for meddling with other peoples' affairs；〃 chided
Phil； laughing immoderately as he observed the rueful countenance of his
friend。
〃If I hadn't meddled with you last night； you'd have been a dead one
today；〃 retorted the lad。 〃Anyway； I've made a loud splash this morning。〃
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The Circus Boys Across The Continent （Or Winning New Laurels on the Tanbark）
CHAPTER XXIII
SEARCHING THE TRAIN
Salt Lake City proved an unusual attraction to the Circus Boys； they
having read so much of it in story and textbooks。
Here they visited the great Mormon Temple。 During their two day
stand they made a trip out to the Great Salt Lake where Teddy Tucker
insisted in going in swimming。 His surprise was great when he found
that he could not swim at all in the thick； salty water。 The trip over the
mountains； through the wonderful scenery of the Rockies and the deep
canyons where the sunlight seldom reaches was one of unending interest
to them。
Most of the show people had been over this same ground with other
circuses many times before； for there are few corners of the civilized
world that the seasoned showman has not visited at least once in his life。
It was all new to the Circus Boys； however； and in the long day trips
over mountain and plain； they found themselves fully occupied with the
new； entrancing scenes。
By this time both lads had bee really finished performers in their
various acts； and they had gone on through the greater part of the season
without serious accident in their work。 Of course they had had tumbles；
as all showmen do； but somehow they managed to e off with whole
skins。
For a time after the wreck of the acmodation car the show had no
further trouble that could be laid at the door of Red Larry or his partner。
However； after a few days； the reports of burglaries in towns where the
show exhibited became even more numerous。
〃We can't furnish police protection to the places we visit；〃 answered
Mr。 Sparling； when spoken to about this。 〃But； if ever I get my hands on
that red head； the fur will fly！〃
Passing out of the state of Utah； a few stands were made in Nevada；
but the jumps were now long and it was all the circus trains could do to get
from stand to stand in time。 As it was； they were not always able to give
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The Circus Boys Across The Continent （Or Winning New Laurels on the Tanbark）
the parade； but the manager made up for this by getting up a free show out
in front of the big top just before the afternoon and evening performances
began。
Reno was the last town played in Nevada； and everyone breathed a
sigh of relief as the tents were struck and the show moved across the line
into California。 The difficulty of getting water for man and beast had
proved a most serious one。 At Reno； however； a most serious thing had
occurred； one that disturbed the owner of the show very greatly。 Many of
the guy ropes holding the big top； had been cut while the performance was
going on and most of the canvasmen and laborers were engaged in taking
down and loading the menagerie outfit。
A wind storm was ing up； but fortunately it veered off before
reaching Reno。 The severed ropes were not discovered until after the
show was over and the tent was being struck。 Mr。 Sparling had been
quickly summoned。 After a careful examination of the ropes he
understood what had happened。 Phil； too； had discovered one cut rope
and the others； on his way from the dressing tent to the front； after
finishing his performance。
But there was nothing now that required his looking up Mr。 Sparling；
in view of the fact that the canvas was already ing down。 Yet after
getting his usual night lunch in the town； the lad strolled over to the
railroad yards intending to visit the manager as soon as the latter should
have returned from the lot。
The two met just outside the owner's private car； a short time after the
loading had been pleted。
〃Oh； I want to see you； Mr。 Sparling； if you have the time。〃
〃I've always time for that。 I was in hopes I would get a chance to
have a chat with you before we got started。 Will you e in？〃
〃Yes； thank you。〃
Entering the private car Mr。 Sparling took off his coat and threw
himself into a chair in front of his roll…top desk。
〃Phil； there's deviltry going on in this outfit again；〃 he said fixing a
stern eye on the little Circus Boy。
Phil nodded。
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