The ringmaster had not missed him, though
he saw at once that the boy was not on his station, when
Teddy began to work again.
"Now, Phil, we will hear all about it. How in the name of the
Sparling shows did you get into that uniform?"
"The captain of the river boat that picked me up fitted me out."
"So you really fell in?"
"I got _in,_ right."
"Tell me all about it."
The Circus Boy related his experiences from the time he found
himself in the river, until his arrival in Memphis that morning.
"Marvelous--almost unbelievable," breathed Mr. Sparling as the
tale was unfolded. "I never heard anything to compare with it."
When Phil told of his speech in the dining saloon of the river
steamboat, Mr. Sparling leaned back with hands on his hips,
laughing immoderately.
"Oh, Phil, you are the sort from which great showmen are made!"
Phil handed over the Memphis paper with the account of his
experience, which the showman glanced over briefly.
"That will give us another turn-away in Memphis. You can't stop
them, after that. They will come to the show even if they have
to fight their way in.
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