_A NARROW ESCAPE._
Neither Teddy nor Dan had any hope of reaching the museum tent before
their pursuers could overtake them, and although both knew what might be
the result if they were taken with the jewelry fakir's money and goods
in their possession, they did not for a moment think of abandoning the
property.
The cries of those in the rear attracted the attention of the spectators
elsewhere on the grounds, and without waiting to learn the cause of the
trouble hundreds of men and boys joined in the chase, all shouting at
the full strength of their lungs:
"Stop thief! Stop thief!"
The distance to be traversed was nearly a quarter of a mile; but the
many turns the boys were forced to make in order to avoid those who were
ready to capture them doubled this, and they were yet very far from the
goal when a burly, red-faced man jumped in front of them.
It seemed as if capture was inevitable; but Teddy resorted to the last
means of defense, and was successful.
Letting go his hold of the satchel he lowered his head, leaped forward
with full force, striking the officious stranger full in the stomach.
The man, not anticipating such an attack at a moment when he almost had
his hands upon the supposed thieves, was bowled over like a nine-pin,
and, jumping quickly aside, Teddy caught hold of the satchel once more.
By this time both the boys were so nearly winded that speech was well
nigh impossible; but Dan managed to gasp admiringly:
"You're a dandy, old fellow," and then, with one supreme effort,
increased his pace a trifle.
It was fortunate that there were no spectators in front of Mr. Sweet's
tent when the boys came in sight of it. The barker was lounging in a
chair outside, and on catching a glimpse of the boys recognized them
immediately.
The crowd in pursuit would have told a duller man than he professed to
be that there had been some serious trouble, and, running to meet the
boys as if to intercept them, he cried:
"Circle around the canvas, an' crawl underneath, so's that gang won't
see where you've gone!"
The fugitives understood the scheme at once, and making a short detour
as if to avoid him, dashed under the guy-ropes at one end, gaining the
interior of the tent before the pursuers arrived.
Mr. Sweet had just started toward the flap to ascertain the cause of the
commotion when the boys entered, and, thinking himself about to be
attacked, leaped quickly back as he seized an ironbound stake.
"Oh, it's you, eh?" he said, on recognizing the intruders. "What's up?
Are you the thieves they're yellin' for?"
Teddy was hardly able to speak; but he held up the satchel, as he
panted:
"Hazelton's--they're killin' him--he--wants--this--saved."
"Yes, I understand it now. Jump into the wagon an' get under the stuff
there. I'll take the valise. Them kind of fakirs are bound to come to
grief sooner or later, an' honest people get into a muss tryin' to help
'em. I'd like to see the fair where them kinds of games wasn't allowed;
but don't s'pose I ever shall, although it's always promised."
While Mr. Sweet had been grumbling, and at the same time concealing the
satchel under the box containing the snakes, the boys were doing their
best to hide themselves beneath the litter of ropes and canvas which had
been carelessly thrown into the wagon.
In the meantime the pursuers came up, discovered the unpleasant fact
that the fugitives were no longer in sight, and began to parley with the
barker.
"I tried to catch 'em," the boys heard the latter say; "but they got
around the tent before I had time to find out what the matter was."
"They've gone inside!" one of the crowd shouted. "Don't let's allow
swindlers to get the best of us so easy!"
"That's the way to talk!" another cried. "We'll have 'em out if the show
has to come down!"
At this moment Mr. Sweet, looking calm and undisturbed, emerged from the
flap.
"Bring out them boys, or down comes your tent!" a man yelled.
"I reckon the wisest plan for you to pursue is to wait till I find out
what all this means," the proprietor of the museum said loudly, at the
same time beckoning the barker and the clown to his side. "It looks to
me as if this was the same gang who came here last night tryin' to clean
us out, an' warrants for their arrest are in the hands of the constables
now. I paid one hundred dollars for the privilege of exhibitin' here,
an' that means I'm to have all the protection the managers of this fair
and the authorities of the town can give me. I've warned you off; but if
you still want to finish up the work of last night, an' the constables
don't come in time, there are three of us here who are good for twice
that number of your gang, an' when a man gets a tap over the head with
one of these he's not in it any longer!"
Mr. Sweet flourished the heavy stake as he spoke, and his employes
showed that they were armed in the same manner.
"We didn't come to disturb you," one of the crowd said, in a milder
tone, as the greater number fell back before the threats made of
invoking the aid of the law. "All we want is a valise two boys brought
here, for in it is quite a pile of our money."
"How did they get it from you?" the proprietor of the museum asked for
the purpose of gaining time in the hope the constables would put in an
appearance.
"We were swindled by a jewelry agent, an' are goin' to get back our
own."
"Oh, you are, eh? Well, I haven't got the stuff; but if you allow
yourselves to be swindled, will you help matters by turning thieves? You
can sue the man who has done you up; but there's a penalty for stealing,
as you will find out if you keep on in this way."
The less impetuous among the pursuers understood that the showman was
speaking only the truth, and, now that they had an opportunity for
reflection, began to be ashamed of the part they were playing. One by
one walked away without making any further remonstrance, and in a short
time only a dozen or so remained in front of the tent.
All these were young men, and several had been drinking, therefore the
danger was not yet past.
"You stand here and brain the first man who attempts to enter," Mr.
Sweet said, as he disappeared inside the tent. Then hurrying to where
Teddy and Dan were hidden, he whispered:
"It may be possible that in order to avoid a row I shall be obliged to
let this gang in. There is no one behind the canvas, and you can slip
out readily. Go directly back where you belong, an' if anybody accuses
you of being the boys who brought away the valise deny it. I'm goin' to
make a big bluff about lookin' for constables, an' the minute you hear
me talking, move lively."
"What about Hazelton's money?" Teddy asked.
"He'll find it here when he dares to come for it."
An instant later the fugitives heard him say from the outside:
"I propose to call for help in case you very respectable young gentleman
should take a notion to break in and steal."
"All we ask is that you'll turn out them boys," one of the party
replied, angrily, "for, whether it's stealing or not, we're bound to
have that fakir's money."
"That part of it is nothing to me. There are no boys inside, an' if you
want to go in one at a time, so there'll be no chance of gettin' the
best of me an' destroyin' my property, I don't think there'll be any
objection made."
"Now's our time before they come?" Dan whispered, as he slipped softly
down from the wagon, and Teddy followed.
It was but the work of a moment to raise the canvas and step out. There
was absolutely no one in sight. The tent had been erected near the edge
of the grounds, and there was nothing in the vicinity to attract the
sightseers.
"We'll get over the fence, an' come in through the main gate. It's
better to pay for admission than to let people suspect we were the ones
who have been chased."
"Go on; I'll stay close at your heels."
Five minutes later they were walking along the dusty road looking as
innocent as possible, and feeling comparatively safe.
"Do you suppose any one will know us?" Teddy asked after they had
trudged some distance in silence.
"There can't be much danger of that. All the crowd saw were our backs,
and, besides, after those fellows cool off they'll be ashamed of
themselves. I don't reckon you'll have any trouble; but I may get it hot
from the boss because I've been away so long."
"I guess there won't be much danger of that; but if anything should
happen come to my stand. After what has happened I reckon I can afford
to whack up with you on some of the profits, especially since every one
says to-morrow is to be such a big day. Where do you suppose Hazelton
is?"
"He must have had a chance to get off when the men started for us; but
I'll bet he don't look as nice as he did this morning."
By this time the boys were at the ticket-office, and, paying the price
of admission, they walked into the inclosure without attracting the
slightest attention.
On the way to his place of business Teddy chanced to think of the errand
on which they had started out, and he bought a generous supply of
sandwiches for Dan, Tim, and himself.
When the two arrived at the cane-board business was at its height, and
the clerk and his assistant were having quite as much as they could do
to attend to the customers.
This saved Teddy the necessity of entering into any explanation while
strangers were near, and he immediately went to work, not having an idle
moment until nearly nightfall, when the greater portion of the visitors
had departed.
"Where did you and Dan go that you staid away so long?" Tim asked as he
and Teddy began to pack up the stock of canes and knives.
"Oh, it's a long story; I'll tell you all about it while we are eating
supper," Teddy replied, with a significant look in the direction of the
assistant.
Tim understood that there was some secret regarding the matter, and he
at once proceeded to get rid of a possible eavesdropper by saying to the
assistant:
"Here's the money I promised. There's no need of your stayin' any
longer."
"Shall I come to work in the morning?"
Tim looked toward his employer, and the latter said:
"Yes, of course, if it is pleasant weather. Everybody says there'll be a
bigger crowd than ever, an' I reckon we shall have work enough for all
hands."
The boy had but just taken his departure when Dan approached, looking
very mournful.
"Have you been bounced?" Teddy cried, excitedly.
"Not a bit of it; but look here," and Dan held up a straw hat. "That's
poor Sam's! His boat has been found bottom up, an' this, with one of the
oars, was fished out of the creek a few moments ago. While we were
talking rough about him the poor boy was drowning!"