Now, most of the men in the labor gang were new--that is, they had not been with the Sparling show the previous season, and hence did not know Teddy by sight.After a time they tired of his running fire of comment.They had several times roughly warned him to go on about his business.But Teddy did not heed their advice, and likewise forgot all about that which Phil had given him earlier in the evening.
He kept right on telling the men how to load the circus, for, if there was one thing in the world that Teddy Tucker loved more than another it was to "boss" somebody.
All at once the lad felt himself suddenly seized from behind and lifted off his feet.At the same time a rough hand was clapped over his mouth.
The Circus Boy tried to utter a yell, but he found it impossible for him to do so.Teddy kicked and fought so vigorously that it was all his captor could do to hold him.
"Come and help me.We'll fix the fresh kid this time," called the fellow in whose grip the lad was struggling.
"What's the matter, Larry? Is he too much for you?" laughed the other man.
"He's the biggest little man I ever got my fists on.Gimme a hand here.""What are you going to do with him?" "I'll show you in a minute.""Maybe he's with the show.He's slippery enough to be a performer." "No such thing.And I don't care if he is.I'll teach him not tointerfere with the men.Grab hold and help me carry him."Together they lifted the kicking, squirming, fighting boy, carrying him on down the tracks, not putting him down until they had reached the standpipe of a nearby water tank, where the locomotives took on their supply of fresh water.
"Jerk that spout around!" commanded Larry, sitting down on Tucker with a force that made the lad gasp.
"Can't reach the chain."
"Then get a pike pole, and be quick about it.The foreman will be looking for us first thing we know.If he finds us here he'll fire us before we get started.""See here, Larry, what are you going to do?" demanded the other suspiciously.