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Teddy and his mule doing nothing more sensational than kicking a rent in
the ringmaster's coat。
After the show was over； and the tents had begun to e down； Phil
announced his intention of going downtown for a lunch。
〃This fresh air makes me hungry。 You see； I am not used to it yet；〃 he
explained in an apologetic tone。
〃You do not have to go down for a lunch； unless you want to；〃 the
bandmaster informed him。
〃Why； is there a lunch place on the grounds？〃
〃No。 We have an acmodation car on our section。〃
〃What kind of car is that？〃
〃Lunch car。 You can't get a heavy meal there； but you will find a nice
satisfying lunch。 The boss has it served at cost。 He doesn't make any
money out of the deal。 You'll find it on our section。〃
〃Good！ e along Teddy。〃
〃Will I？ That's where I'll spend my money；〃 nodded Teddy； starting
away at a jog trot。
〃And your nights too； if they would let you；〃 laughed Phil； following
his panion at a more leisurely gait。
As they crossed the lot they passed 〃Red〃 Larry； as he had now been
nicknamed by the showmen。 Larry pretended not to see the boys； but
there was an ugly scowl on his face that told Phil he did； and after the lads
had gone on a piece Phil turned； casting a careless look back where the
torches were flaring and men working and shouting。
〃Red〃 Larry was not working now。 He was facing the boys； shaking
a clenched fist at them。
〃I am afraid we haven't heard the last of our friend； Larry；〃 said Phil。
〃Who's afraid？〃 growled Teddy。
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〃Neither of us。 But all the same we had better keep an eye on him
while we are in his vicinity。 We don't want to get into any more trouble
at least not； if we can possibly avoid it。〃
〃Not till Mr。 Sparling forgets about today？ Is that it？〃
〃I guess it is；〃 grinned Phil。
〃He might take it seriously？〃
〃He already has done that。 So be careful。〃
Teddy nodded。 But the lads had not yet heard the last of 〃Red〃 Larry。
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CHAPTER XII
THE HUMAN FOOTBALL
〃Ever try clowning； young man？〃 asked the Iron…Jawed Man。
Teddy Tucker shook his head。
〃Why don't you？〃
〃Nobody ever asked me。〃
〃Then you had better ask the boss to let you try it。 Tell him you want
to be a clown and that we will take you in and put you through your paces
until you are able to go it alone。〃
The show had been on the road for nearly two weeks now； and every
department was working like a piece of well…oiled machinery。 The usual
number of minor disasters had befallen the outfit during the first week； but
now everything was system and method。 The animals had bee used to
the constant moving； and to the crowds and the noise； so that their growls
of plaint were few。
In that time Teddy and Phil had been going through their act on the
flying rings daily； having shown great improvement since they closed with
the show the previous fall。 Their winter's work had proved of great
benefit； and Mr。 Sparling had plimented them several times lately。
Teddy was now devoting all his spare time to learning to somersault
and do the leaping act from the springboard。 He could； by this time； turn a
somersault from the board； though his landing was less certain。 Any part
of his anatomy was liable to sustain the impact of his fall； but he fell in so
many ludicrous positions that the other performers let it go at that； for it
furnished them much amusement。
However； Teddy's unpopularity in the dressing tent had been apparent
ever since he and the educated mule had made their sensational entry into
that sacred domain； practically wrecking the place。 Teddy and his pet
had e near doing the same thing twice since； and the performers were
beginning to believe there was method in Tucker's madness。
It had e to the point where the performers refused to remain in the
dressing tent while Teddy and the mule were abroad； unless men with pike
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poles were stationed outside to ward off the educated mule when he came
in from the ring。 But Teddy didn't care。 The lad was interested in the
suggestion of the Iron…Jawed Man。 Had he known that the suggestion
had been made after secret conference of certain of the performers； Tucker
might have felt differently about it。 There was something in the air； but
the Circus Boy did not know it。
〃What kind of clown act would you advise me to get up？〃 he asked。
〃Oh； you don't have to get it up。 We'll do that for you。 In fact； there is
one act that most all clowns start with； and it will do as well as anything
else for you。 You see； you have to get used to being funny； or you'll
forget yourself； and then you're of no further use as a clown。〃
〃Yes； I know； but what is the act？〃
〃What do you say； fellowsdon't you think the human football would
fit him from the sawdust up？〃
〃Just the thing；〃 answered the performers thus appealed to。
Mr。 Miaco； the head clown； was bending over his trunk； his sides
shaking with laughter； but Teddy did not happen to observe h