CHAPTER X
HIS FIRST BAREBACK LESSON
"Where's that boy?"
"He'll catch it if he ever dares show his face in this dressing tent again."
This and other expressions marked the disapproval of the performers of the manner in which their enclosure had been entered and disrupted.
"Don't blame him; blame the mule," advised Mr. Miaco, the head clown.
"Yes; Teddy wasn't to blame," declared Phil, who had entered at that moment. "Did he do all this?" he asked, looking about at the scene of disorder.
"He did. Lucky some of us weren't killed," declared one. "If that mule isn't cut out of the programme I'll quit this outfit. Never safe a minute while he and the kid are around. First, the kid gets us into a scrimmage with the roustabouts, then he slam bangs into the dressing tent with a fool mule and puts the whole business out of the running."
"Was Mr. Sparling—was he mad?" asked Phil, laughing until the tears started.
"Mad? He was red headed," replied Miaco.