He was under the influence of liquor at the time, and in his pocket he carried what is known by the boys as a giant torpedo.
As Leo turned a corner he threw the torpedo at Leo’s feet.
Luckily the torpedo failed to explode.
Had it gone off the young gymnast would have been sadly crippled.
“You rascal!” cried Leo, and he made for Broxton and landed him in the gutter.
Some of the other performers then came up.
“What’s the row, Leo?”
“Look what Broxton threw at me,” he replied, and handed the torpedo around for inspection.
While the explosive was being examined, Broxton sneaked off, and it was well for him that he did so, for otherwise the crowd would have pounced upon him and given him the greatest warming up of his life.
But that ended Broxton’s hope of rejoining the circus. The story of his attempt on Leo circulated, and he did not dare to show his face anywhere around the dressing tents.