He purposely spoke in a loud voice, so that many heard him. At once a murmur arose on all sides.
"That's right—-the kid is sick—-take him out of the ring."
"It's an outrage to try to make him perform."
"The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children ought to look into this."
Half a hundred men and boys stepped up to the ring, and for a few minutes the discussion waxed warm. In the meantime the young acrobat arose unsteadily to his feet. He was so weak he could hardly stand.
"Get back to the dressing-room, and be quick about it," growled the ringmaster to him. "I'll settle with you for this later."
"Down that ringmaster! Give him his own lash!" came from a burly farmer. "We'll teach him to abuse a boy as is sick!"
This cry was taken up by several. Growing alarmed, the ringmaster took to his heals and disappeared in the direction of the dressing-tent, whence his young victim had already gone. Then the band struck up, and the manager of the show sent out the clowns to do an extra stunt to quiet the audience.
"I'm afraid that ringmaster will have it in for that boy," said Snap to his chums.
"Poor boy!" murmured the doctor's son. "He didn't look as if he was used to this hard life. I wish we could do something for him."