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continent。〃
〃What？〃
〃Says he's going to make the Sparling Shows known from the Atlantic
to the Pacific〃
〃Across the continent！〃 exclaimed Teddy unbelievingly。 〃No； you're
fooling。〃
〃Yes； clear to the Pacific Coast。 We're going to San Francisco； too。
What do you think of that； Teddy？〃
〃Great！ Wow！ Whoop！〃 howled the boy； hurling his remaining
Indian Club far up among the rafters of the gymnasium； whence it came
clattering down； both lads laughing gleefully。
〃We're going to see the country this time； and we shan't have to sleep
out in an open canvas wagon； either。〃
〃Where shall we sleep？〃
〃Probably in a car。〃
〃It won't be half so much fun；〃 objected Teddy。
〃I imagine the life will be different。 Perhaps we shall not have so
much fun； but we'll have the satisfaction of knowing that we are part of a
real show。 It will mean a lot to us to be with an organization like that。
It will give us a better standing in the profession； and possibly by another
season we may be able to get with one of the really big ones。 Next
spring； if we have good luck； we shall have finished with our school here。
If they'll have us； we'll try to join out with one of them。 In the meantime
we must work hard； Teddy； so we shall be in fine shape when we join out
two weeks from today。 e on； I'll wrestle you a few falls。〃
〃Done；〃 exclaimed Teddy。
Phil promptly threw off his coat and vest。 A few minutes later the
lads were struggling on the wrestling mat； their faces dripping with
perspiration； their supple young figures twisting and turning as each
struggled for the mastery of the other。
5
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The Circus Boys Across The Continent （Or Winning New Laurels on the Tanbark）
The readers of the preceding volume in this series； entitled； THE
CIRCUS BOYS ON THE FLYING RINGS； will recognize Phil and Teddy
at once as the lads who had so unexpectedly joined the Sparling bined
Shows the previous summer。 It was Phil who； by his ready
resourcefulness； saved the life of the wife of the owner of the show as well
as that of an animal trainer later on。 Then； too； it will be remembered
how the lad became the fast friend of the great elephant Emperor； which
he rescued from 〃jail；〃 and with which he performed in the ring to the
delight of thousands。 Ere the close of the season both boys had won their
way to the flying rings； thus being full…fledged circus performers。
Before leaving the show they had signed out for another season at a liberal
salary。
With their savings； which amounted to a few hundred dollars； the boys
had returned to their home at Edmeston； there to put in the winter at
school。
That they might lose nothing of their fine physical condition； the
Circus Boys had rented an old carpenter shop； which they rigged up as a
gymnasium； fitting it with flying rings； trapeze bars and such other
equipment as would serve to keep them in trim for the ing season's
work。
Here Phil and Teddy had worked long hours after school。 During the
winter they had gained marked improvement in their work； besides
developing some entirely new acts on the flying rings。 During this time
they had been living with Mrs。 Cahill； who； it will be remembered； had
proved herself a real friend to the motherless boys。
Now； the long…looked…for day was almost at hand when they should
once more join the canvas city for a life in the open。
The next two weeks were busy ones for the lads； with their practice
and the hard study incident to approaching examinations。 Both boys
passed with high standing。 Books were put away； gymnasium apparatus
stored and one sunlit morning two slender； manly looking young fellows；
their faces reflecting perfect health and happiness； were at the railroad
station waiting for the train which should bear them to the winter quarters
of the show。
6
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The Circus Boys Across The Continent （Or Winning New Laurels on the Tanbark）
Fully half the town had gathered to see them off； for Edmeston was
justly proud of its Circus Boys。 As the train finally drew up and the lads
clambered aboard； their school panions set up a mighty shout； with
three cheers for the Circus Boys。
〃Don't stick your head in the lion's mouth； Teddy！〃 was the parting
salute Phil and Teddy received from the boys as the train drew out。
〃Well； Teddy； we're headed for the Golden Gate at last！〃 glowed Phil。
〃You bet！〃 agreed Teddy with more force than elegance。
〃I wonder if old Emperor will remember me； Teddy？〃
〃Sure thing！ But； do you think that 'fool mule；' as Mr。 Sparling calls
him； will remember me？ Or will he want to kick me full of holes before
the season has really opened？〃
〃I shouldn't place too much dependence on a mule；〃 laughed Phil。
〃e on； let's go inside and sit down。〃
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The Circus Boys Across The Continent （Or Winning New Laurels on the Tanbark）
CHAPTER II
ON THE ROAD ONCE MORE
All was bustle and excitement。
Men were rushing here and there； shouting out hoarse mands。
Elephants were trumpeting shrilly； horses neighing； while； from many a
canvas…wrapped wagon savage beasts of the jungle were emitting roar
upon roar； all voicing their angry protest at being removed from the winter
quarters where they had been at rest for the past six months。
The Great Sparling bined Shows were moving out for their long
summer's journey。 The long trains were being rapidly loaded when Phil
Forrest and Teddy Tucker arrived on the scene late in the afternoon。
It was all new and strange to them； unused as they were to the ways of
a railroad show。 Their baggage had been sent on ahead of them； so they
did not have that to bother with。 Each carried a suitcase； however； and
the boys were now trying to find someone in authority to ask where they
should go and what they should do。
〃Hello； Phil； old boy！〃 howled a