PHIL FORREST TO THE RESCUE
"Catch Teddy!Catch him!" shouted Mr.Sparling.
"The boy has gone into the river!" cried half a dozen voices at once."No; the bull threw him toward the boat.He may have shot right onover and into the water or he may still be on the upper deck," answered Mr.Kennedy, as he plied his prod industriously, shouting his orders to the other elephants that already were showing signs of restlessness.
By this time a boat had been launched from the dock, and half a dozen men had gone in search of the lost gangway that was now floating slowly down the river some distance away.
"Ahoy, boat!" bellowed Mr.Sparling."Row around to the other side and see if Tucker is in the river."At the same time the owner of the show was running toward the "Marie." He plunged into the mass of equipment on the lower deck, lost his footing and went rolling under a lion's cage.He was on his feet and bounding up the stairs almost in the next second.
Just as he reached the upper deck he met Phil Forrest emerging from the cabin, attracted by the uproar.
"What's the matter, sir?"
"Teddy," answered the showman shortly."Oh, that boy again!What is it?" "Jupiter tossed him.""Where is he?"
"Maybe in the river.Help me look for him up here.They are searching for him on the other side of the boat."Phil started on a run along one side of the deck, Mr.Sparling taking the other side.
"Here he is.Ahoy, boat! Go and get the gangway.I have the boy here," called Mr.Sparling.
Phil hurried over to where Mr.Sparling was bending over Teddy, who lay doubled up against the pilot house.
"Is he hurt?"
"I don't know.I'll tell you when I get him untangled.He seems to be standing on his head.Lucky if his neck isn't broken.""Teddy's neck is too tough to be easily broken.I think he is merely stunned," said Phil.
The showman straightened the Circus Boy out, and Teddy suddenly sat up, rubbing his head and neck gingerly.
"Did January kick me?" he demanded wonderingly."No; Jupiter threw you up here.Are you hurt?" "Hurt?""Yes."
"I'm worse than that.I'm like the carpenter who swallowed atape measure.I'm dying by inches."Mr.Sparling uttered an impatient exclamation.
"Take care of him, Phil.I must get back.There is troubledown there."The showman hurried away, and Phil saw at once that his companion had sustained a severe shock, but nothing of a serious nature.
"You're all right, Teddy.What is the trouble down there?" Teddy, still rubbing himself, explained what had happened.Just then there came a call from below.
"Oh, Phil!"
"Yes."
"Can you come down here?" "Of course.What is it?" "Mr.Sparling wants you." "I'll be right there."The lad, instead of taking the time to go down the companionway, swung over the side of the boat and dropped lightly to the wharf.Such is the advantage of being a showman.
"Mr.Kennedy is having trouble with the bulls, Phil," explained Mr.Sparling.
"Yes; so Teddy told me."
