Phil Rushington's Search, or, The Unknown Rider of the Ring — page 9: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

Ot . i 2 ns - > “hk”, «i * * ’ 4 + a. Sen) tem. ~ om, 4 “e eS . ah me _ Walt turned the hurdle so that the boy’s ee: es oer merely grazed it in the downward fall and the horse cleared both barrier and boy, Eiheing halted by Grout who leaped to the bridle. : ee Francis was not hurt and sprang up at once, the leather band in his hands. “It was not my fault,” he cried; “see! The band broke. Look at it, Mr. Rushington.” ’ said Phil, taking the band and ex- amining the break. “T see,’ As he looked he gave a start. Then he looked closer. “What's the matter, old man?” asked -Walt. “You have a very good act, Francis, and*it is hard ‘Nothing——now,” returned Phil. for me to believe that you’ve never been in a ring before. Do you care to ride for us after the two—accidents, you have just met with?” “Certainly, sir!” answered the boy, consid- erably astonished. “I should think you might be afraid of hav- ing more of these—accidents.” Rush placed a lingering emphasis on the last word and both Walt and the ringmaster wondered what he meant. : “I am not afraid, Mr. Rushington,” said Francis, stoutly. “I will look to the strap myself, next time.” “It will not be possible for us to take. you on for the rest of the season,’’ continued Rush, “but I would like to have you take the place of one of my young lady riders who is not able to appear for a few performances.” “I do not want a long engagement,’ an- swered Francis. “Iwo or three perform- ances, I think, are about all I would care for.” Phil was mystified. Here was a rider des- perately eager for a short engagement, to whom a consideration of money counted as nothing and for whom the life had no attrac- tions! What was there behind it all? Now, at the last moment, he was more than tempted to tell the boy he wanted nothing to do with him. DO AND DARE WEEKLY. yi dé Something of this enti Ae : shown in Phil’s face, for Franci Mis range him and began entreating for an opportunity to ride, if only at one performance. “We'll call it settled,” said Phil, although reluctantly. “I will pay you a reasonable price for the work you do——” “That is immaterial. I will leave the mat- ter of payment entirely in your hands.”’ “LT will expect you to ride in the grand en- try, and we shall have to find some tights for you, somewhere.” The boy flushed a deep crimson. he an- swered, hastily, “I have a suit at the hotel and I would like to ride in that.” “It is about time for the doors to open and “If you please, Mr. Rushington,” the performers are nearly all dressed, now.” “T will be ready in ten minutes.” “You evidently came prepared to engage observed Phil. “I was determined to do that even if I*had with us,” to pay you something for the privilege of rid- While talking, he had been putting on his shoes, vest, coat and_hat. ing in your ring.” “T will be back in plenty of time,” he said, finally, starting for the door. “Whew!” exclaimed Walt. make out of this, Rush?” “Very little, as yet, Walt. bring Curly, the groom, in here. “What do you I wish you'd I want to see him for a moment.” Rush had something on his mind and Walt wondered what it could be. CHAPTER III. REDDY VOWS VENGEANCE. Curly, the groom, was a man whom Rush had once discharged because of a part he was bribed to play in a villainous plot which placed the young showman in peril of life and limb. After his discharge, Curly followed the show from town to town, begging Rush, at every opportunity, — to take him pos an give him another trial. Ss