Phil Rushington's Search, or, The Unknown Rider of the Ring — page 7: what you’re looking at

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

: ee been asleep and my mind was not as alert as mat: should have been. When I saw the mules > "bearing right down in my direction, I was _ bewildered and hardly knew which way to turn. Jt all seems like some horrid dream, -and you know the rest, Mr..Rushington, as ee well, or better, than I do.” che 4 - 4 he >t M . .- 4 o - os Sie : a Sot , 7 “t : t att ~} ¥ e: —~ ‘ 4, »~€ - be OPPS Ot. et. . ~(* — -. ‘ , » ‘ tive could the driver have ‘we eee. Very well. = S future, however, see that you use a little more Rush addressed himself to the driver who was holding the heads of the forward mules. ee “How did the team happen to get out of _ your control?” he demanded. “They got scared at somethin’ an’ started for the lot lickety split,” answered the man. “I threw all my heft onto the lines, but couldn't hold ’em.”’ Rush had a vague suspicion that all was not right. ‘The mules had seemed to follow the boy whichever way he turned, as though they might not have been so much out of the driv- ers control as he had asserted. Yet what mo- had for seeking to run the lad down? None, apparently, and Rush dismissed his suspicions. “You are helping the groom, are you, 35 scopy ?” he asked. ” sa ve +, is - ‘fer = | ae es, sir; by Mr. Arkwright’s orders.” Go on with your load. In care if, you have any desire to hold your job.” Reddy climbed on to the wagon and drove off. Rush watched and thought he saw him throw a malignant glance at the boy as he passed. “Do you know that man, my lad?” he asked, No, sir.” “Never saw him before?” “Never, that I can remember.’’ “Well, let it pass. Mr. Arkwright tells me that you wish to ride for us?” “Oh, yes, sir, if you will only let me!’ The boy’s words were eager and an appeal- ing look came to his face. “Have you ever ridden in a circus before ?” DO AND DARE WEEKLY. “No, sir; but at the riding academy I He stopped himself abruptly. “That is to say,’ he went on in some confusion, “I have spent a good deal of my time on a horse’s back, and I think I could please you if you would only let me try.” Rush looked at him thoughtfully. “What is your name?” he asked. The boy started to speak but colored and stammered., “You must be frank with me,” said Rush. “If you cannot convince me that you have a right to be here, ,J. will. not take you on, no matter how fine a rider you are.” “I cannot tell vou.my real name, but you may call me Francis.” “Francis what ?’ ‘“Francis—Carter.”’ “Have you run away from your home, Francis ?” “I have no home to run away from.”’ “No relatives, at all?” “Not one in the world, Mr. Rushington.” There was truth in the boy’s trembling words and Phil believed him. “You look like a young man who has some means, Francis,’ went on Rush. “Are you forced to do this for a living?” “No, sir.” “Then is it because the romance of circus life appeals to you?” “Great Heavens, no! It is not that, it is not that!’ Rush was nonplussed. “Are you trying to take refuge with this show in order to escape persecution of some kind ?”’ Francis shook his head. “Then why are you so anxious for an en- gagement?” “Because I must have it, sir!” he exclaim, ed, wildly. “You must let me ride! Oh, say you will, please say you will!” Tears glimmered in the boy’s eyelashes as he flung himself down at Rush’s feet. * “os, * * - ' * b | " b( & ; i GF @ > a ‘ . 7 ‘ s* — i San : . o? . - 2 . a , se 4 + « P ss — ‘ a -~ .* €* & a ow « - * . , —~ <a -cO