“It did seem mighty2 odd to me when that long-legged chap beat it,” he murmured, softly. “Queer, too, that a parcel of boys should be sporting around in a machine fit for a multi-millionaire. I won’t say there’s anything wrong about it, but——”
A step attracted his attention.
Dave Brandon, wearing his usual good-natured smile, had approached the desk.
“I was wondering if I could be accommodated here for a few days,” began the historian, blandly3. “You see——”
[126]The clerk smiled affably. He also coughed apologetically. His thoughts ran like this: “Oh, no, my fine fellow, you can’t work any slick scheme on us.” Then he said:
“Very sorry, sir, our terms are strictly4 cash in advance, especially when luggage has been taken away. Of course I don’t doubt that you’re all right,” he added, in a tone which expressed all the doubt in the world.
“Oh!” exclaimed Dave.
“Yes,” said the clerk.
The historian remained thoughtful for a moment.
“Pardon me,” he said, quietly turning away.
“He looks like a pretty good sort,” mused5 the clerk, glancing at Dave’s retreating form. “Still, you never can tell; usually they’re the slickest kind.”
A few minutes later Dave reappeared.
“When Victor Collins comes in will you kindly7 give him this?” he said, handing the clerk a sealed envelope.
Once outside, Dave, with a twinkle in his eye, began to walk as though he had some important mission to perform.
[127]“Well, well!” His smile broadened. “I was certainly never placed in such a remarkable9 situation before. It has an element of grim humor in it, too. But for this hungry feeling I’d laugh out loud. Stranded10! Think of the fearfulness of it! Actually stranded!”
Dave’s reflections, however, did not drive away his cheerful expression.
“Now that the chaps have disappeared,” he mused, “their kindly support must needs be withdrawn11. Here I am, left high and dry on the shores of adversity, with two awful alternatives facing me: to borrow, or not to borrow; to depend upon myself, or not to depend upon myself.”
The humor of it all appealed irresistibly12 to the historian; he laughed to himself, although his eyes were turned longingly13 toward a restaurant in the window of which a tempting14 collection of food products was displayed.
“There’s no telling how or when we fellows will get together again,” mused Dave. “Something has to be done quickly. I believe I’ve struck the best plan. Anyway, it won’t do any harm to try it. Although”—he laughed[128] aloud—“I reckon little Vic will be considerably15 surprised—even shocked.”
Dave had completely thrown off his usually languid air. He walked briskly, with a certain look in his eye which his chums would have known meant a determination not to be swerved16.
He slackened his rapid pace only when a group of circus tents finally appeared in view. A few minutes later he crossed the lot, directing his steps toward the mess tent.
He found it crowded with men and women seated before rough board tables. A savory17 odor filling the enclosure made Dave sniff18 the air with keen relish19. It also served to increase his tremendous desire for a good square meal.
Several waiters in white caps and aprons20, balancing trays, hustled21 along the narrow aisles23. A constant rattle24 of dishes and the jingle25 of knives and forks mingled26 in with the buzz of conversation. Sometimes a bawling27 voice sharply punctuated28 this medley29 of sound, and now one close at hand suddenly roared out:
“Hey! Watcher want?”
Dave looked around, to find himself the[129] target for many pairs of staring eyes. It was a little embarrassing—very little, however. He looked over the rows of grinning faces and was about to reply when a boy not far off suddenly popped up from his seat.
“Well, if it ain’t Jumbo ag’in!”
A roar of mirth echoed through the mess tent. Sallies began flying thick and fast. Dave, however, stood his ground.
“I’m looking for Mr. Whiffin,” he said, calmly.
Joe Rodgers, arrayed in the reddest of red vests, put his small form in motion, and, with remarkable disregard for the feet and shins about him, pushed his way forward.
“Hey!” screeched30 Joe, shaking his fist at a particularly loud-voiced person who was busy hurling31 questions at Dave. “Let that ’ere feller alone. I’m his guardeen.”
“Where is Mr. Whiffin, Joe?” asked Dave.
“I dunno. But if ye hear a row goin’ on anywheres steer32 fur it, an’ you’ll find him,” answered Joe. “What d’ye want with ’im, anyway?”
Dave, uttering a sigh of relief, withdrew from the curious stares, the loud voices and[130] general noise and confusion which pervaded33 the tent. Joe was at his side.
“What d’ye want with Whiffin, Jumbo?” he repeated.
“Joe,” remarked Dave—he placed his hand on the lad’s broad shoulder—“if you don’t mind, I’d rather you’d call me Dave—Dave Brandon’s my name.”
“All right. I’ll call you Dave Jumbo,” said Joe, gravely.
“Dave Jumbo?”
“Oh, I’m wise to what ye wants, Dave.” Joe stared earnestly into the other’s face for an instant. “Ye’re a good feller, all right—I kin6 see that,” he exclaimed. “Say,—what’s became o’ the little grouch35?”
Dave explained.
“Gone off for to eat, eh? Well, did ye take sich a fancy to Whiffin ye couldn’t stay away from the show, eh?”
“Joe, I’m looking for a job.”
[131]“Oh, no; I mean it, Joe.”
“But say, what does a feller wearin’ clothes like them you’ve got on want with a job?” The idea apparently39 staggered “Mister” Joe Rodgers. He thrust his hands into his trousers pockets. “Aw, git out!” he sniffed40, after a moment of deep reflection. “Ye can’t git across with no sich stuff as that.”
It took Dave five minutes of valuable time to make Joe credit the earnestness of his intention. But once convinced, Joe immediately became the historian’s enthusiastic ally.
“But—but I don’t believe ye kin do it,” he said, doubtfully.
“Lead me to Whiffin, and we’ll see,” laughed Dave.
After a short search they found the manager of “Spudger’s Peerless” at the entrance to the main tent.
“I understand that you need the services of a good barker,” began Dave.
“What’s that to you?” demanded Peter Whiffin, in a querulous tone, arching his eyebrows42 in surprise.
[132]“Only that I’d like to have the job myself, sir.”
The manager looked at the stout43 boy as though he had never heard anything quite so strange in all his life.
“Give ’im a chanc’t, Mr. Whiffin,” pleaded Joe. “Maybe he kin make good.”
“Only a powerful disinclination to drag myself away from Spudger’s Peerless Circus and Menagerie,” laughed Dave. “Come now, Mr. Whiffin”—he changed his jocular tone to one of seriousness—“I know that a barker is absolutely necessary to the success of your show. As Joe says, give me a chance.”
Mr. Peter Whiffin seemed to hesitate. He looked sharply at the boy; then, reaching a sudden decision, crooked46 his forefinger47 and turned on his heel.
Dave, with Joe not far behind him, followed the manager into the menagerie tent.
A really delightful48 odor of sawdust filled the air. Colossus, Titan and Nero stood in a[133] corner, restlessly swinging their trunks, while in the open dens49 lined up on either side savage50 animals paced ceaselessly to and fro.
“Now see here,” began Peter Whiffin, cocking his head to one side and looking very fierce indeed, “I wouldn’t listen to yer yawp for eight seconds but for two things: first, you’ve got the biggest nerve of any boy I ever see; an’ second, I do need a barker. But I’m from Missouri—if yer know what that means.”
“Want to be shown, eh?” laughed Dave.
He stepped off a few paces, and, with a wink8 at Joe, began a steady flow of eloquence51, describing Spudger’s great show in the highly imaginative language of a press agent.
“I’ve heard worse,” commented Peter Whiffin, grudgingly52, attempting to hide his satisfaction. “Give us another round.”
An expression of surprise on the manager’s face gradually deepened. Dave, thoroughly53 imbued54 with the humorous side of the proceeding55, and determined56 to do himself credit, had managed to cast aside all feelings of embarrassment57. He raised his voice until its strong, clear notes fairly rang through the tent.
[134]“But did ye ever speak before a mob?”
“I’ve recited in school many times,” answered Dave.
“Well, this job ain’t like speakin’ to a lot o’ kids, mind yer,” warned Mr. Whiffin. “I reckon you’ll feel like takin’ to the tall timber when ye faces a real crowd.”
“I’ll risk it,” said Dave, in a confident manner.
“An’ I’m game enough to take a chance on ye.” Peter Whiffin cast an angry look toward Joe Rodgers, whose joy at the decision seemed altogether out of proportion to its importance. “Ye kin try it this afternoon. But ye’ll need to git the biggest kind o’ a hustle22 on ye; the show’s goin’ to start mighty soon.”
“All right, Mr. Whiffin. What’s the pay?”
“For this afternoon an’ to-night two dollars an’ grub, in case ye make good.”
Whiffin led the way to the entrance, and, as they walked outside, Dave’s eyes ran over the lot. A large number of grown people, as well as children were headed toward it. He saw that haste was, indeed, necessary.
“I’ll skip over to the mess tent now,” he said, briskly, “and——”
[135]“What! Ye ain’t had no grub yit?” exclaimed Mr. Peter Whiffin, in astonishment.
“No! But——”
“Well, don’t waste your time in jawin’. Take ’im over, you Joe. Then git right back on the job, or you’ll hear somethin’ ye don’t like. Report to me in fifteen minutes, young feller.”
“That’s Whiffin,” growled Joe, as the two promptly58 walked away. “Him an’ me don’t hit it nohow. Say, Jumbo—I mean Dave—you’ve got nerve, all right. If ye kin chuck the talk to the crowd as well as ye did afore Whiffin you’ll have Jack59 Gray a-guessin’.”
The mess tent was almost deserted60 when Dave, escorted by Joe Rodgers, to the amazement61 of several waiters, a clown, and a few members of the “Celebrated Randolpho family,” wizards of the flying trapeze, walked up to a table and sat down.
“What ees this?” murmured Randolpho, Senior, who, however, was no relation to the other “Randolphos.” “Aha, it ees the same fat boy I have see here before.”
Joe Rodgers immediately made Mr. Whiffin’s orders known to those in charge, and in a few[136] minutes the historian was served by a grinning and much mystified waiter.
It is very likely that Victor Collins’ fastidious tastes would have caused him to sniff at the circus fare, but Dave had roughed it too long in the open to be over-particular. So he began to eat with a heartiness62 that increased the grin on the waiter’s face.
“Ah,” murmured Dave, a short time later, “depending upon one’s self is the real thing, after all.”
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1
scraps
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| 油渣 | |
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2
mighty
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| adj.强有力的；巨大的 | |
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blandly
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| adv.温和地，殷勤地 | |
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strictly
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| adv.严厉地，严格地；严密地 | |
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5
mused
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| v.沉思，冥想( muse的过去式和过去分词 )；沉思自语说（某事） | |
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kin
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| n.家族，亲属，血缘关系；adj.亲属关系的，同类的 | |
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kindly
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| adj.和蔼的，温和的，爽快的；adv.温和地，亲切地 | |
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wink
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| n.眨眼，使眼色，瞬间；v.眨眼，使眼色，闪烁 | |
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9
remarkable
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| adj.显著的，异常的，非凡的，值得注意的 | |
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stranded
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| a.搁浅的，进退两难的 | |
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11
withdrawn
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| vt.收回；使退出；vi.撤退，退出 | |
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irresistibly
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| adv.无法抵抗地，不能自持地；极为诱惑人地 | |
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13
longingly
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| adv. 渴望地 热望地 | |
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tempting
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| a.诱人的, 吸引人的 | |
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15
considerably
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| adv.极大地；相当大地；在很大程度上 | |
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16
swerved
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| v.（使）改变方向，改变目的( swerve的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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17
savory
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| adj.风味极佳的，可口的，味香的 | |
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18
sniff
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| vi.嗅…味道；抽鼻涕；对嗤之以鼻，蔑视 | |
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19
relish
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| n.滋味，享受，爱好，调味品；vt.加调味料，享受，品味；vi.有滋味 | |
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20
aprons
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| 围裙( apron的名词复数 )； 停机坪，台口（舞台幕前的部份） | |
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hustled
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| 催促（hustle的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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hustle
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| v.推搡；竭力兜售或获取；催促；n.奔忙(碌) | |
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23
aisles
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| n. (席位间的)通道, 侧廊 | |
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24
rattle
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| v.飞奔，碰响；激怒；n.碰撞声；拨浪鼓 | |
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25
jingle
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| n.叮当声，韵律简单的诗句；v.使叮当作响，叮当响，押韵 | |
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26
mingled
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| 混合，混入( mingle的过去式和过去分词 )； 混进，与…交往[联系] | |
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27
bawling
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| v.大叫，大喊( bawl的现在分词 )；放声大哭；大声叫出；叫卖（货物） | |
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28
punctuated
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| v.（在文字中）加标点符号，加标点( punctuate的过去式和过去分词 )；不时打断某事物 | |
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29
medley
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| n.混合 | |
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30
screeched
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| v.发出尖叫声( screech的过去式和过去分词 )；发出粗而刺耳的声音；高叫 | |
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31
hurling
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| n.爱尔兰式曲棍球v.猛投，用力掷( hurl的现在分词 )；大声叫骂 | |
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32
steer
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| vt.驾驶，为…操舵；引导；vi.驾驶 | |
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33
pervaded
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| v.遍及，弥漫( pervade的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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hearty
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| adj.热情友好的；衷心的；尽情的，纵情的 | |
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35
grouch
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| n.牢骚，不满；v.抱怨 | |
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bulged
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| 凸出( bulge的过去式和过去分词 )； 充满； 塞满（某物） | |
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37
astonishment
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| n.惊奇，惊异 | |
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38
gasped
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| v.喘气( gasp的过去式和过去分词 )；喘息；倒抽气；很想要 | |
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39
apparently
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| adv.显然地；表面上，似乎 | |
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40
sniffed
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| v.以鼻吸气，嗅，闻( sniff的过去式和过去分词 )；抽鼻子（尤指哭泣、患感冒等时出声地用鼻子吸气）；抱怨，不以为然地说 | |
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41
spoke
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| n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说 | |
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42
eyebrows
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| 眉毛( eyebrow的名词复数 ) | |
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44
snarled
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| v.（指狗）吠，嗥叫， （人）咆哮( snarl的过去式和过去分词 )；咆哮着说，厉声地说 | |
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45
growled
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| v.（动物）发狺狺声， （雷）作隆隆声( growl的过去式和过去分词 )；低声咆哮着说 | |
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46
crooked
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| adj.弯曲的；不诚实的，狡猾的，不正当的 | |
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47
forefinger
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| n.食指 | |
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48
delightful
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| adj.令人高兴的，使人快乐的 | |
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49
dens
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| n.牙齿，齿状部分；兽窝( den的名词复数 )；窝点；休息室；书斋 | |
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50
savage
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| adj.野蛮的；凶恶的，残暴的；n.未开化的人 | |
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51
eloquence
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| n.雄辩；口才，修辞 | |
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52
grudgingly
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53
thoroughly
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| adv.完全地，彻底地，十足地 | |
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54
imbued
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| v.使（某人/某事）充满或激起（感情等）( imbue的过去式和过去分词 )；使充满；灌输；激发（强烈感情或品质等） | |
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55
proceeding
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| n.行动，进行，(pl.)会议录，学报 | |
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56
determined
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| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
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57
embarrassment
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| n.尴尬；使人为难的人(事物)；障碍；窘迫 | |
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58
promptly
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| adv.及时地，敏捷地 | |
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59
jack
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| n.插座，千斤顶，男人；v.抬起，提醒，扛举；n.（Jake）杰克 | |
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60
deserted
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| adj.荒芜的，荒废的，无人的，被遗弃的 | |
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61
amazement
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| n.惊奇，惊讶 | |
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62
heartiness
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| 诚实，热心 | |
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