Dave nodded. “Winter Circus, we say in English,” he replied.
“Yes. I have performed there before crowds enormous.”
“Do you like this country?” asked Dave.
Monsieur Randolpho’s agreeable voice was silent as he pondered over the question. Presently he said:
“Ah, it ees a great place—such wonderful peoples. Nozzing for them is too hard. You have never bark before, and yet—ah, you go?”
Dave had hastily arisen.
“I’d like to continue the conversation,[138] Monsieur Randolpho,” he remarked, pleasantly, “but I haven’t an instant to lose.”
“Ah, you must of the show something learn, ees that not it? Well, I wish you a grand success.”
As Dave started off in search of Mr. Whiffin a rather curious sensation began stealing over him. The lot had assumed an appearance of life and gaiety such as it had perhaps never known before in all its existence. The insistent1 cries of peanut, pretzel and lemonade venders, the shrill2 yells of children, the rough voices of men calling to one another and the awesome3 snarls4 and growls5 which occasionally came from the menagerie tent kept up a never-ceasing din6.
And but a short time before Dave had been merely an outsider; but now—that meal sealed the contract—he was to be until night a part and parcel of “Spudger’s Peerless” and something destined7 to belong to the public gaze. The barker’s stand before the main entrance seemed to assume an importance altogether unwarranted by either its size or gaudily8 decorated surface.
One quick glance disclosed Mr. Whiffin[139] not far away, gesticulating, his thin, harsh voice raised to a pitch of unpleasant shrillness9.
As the newly-engaged barker approached, he saw a much-bewhiskered gentleman, florid of complexion11, apparently12 short of breath, and very wide of girth sticking close to the manager’s side.
“Here’s the fellow, Mr. Spudger,” exclaimed Peter Whiffin, pointing a bony forefinger14 toward the oncoming Dave. “Says he kin13 help us out, but I ain’t bankin’ on it.”
The “great and only” Ollie Spudger unbent his ponderous15 form and began to examine Dave as a connoisseur16 might search for the good points of a rare piece of statuary.
“His loss if he ain’t there with the goods,” commented Peter, shortly. “Listen, young feller; here’s what I want ye to git over to the audience, an’ git it over strong, mind ye.”
Talking rapidly, he checked off on his fingers point after point, while Mr. Spudger nodded his head in unison19 with the motions.
[140]“I understand,” said Dave. His eyes traveled mechanically in the direction of the stand. “Shall I begin now?”
“No! Come this way.”
The historian followed the circus men inside the menagerie tent, where he discovered that a space between two cages had been inclosed by a long strip of canvas.
Whiffin drew aside the flap and bade him enter.
Dave’s eyes immediately took in a pile of garments resting on a stool.
Peter Whiffin selected a very red coat, plentifully20 supplied with spangles, and, as he held it at arm’s length, the slightest movement sent them shaking and glittering in the dull gray light which came from above.
“A fine piece of goods,” said Mr. Whiffin, admiringly. “Slide inside, young feller.”
“Put it on,” ordered Whiffin, peremptorily22.
The stout23 boy, with a broad grin, took off his coat and made an effort to follow instructions. It required the services of both Spudger and Whiffin, however, to force the garment around his ample shoulders, and during this[141] operation every seam, in turn, seemed ready to burst in angry protest.
“Now ye look a bit better,” exclaimed Mr. Spudger, at length, as, somewhat winded with his exertions24, he stood off to stare at Dave with an eye of approval.
“Stick this top-piece on yer, young feller,” came from Peter Whiffin.
“I certainly got myself into something when I took this job,” laughed Dave, carefully adjusting the head-gear. “What else do I have to change, Mr. Whiffin?”
“Your expression—that’s all,” growled26 Peter. “I’m goin’. Jist wait around the tent somewheres until the ‘Ten Thousand Dollar’ band reels off a few tunes27; an’ when I flash the signal git your nerves together an’ come.”
“An’ don’t let any bunch o’ kids rattle28 you,” advised Mr. Spudger, following his manager with ponderous steps.
Left alone, Dave paid no attention to the men passing to and fro, but set his thoughts busily to work on the composition of his announcement.[142] Then, suddenly, noticing a small, round hole in the canvas he walked quickly toward it. In another moment his eye was applied29 to the aperture30.
He could see a considerable number of people crowding before the entrance and also “Spudger’s Ten Thousand Dollar Peerless Band” occupying a raised platform near the barker’s seat.
Even quiet, self-contained Dave felt his nerves tingling31 curiously32. The ordeal33 of waiting tried his patience. He felt that his throat, for some reason or other, was becoming unpleasantly husky.
And now, after much preliminary tooting, the band struck up. A grand crash was followed by several resounding34 bangs; then the musicians were safely off. The brass35 easily predominated, almost drowning the well-meaning attempts of the others.
“When we started on that motor car trip how little I ever expected to run into anything like this,” murmured Dave, softly. “I certainly do wonder where those boys could have gone.”
“Hey there!”
[143]He recognized the rasping voice.
“All right, sir.”
The great moment had arrived.
A strong effort stilled the quick beating of his heart. Walking with a firm step he reached Mr. Whiffin’s side.
“Up with ye! An’ chuck it over strong, now!” commanded the manager.
The chilly37 wind blowing hard across the lots swayed the great canvas paintings before the entrance and violently fluttered a multitude of flags and pennants38 floating from the top of ridge39 poles and strung along various ropes.
Even above the vigorous strains of music, Dave could hear a curious murmur36 run through the crowd as he stepped upon the stand. In an instant every eye was apparently focused upon him. He found it rather difficult to face unconcernedly that battery of looks expressive40 of curiosity, anticipation41, or, perhaps, dreadful to think of, derision.
Almost mechanically the new barker observed the shifting currents of humanity, one moment massed together, and the next flowing over the lot to form in scattered42 groups[144] before various points of interest. It was very picturesque43 and interesting. Many girls, in their bright-colored dresses, added a touch of color to the scene.
Dave became so absorbed in contemplating44 the kaleidoscopic45 effects that he almost forgot to feel embarrassed. But a shrill screech46 coming from a youthful throat just below brought him abruptly47 back to the prominence48 of his position.
“Say somethin’ or git the hook!”
And just then Mr. Ollie Spudger, by a wave of his big right hand, signaled to the fiddling49 leader of the “Ten Thousand Dollar” band.
With another terrifying crash and bang, the playing suddenly stopped. A stillness, appalling50 by contrast, immediately seemed to hover51 over the surroundings. Dave, momentarily off his guard, found his wits acting52 in a way that wits sometimes do when called upon to perform their duties under extraordinary conditions. Words which just a few seconds before were clearly imprinted53 on his mental vision had completely vanished, and he stood gazing awkwardly into the faces of a staring, noisy mob.
[145]Below and at his back, he was conscious of the presence of Mr. Spudger and his manager, realizing, too, that the eyes of each were fastened upon him with eager intensity54.
That instant of silence was unendurable. But a noise producer was at hand. A large disc of metal hung between two supports on his right, while a wooden mallet55 lay on a shelf close by.
Dave got into action.
Bang, bang! A series of deafening56 crashes, rivaling in volume those produced by the brass in the “Ten Thousand,” immediately swung off into space. Again and again the clanging notes swelled57 into a din of uproarious proportions.
Every straggler, apparently, within hearing distance came rushing up, until a dense58 crowd had massed itself before him.
Dave was once more in full control of his faculties59. Words began popping into his head in such generous numbers that before the notes of the gong had ceased their musical reverberations he was addressing his audience.
“Ladies and gentlemen,” he began, in a clear, resonant60 voice, “it is my pleasure and[146] privilege to call your attention to the great and mar-velous features of Spudger’s Great Combined Peerless Circus and Menagerie. We have here to-day a stupendous and superb ag-gre-gation of wonders collected from all quarters of the globe by Mr. Ollie Spudger. The expense was e-normous.
“At each and every performance there is to be seen a grand exhibition of a-renic pomp and splendor61, together with visions of inspiring beauty. Golden chariots drawn62 by huge African elephants form part of a glittering, jeweled and costumed army rivaling those gorgeous pro-cessions which, centuries ago, filed with majestic63 pomp before the emperors in the Coliseum of ancient Rome.”
“Bully64 for you! That’s going some!” screeched65 the voice of “Mister” Joe Rodgers from the front row.
Dave hit the gong a resounding crack.
“I call attention to Ormond de Sylveste!” he cried, “the champion bareback rider of the world, in his thrilling exhibition of equestrian66 skill; to Tobanus, the renowned67 sword swallower, in a mysterious and a-mazing act. And besides these two un-equaled stars there[147] is the Randolpho troupe68 of acrobats69, who, in an as-ton-ishing series of gyrations, set at defiance70 all laws of gravitation.”
Dave paused impressively, letting his pointer come to rest on the broad chest of Adolphus’ counterfeit71 presentment.
“Then there are other attractions alone worth double the price of admission. This most ex-tra-ordinary giant, Adolphus, is a youth, still growing, and promising72 to eclipse in height all giants of any era. Zingar, the famous dwarf73, has caused the greatest sensation wherever shown. Mr. Ollie Spudger’s standing74 offer of ten thousand dollars for his equal in any country has never been taken up.”
A buzz of comments arose. Dave waited for a few moments, then resumed:
“The menagerie is an exhibition in itself—a great collection of savage75, fear-in-spir-ing animals, in gilded76 lairs77, bringing to your very doors the inhabitants of the jungle—an ag-gre-gation of fe-rocious quadrupeds without parallel in the country.
“And all this can be seen for the small sum of ten cents, just one dime78, an amount well within the means of every man, woman or[148] child of Kenosha. Remember—ten cents—just one dime, to see all the curiosities. Reserved seats up to twenty-five cents. Pass along—get your tickets—get your tickets!”
Dave vigorously hammered the gong. Then the “Ten Thousand Dollars,” obeying another signal from Mr. Spudger, sent up a blast that threatened the safety of ear-drums.
Joe Rodgers, with a shrill “Gee, this must be a bully show, fellers!” flung over his shoulder, made a dive for the ticket wagon79, followed by several young men whom Dave had noticed about the circus.
As though they possessed80 some strange magnetic force, many spectators seemed to be drawn irresistibly81 after them. The tent soon began swallowing up a steady flow of humanity, and when interest waned82 Dave promptly83 resumed his speaking.
He rose to greater heights this time, his clear, strong voice compelling attention. He told of the wonderful performing elephants; of Mademoiselle Hazel, queen of the slack wire, in her great danger-defying act, and of Professor Lopus and his extraordinary troupe of trained horses.
[149]Joe and his associates were on hand, and, as before, at the important moment, started a stampede toward the “box office.”
Another repetition of the performance left standing at the entrance only a few disconsolate-looking people. Even Mr. Peter Whiffin could not altogether conceal84 his satisfaction at the success of Spudger’s new barker.
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1
insistent
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| adj.迫切的，坚持的 | |
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shrill
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| adj.尖声的；刺耳的；v尖叫 | |
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awesome
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| adj.令人惊叹的，难得吓人的，很好的 | |
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4
snarls
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| n.（动物的）龇牙低吼( snarl的名词复数 )；愤怒叫嚷（声）；咆哮（声）；疼痛叫声v.（指狗）吠，嗥叫， （人）咆哮( snarl的第三人称单数 )；咆哮着说，厉声地说 | |
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5
growls
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| v.（动物）发狺狺声， （雷）作隆隆声( growl的第三人称单数 )；低声咆哮着说 | |
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din
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| n.喧闹声，嘈杂声 | |
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7
destined
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| adj.命中注定的；(for)以…为目的地的 | |
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8
gaudily
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| adv.俗丽地 | |
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9
shrillness
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| 尖锐刺耳 | |
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10
catching
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| adj.易传染的，有魅力的，迷人的，接住 | |
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11
complexion
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| n.肤色；情况，局面；气质，性格 | |
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apparently
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| adv.显然地；表面上，似乎 | |
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13
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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14
forefinger
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| n.食指 | |
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15
ponderous
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| adj.沉重的，笨重的，(文章)冗长的 | |
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16
connoisseur
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| n.鉴赏家，行家，内行 | |
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17
refreshing
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| adj.使精神振作的，使人清爽的，使人喜欢的 | |
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18
candor
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| n.坦白，率真 | |
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19
unison
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| n.步调一致，行动一致 | |
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20
plentifully
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| adv. 许多地，丰饶地 | |
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21
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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peremptorily
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| adv.紧急地，不容分说地，专横地 | |
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24
exertions
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| n.努力( exertion的名词复数 )；费力；（能力、权力等的）运用；行使 | |
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25
tassels
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| n.穗( tassel的名词复数 )；流苏状物；（植物的）穗；玉蜀黍的穗状雄花v.抽穗， （玉米）长穗须( tassel的第三人称单数 )；使抽穗， （为了使作物茁壮生长）摘去穗状雄花；用流苏装饰 | |
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26
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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27
tunes
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| n.曲调，曲子( tune的名词复数 )v.调音( tune的第三人称单数 )；调整；（给收音机、电视等）调谐；使协调 | |
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28
rattle
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| v.飞奔，碰响；激怒；n.碰撞声；拨浪鼓 | |
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29
applied
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| adj.应用的；v.应用，适用 | |
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30
aperture
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| n.孔，隙，窄的缺口 | |
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31
tingling
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| v.有刺痛感( tingle的现在分词 ) | |
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32
curiously
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| adv.有求知欲地；好问地；奇特地 | |
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ordeal
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| n.苦难经历，（尤指对品格、耐力的）严峻考验 | |
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34
resounding
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| adj. 响亮的 | |
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35
brass
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| n.黄铜；黄铜器，铜管乐器 | |
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36
murmur
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| n.低语，低声的怨言；v.低语，低声而言 | |
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chilly
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| adj.凉快的，寒冷的 | |
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38
pennants
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| n.校旗( pennant的名词复数 )；锦标旗；长三角旗；信号旗 | |
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ridge
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| n.山脊；鼻梁；分水岭 | |
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40
expressive
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| adj.表现的，表达…的，富于表情的 | |
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41
anticipation
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| n.预期，预料，期望 | |
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42
scattered
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| adj.分散的，稀疏的；散步的；疏疏落落的 | |
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picturesque
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| adj.美丽如画的，（语言）生动的，绘声绘色的 | |
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44
contemplating
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| 深思，细想，仔细考虑( contemplate的现在分词 )； 注视，凝视； 考虑接受（发生某事的可能性）； 深思熟虑，沉思，苦思冥想 | |
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45
kaleidoscopic
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| adj.千变万化的 | |
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46
screech
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| n./v.尖叫；(发出)刺耳的声音 | |
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47
abruptly
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| adv.突然地，出其不意地 | |
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48
prominence
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| n.突出；显著；杰出；重要 | |
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49
fiddling
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| 微小的 | |
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50
appalling
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| adj.骇人听闻的，令人震惊的，可怕的 | |
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51
hover
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| vi.翱翔，盘旋；徘徊；彷徨，犹豫 | |
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52
acting
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| n.演戏，行为，假装；adj.代理的，临时的，演出用的 | |
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53
imprinted
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| v.盖印（imprint的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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54
intensity
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| n.强烈，剧烈；强度；烈度 | |
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55
mallet
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| n.槌棒 | |
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56
deafening
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| adj. 振耳欲聋的, 极喧闹的 动词deafen的现在分词形式 | |
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57
swelled
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| 增强( swell的过去式和过去分词 )； 肿胀； （使）凸出； 充满（激情） | |
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58
dense
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| a.密集的，稠密的，浓密的；密度大的 | |
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59
faculties
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| n.能力( faculty的名词复数 )；全体教职员；技巧；院 | |
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60
resonant
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| adj.(声音)洪亮的，共鸣的 | |
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61
splendor
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| n.光彩；壮丽，华丽；显赫，辉煌 | |
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62
drawn
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| v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的 | |
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63
majestic
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| adj.雄伟的，壮丽的，庄严的，威严的，崇高的 | |
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64
bully
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| n.恃强欺弱者，小流氓；vt.威胁，欺侮 | |
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65
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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66
equestrian
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| adj.骑马的；n.马术 | |
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67
renowned
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| adj.著名的，有名望的，声誉鹊起的 | |
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68
troupe
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| n.剧团，戏班；杂技团；马戏团 | |
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acrobats
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| n.杂技演员( acrobat的名词复数 )；立场观点善变的人，主张、政见等变化无常的人 | |
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70
defiance
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| n.挑战，挑衅，蔑视，违抗 | |
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71
counterfeit
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| vt.伪造，仿造；adj.伪造的，假冒的 | |
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72
promising
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| adj.有希望的，有前途的 | |
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73
dwarf
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| n.矮子，侏儒，矮小的动植物；vt.使…矮小 | |
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74
standing
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| n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的 | |
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75
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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76
gilded
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| a.镀金的，富有的 | |
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77
lairs
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| n.（野兽的）巢穴，窝( lair的名词复数 )；（人的）藏身处 | |
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78
dime
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| n.（指美国、加拿大的钱币）一角 | |
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79
wagon
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| n.四轮马车，手推车，面包车；无盖运货列车 | |
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80
possessed
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| adj.疯狂的；拥有的，占有的 | |
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81
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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82
waned
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| v.衰落( wane的过去式和过去分词 )；（月）亏；变小；变暗淡 | |
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83
promptly
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| adv.及时地，敏捷地 | |
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84
conceal
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| v.隐藏，隐瞒，隐蔽 | |
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