While he was staring at the circus boy, two popcorn boys connected with
the show ran into him purposely and tripped him up. They went off with a
laugh at his mishap. Andy concluded he was getting in the way as a
gruff, grizzled old fellow with a bludgeon ran forward and yelled to him
to make himself scarce.

"I wish I could get into the show," murmured Andy "There seems no way to
work it, though," he added disconsolately. "I wonder if they'd let me
stay here? When that canvas flaps I can see right into the main tent."

Andy was right near the canvassed passageway leading from the
performers' tent to the main one.

If no one disturbed him he could have occasional glimpses of what was
going on inside, and that was better than nothing.

Fate, however, was against him. He heard quick breathing, and turning
saw the big watchman rapidly making for him, club uplifted.

"Trying to get in under the canvas, eh?" roared the man.

"Not I--I wouldn't steal anything, not even a sneak into the show,"
declared Andy.

He retreated promptly, but in doing so tripped over a guy rope and went
flat.

Andy got up, his mouth full of fine shavings, but grasping something his
hand had come in contact with and had clutched in his fall.