"The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children ought to
look into this."

Half a hundred men and boys stepped up to the ring, and for a few
minutes the discussion waxed warm. In the meantime the young
acrobat arose unsteadily to his feet. He was so weak he could
hardly stand.

"Get back to the dressing-room, and be quick about it," growled
the ringmaster to him. "I'll settle with you for this later."

"Down that ringmaster! Give him his own lash!" came from a burly
farmer. "We'll teach him to abuse a boy as is sick!"

This cry was taken up by several. Growing alarmed, the ringmaster
took to his heals and disappeared in the direction of the dressing-tent,
whence his young victim had already gone. Then the band struck up,
and the manager of the show sent out the clowns to do an extra stunt
to quiet the audience.

"I'm afraid that ringmaster will have it in for that boy," said Snap
to his chums.

"Poor boy!" murmured the doctor's son. "He didn't look as if he
was used to this hard life. I wish we could do something for him."

"Let us try to look into the dressing-room and see what is going
on," suggested Snap.

The four boys watched their chance, and walking around the main tent,