Phil started on a run across the tracks in search of his car.

In the meantime Teddy Tucker, finding himself alone, had
sauntered forth to watch the loading, and when he ventured abroad
trouble usually followed.

The lad soon became so interested in the progress of the work
that he was excitedly shouting out orders to the men, offering
suggestions and criticisms of the way they were doing that work.

Now, most of the men in the labor gang were new--that is, they
had not been with the Sparling show the previous season, and
hence did not know Teddy by sight. After a time they tired of
his running fire of comment. They had several times roughly
warned him to go on about his business. But Teddy did not heed
their advice, and likewise forgot all about that which Phil had
given him earlier in the evening.

He kept right on telling the men how to load the circus, for,
if there was one thing in the world that Teddy Tucker loved more
than another it was to "boss" somebody.

All at once the lad felt himself suddenly seized from behind and
lifted off his feet. At the same time a rough hand was clapped
over his mouth.

The Circus Boy tried to utter a yell, but he found it impossible
for him to do so. Teddy kicked and fought so vigorously that it
was all his captor could do to hold him.