But they gave no heed to his protests. Willing hands
grabbed the red-headed tentman, whose kicks and struggles
availed him nothing. Raising him over the barrel of water
they soused him in head first, ducking him again and again.

"Take him out. You'll drown him," begged Phil.

Then they hauled Larry out, shaking the water out of him.
As soon as his coughing ceased, he threatened dire vengeance
against his assailants.

Four performers then carried their victim to the opening of the
dressing tent and threw him out bodily.

Instantly Larry's companions saw him fall at their feet, and
heard his angry explanation of the indignities that had been
heaped upon him. There was a lively scrambling over the ground,
and the next instant a volley of stones was hurled into the
dressing tent.

Phil was just coming out on his way to the main entrance as the
row began. A stone just grazed his cheek. Without giving the
least heed to the assailants, he turned to cross the paddock in
order to slip out under the tent and go on about his business.
Most lads would have run under the circumstances. Not so Phil.
His were steady nerves.

"There he is! Grab him!" shouted Larry, catching sight of Phil
and charging that Phil had been one of those who had helped
duck him.