"You will have to be alive. But I do not need to say that.
You always are alive. You will have to fight the railroads
constantly, to get your car through on time; you will have
to combat innumerable elements that as yet you have not had
experience with. However, I have no fear. I know the stuff
you are made of. I ought to. I have known you for nearly
five years."

"I will do my best, Mr. Sparling."

There was no laughter in the eyes of the Circus Boy now.

"Then again, you are going right into territory where you will
have the stiffest kind of opposition. At least five shows are
booked for our territory almost from now on."

"Have any of them billed that territory?"

"I think the Wild West Show has. The others are about due
there now."

"It is going to be a hand-to-hand conflict, then?"

"Something of that sort," smiled the showman. "I shall expect
you to beat them all out."

"You are giving me a big contract."

"I am well aware of that. We all have to do the impossible in
the show business. That is a part of the game, and the man who