"Wish I could do that," muttered the lad admiringly.
"What's that?"
"Nothing, only I was thinking out loud."
"Well, you'll get off at the next stop unless you can prove that
you belong here."
"I won't," protested Teddy stubbornly.
"We'll see about that. Come down here on the flat car behind
this one, and we'll find out. I see some of the show people
there.
Besides, you're liable to fall off here and get killed. Come
along."
"I can't."
"Why not?"
"I'll fall off if I try to get up."
"And you a showman?" laughed the brakeman satirically, at the
same time grabbing Teddy by the coat collar and jerking him to
his feet.
The trainman did not appear to mind the giddy swaying of the
stock car. He permitted Teddy to walk on the running board while
he himself stepped carelessly along on the sloping roof of the
car, though not relaxing his grip on the collar of Teddy Tucker.
Bidding the boy to hang to the brake wheel, the brakeman began
climbing down the end ladder, so as to catch Teddy in case he
were to fall. After him came the Circus Boy, cautiously picking
his way down the ladder.
"Any of you fellows know this kid?" demanded the trainman,
flashing his lantern into Teddy's face.
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