CHAPTER XX -The Circus Boys Across the Continent

Phil Forrest’s adventure continued as he found himself waking up on the grass beside a freight car in Mexico, Missouri, confused and disoriented. The people who found him accused him of stealing a ride on the freight train, a charge he vehemently denied, explaining that he had been assaulted, robbed, and locked inside the car the previous night. Discovering he was robbed of his money and watch, Phil was in despair, realizing he was a hundred and fifty miles away from where he was supposed to be with no funds to get back.

Determined to return to the Sparling Combined Shows circus, Phil engaged with the locals, trying to convince them of his circus identity to solicit help. Skeptical but intrigued, the locals proposed a deal: if Phil could prove his circus skills, he might earn their assistance. Left with no other option, Phil agreed to perform despite the unusual requests and the fact that it was Sunday.

The makeshift audience led Phil to a farmyard, expecting him to perform bareback stunts on a Percheron draft horse named Joe, an absurd request given the environment and the horse’s unsuitability for such acts. With a mix of trepidation and commitment, Phil accepted the challenge. He improvised, asking for chalk to prepare and powder his feet and the horse’s back, making the endeavor as circus-like as possible under the farmyard conditions.

In an act of resilience and adaptability, Phil dazzled his impromptu crowd by deftly handling the draft horse, executing tricks reminiscent of his performances in the ring, although in a far less conventional setting. Despite the dire circumstances and being a long way from the safety and familiarity of the circus, Phil used his skills and cunning to navigate the unexpected challenge, hoping to earn a meal and possibly a way back to his circus family. His actions not only demonstrated his talents but also underscored the essence of being a circus performer: the ability to entertain and adapt, no matter how novel or challenging the stage.