itled to one, Mr. Henderson," replied our hero.
CHAPTER XXVI.
KIT IS MADE A PRISONER.
It had been a day of exciting adventure, but so far as Kit was concerned
the end was not yet. He performed as usual, but as his second act was
over at quarter past nine, he thought, being fatigued, that he would not
wait until the close, but go at once to the circus car in which he had a
berth, and go to bed.
He crossed the lot, and emerged into the street.
It was moderately dark, there being no moon, and only the light of a few
stars to relieve the gloom.
Kit had not taken a dozen steps from the lot when two stout men
approached him, both evidently miners.
"That's the kid that prevented my cutting the rope," he heard one say.
"Is he? I saw him with the giant."
"I mean to settle his hash for him," said the first.
Kit saw that he was in danger, and turned to run back to his friends.
But it was too late! The first speaker laid a strong arm upon his
shoulder, and his boyish strength was not able to overcome it.
"Don't be in such a hurry, kid," said his captor.
"Let me go," cried Kit.
"You belong to the circus, don't you?"
"Yes."
"What do you do?"
"I am an acrobat."
"What's that?"
"I leap and turn somersaults, and so on."
"Yes, I know. Do you remember me?"
"I might if it were lighter."
The man lit a match and held it close to his face.
"Do you know me now?"
"Yes."
"Who am I?"
"You are the man who tried to cut the ropes of the tent."
"Right you are. I would have succeeded but for you."
"I suppose you would."
"Did you call that giant to pitch into me?"
"No; I didn't know he was near."
"He treated me like a brute," said the man, wrathfully. "My limbs are
aching now from the fall he gave me."
Kit did not answer.
"I'd like to give him a broken head, as he gave some of my friends.
Where is he?"
"I suppose he is somewhere in the lot. I'll go and call him, if you want
me to."
"That's too thin! Now I've got you I won't let you off so easy."
"What do you intend to do?" asked Kit becoming alarmed.
"To give you a lesson."
Kit did not ask what kind of a lesson was meant, but he feared it
included bodily injury. Then at least, if never before, he wished
himself back at his uncle's house in Smyrna, uncongenial as it was
otherwise.
The first speaker spoke in a low voice to the second. Kit did not hear
the words, but judged what they were from what followed.
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