"What are you going to do with me?" asked the canvas man.
"Deliver you over to the authorities," answered Anak; and this he did, despite the alternate prayers and menaces of his captive.
My young readers will be pleased to hear that Carden passed the night in the station-house and was arraigned for trial the next day before the court, which was then in session.
"I'm much obleeged to you," Tarbox had the grace to say as they parted.
"And you won't have me arrested for trespass and assault, Mr. Tarbox?" said Anak, laughing.
"No; you've done me a good service to-night."
"Take my advice and put your money in the bank to-morrow," said Anak.
Tarbox did so; not only the money which had so narrowly escaped being stolen, but his other hoards were collected and carried to the nearest savings bank, which was undoubtedly a wise act on the part of the farmer.
A week passed, and Robert Rudd was still the guest of Dr. Grey. The circus had left town, and so the boy-rider was separated from his professional companions. Though he was not as much attached to circus life as some, it was his means of making a livelihood, and had been for some years, and yielded him a considerably larger income than a boy of his age was likely to earn in any other way. Now, it imparts a pleasant feeling of independence to earn one's living, and the pleasure is heightened when not only a living is earned, but there is a chance to lay up money besides.
When Robert was apprised of the approaching departure of the circus he went to Dr. Grey.
"Dr. Grey," he said, "don't you think it will be safe for me to go back to the circus?"
"Yes; it will be safe to go back to it, but not to ride."
"Your ankle will be weak for some time to come; not too weak for ordinary exercise, but not strong enough for bareback riding."
"In that case," said Robert, with some feeling of disappointment, "there would be no advantage in going back this season. I suppose I could ride next season."
"Undoubtedly, if you desire it," said the doctor, pointedly.
"Do you intend to travel with the circus when you are a man?" asked Sidney.
"Not if I can find some other employment at which I can make a fair living," answered Robert. "I don t care much for it, but at present it pays me better than anything else."