"My brave Phil, my brave boy!" breathed the showman."No one but you could have done a thing like that.You have saved the lives of many people this night, and what is more you have captured the most valuable lion in the world--you and Teddy.I don't know what to say nor how to say it.I--""I wouldn't try were I in your place," grinned Phil."I presume you will have to settle with these people for the slight damage that has been done to their house.""I'll settle the bills; don't you worry about that.""Any more lions lying around loose in here?" questioned Teddy, poking his head in through the open door."I and my little club are ready for them if there are.""Shall we be going, Mr.Sparling?" "Yes."Together the three made their way down the stairs just as the cage was being driven from the yard.As soon as he could find the owner of the house the showman paid him for the damages.
"What shape is the big top in?" asked Phil as they walked slowly back toward the lot.
"Bad, very bad.I might say that it comes pretty near being a hopeless wreck.Still it may be patched up.""I am sure of it.I know a blown-down tent is not half as hopeless as it looks.I saw the Robinson shows with a blown-down tent once.""I have been thinking the matter over, Phil." "Yes.""We have only a few days more to go before the close of the season, and it seems to me that the best plan would be to close right here and go in.What do you think?""I think," answered Phil Forrest slowly, "that I should turn all hands loose and fix that tent up so the show will be able to make the next stand and give a performance by tomorrow night at latest.It can be done.If the tent is too badly torn to set up a six pole show, make it a four pole show, or use the menagerie tent for the circus performance.I should never have it said that the Sparling Combined Shows were put out of business by a gale of wind."Mr.Sparling halted.