A Positive Cure.

Te Aroha News, Volume VII, Issue 474, 24 May 1890, Page 3

A Positive Cure.

(By Robert Grant.) CHAPTER V. 1 When the train came to a final standstill in the morning, we both, or rather all, were asleep. Fatigue had developed into exhaustion at last, and we and our adversary had made a tacit armistice just before dawn. The noise of the keeper removing the shutter of the car awakened Steve and me. He passed on to another without looking inside ours, so that we were given time to consider what to do next. We could not help laughing at the wan, sorry appearance bach of us presented to the other as the morning light lit up the interior of the car. Our victorious'enemy was still fast asleep in the corner with his head tucked under his wing, secure in his own mind evidently f* from further molestation by us. ‘ Tho keeper's arrival had startled us and j had been as efficacious as a shower bath to drive the cobwebs from our eyes. Excepting a few scratches and a slight feeling of lameness, Steve and I were not much the worse for wear ; and after a sickly smile by way of commentary on the vicissitudes of the night, we prepared to reconnoitre the surroundings by undoing the door of the cage and peeping out. We found ourselves close to another circus ground, and we beheld not far away the army of attendants already unpacking the tents and making preparations to pitch them ; but there happened to benoonein the immediate neighbourhood of our car. We could hear howling, growling and a variety of other cries from the adjoining vans which suggested that the creatures were expecting to bo fed. It was, therefore, important for ns to escape from our present compromising shelter as soon as possible. Waiting until the coast appeared perfectly clear, we opened the cage door and leapt to the ground without detection and without disturbing our late adversary. As we turned to shut tho cage and take a final respectful look at him wo read above us, by way of confirmation of my conjecture,the inscription “Australasian Cassowary.” ‘“ If it had been a hyena or a tiger we wouldn’t have been readingthe name now,” said Steve reflectively, a remark with which I could not help agreeing. ‘We now felt perfectly safe and our spirits rose proportionately. At least we had escaped from home to a place where nobody knew' us, and provided we could induce the manager to accept our services, our happiness and futures were secure. If he would not, we should be no worse off than at present.

* It was still early in the morning; therefore we w'andered about for some time rather aimlessly, examining the wild beasts and watching the canvas rise. ‘ We were on tho outskirts of a country town and a crowd of people was rapidly collecting to gape at the show. Our. appetites were becoming clamorous, so that we were glad to come across a huckster who for a small stipend from our precious resources supplied us each with a cup of coffee and a pop-corn ball. While we were consuming these we saw approaching a man who wore a blue coat with brass buttons and a pair of tall varnished riding boots, and carried a whip in his hand. We recognised him as the ringmaster. To our astonishment and alarm, instead of passing he stopped, and after scrutinising us a moment with a queer sort of smile said : ‘“ Do you two boys wish to join the circus ?” ‘We could scarcely believe our ears. Here was an unhoped-for piece of good fortune. Instead of being obliged to apply for employment, an engagement was actually being offered us. Steve and I exchanged shy, delighted glances before I replied with all the dignity I could muster : * “ Yes sir, we do.” ‘ The ringmaster smiled again in tho same peculiar fashion. “ Come along with me and I will introduce you to the manager.” ‘With proud but beating hearts we accompanied him. He conducted us some little distance to a private car of ornate pattern, in tho ante-room of which he told us to wait while he consulted his superior. We thus had opportunity for a short confabulation. ‘“What names bad we better give?"’ I whispered. “Let’s, call ourselves brothers.” ‘ “ All right. How would Orsini brothers do ?” asked Steve. ‘ “ But wo don’t look much like Italians.” ‘“That doesn ? t make any difference. Lots of them don’t.” 1 “ Don’t you think Fisher brothers- or something like that would be better ? The youthful prodigies Harry ■ and -ftred Fisher in their daring acrobatic feats cincl equestrian specialities wouldn’tsound badly.” ‘ Steve’s eyes gleamed with satisfaction, “ First-rate ; • except Fisher is rather common.” • “‘.Royal Brothers then: how’s that? Arthur and Dudley Royal,” I said, compromisingly. ‘ “ That’s fine. You’re Arthur and I’m Dudley. And I guess I won’t go in for lion taming or snake charming at the first go off, any way,”’ ‘ I nodded approvingly, and put my finger on my lips, for our escort was returning.’ ‘ “ Mr McCulloch will be glad to talk with you,” he said, and ushered us into the main compartment of the car. * Here a very stout man with a bald bead was eating his breakfast. A large diamond blazed in his shirt bosom, and another from the ring on the hand with which he motioned us to chairs, saying, *.* Be seated, gentlemen, I understand that you desire to join my troupe,” ‘ He also smiled as he looked at us, rather more it seemed to me than the occasion demanded, but his words were undeniably assuring, and he was in appearance every inch the ideal circus manager that our fancy had conceived. ‘ “Yes, sir ; that is our wish,” I replied, actine again as spokesman.

“‘Your names?” ‘ “Royal brothers,’: said Steve promptly. “ Arthur and Dudley Koyal.” ‘The manager.coughed behind his hand. “Ah! yes. And what is your particular line ?” he asked.

‘Steve and I exchanged glances, by which each of us expressed to the other some alarm as well as satisfaction at being taken so seriously. But pride forbade us to falter now.

* “ Acrobatic feats and equestrian specialties,” we responded in the same breath.

* The manager and ringmaster grinned curiously. “That is very fortunate,” said Mr McCulloch. “ Wo happen to be sjiorb of brilliant bare-back riders.” ‘ After this rather formidable announcement he whispered for a few moments with his subordinate, then continued “I should like to avail myself of your services, beginning at our matinee performance to-day. If you prove satisfactory I will engage you permanently on your own terms.” ‘ This was positively overwhelming. An hour before wo had been two runaway ragamuffins cooped up in a cage with an irascible cassowary, and no\v we were invited to give a brilliant bare-back performance before night in the ring of McCulloch a

circus. AsT realised the full force of tho manager’s words I broke into a cold per- ; spiration. “May I count upon you?” I heard him say. Again Steve and I looked at each other. I reflected hastily that a refusal on our part would doubtless ruin our chances for over. If when the hour arrived our hearts failed us, we need not appear, and by accepting we should gain time for consideration. ‘‘“We will do our best, sir,-” I replied gravely, ‘ “ Very well, gentlemen,” said the manager, rubbing his hands. “Mr Hunton, here, my ringmaster, will take charge of you and you may cull upon" him for all that you require. Until the matinee then !” and with another wave of his hand he indicated that the interview was at an end. ‘ But now that the matter was decided my heart was beginning to sink within me, and with a view to prevent too great expectations on the part of our employer-1 said, stammering as I rose : . ‘“ Of course, sir, we. are young, .and while—er—we—er—hope to please you—we —er —do not pretend to be exactly—er—brilliant bare-back performers.” ‘ Both of the circus men grinned again exasperatingly. “That’s all right,” ex-, claimed the manager. “You are too modest, gentlemen, entirely too modest. I know all about you—ha-ha. I have no fear that the Royal Brothers—the famous Arthur and Dudley Royal—will not acquit themselves to my entire satisfaction."’ Whereupon he and Mr Hunton broke into a fit of laughter as though the very idea of such a thing were monstrous, and while they were still chuckling ’ the ringmaster ushered us out of the great man’s presence. ‘Nudging each other by way of expression of our pent-up feelings, Steve and I followed Mr Hunton, who conducted us now through the circus grounds to a small tent which he said was his head-quarters, a‘nd which he placed at our disposal as a dressing-room. Tho only furniture was a rough table covered with papers and three chairs. He inquired at once if we were hungry, and, as we did not deny the fact, he left us to order breakfast to be sent to us there. ‘“lsn’t it awful?” I exclaimed, the moment he was out of hearing. * “ Yes; what are we to do ? It’s splendid too, though.” ‘“ Of course it is. But can we manage it?”

‘ “ What would wo have to do?” Steve asked. ‘ “ Ride bare-back, I suppose. He sort of left it to us to decide, didn’t he?” ‘ “ We might stick on somehow.” * “I hate to give it up,” I said pensively. “If we can please him we’re made. And, oh Steeve, did you hear what he said about knowing all about the Royal brothers, first names and all ?” *“ I should think I did. We might have known the name had been taken. Orsini was my favourite. I wonder what the other Royal brothers do.” ‘ “ We mustn’t back out now if wo can possibly help it,” I said firmly, as the outcome of my reflections. ‘ “That’s so. I’m in for it if you are, Phil.” ‘“Let’s try to pub it through then, Steve.”

CHAPTER YI. *Mr Hunton presently returned with a servant bearing a tray, and while we ate I was thinking hard. It seemed to me that if the manager would be content with the ordinary bare-back performance we might not do badly. It had always seemed to me a . tolerably easy as well as an enviable thing to balance oneself on the back of a loping horse round the ring. I had noticed that the horses used had generally very capacious backs or were supplied with trappings that afforded the riders a foot-hold. Although neither Steve nor "I had ever actually practised standing up on a moving horse, we had both of us ridden horses without saddles in tho country. If we could only preserve our balance until we gob used to the posture, the rest, such as jumping over sheets or through paper hoopq would be simple enough, I felt sure, for the sheets and the hoops could be made very accommodating if the attendants were so disposed. ‘After pondering, the matter during breakfast I. remarked presently to Mr Hunton,. f “ As my friend and I do not pretend to be especially brilliant as .bape-back riders, I suppose that it will , be.-,enough if we do the ordinary, simple things ?” ’ 1 Mr Hunton laughed in a brutal sort of fashion, as he answered,- “ Anything that the Royal,Brothers do willbe satisfactory,.! feel confident,” ...

‘ Meanwhile Steve was gazing at me as if he thought I was demented, and he looked aghast.as I added, calmly : “ VVe. shall do, of course, such things as jumping through the hoops or balancing ourselves on one leg, but we. should prefer to postpone our somersaults oil horseback until we have become accustomed to your ring.” ‘ I was astonished at my own audacity, and I felt that it had an effect on the ringmaster, for, though he still smiled, he looked at me with evident admiration. Moreover, he acquiesced entirely in my proposal.- Then, stating that he had various .duties to perform . and ■ that we might do what we pleased until the performance began, lie left us. ‘ Twenty times in the course of the intervening three hours we decided to renounce the whole business, and yet twenty times the argument that we could not expect such another opportunity to present itself, and that if we ever intended to join a circus now was the chanco, overcame our’fears and gave us fresh vim and enthusiasm. The arrival of the crowds, the glimpse we caught at different times of the performers in their spangled costumes, and the stirring music of the band gradually whetted our ardour to such a pitch that when Mr Hunton returned half an hour before the show began we had not only screwed up our courage to the" sticking point bub had stripped off our outer garments as well, and stood apparelled in all the splendour of our base-ball shirts and flannel drawers.

‘“Shall we be mentioned on the programme?” I asked, in a casual tone. ‘ “ Unfortunately it was too late to have your , names printed,” said Mr Hunton. “ But that will not prevent your making a great sensation.” ‘ We had hoped to be allowed to witness the rest of the performance while waiting for our turn, but the ringmaster desired us to remain where we were, remarking that as we did not know the rest of the company we might be regarded as interlopers. He granted, however, our request to see the horse on which we were expected to exhibit ourselves, which was trotted up for our inspection. He was an amiable-looking venerable dapple-grey, with a back like a parlour table, as I whispered to Steve.

‘“You see.l. knew what I was talking about,” I added, cheerily, as the animal was led away. “If we only make up our minds not to fall off we needn’t.”

‘“That’s so,” said Steve, though not quite so confidently as I wished. How feverishly we waited for our turn to come ! It came at last. An attendant stood before us and beckoned. Trembling, but unflinchingly we followed him and passed the flap of the great tent and peeped- at a' vast, buzzing arena black with people. The

ring was occupied by a beautiful young lady on a horse. There was a clown attendant on her, and also Mr Hunton with his long riding whip, whom we heard inquire in an obsequious tone : ‘ “ And what will the lady have next ?” ‘ “ The hoop.” A half dozen attendants held up as many spheres of paper through which she dashed with an ease and grace that thrilled me amid loud applause. Why could I—wo—not do the same ? As I said so to myself she came dashing by us, and the ringmaster was announcing to the audience that they were to be treated to an event not set down in the programme, an equestrian performance by the famous Royal Brothers, the youthful wonders of the world. There was applause. Steve and I grasped each other by the hand, and marched resolutely in the rear of our steed. We were in stockinged feet. Mr Hunton and the clown were awaiting us in the ring, and just as we reached it the latter exclaimed : * The babes in the wood.” ‘The audience roared at tho witticism.. ‘ “ Mr Arthur Royal—Mr Dudley Royal,” said the ringmastei, indicating us. . ‘We made together-the customary circus salute with the right hand, as much as to say, “ Behold us !” We had practised this during the morning, and we did it with effect I believe. We had also drawn lots to see who should ride first. The lot had fallen to Steve, and it had been so arranged with Mr Hunton. There was a strange wondering silence among the audience, accompanied by an occasional snicker here and there. This I was told afterwards, for I saw and heard nothing outside tho ring. Suddenly I realised that Stove was on the horse. He had sat down and my straining eyes watched to see him attempt to riso. His face was pale as a ghost, but his mouth was Bet. The dapple-grey had begun to lope round the ring gently, and Mr Hunton was standing in the middle according to custom. Once, twice, three times Steve passed me and yet his knees still hugged the flanks of the dapple-grey. Suddenly I saw him- raise himself with both hands and try to gain his feet. He succeeded in doing so.; he. was riding standing. “Thank heaven,” I thought, “he is doing grandly. Good for you, Steve.” He tottered slightly and his knees were a little bent, but- still he was doing famously. Then suddenly he wabbled violently, tottered one way, recovered himself, tottered the other and pitched over the horse’s head sprawling on the tan. The bewildered stillness among the audience broke into a hoarse roar as the clown cried with cruel lack of feeling as it seomed to me,

‘ “ Set ’em up on the left-hand alley.” ‘I caught a piteous glance from Steve as he rose to his feet, and at the same moment I heard the ringmaster exclaim : • “Mr Arthur Royal, the wonder of the world, in his celebrated single leg balancing act.” ‘As he spoke I was lifted on to the dapple-grey. My dander was up. I was mortified at Steve’s misadventure, angry with the clown, and hurt by the suggestion of irony conveyed to me by Mr Hunton’s last words. I cast a haughty glance around me as I circled the ring, then with a sudden spring I gained my feet. I was riding standing ! 1 was triumphing. It was not so difficult after all. Tremulous, still without accident, I went round once—twice—three times—wliilj encouraged by success I pressed my feet more firmly on the broad back of the dapple-grey. Then with another nimble movement I dropped into the saddle again, and in response to the loud applause saluted the crowd with the customary gesture of the successful performer.

‘ It seems that everybody was laughing vociferously, but I did not realise it. I fancied that my pose had been erect, easy, and graceful, whereas, although I had not tottered, the crook of my knees had betrayed to all eyes my woful lack of experience. Of this 1 had no inkling. My bosom was swelling with pride. I was intoxicated with triumph, and I returned the ringmaster’s smile, in which there was again some kindly admiration as well as derision, with a flashing glance that was meant to speak volumes. Even the.clown was clapping, and ‘threw up his white cap and caught it on his head. ‘“And what will Arthur Royal have next?” Mr Hunton inquired with his insinuating address, looking up at me from the side of the now quietly walking dapplegrey.

‘ “ The hoop,” I answered with defiance, and catching Steve’s eye the noxb moment I beamed at him patronisingly. My fears were gone, I was determined to succeed. ‘ With a wave of his hand the ringmaster summoned two attendants, who in an instant were standing on pedestals at either side of the ring witji enormous paper hoops uplifted in their hands. A snap of. the long riding whip started my Pegasus into his easy amble and we swept round the ring again. With a spring more clumsy than ‘before I gained my feet, bub in doing so my body swayed and I barely saved myself from falling. Still I did nob fall and a moment’s successful balancing restored my equanimity. “Now for the hoops and glory,” I said to myself as I braced myself for the exploit.

‘ On we swept and suddenly I perceived as it were a white mountain rising up in front of me, and I was wondering how much of a jump would be necessary when it was swiftly withdrawn by the attendant as was the custom it seems the first time round the ring. In like fashion the second attendant waved his hoop above my head without intervening it. The dapplegrey was speeding faster and I was beginning to have a suspicion that my knees were weakening. “ If I don’t have a chance to jump soon I’m gone,” I reflected, and at the same moment another mountain of white rose before me. I was already tottering, and I was conscious of a wild din of voices around me. Was it applause? With a determined bracing of my legs I leaped to meet the white mountain which appeared simultaneously to descend upon me. I seemed to myself to be turning somersaults in .mid-air entangled in a sea of paper, then to be standing on my head and trying to bore a hole in the tan of the ring. I was told afterwards that I succeeded in. jumping through the hoop, but that in doing so I lost my_. balance and fell backwards on to. the rump of the dapple-grey, from which I bounded helplessly to the ground. As I staggered to my feet, I appreciated that the entire crowd was convulsed with laughter at my expense. My impulse was to remount,for. another attempt,andl looked around angrily for my Pegasus, only to see him vanishing from the tent. The ringmaster, who was himself on the broad grin, came up to me leading Steve by the band and took mine, and before I realised what he was about we were standing in the middle of the ring and Mr Hunton was saying—- ‘ “ Ladies and gentlemen, the. famous Royal Brothers, the youthful wonders of the ’ world, turn out to be two, boys who have ’ run away from home to join a circus. Thoy thought themselves born circus riders, ana they have had their chance. I will notdis ; close their names, for I shouldn’t wonder if they had changed their minds. If there are any other lads in the audience who

fancy themselves born circus riders now is the time for them to come forward.”

‘ My cheeks became like burning coals at this terrible announcement, the only mitigating point in which was the omission to state who we were. The cruel, relentless peals of laughter that followed made us.feel like sinking through the earth at which we gazed, not daring to raise our eyes. The next moment strong fingers grasped the waist of each of us, - and the clown bore us off, under either arm, amid frantic enthusiasm. We struggled a little, bub we had not the heart to. make much resistance. We were only too anxious to escape somehow from the jeering Crowd and the field of our misfortunes. He trotted along with ua out through the exit,and as he set us on our feet again wo found ourselves face to face with Uncle Henry. ‘ “ Well, boys, aro you ready to go home ?” he asked cheerily. ‘ We certainly were when we followed him without a word like disheartened sheep. He had already collected our clothing and a carriage was in waiting to tako us to the station. Home we went.’ .* And what was said to you when you gob there ?’ asked George Cummings as' Mr Oliver finished. ’ ‘

‘ “ The matter was scarcely referred to. Uncle Henry felt, I rather think, that the lesson had been thoroughly well learned 'and that nothing would be gained by a moral lecture, and doubtless counselled our mothers accordingly. He was right. Our experience, though bitter, was a positive cure, and from that day forward we looked at life from a new point of view.” • ‘“And was your uncle Henry at the bottom of it all 5” asked one of the boys. ‘“I have always taken it for granted that he and Mr McCulloch arranged the matter together,” said Philip Oliver, “ but I cannot be absolutely certain. Neither Steve nor I saw fib to question him at the time, and only six months later he left town to take a position in South America and I have never seen him sinco.”

* “ Don’t you think it was a little mean of him ?” asked another boy. ‘ “ Perhaps it was ; but it acted as a positive cure” was the answer.’