TIBERIUS SMITH
passes. You can wager the mayor was there with a group of corn-fed peasants to erect the tent when we did arrive. And so the time came for us to set down and wait.
"‘My plans are built like a watch, and if it don't happen in five minutes I've missed fire,' groaned Tib, as we unlocked the covers to the carts.
"Then it happened. First we heard a yell; then half a dozen champagne-bottles opened in quick succession, and the little chapel-bell began ding-donging excitedly.
"Next, with fierce panting, four men burst through the chaparral that came up to the rear of our tent and plunged inside the white walls. I had just time to notice they were haggard and unkempt, and then in a second the wooden covers were down to allow them to enter the cages, and then snapped back in place again.
"I'm afraid, Billy,' declared Tib, calmly, as he began sorting out some posters, 'that the rest of the show won't arrive in time for to-morrow's performance.'
"Just as he said this a bevy of villagers, headed by our trusty driver, Collins, burst through the canvas, yelling and brandishing carbines and other impedimenta.
"‘Four men escaped from the soldiers, Mr. Smith,
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