Bert Wilson on the Gridiron

ion's

evening when several of his companions, includin

g a cow up onto the roof of the recitation hall, we all pretty nearly got into trouble, including the cow. I think any other inspiration from t

nlighten an expectant world regarding this inspiration. Just because the cow fell down a flight of steps that time and made everybody

" laughed Bert. "But go ahead and tell us your scheme. What is it? K

mering in my massive intellect at the time I was so rudely interrupted by a certain low character, was this: There's going to be a circus in town to-

it's funny how really first-class ideas originate in unbalanc

Dick sarcastically; "how do the rest o

osition carried by a unanimous vote. "I think it starts around half past

ssing incidents of circuses they had seen in the

tents. Many others were going the same way, and numerous were the jokes and furious the repartee exchanged between the different groups. In a short time they reached the "big top," and after ins

afraid that wouldn't be quite dignified enough for me. The rest of you can go

hristian martyr' stunt by feeding you to the lions," threatened B

n," retorted Tom, "and I wouldn't be surprised at that. I don't

quired Bert seriously. "It ha

at all," said Tom. "I was thinking

forgive all your past offenses and start you off with a clea

they had reached the elephants it was close on to the time set for the show to begin, and after feeding the big brutes a few peanuts they hurried into the main tent. They secured seats near the top of the high tier of loose planks pl

ch than one of the big shows, where the very multiplicity of attractions made it difficult for the spectator to really enjoy anything. The onlooker's attention is drawn by a

opening parade to the final act, in which a man "looped the loop" on a bicycle. At the conclusion of this feat, Dick leaned

st the same," he added more seriously, "it is a mighty hard stunt, and requires nerve

ere was a wild flurry and commotion in the crowd in front of them, and suddenly they saw a great tawny form flying through the air. The people in the path of the beast scattered wildly to left and right, and the brute landed on the s

ting the action to the word, started diagonally toward the entrance. Tom and Dick were close after him, followed by the more courageous of their companions. By this time several of the animal keepers and trainers had also struggled through the press, and were hot in pursuit of the fleeing lion. But they were too far behind to be of any good, and the lion would surely have dashed headlong into the packed mass of humanity had not Bert and the others with hi

he rifle as he ran, "he's worth five thousand dollars. He's one of the finest lions in captivity, and his loss would mean a bad

rs and pale faces peering from upper windows. Soon they reached the outskirts of the town and then, in the more open country, were able to catch a glimpse of their quarry. He was about half a mile dista

se woods extend

hould say there's not more than a

and not come out unless he has to. In that case, all we have to do is surround the place t

bring out reinforcements, and then made plans to surround the strip of woods. By this time quite a crowd had collected, and t

ere I post you, and if you see anything of the lion, sing out.

roffer their services. "This is a little more than we had counted on," laughed To

ked Bert; "it begins to seem like old times again. Only

e as close a shave this time as we had then. That was g

that lion wants us, he'll have to climb a tree to get us. I'm not anxious for

ainer went with them, and at intervals stationed one of the band in a convenient tree. "Just keep your eyes peeled until it's too dark to see," he instructed them, "and by t

o or three hundred yards, and accommodated themselves as best they could among the branches. They kept a sharp lookout below them, but all remained quiet and undisturbed, and it seemed hard t

t this was the squad of men of which the trainer had spoken. Soon they reached the fire where the head trainer had made his headquarters, and after a brief halt started to surround the woods. Each man of the party held a flaring, smoking gasoline torch, and their combined stre

plan now?" Bert as

around and make sure that the lion doesn't get out of these woods. Then we'

n without you fellows?

orrow, and a little thing like a lion getting away can't st

ents go on days in advance of it, advertising and pasting bill posters over the surrounding landscape, and if the show isn't on time a

nothing out of the ordinary had happened. To be sure, it was hindered by the fact that so many of its m

ld do, so that they could feel at liberty to go home if they were so inclined. A few did, but the majority elected to stay and "see the show through," as Tom expressed it. "It isn't

until morning, anyway," said Burton with a smile;

of the novel experience. Fortunately, the next day was Saturday, and, as it happened, none of them had any recitation

res and experiences while following the "game," that were teeming with interest to the boys. Many of the men were fairly well educated, and told what they had to tell in a very interesting way. Every once in a while those about the fire would leave to replace some of their companions who had been watching some time, and the men thu

g enough, it seemed to the boys, to hold an elephant. When the work was completed, several men lifted the cage and carried it to the very edge of the woods. Then, having located the

nd the trees, and reported everything quiet so far. "Now, boys," he said, "get a move on, and we'll carry this trap a little farther in. Ol

aid Mr. Burton, when he judged they had penetrated far enough, "set it down here. Have you got the meat with you, Bi

said, when everything was arranged to his entire satisfaction. "All hands get into the trees now, and we'll wait for Leo to come

angrily back and forth. Soon he located the boys in their tree, and made an angry dash toward it. By this time, however, they were high up in the branches, and the lion seemed to realize that they were beyond his reach, and after giving vent to another roar, walked away. Then he saw others in the surrounding trees, and made a circuit of inspection, gazing eagerly upward at the tempting human beings so close to him and yet hopelessly beyond his reach. Finally, he seemed to dismiss them fr

released the cord that held the sliding door open. With a cra

e strain without any sign of weakening. Finally the lion's ragings subsided, and the head trainer concluded it was safe to descend and complete the work. H

"Let's get this cage up against the wagon as soo

ongside the animal wagon. When it had been securely fastened, the door was opened, and Leo was at liberty to enter his old abode. At first he seemed di

ads," he continued, turning to where our three friends were standing; "the circus owes you a big debt of gratitude, a

and himself, "if we ever do, we'll let you know.

n; "the chances are you'll never be in

y proceeded in the direction of the town. At its outskirts o

reached the campus Bert said: "Well, fellows, I hadn't noticed it much before, but now I co

as "all in," and sought their beds,