michael, brother of jerry-第32章

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The　instant　his　bonds　were　released；　Michael　soared　at　Collins；　and　Collins；　timing　and　distancing　with　the　accuracy　of　long　years；　kicked　him　under　the　jaw　and　whirled　him　back　and　down　into　the　sawdust。

〃Hold　him！〃　Collins　ordered。　　〃Line　him　out！〃

And　the　two　youths；　pulling　in　opposite　directions　with　chain　and　rope；　stretched　him　into　helplessness。

Collins　glanced　across　the　ring　to　the　entrance；　where　two　teams　of　heavy　draft…horses　were　entering；　followed　by　a　woman　dressed　to　over…dressedness　in　the　last　word　of　a　stylish　street…costume。

〃I　fancy　he's　never　done　any　flipping；〃　Collins　remarked；　coming　back　to　the　problem　of　Michael　for　a　moment。　　〃Take　off　your　lead；　Jimmy；　and　go　over　and　help　Smith。Johnny；　hold　him　to　one　side　there　and　mind　your　legs。　　Here　comes　Miss　Marie　for　her　first　lesson；　and　that　mutt　of　a　husband　of　hers　can't　handle　her。〃

Michael　did　not　understand　the　scene　that　followed；　which　he　witnessed；　for　the　youth　led　him　over　to　look　on　at　the　arranging　of　the　woman　and　the　four　horses。　　Yet；　from　her　conduct；　he　sensed　that　she；　too；　was　captive　and　ill…treated。　　In　truth；　she　was　herself　being　trained　unwillingly　to　do　a　trick。　　She　had　carried　herself　bravely　right　to　the　moment　of　the　ordeal；　but　the　sight　of　the　four　horses；　ranged　two　and　two　opposing　her；　with　the　thing　patent　that　she　was　to　hold　in　her　hands　the　hooks　on　the　double…trees　and　form　the　link　that　connected　the　two　spans　which　were　to　pull　in　opposite　directionsat　the　sight　of　this　her　courage　failed　her　and　she　shrank　back；　drooping　and　cowering；　her　face　buried　in　her　hands。

〃No；　no；　Billikens；〃　she　pleaded　to　the　stout　though　youthful　man　who　was　her　husband。　　〃I　can't　do　it。　　I'm　afraid。　　I'm　afraid。〃

〃Nonsense；　madam；〃　Collins　interposed。　　〃The　trick　is　absolutely　safe。　　And　it's　a　good　one；　a　money…maker。　　Straighten　up　a　moment。〃　　With　his　hands　he　began　feeling　out　her　shoulders　and　back　under　her　jacket。　　〃The　apparatus　is　all　right。〃　　He　ran　his　hands　down　her　arms。　　〃Now！　　Drop　the　hooks。〃　　He　shook　each　arm；　and　from　under　each　of　the　fluffy　lace　cuffs　fell　out　an　iron　hook　fast　to　a　thin　cable　of　steel　that　evidently　ran　up　her　sleeves。　〃Not　that　way！　　Nobody　must　see。　　Put　them　back。　　Try　it　again。　They　must　come　down　hidden　in　your　palms。　　Like　this。　　See。　That's　it。　　That's　the　idea。〃

She　controlled　herself　and　strove　to　obey；　though　ever　and　anon　she　cast　appealing　glances　to　Billikens；　who　stood　remote　and　aloof；　his　brows　wrinkled　with　displeasure。

Each　of　the　men　driving　the　harnessed　spans　lifted　up　the　double…　trees　so　that　the　girl　could　grasp　the　hooks。　　She　tried　to　take　hold；　but　broke　down　again。

〃If　anything　breaks；　my　arms　will　be　torn　out　of　me；〃　she　protested。

〃On　the　contrary；〃　Collins　reassured　her。　　〃You　will　lose　merely　most　of　your　jacket。　　The　worst　that　can　happen　will　be　the　exposure　of　the　trick　and　the　laugh　on　you。　　But　the　apparatus　isn't　going　to　break。　　Let　me　explain　again。　　The　horses　do　not　pull　against　you。　　They　pull　against　each　other。　　The　audience　thinks　that　they　are　pulling　against　you。Now　try　once　more。　Take　hold　the　double…trees；　and　at　the　same　moment　slip　down　the　hooks　and　connect。Now！〃

He　spoke　sharply。　　She　shook　the　hooks　down　out　of　her　sleeves；　but　drew　back　from　grasping　the　double…trees。　　Collins　did　not　betray　his　vexation。　　Instead；　he　glanced　aside　to　where　the　kissing　pony　and　the　kneeling　pony　were　leaving　the　ring。　　But　the　husband　raged　at　her：

〃By　God；　Julia；　if　you　throw　me　down　this　way！〃

〃Oh；　I'll　try；　Billikens；〃　she　whimpered。　　〃Honestly；　I'll　try。　See！　　I'm　not　afraid　now。〃

She　extended　her　hands　and　clasped　the　double…trees。　　With　a　thin　writhe　of　a　smile；　Collins　investigated　the　insides　of　her　clenched　hands　to　make　sure　that　the　hooks　were　connected。

〃Now　brace　yourself！　　Spread　your　legs。　　And　straighten　out。〃　With　his　hands　he　manipulated　her　arms　and　shoulders　into　position。　　〃Remember；　you've　got　to　meet　the　first　of　the　strain　with　your　arms　straight　out。　　After　the　strain　is　on；　you　couldn't　bend　'em　if　you　wanted　to。　　But　if　the　strain　catches　them　bent；　the　wire'll　rip　the　hide　off　of　you。　　Remember；　straight　out；　extended；　so　that　they　form　a　straight　line　with　each　other　and　with　the　flat　of　your　back　and　shoulders。　　That's　it。　　Ready　now。〃

〃Oh；　wait　a　minute；〃　she　begged；　forsaking　the　position。　　〃I'll　do　itoh；　I　will　do　it；　but；　Billikens；　kiss　me　first；　and　then　I　won't　care　if　my　arms　are　pulled　out。〃

The　dark　youth　who　held　Michael；　and　others　looking　on；　grinned。　Collins　dissembled　whatever　grin　might　have　troubled　for　expression；　and　murmured：

〃All　the　time　in　the　world；　madam。　　The　point　is；　the　first　time　must　come　off　right。　　After　that　you'll　have　the　confidence。　Bill；　you'd　better　love　her　up　before　she　tackles　it。〃

And　Billikens；　very　angry；　very　disgusted；　very　embarrassed；　obeyed；　putting　his　arms　around　his　wife　and　kissing　her　neither　too　perfunctorily　nor　very　long。　　She　was　a　pretty　young　thing　of　a　woman；　perhaps　twenty　years　old；　with　an　exceedingly　childish；　girlish　face　and　a　slender…waisted；　generously　moulded　body　of　fully　a　hundred　and　forty　pounds。

The　embrace　and　kiss　of　her　husband　put　courage　into　her。　　She　stiffened　and　steeled　herself；　and　with　compressed　lips；　as　he　stepped　clear　of　her；　muttered；　〃Ready。〃

〃Go！〃　Collins　commanded。

The　four　horses；　under　the　urge　of　the　drivers；　pressed　lazily　into　their　collars　and　began　pulling。

〃Give　'em　the　whip！〃　Collins　barked；　his　eyes　on　the　girl　and　noting　that　the　pull　of　the　apparatus　was　straight　across　her。

The　lashes　fell　on　the　horses'　rumps；　and　they　leaped；　and　surged；　and　plunged；　with　their　huge　steel…shod　hoofs；　the　size　of　soup…　plates；　tearing　up　the　sawdust　into　smoke。

And　Billikens　forgot　himself。　　The　terribleness　of　the　sight　painted　the　honest　anxiety　for　the　woman　on　his　face。　　And　her　face　was　a　kaleidoscope。　　At　the　first；　tense　and　fearful；　it　was　like　that　of　a　Christian　martyr　meeting　the　lions；　or　of　a　felon　falling　through　the　trap。　　Next；　and　quickly；　came　surprise　and　relief　in　that　there　was　no　hurt。　　And；　finally；　her　face　was　proudly　happy　with　a　smile　of　triumph。　　She　even　smiled　to　Billikens　her　pride　at　making　good　her　love　to　him。　　And　Billikens　relaxed　and　looked　love　and　pride　back；　until；　on　the　spur　of　the　second；　Harris　Collins　broke　in：

〃This　ain't　a　smiling　act！　　Get　that　smile　off　your　face。　　The　audience　has　got　to　think　you're　carrying　the　pull。　　Show　that　you　are。　　Make　your　face　stiff　till　it　cracks。　　Show　determination；　will…power。　　Show　great　muscular　effort。　　Spread　your　legs　more。　Bring　up　the　muscles　through　your　skirt　just　as　if　you　was　really　working。　　Let　'em　pull　you　this　way　a　bit　and　that　way　a　bit。　Give　'em　to。　　Spread　your　legs　more。　　Make　a　noise　on　your　face　as　if　you　was　being　pulled　to　pieces　an'　that　all　that　holds　you　is　will…power。That's　the　idea！　　That's　the　stuff！　　It's　a　winner；　Bill！　　It's　a　winner！Throw　the　leather　into　'em！　　Make　'm　jump！　Make　'm　get　right　down　and　pull　the　daylights　out　of　each　other！〃

The　whips　fell　on　the　horses；　and　the　horses　struggled　in　all　their　hugeness　and　might　to　pull　away　from　the　pain　of　the　punishment。　　It　was　a　spectacle　to　win　approval　from　any　audience。　Each　horse　averaged　eighteen　hundredweight；　thus；　to　the　eye　of　the　onlooker；　seven　thousand　two　hundred　pounds　of　straining　horse…flesh　seemed　wrenching　and　dragging　apart　the　slim…waisted；　delicately　bodied；　hundred…and…forty　pound　woman　in　her　fancy　street　costume。　　It　was　a　sight　to　make　women　in　circus　audiences　scream　with　terror　and　turn　their　faces　away。

〃Slack　down！〃　Collins　commanded　the　drivers。

〃The　lady　wins；〃　he　announced；　after　the　manner　of　a　ringmaster。　〃Bill；　you've　got　a　mint　in　that　turn。Unhook；　madam；　unhook！〃

Marie　obeyed；　and；　the　hooks　still　dangling　from　her　sleeves；　made　a　short　run　to　Billikens；　into　whose　arms　she　threw　herself；　her　own　arms　folding　him　about　the　neck　as　she　exclaimed　before　she　kissed　him：

〃Oh；　Billikens；　I　knew　I　could　do　it　all　the　time！　　I　was　brave；　wasn't　I！〃

〃A　give…away；〃　Collins's　dry　voice　broke　in　on　her　ecstasy。　〃Letting　all　the　audience　see　the　hooks。　　They　must　go　up　your　sleeves　the　moment　you　let　go。Try　it　again。　　And　another　thing。　When　you　finish　the　turn；　no　chestiness。　　No　making　out　how　easy　it　was。　　Make　out　it　was　the　very　devil。　　Show　yourself　weak；　just　about　to　collapse　from　the　strain。　　Give　at　the　knees。　　Make　your　shoulders　cave　in。　　The　ringmaster　will　half　step　forward　to　catch　you　before　you　faint。　　That's　your　cue。　　Beat　him　to　it。　　Stiffen　up　and　straighten　up　with　an　effort　of　will…powerwill…power's　the　idea；　gameness；　and　all　that；　and　kiss　your　hands　to　the　audience　and　make　a　weak；　pitiful　sort　of　a　smile；　as　though　your　heart's　been　pulled　'most　out　of　you　and　you'll　have　to　go　to　the　hospital；　but　for　right　then　that　you're　game　an'　smiling　and　kissing　your　hands　to　the　audience　that's　riping　the　seats　up　and　loving　you。Get　me；　madam？　　You；　Bill；　get　the　idea！　　And　see　she　does　it。Now；　ready！　　Be　a　bit　wistful　as　you　look　at　the　horses。That's　it！　　Nobody'd　guess　you'd　palmed　the　hooks　and　connected　them。Straight　out！Let　her　go！〃

And　again　the　thirty…six…hundredweight　of　horses　on　either　side　pitted　its　strength　against　the　similar　weight　on　the　other　side；　and　the　seeming　was　that　Marie　was　the　link　of　woman…flesh　being　torn　asunder。

A　third　and　a　fourth　time　the　turn　was　rehearsed；　and；　between　turns；　Collins　sent　a　man　to　his　office；　for　the　Del　Mar　telegram。

〃You　take　her　now；　Bill；〃　he　told　Marie's　husband；　as；　telegram　in　hand；　he　returned　to　the　problem　of　Michael。　　〃Give　her　half　a　dozen　tries　more。　　And　don't　forget；　any　time　any　jay　farmer　thinks　he's　got　a　span　that　can　pull；　bet　him　on　the　side　your　best　span　can　beat　him。　　That　means　advance　advertising　and　some　paper。　　It'll　be　worth　it。　　The　ringmaster'll　favour　you；　and　your　span　can　get　the　first　jump。　　If　I　was　young　and　foot…loose；　I'd　ask　nothing　better　than　to　go　out　with　your　turn。〃

Harris　Collins；　in　the　pauses　gazing　down　at　Michael；　read　Del　Mar's　Seattle　telegram：


〃Sell　my　dogs。　　You　know　what　they　can　do　and　what　they　are　worth。　Am　done　with　them。　　Deduct　the　board　and　hold　the　balance　until　I　see　you。　　I　have　the　limit　of　a　dog。　　Every　turn　I　ever　pulled　is　put　in　the　shade　by　this　one。　　He's　a　ten　strike。　　Wait　till　you　see　him。〃


Over　to　one　side　in　the　busy　arena；　Collins　contemplated　Michael。

〃Del　Mar　was　the　limit　himself；〃　he　told　Johnny；　who　held　Michael　by　the　chain。　　〃When　he　wired　me　to　sell　his　dogs　it　meant　he　had　a　better　turn；　and　here's　only　one　dog　to　show　for　it；　a　damned　thoroughbred　at　that。　　He　says　it's　the　limit。　　It　must　be；　but　in　heaven's　name；　what　is　its　turn？　　It's　never　done　a　flip　in　its　life；　much　less　a　double　flip。　　What　do　you　think；　Johnny？　　Use　your　head。　　Suggest　something。〃

〃Maybe　it　can　count；〃　Johnny　advanced。

〃And　counting…dogs　are　a　drug　on　the　market。　　Well；　anyway；　let's　try。〃

And　Michael；　who　knew　unerringly　how　to　count；　refused　to　perform。

〃If　he　was　a　regular　dog；　he　could　walk　anyway；〃　was　Collins'　next　idea。　　〃We'll　try　him。〃

And　Michael　went　through　the　humiliating　ordeal　of