n, as she pointed to a
group of men about the place where the canvas for the main tent had
been spread out in readiness for erection. "It looks like trouble."

"It does," agreed Joe, as he saw Jim Tracy excitedly talking to the
canvasmen. "I'm going to see what it is."

He approached the ring-master, who was also one of the owners of the
show.

"Anything wrong?" Joe asked.

"Wrong? I should say so! As if I didn't already have troubles enough
here, the tent-men go on a strike for more money. I never saw such
luck!"

CHAPTER XVII

IN BEDFORD

Joe Strong looked from the group of sullen, lowering canvasmen to Jim
Tracy. On the ring-master's face were signs of anxiety.

"Is it really a strike?" Joe asked.

"That's what they call it," replied the circus owner. "I didn't know
they belonged to a union, and I don't believe they do. They just want
to make trouble, and they take advantage of me at a time when I'm tied
up because we're late with the show."

"What is it they want?" asked Helen.

"More money," Jim Tracy replied. "I wouldn't mind giving it to them if
I could afford it, or if they weren't getting the same wages that are
paid other canvasmen in other circuses. But they are. As a matter of
fact, they get more, and they have better grub. I can't understand
such tactics!"

"It looks as if some of them were coming over to speak to you,"
remarked Joe, as he observed one of the strikers detach himself from
the group, and approach the ring-master.

"Let him come," snapped Jim. "He'll get no satisfaction from me."

The man seemed a bit embarrassed as he approached, chewing a straw
nervously. He ignored several of the circus performers, Joe and Helen
among them, who were grouped about Jim Tracy, and, addressing the
owner, asked:

"Well, have you made up your mind? Is it to be more money for us or no
show for you?"

"It's going to be 'no' to your unreasonable demand, and I want to tell
you, here and now, that the show's going on. You can go back to your
cowardly crowd, that tries to hit a man when he's down, and tell 'em
Jim Tracy said that!" cried the ring-master with vigor. "You'll get no
more money from me. I'm paying you wages enough as it is!"

"All right, no money--no show!" said the fellow, impudently. "We gave
you half an hour to make up your mind, and if that's your answer you
can take the consequences."

He started to walk away, and Tracy called after him:

"If you try