Page:Dapples of the Circus (1943).pdf/139

 figure of Big Bill, the head canvas-man. He stood like the giant he was, warding calamity away from the circus. The locomotives at the freight yard were shrieking for them to hurry. Horses were balking and harnesses breaking. Other men were sweating, and some of them even swearing softly to themselves, but Big Bill kept on smiling.

He was always at the point where things were going the worst. Everywhere he went he carried good cheer and brought order out of chaos.

At one point, when three wagons had become mired at once and everybody despaired of ever getting the outfit to the depot, Freckles saw Big Bill call one of the circus clowns who was also watching.

"Here, you merry loafer," cried the big fellow, "come lend a hand. You are not strong with your hands, but you are with your wits. A little fun, a bit of jollity, can do a pile to help these poor sweating devils out of this. Will you help?"