"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 to interfere or make trouble, and if you try to stop the show, I'll have you all arrested if I have to send for special detectives." "Oh, we won't make any trouble except what you make for yourself," declared the striker. "We just won't do anything--that'll be the trouble. There's your 'main top,' and there she'll stay. We won't pull a rope or drive a peg!" He pointed to the pile of canvas with its mass of ropes, poles and pegs that lay on the ground ready for erection. It should have been up by this time, and the parade ought to have been under way. But with the railroad accident, the delay and the strike, the big tent in which Joe, Helen and the others were to perform was not yet raised. "The cowards!" exclaimed Jim in a low voice; looking at Joe. "I wonder if I'd better give in to 'em?" "Can you get others to take their places?" the young trapeze acrobat wanted to know.