"Not here. I could if I were nearer New York. But as it is----" He threw up his hands with a gesture of despair. "I guess I'll have to give in," he said. "I can't afford not to give a show. Here, you----" He called to the departing striker. "Wait a minute!" Joe quickly exclaimed to the ring-master. "I think we can find a way out of this." "How?" "Have you any men who know something about putting up the tent?" "I know all there is to be known about it myself. But it takes more than one man to raise the 'main top.' There are a lot of the animal men and wagon drivers who used to be canvas hands. They haven't struck. But there aren't enough of them. It's no use." "Yes, it is!" cried Joe. "We men performers will turn canvasmen for the time being. Give us some hands who know how to lay out the canvas, how to lace up the different sections, which ropes to pull on; men to show us how to drive stakes and to haul up the poles--do that and we'll have the tent up in time for the show!" "Can you do it?" cried the ring-master, in an eager tone. "Sure we can!" exclaimed Joe. "There are enough of us, and we're willing to turn in. You get the men who know how, and we'll be their assistants." "It might work," said Tracy, reflectively. "I'm much obliged to you, Joe. It's worth trying. But do you think the performers will do it?" "I'll talk to 'em," said the trapeze artist. "They'll be glad to raise the tent, rather than see a performance given up. Go get your men and I'll talk to the others." "All right--I will." "Did you call me?" asked the striker who had been appointed to wait on the ring-master and learn his decision. "I did _not_!" cried Jim Tracy. "I'm through with you. We don't need your services." "Ha!" laughed the man. "Let's see you get up the 'main top' without us." "Stick around long enough and you'll see it," said Joe Strong. Joe found a group of the men performers gathered in the dressing tent, discussing the situation. And while the ring-master hastened to gather up such forces as he could muster, Joe made his little talk. "You're just the very one we want," he said to Tom Jefferson, "the strong man." "You ought to be able to put up the tent alone. Come on now, gentlemen, we must all work together," and rapidly he explained the situation to some who did not understand it. "Will you help raise the tent?" Joe asked. "We will!" cried the performers in a chorus. Soon there was a busy scene in the circus "lots." Not that there is not always a busy time when the show is being made ready, but this was somewhat different. Led by Joe, the performers placed themselves under the direction of some veteran canvasmen who had been working in other departments of the circus.