A Ship's Tale by N. Jay Young Page B

everything needed to put the circus together: animals, games, tents, and enough rubbish to invade France all over again. Those tents are a pain in the arse! So damn many parts, and every one of them is heavy. We lay out the canvas, put up the poles, rig everything so the horses can pull it all up, and get some of the local kids to work for free passes. In a few days, we’re going to warehouse everything except the animals. They go back to the zoos.”
    â€œWarehouse?” Harris asked, as he set the two front legs of his chair down and leaned forward to listen closer.
    â€œRight,” said Robert. “We can’t leave it all in the goods wagons—they have to be returned to the railway company after the season. Trouble is, the kids are frantic to help put the tents up when we first get in, but they vanish when it comes time to taking it all down.”
    Robert eyed us thoughtfully. “Say, would you gents like a day’s work?”
    Harris turned to the table, and took piece of a paper and a pencil out of his coat. “How many people do you need?”
    â€œThere’s no such thing as enough people when you’re packing a bloody circus,” said Robert.
    â€œThere will be this time,” grinned Harris, “I’m quite sure I can get you plenty of willing lads.”
    â€œHow?” laughed Robert. “At gunpoint?”
    â€œNo,” said Harris. “I know someone who runs an orphanage. They just barely get by, and I’m sure the boys’ll be worth their wages. I’ll be needing twenty or so free passes for them right away. They won’t be of much use come closing day.”
    Robert was interested, “Tell the headmaster to come and see us.”
    â€œI will,” Harris smiled. “We’ve plenty of lads. Will twenty be enough?”
    â€œWith some of the present company along,” said Robert, eyeing the massive Harris, “we should have the job well in hand. We’ve a whole bloody trainload to move.”
    He drained his glass and shoved it towards Harris, who signalled the barmaid with a raised finger. As soon as we got a refill, Robert looked at Harris, “Now then, I’ve been doing all the talking about the circus. Who’s going to tell me what’s going on?” We looked at one another, wondering who would speak up. Bowman was the leader, but so far Harris was doing all the talking.
    â€œRight,” said Harris. “Let’s take a walk.” The others nodded in approval. “I’ve a little something for the road,” Harris said. He pulled open his coat, showing a flask peeking from an inner pocket.
    Robert and I put on our coats in expectation of the cold and damp awaiting us outside.
    â€œHold this table at all costs,” Harris said over his shoulder as we left and, with the laughter behind, we hustled through the door. “Let’s take the car, it’ll be faster.”
    I stopped in my tracks, remembering his driving. I called over to Robert, “Oh, God! Now we’re in for it, old friend.” Harris looked over his shoulder and shook his head sadly at my lack of faith.
    We crammed into the Morris. This time I was in the rear seat as we bumped and clattered down the road towards the ship. Robert dodged Harris’s elbow just as I had to. While it was not far on foot, we were glad to ride. The wipers strained to keep the windscreen clear in the dense damp. We slowed to a stop, and Robert wound down his window. His eyes grew wide at the sight of the old masts rising up dimly in the fog. We opened the doors and stepped out.
    â€œI’ll be damned!” he exclaimed. “You’ve outdone yourself this time, Flynn. Does the Royal Navy know you’ve hidden these ships in plain sight?” He shook his head in disbelief. “Blimey, as soon as you trimmed the sails they’d know, and in short order. You’ll never outrun a Lighter, let alone a Motor Torpedo