Off To See The Wild West Show Part 1, Chapter 6 (2/6) By Frank Beill 1886: Hull, Yorkshire

(1/6), (2/6), (3/6), (4/6), (5/6), (6/6). Part 1 Chapter 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20. Part 2 Prologue, Chapter 1, 2, 3.

'What's going on?' Sharp eyes burned into the tail end of the queue. 'Nothing, sir. I tripped over my shoelace, sir.' I bent down, pretending to retie my boot. Oh, how I wanted Snelgrove to feel Jolly Rodgers' wrath, but telling the truth was more likely to result in George being on the end of summary punishment. For once Snelgrove showed the wisdom to remain quiet.

I rubbed sore ribs to ease away the pain. The line continued shuffling along. George and I picked up mugs from the table end. We drew nearer to Mrs G and Sal and the smell of hot stew bubbling in the huge black pan. Snelgrove thrust his mug in Sal's direction, demanding his share. Most of his portion missed the jerking mug. Steaming liquid splashed over his hand. He yelled out in pain and the mug clattered onto the tile floor.

'Serves you right, Master Snelgrove!' Mrs G showed no pity. 'I hope that teaches you some manners! Go stick your hand in cold water.' I don't know how much she saw, but she would have taken Sal's side no matter what happened, especially where Edward Snelgrove was concerned. She alone among the adults in the orphanage had the measure of him. The cuff on the ear Snelgrove got from Jolly Rodgers on his way out of the room made my aching ribs feel much better.

At last, it was our turn. I held out my mug but Sal's attention was still not on her task. 'Careful, Sal,' I begged with a smile, not wanting a repetition of the "accident." I suppose it could have been one. 'He's coming ... Buffalo Bill ... he's coming to Hull!' She concentrated on my mug and the ladle. Thankfully her aim was good this time and I did not lose any of my dinner. 'When?' I asked. Magically aching ribs disappeared completely. 'Who said?' George wanted evidence.

'It was in the newspaper. Eastern Morning News.' She was nodding vigorously. George held out his mug but blobs of stew fell on the table. 'John Morgan, the butcher's boy, told me this morning ... when he brought the meat.' 'He'll tell you owt, he will!' George shook his head. 'He's always telling you tales. I think you're sweet on him.' 'When's he coming?' I interrupted the bickering before Sal became agitated again. This news was too important for things to be allowed to descend into another one of the twins' squabbles.

'He said that Buffalo Bill and his Wild West Show are going to arrive on the fourth of May and ...' Her words were cut short. 'Selina Smith! There's hungry children here who need their dinners!' Mrs G shook her head angrily. She could not possibly understand the importance of Sal's news for me. 'And they wants it afore it gets cold!' 'See you later.' Sal went back to her work and we picked up chunks of bread from the red earthenware bowl on the table end. There were a dozen or more other children sitting at our table all busily eating but my thoughts were not on food.

Continued Next Page

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