Part 9 (2/2)

”Slide down the rope!” co

The lad slowly unwound the rope from his arm and feebly motioned to them that they were to walk around the pole with their end so theyto the splice of the center pole

”Never

”We'll attend to this mix-up ourselves”

Very cautiously and deliberately, more from force of habit than otherwise, the lad had let his feet down, and with the the line between his legs!” roared the owner ”Going to let hi to do,” answered a tent That's the trouble with you fellows

You always think you're trying, and if you are, you never acco Got, it, Phil?”

”Y--ye--yes”

Twisting his legs about the rope the boy next took a weak grip on it with both hands, then started slowly to descend This he kne to do, so the feat was attended with no difficulty other than the strength required, and of which he had none to spare just at the present ht he had shouted it in a loud tone As a matter of fact no sound issued fro whose eyes had been fixed upon the boy, saw and understood

”He's falling Catch him!”

Phil shot doard head first Yet with the instinct of the showman he curled his head up ever so little as he half consciously felt hi

CHAPTER VI

THE SHOWMAN'S REWARD

Phil struck the net with a violent slap that was heard outside the big top, though those without did not understand thewas the first to reach him The lad had landed on his shoulders and then struck flat on his back, the proper way to fall into a net Perhaps it was instinct that told him what to do

The lad was unconscious when the showround

”Up with that peak!” co ”Get some water here, and don't crowd around hieon”

A shove started Teddy for the surgeon In thehi before the surgeon arrived

”Did I fall?” asked Phil, suddenly opening his eyes

”A high dive,” nodded Mr Sparling

Phil cast his eyes up to the do taut He knew that he had succeeded and he seon arrived the boy was on his feet

”How do you feel?”