on one side of the rope, which he raised a little way from the ground,
just as girls do when they are playing a skipping game.

On the other side of the rope the boy put an apple.

"Now, Squinty," said Bob, "if you want that apple you must jump the rope
to get it. Come on."

At first Squinty did not understand what was wanted of him. He saw
nothing but the apple, and thought how much he wanted it. He started for
it, but, before he could get it the boy pulled up the rope in front of
him. The rope stopped Squinty.

"Jump over the rope if you want the apple," said the boy. Of course
Squinty could not exactly understand this talk. He tried once more to
get the apple, but, every time he did, he found the rope in front of
him, in the way.

"Well!" exclaimed Squinty to himself, "I am going to get that apple,
rope or no rope. I guess I'll have to get over the rope somehow."

So the next time he started for the juicy apple, and the rope was pulled
up in front of him, Squinty gave a little spring, and over the rope he
went, jumping with all four legs, coming down on the other side, like a
circus man jumping over the elephant's back.

[Illustration: Squinty gave a little spring, and over the rope he went.]

"Oh, fine! Good!" cried the boy, clapping his hands. "Squinty has
learned to do another trick!"