and on this the boys had practiced untiringly during the spring
months, until they had both become quite proficient.

"Isn't he great?" breathed Teddy, as Rodney Palmer swung out into
the air, letting his legs slip through the rings until only his
toes were hanging to the slender support.

"Yes; he certainly does do it fine."

"We can do it just as well."

"Perhaps, but not so gracefully."

"See, he's swinging his hand at us."

Sure enough, Rodney had picked out the two lads, and was smiling
at them and waving a hand in their direction. The two lads felt
very proud of this, knowing as they did that they were the envy
of every boy of their acquaintance within sight of them.

The climax of the act was when the young woman seemed to plunge
straight down toward the ground.

The women in the audience uttered sharp little cries of alarm.
But the performer was not falling. Strong slender ropes had been
fastened to her heels, the other ends being held by one of the
performers who was hanging from the rings.

As a result the falling girl's flight was checked just before she
reached the ground and the spectators breathed a sigh of profound