Phil weakly.

"We'll hurry, my lad. It won't be half a minute now," encouraged
Mr. Sparling. "Stand by here you blockheads, ready to fall on
that rope the minute it gets within reach. Three of you grab
hold of the coil end and pay it out gradually. Be careful.
Watch your business."

Three men sprang to do his bidding.

"Here comes the loop!"

Ready hands grasped the dangling rope.

The two strands were quickly carried together and the weight of a
dozen men thrown on them, instantly relieving the strain on Phil
Forrest's body.

Phil had saved the big top, and perhaps a few lives at the
same time. Now a sudden dizziness seemed to have overtaken him.
Everything appeared to be whirling about him, the big top
spinning like a giant top before his eyes.

"Slide down the rope!" commanded Mr. Sparling.

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
they might hoist the iron ring to the splice of the center pole.

"Never mind anything but yourself!" ordered Mr. Sparling.