circus, and prepared
performers for the arena. He told us it made him think of his old circus
days to teach us. At the close of last term we gave him five dollars
apiece as an acknowledgment of his services. He assured us then that we
were competent to perform in any circus."

"Could you really do what the Vincenti brothers are doing?"

"Yes; and more."

"I wish I could see you do it."

The boys were seated near the sawdust arena, and the last part of their
conversation had been heard by the acrobats. It was taken as an
illustration of boyish braggadocio, and as circus men are always ready
for practical jokes, particularly at the expense of greenhorns, they
resolved that there was a good chance for a little fun.

One tipped the wink to the other, and turning to Kit, said: "What's that
you're saying, kid?"

"How does he know your name?" said Dan, mistaking kid, the circus name
for boy, for his friend's nickname.

"He said kid, not Kit," answered our hero.

"Do you think you can do our act?" continued the acrobat.

"I think I can," replied Kit.

This elicited a broad grin from the acrobat.

"Look here, kid," he said, "do you know how long it took me to learn the
business?"

"I don't know, but I should like to know."

"Three years."

"No doubt you can do a great deal more than I."

"Oh, no, certainly not!" said the acrobat, ironically.

"I see you don't believe me," said Kit.

"I'll tell you what you remind me of, kid. There was a fellow came to
our circus last summer, and wanted to get an engagement as rider. He
said he'd been a cowboy out in New Mexico, and had been employed to
break horses. So we gave the fellow a trial. We brought out a wild
mustang, and told him to show what he could do. The mustang let him get
on, as was his custom, but after he was fairly on, he gave a jump, and
Mr. Cowboy measured his length on the sawdust."

Kit and Dan both smiled at this story.

"I am not a cowboy, and don't profess to ride bucking mustangs," he
said, "though my friend Dan may."

"I'd rather be excused," put in Dan.

"I'll tell you what, kid, if you'll go through the performance you've
just seen I'll give you five dollars."

The fellow expected Kit would make some hasty excuse, but he was
mistaken. Our hero rose from his seat, removed his coat and vest, and
bounded into the arena.

"I am ready," he said, "but I am not strong enough to be the under man.
I'll do the other."

"All right! Go ahead!"