n one of his "lone" acts.

He gave an exhibition of rope-climbing, Jim Tracy introducing the act
with a few remarks about the value of every one's knowing how to ascend
or descend a rope when, thereby, one's life might some time be saved.

"Professor Strong will now entertain you," announced the ring-master,
"and tell you something about rope-work."

Joe had hardly bargained for this, but his work as a magician, when he
often had the stage to himself and had to address a crowded theatre,
stood him in good stead. He was very self-confident, and he
illustrated the way a beginner should learn to climb a rope.

"Don't try to go up hand over hand at first," Joe said. "And don't
climb away up to the top unless you're sure you know how to come down.
You may get so exhausted that you'll slip, and burn your hands
severely, for the friction of rapidly sliding down a rope will cause
bad burns."

Joe showed how to begin by holding the rope between the soles of the
feet, letting them take the weight instead of the hands and arms. He
went up and down this way, and then went up by lifting himself by his
hands alone, coming down the same way--which is much harder than it
looks.

Joe also illustrated the "stirrup hold," which may be used in ascending
or descending a rope, to get a rest. The rope is held between the
thighs, the hands grasping it lightly, and while a turn of the rope
passes under the sole of the left foot and over the toes of the same,
the right foot is placed on top, pressing down the rope which passes
over the left foot. In this way the rope is held from slipping, and
the entire weight of the body can rest on the side of the left leg,
which is in a sort of rope loop. Thus the arms are relieved.

Joe showed other holds, and also how to sit on a rope that dangled from
the top of the tent. Half way up he held the rope between his thighs,
and made a loop, which he threw over his left shoulder. Then, by
pressing his chin down on the rope, it was held between chin and
shoulder so that it could not slip. Grasping the rope with both hands
above his head, Joe was thus suspended in a sitting position, almost as
easily as in a chair. The crowd applauded this.

Then Joe went on with his regular trapeze work--doing some back flyaway
jumps that thrilled the audience. This trick is done by grasping the
trapeze bar firmly at arm's length, swinging backward and downward
until the required momentum is reached. When J