Page:Dapples of the Circus (1943).pdf/147

 ing Fred was limbering up with some preliminary jumps. He had told the manager that he wished to try a new arrangement of the elephants. He thought it would be possible to place them farther apart, and so make his jump longer and more spectacular. At last the management had reluctantly consented to the experiment.

But Flying Fred had kept his real purpose safely hidden in his own mind. Freckles finally led Dapples over close to the other ring, that he might get a better view of the jump.

It looked to him like a terrible leap, but these marvelous athletes did such unbelievable things that he did not doubt Flying Fred would clear the elephants all right. At last all was ready. The signal was given and the spring-board was released.

With a bang the board flew up, and the athlete shot high in air. When he was at the highest point, he reached forward with his hands and locked them around his legs