THE MULE DISTINGUISHES HIMSELF
The audience had half risen, believing that the girl would surely be killed.It did seem that it would be a miracle if she escaped without serious injury.
But the Circus Boy, his every faculty centered on the task before him, proposed to save her if he could.
He sprang up on the ring curbing, stretching both hands above his head as far as he could reach, bracing himself with legs wide apart to meet the shock.
It is not an easy task to attempt to catch a person, especially if that person be falling toward you head first.But Phil Forrest calculated in a flash how he would do it.That is, he would unless he missed.
It all happened in much less time than it takes to tell it, of course, and a moment afterwards one could not have told how it had occurred.
The Circus Boy threw both hands under Dimples' outstretched arms with the intention of jerking her down to her feet, then springing from the curbing with her before both should topple over.
His plan worked well up to the point of catching her.But instantly upon doing so he realized that she was moving with such speed as to make it impossible for him to retain his balance.
Dimples was hurled into his arms with great force, bowling Phil over like a ninepin.Yet, in falling, he did not lose his presence of mind.He hoped fervently that he might be fortunate enough not to strike on a stake, of which there were many on that side of the ring.
"Save yourself!" gasped the girl.
Instead, Phil held her up above him at arm's length.When he struck it was full on his back, the back of his head coming in contact with the hard ground with such force as to stun him almost to the point of unconsciousness.As he struck he gave Dimples a little throw so that she cleared his body, landing on the ground beyond him.
The girl stretched forth her hands and did a handspring, once morethorough master of herself, landing gracefully on her feet.But Phil had undoubtedly saved her life, as she well knew.
Without giving the slightest heed to the audience, which was howling its delight, Dimples ran to the fallen lad, leaning over him anxiously.
"Are you hurt?" she begged, placing a hand on his head.
"I--I guess not," answered Phil, pulling himself together a little."I'll get up or they'll think something is the matter with me.""Let me help you."
"No, thank you," he replied, brushing aside the hand she had extended to him.But his back hurt him so severely that he could only with difficulty stand upright.
Phil smiled and straightened, despite the pain.
At that Dimples grasped him by the hand, leading him to the concourse facing the reserved seats, where she made a low bow to the audience; then, throwing both arms about Phil, she gave him a hearty kiss.
Thunders of applause greeted this, the audience getting to its feet in its excitement.Had it been possible, both the boy and Miss Dimples would have been borne in triumph from the ring.
"Come back and sit down while I finish my act," she whispered."You're not going to try that again, are you?" questioned Phil."Of course I am.You'll see what a hit it will make.""I saw that you came near making a hit a few moments ago," answered the lad.
"There, there; don't be sarcastic," she chided, giving him a playful tap."If you feel strong enough, please help me up."Phil did so smilingly; then he retired to his place by the center pole, against which he braced his aching back.
"Turn after you have gotten over the rough spot," he cautioned her.Dimples nodded her understanding.
This time Phil held his breath as he saw her crouching ever so little for her spring.
Dimples uttered another shrill "yip!" and threw herself into the air again.
He saw, with keen satisfaction, that this time she was not going to miss.
Dimples turned in the air with wonderful grace, alighting far back on the broad hips of the gray horse with bird-like lightness.
Phil doffed his hat, and, getting to his feet, limped away, with the audience roaring out its applause.They had forgotten all about the boy who but a few moments before had saved Little Dimples' life, and he was fully as well satisfied that it should be so.
