But now Dimples removed the hat, sending it spinning to the ringmaster, who, in turn, tossed it to an attendant.The real work of the act was about to start.Phil never having seen the young woman ride, did not know what her particular specialty was.Just now he was keenly observing, that he might learn her methods.
Dimples' next act was to jump through a series of paper hoops.This finished, she leaped to the ring, and, taking a running start, vaulted to the back of her horse.
"Bravo!" cried Phil, which brought another brilliant smile from the rider.She knew that it was not herself, but her work, that had brought this expression of approval from the Circus Boy, whom she already knew of by hearing some of the other performers tell of his achievements since he joined the circus less than a year ago.
"The ring is rough.I should have thought they would have leveled it down better," Phil grumbled, noting the uneven surface of the sawdust circle with critical eyes."I'll bet Mr.Sparling hasn't seen that, or he would have raised a row.But still Dimples seems very sure on her feet.I wonder if she does any brilliant stunts?"As if in answer to the lad's question, the "tweetle" of the ringmaster's whistle brought everything to a standstill under the big top.Even the band suddenly ceased playing.Then Phil knew that something worthwhile was coming.
"Ladies and gentlemen!" announced the ringmaster, holding up his right hand to attract the eyes of the spectators to him, "Little Miss Dimples, The Queen of the Sawdust Arena, will now perform her thrilling, death- defying, unexcelled, unequaled feat of turning a somersault on the back of a running horse.I might add in this connection that Little Miss Dimples is the only woman who ever succeeded in going through this feat without finishing up by breaking her neck.The band will cease playing while this perilous performance is on, as the least distraction on the part of the rider might result fatally for her.Ladies and gentlemen, I introduce to you Little Miss Dimples," concluded the ringmaster, with a comprehensive wave of the hand toward the young woman and her gray ring horse.
Dimples dropped to the ring, swept a courtesy to the audience, then leaped to the animal's back with a sharp little "yip! yip!"During the first round of the ring she removed the bridle, tossing it mischievously in Phil's direction.He caught it deftly, placing it on the ground beside him, then edged a little closer to the ring that he might thebetter observe her work.
The ring horse started off at a lively gallop, the rider allowing her elbows to rise and fall with the motion of the horse, in order that she might the more thoroughly become a part of the animal itself--that the motion of each should be the same.
Suddenly Dimples sprang nimbly to her feet, tossing her riding whip to the waiting hands of the ringmaster.
Phil half scrambled to his feet as he saw her poise for a backward somersault.He had noted another thing, too.She was going to throw herself, it seemed, just as the horse was on the roughest part of the ring.He wondered if she could make it.To him it was a risky thing to try, but she no doubt knew better than he what she was about.
The ringmaster held up his hand as a signal to the audience that the daring act was about to take place.
Phil crept a little nearer.
All at once the girl gracefully threw herself into the air.He judged she had cleared the back of the animal by at least three feet, a high jump to make straight up with unbent knees.
But just as she was leaving the back of the horse, the animal suddenly stumbled, thus turning her halfway around, and for the instant taking her mind from her work.Dimples already had begun to turn backward, but he noted that all at once she stopped turning.
Phil knew what that meant.As show people term it, she had "frozen" in the air.She was falling, head first, right toward the wooden ring curbing.
"Turn!Turn!" cried Phil sharply.
The girl was powerless to do so, while the ringmaster, being on the opposite side of the ring, could be of no assistance to her.
"Turn!" shouted Phil, more loudly this time, giving a mighty spring in the direction of the falling woman.
