He stood on the platform, undecided what to do. The crowds, which had heard of his act, were impatiently calling for him to leap.
“What’s the matter?” asked Mr. Paine, running to the foot of the platform. He had seen from the other side of the ring that something was wrong.
“My umbrella ribs have been cut,” replied Jack. “I can’t jump with it this way.”
“Great Scott!” exclaimed the manager. “That’s a mean trick! I’ll look into this. But wait. Haven’t you a spare umbrella somewhere?”
“Yes, several of them.”
“All right. Come down. I’ll send for Delafield to help you rig up another one. In the meantime I’ll send Sam Kyle over here to jolly the crowd along until you’re ready. He’ll say you have to fix up your airship, because one built by the German government tried to destroy it last night. And say nothing about the umbrella until you hear from me. Quick, now, get down.”
Thus did the quick-witted manager save the situation. Jack descended, and soon, with Mr. Delafield’s aid, he was attaching another umbrella to the airship. Several had been supplied, in case one might be damaged, and so little time was lost, though the two flags could not be attached.
Meanwhile Sam Kyle mounted to the platform, and was keeping the crowd in roars of laughter by his antics. As soon as Jack was ready he came down, and our hero took his accustomed place.
Once more he carefully examined the umbrella before venturing on his flight. This caution had been impressed on him by Sam, and some of his other friends. None of the performers who had to do their acts high in the air, they said, would go on a trapeze, bar or rope without first testing it. For, not only were accidents likely to occur, but often vindictive rivals would cut a rope partly through, with the hope of maiming their more successful fellows.
But this new umbrella was strong, and Jack made ready for his leap. It was with more fear than he had known since he had perfected his act that he got astride the swaying seat, and, holding to the umbrella handle, launched himself from the platform, his feet working the big wings as fast as they would flap.