"Try me," said Andy.
Thacher called over some further words to old Benares. The latter at once swung down from his trapeze, holding on by his knees, both hands extended towards his partner.
"Do just as I say," directed Thacher to Andy. "Let me get you under the arms. Double your knees up to your chin. Can you hold yourself that way?"
"Yes," assented Andy.
"Now!" spoke Thacher sharply.
The next instant the performer had dropped Andy in his clasp. He had slipped an ankle halter to one of his own limbs.
This alone held him. Head downward, he lightly swung Andy to and fro.
Andy rolled up like a ball ready for the next move.
All this had consumed less than two minutes. Now the audience believed Andy's sensational appearance a regularly arranged feature of the performance.
The oddity of a boy in ordinary dress coming into the act, as Andy had done, excited the profoundest interest and attention.
The manager in the ring below stood like one petrified, puzzled beyond all comprehension.