The time had arrived for Emperor to rise for his grand salute to
the audience. Mr. Kennedy had given Phil his cue, the lad had
braced himself to straighten up suddenly. A strap had been
attached to the elephant's head harness for Phil to take hold of
to steady himself by when he first straightened up. Until his
position was erect Emperor could not grasp the boy's legs with
his trunk.
"Right!" came the trainer's command.
The circus boy thrust out his elbows, and the bonnet fell away,
as he rose smiling to face the sea of white, expectant faces
before him.
While they were applauding he fastened the flying wire to the
ring in his belt. The wire, which was suspended from above, was
so small that it was wholly invisible to the spectators, which
heightened the effect of his flight. So absorbed were the people
in watching the slender figure each time that they failed to
observe an attendant hauling on a rope near the center pole,
which was the secret of Phil's ability to fly.
Throwing his hands out before him the little performer dove
gracefully out into the air.
There was a slight jolt. Instantly he knew that something was
wrong.
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