The man who had held the key rope was the one who had been
at fault. Some of the new men had called to him to give them
a hand on another line, and he, a new man himself, all forgetful
of the important task that had been assigned to him, dropped the
key rope, as it is called, turning to assist his associate.
Instantly the dome of the big top began to settle with a grating
noise as the huge iron ring in the peak began slipping down the
center pole.
The key rope coiled on the ground was running out and squirming
up into the air. Only a single coil of it remained when Phil
suddenly darted forward. With a bound, he threw himself upon the
rope, giving it a quick twist about his arm.
The instant Phil had fastened his grip upon the rope he shot up
into the air so quickly that the onlookers failed to catch the
meaning of his sudden flight.
One pair of eyes, however, saw and understood. They belonged to
Mr. Sparling, the owner of the show.
"The boy will he killed!" he groaned. "Let go!"
CHAPTER V
DOING A MAN'S WORK
For one brief instant Phil Forrest's head was giddy and his
breath fairly left his body from the speed with which he was
propelled upward on the key rope.
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