wk or some other
large bird would swoop down upon it and send it to the ground.

"Now here is an exercise in physical culture," cried one of the Trojans,
in the tone and manner of the professor in that line of instruction.
"One of our Grecian heroes will kindly ascend and bring the helmet
down."

This called for peals of laughter and shrill whistles from the Trojans,
for they knew that no one of the Grecians could climb to the top and it
was a delight to see them redden with shame. But the restless Fritz was
not willing to give up without trying to scale the giddy height.

"Here, Franz," he cried, "hold my books. Paul, here is my jacket and
hat. Stand back, boys, and see if I am the coward they think me," and
soon his legs and arms were in motion. The laughter and jeering of the
Trojans stimulated him to his greatest effort, and he had almost reached
the top when his efforts ceased.

"He is only resting," cried Franz and Paul anxiously.

"No, his strength has given out and you will see him coming down in a
moment," said one of the Trojans.

Hearing this, Fritz made one last effort, and holding on to the pole
with one arm, he reached up for the helmet, but it was farther off than
he thought. His strength had given out, and he slid rapidly down and
dropped in a heap, pale and weak from over-exertion, and for a moment
unable to rise.

The shouts and laughter of the Trojans impelled the three to flee to the
schoolroom for refuge, but their arms were held by the enemy and they
were led to a linden tree in the school yard and bidden to look up.
There amid the branches lay the three lances and the bows and arrows.
The tumult of laughter and shouting was now beyond all bounds, and at
that moment the principal of the school made his appearance and was soon
in the midst of the wild, surging crowd.

"Who put that gilt paper cap on the point of the climbing pole?" he
asked.

No one answered and the Trojans looked at each other in dismay.

"Whose cap is it?" he asked.

"It is mine," replied Achilles-Franz, "and some of these boys got it
from the place I keep it and before I got here this morning put it on
the pole."

"Do you know which of the boys did it?"

"No, sir."

"Go to the schoolroom and ask Professor Moot to please step here."

"Professor," said the principal, when the teacher of physical culture
stood among them, "how many of your pupils can climb to the top of the
pole?"

"Five of them can do it easil