.

"Twenty-one pounds and a half," answered the dwarf. "I have with me some
of my photographs, if you would like to buy," and the little man
produced half a dozen cards from his tiny pocket.

"How much are they?"

"Ten cents."

"I'll take one," said Kit, and he produced the necessary coin.

"If you go into the tent you can see some of the performers rehearsing,"
suggested Achilles.

"Let us go in, Dan."

The two boys reached the portals and went into the big tent.

CHAPTER III.

KIT ASTONISHES TWO ACROBATS.

The circus tent was nearly ready for the regular performance. Kit and
Dan regarded the sawdust arena with the interest which it always
inspires in boys of sixteen. Already it was invested with fascination
for them. Two acrobats who performed what is called the "brothers' act"
were rehearsing. They were placarded as the Vincenti brothers, though
one was a French Canadian and the other an Irishman, and there was no
relationship between them. At the time the boys entered, one had climbed
upon the other's shoulders, and was standing erect with folded arms.
This was, of course, easy, but the next act was more difficult. By a
quick movement he lowered his head, and grasping the uplifted hands of
the lower acrobat, raised his feet and poised himself aloft, with his
feet up in the air, sustained by the muscular arms of his associate.

"That must take strength, Kit," said Dan.

"So it does."

"No one but a circus man could do it, I suppose?"

"I can do it," said Kit quietly.

Dan regarded him with undisguised astonishment.

"You are joking," he said.

"No, I am not."

"Where did you learn to do such a thing?" asked Dan, incredulous, though
he knew Kit to be a boy of truth.

"I will tell you. In the town where I attended boarding school there is
a large gymnasium, under the superintendence of a man who traveled for
years with a circus. He used to give lessons to the boys, but most
contented themselves with a few common exercises. I suppose I should
also, but there was an English boy in the school, very supple and
muscular, who was proud of his strength, and ambitious to make himself a
thorough gymnast. He persuaded me to take lessons in the most difficult
acrobatic feats with him, as two had to work together."

"Did you pay the professor extra to instruct you?" asked Dan.

"He charged nothing. He was only too glad to teach us all he knew. It
seems he was at one time connected with Barnum's