"He's been rubbin' goose-grease all over him for as much as two weeks,
an' he can bend almost any way," whispered Reddy to Toby, as Ben stood
swinging his arms at the entrance to the ring, as if limbering himself
for the work to be done.

Leander started "Yankee Doodle" in slow and solemn strains; Ben gathered
himself for a mighty effort, and began to go around the ring in a series
of hand-springs in true acrobatic style.

CHAPTER XIII

THE RESULTS OF LONG TRAINING

Mr. Stubbs's brother had been a close observer of all that was going on,
probably to guard against another sudden fright such as the overture had
given him, and the moment Ben commenced to revolve he leaped from the
tree, running with full speed towards the whirling acrobat.

Toby started to catch him, but the monkey was too quick in his
movements: before any one could prevent him he had caught the revolving
boy by one leg, and for a few seconds it was difficult to tell which was
Ben and which the monkey.

Of course such an interruption as that broke up the performance for the
time being, and Toby was obliged to exert all his authority to
disentangle the monkey from the performer.

"I knew it wouldn't do to let him be loose," said Toby, in a
half-apologetic tone. "Now I'll set here an' hold him while you commence
over again, Ben."

"Well, now, be sure you hold him," said Ben, seriously, "for I don't
want him to catch me again when I'm goin' 'round so fast, for it hurts a
feller to tumble the way he made me."

Bob offered to help hold the unruly monkey, and, when he and Toby had
taken a firm grip on the collar, the music was started again, and Ben
recommenced his performance.

This time he got through with it in a highly successful and creditable
manner; he proved to be a really good acrobat, so far as turning
hand-springs and standing on his head were concerned, and Toby felt
certain that this portion of the entertainment would be pleasing.

Bob now went into the ring, and began to sing the "Suwanee River" in a
manner which he intended should captivate his audience; but he had
neglected to give the band any orders, and the consequence was that,
when he commenced to sing, Leander began to play "Old Dog Tray," a
proceeding which mixed the musical matters considerably.

"You mustn't do that, Leander," Bob said, sharply, after he had done his
best to sing the band down, and failed in the attempt. "It won't do for
you to play one thing whil