Next another elephant was driven in alongside of the first. Again the leapers advanced to try their skill. But two held back, not feeling competent for the task. The clown once more made a feint of jumping, but only jumped up and retired apparently filled with confusion. Evelyn gazed in intense excitement. "It must be awfully hard to jump like that, papa," she said. "I don't think I shall ever try it, Evelyn." Another elephant was driven alongside the other two, making three in all. The other contestants retired, for only Alonzo had succeeded hitherto in executing this difficult feat. He expected to be the only one now, but noticed with surprise that Kit seemed ready to follow him. "You don't mean to try it, Kit?" he said, in amazement. "Why not?" "You will fail, and if you do, you may hurt yourself seriously." "I shall not fail," said Kit, confidently. Alonzo looked anxious, but there was no time to expostulate. He ran swiftly to the board, made a vigorous spring, and landed handsomely on the bedding which had been provided beyond. He had scarcely stepped aside, when, to the astonishment of the other acrobats, Kit gathered himself up, ran to the springboard, and exerting himself to the utmost, made his leap, and landed a foot ahead of Alonzo. Then the tent rang with applause, and there were many exclamations of astonishment, not only among the spectators, but also among the circus performers. Kit's face flushed with pleasure, and bowing his acknowledgments, he withdrew. "He is certainly a wonderful boy," said the mayor. CHAPTER XXIV. KIT RECEIVES A LETTER. Kit received compliments enough to spoil him, if he had not been strong-minded and level-headed boy. Among others Mr. Barlow, who had been present and witnessed his daring act, took the opportunity to congratulate him. "You seem to be born for a circus performer, my young friend," he said. "You have come to the front at once." "Thank you, sir," said Kit. "I am glad that I succeeded, but such success as that does not satisfy my ambition." "You mean, perhaps, that you want to jump over four, perhaps five elephants?" suggested the manager. Kit smiled. "No," he answered; "I don't think I shall venture beyond three. But I don't expect to remain in the circus more than this season." "That is almost a pity, when you are so well qualified to excel in it." "Mr. Barlow," said Kit, seriously, "if I were a great manager like you, I would not mind, but I don't care to go through life as a circus performer." "I don't know but you are right, my boy. In fact I know you are. I shouldn't care to be a performer myself." "I don't think you would excel in that line," said Kit, with a glance at the portly form of the well-known showman. "You wouldn't advise me to try jumping over elephants, I infer," said Mr. Barlow, with an amused smile. "No, sir."