"Take your turn, then," said Sidney, good-naturedly. "I shouldn't be surprised if you beat me." Ronald appeared to be of the same opinion, and it turned out that his expectations were fulfilled. He gathered himself up for a tremendous effort, and cleared six feet four inches. "Good!" said Sidney, not disturbed by his rival's success. "If you jump like this next Saturday you will carry off the prize." "I've beat you all," said Ronald, triumphantly. "Not quite all," said Sidney. "There's one here who hasn't jumped yet," pointing to Robert. "Oh well, he can try if he wants to," said Ronald, superciliously, looking as if he thought it didn't matter much whether he did or not. "Your name is Robert, isn't it?" said Sidney. "Yes." "Then, Robert, you will have the honor of closing this contest." Under ordinary circumstances Robert would not have cared to win, but he had chanced to overhear Ronald's objections to associating with circus performers, and had noticed the airs of superiority which he assumed, and he thought he would like to take down his pride a little. His training had given him unusual strength and elasticity of limb, and he was better prepared than any of the other boys to excel in a contest of this kind. He took the position which had been marked as the starting point, and standing for a moment motionless, made a sudden spring forward, and the result was regarded with admiring astonishment. "Six feet and eight inches!" declared Sidney, after measuring. "You are the champion, Robert. None of us can come up with you." The face of Ronald was an interesting study. He was astonished and mortified. He couldn't bear to have his record surpassed. "It wan't a fair leap," he said with chagrin. "He stood too far forward." "No, he didn't," answered, Sidney; "I noticed how he stood myself." "If you like, I will jump again," said Robert quietly, turning to Ronald. "That will be fairer," said Ronald, hoping Robert would the second time fall short of his own mark. Again Robert took his place, and would not jump till Ronald himself had declared that he was in the right place. Then, making an extra effort, he cleared six feet and nine inches. "You didn't make much by your doubting, Ronald," said Frank Perry. "Are you satisfied now?" "I didn't bargain to jump against a circus boy," said Ronald, sullenly. "That won't affect your chances at the picnic," said Sidney. "Robert won't be there." "Nor I," said Charlie Davis. "We are not much afraid of you, Charlie," said Sidney, smiling. "Oh, I didn't half try!" said Charlie. "It's lucky for us you didn't," said Sidney. Ronald walked off in disgust, but Robert and Charlie remained with their new friends, whom they found pleasant and companionable. That was the last of the contests, but a game of ball was got up, in which the two circus boys joined.