Phil promptly threw off his coat and vest.A few minutes later the lads were struggling on the wrestling mat, their faces dripping with perspiration, their supple young figures twisting and turning as each struggled for the mastery of the other.
The readers of the preceding volume in this series, entitled, THE CIRCUS BOYS ON THE FLYING RINGS, will recognize Phil and Teddy at once as the lads who had so unexpectedly joined the Sparling Combined Shows the previous summer.It was Phil who, by his ready resourcefulness, saved the life of the wife of the owner of the show as well as that of an animal trainer later on.Then, too, it will be remembered how the lad became the fast friend of the great elephant Emperor, which he rescued from "jail," and with which he performed in the ring to the delight of thousands.Ere the close of the season both boys had won their way to the flying rings, thus becoming full-fledged circus performers.Before leaving the show they had signed out for another season at a liberal salary.
With their savings, which amounted to a few hundred dollars, the boys had returned to their home at Edmeston, there to put in the winter at school.
That they might lose nothing of their fine physical condition, the Circus Boys had rented an old carpenter shop, which they rigged up as a gymnasium, fitting it with flying rings, trapeze bars and such other equipment as would serve to keep them in trim for the coming season's work.
Here Phil and Teddy had worked long hours after school.During the winter they had gained marked improvement in their work, besides developing some entirely new acts on the flying rings.During this time they had been living with Mrs.Cahill, who, it will be remembered, had proved herself a real friend to the motherless boys.