The space being now cleared, Bill began to circle round preparatory to
the trial. It was evident he was not very skillful, and the opinion of
the bystanders, who amused themselves with criticising his preliminary
performances, was about equally divided respecting his ability to
perform the undertaking. After a few turns Bill cried out:

"Now, Hen, look out." With that he darted forward, until he supposed
he had attained the required momentum, when suddenly making a twisting
motion with his feet, he threw himself round. But unfortunately he had
made some miscalculation or slip, for instead of alighting square upon
the skates, his heels flew up, and with a tremendous thump, down came
poor Bill upon his back.

"Hurrah!" cried Hen Billings; "there you go, candy and all. I hope you
ain't hurt you," he said, good naturedly. "I'd rather lose my bet than
have you hurt."

"No," whined Bill, squirming round his body, and rubbing the back of
his head, "not much. What are you grinning at, you monkey? Did you
never see a man fall before?" cried he, shaking his fist at another
boy, whose face it seems did not wear an expression of condolence to
suit him. "I vow if I don't try that again," he added, after having
recovered a little from the effects of his fall.

Thereupon space being again allowed, Bill, with genuine pluck, tried
the experiment once more, and this time with better fortune.
His success was greeted with shouts of congratulation, and with
expressions of "true grit," "stuffy little fellow," &c., and
he presently disappeared with his friend, Hen, in search of the