Part 13 (1/2)

”I was just giving myself a try-out,” Joe explained to Benny.

”That's pretty good,” declared the ”human fish,” as he tested the temperature of the water. ”I couldn't do that at first.”

”Oh, you see I've lived near the water all my life,” Joe explained, ”and it comes sort of natural to me. Don't be afraid that I'm going after your act though,” he added, with a laugh.

”I almost wish you would,” and Benny spoke wearily.

”What's the matter?” asked Helen, with ready sympathy.

”Oh, I don't know. I don't feel just right, somehow or other. It's mostly in my head--back here,” and Benny pointed to the region just behind his ears. ”I've got a lot of pain there, and going under water and staying so long seems to make it worse.”

”Why don't you see a doctor?” asked Joe.

”Well, you know what that would mean. I might have to lay off, and I don't want that. I need the money.”

Benny had a widowed mother to support, and it was well known that he sent her most of his wages, keeping only enough to live on.

”Well, I wish I could help you,” said Joe, ”but I can't do all the stunts you can under water, even if I could hold down both jobs.”

”The stunts are easy enough, once you learn how to hold and control your breath,” Benny said. ”That's the hardest part of it, and you seem to have gotten that down fine. How was the water, cold?”

”No, just about right for me,” Joe declared. ”I don't like it too warm.”

Benny again tested the temperature by putting his hand in the tank.

”I think I'll have 'em put a little hot water in just before I do my act,” he said. ”I have an idea that the cold water gets in my ears and makes the pain in my head.”

”Perhaps it does,” Joe agreed.

Preparations for the afternoon performance were now actively under way.

The big parade was out, going through the streets of the town, and soon those taking part in the pageant would return to the ”lot.” Then, at two, the main show would start.

Joe had a new feat for that day's performance. He and the two Spaniards had worked it out together. It was quite an elaborate act, and involved some risk, though at practice it had gone well.

Joe was to take his place on the small, high elevated platform at one side of the tent, and Tonzo would occupy a similar place on the other side. Joe was to swing off, holding to the flying rings, which, for this trick, had been attached to unusually long ropes.

Opposite him Tonzo was to swing from a regulation trapeze, which also was provided with a long rope. After the two had acquired sufficient momentum, they were to let go at a certain signal and pa.s.s each other in the air, Joe under Tonzo. Then Joe would catch the trapeze bar, and Tonzo the rings, exchanging places.

Once they had a good grip, Sid was to swing from a third trapeze, and, letting go, grasp Tonzo's hands, that performer, meanwhile, having slipped his legs through the rings, hanging head downward.

When Sid had thus caught bold, he was to signal to Joe, who was to make a second flying leap, and grasp Sid's down-hanging legs.

As said before, the feat went well in practice and the ring-master was depending on it for a ”thriller.” But whether it would go all right before a crowded tent was another matter. Joe was a little nervous over it--that is as nervous as he ever allowed himself to get, for he had evolved the feat, and Sid and Tonzo had not been over-enthusiastic about it.

However, it must be attempted in public sooner or later, and this was the day set for it. Before the show began Joe, Sid and Tonzo went over every rope, bar and ring. They wanted no falls, even though the life net was below them.

”Is everything all right?” Joe asked his partners.

”Yes,” they told him.