Part 4 (2/2)
Sponge and pearl divers of tropical countries are credited with power to remain under water for long periods--some claim five minutes--but the records give about three minutes as the average, though it is possible that some exceptional individual may equal five minutes. But they have to work hard while under water, and, of course, divers go deeper than the eight feet in Joe's tank.
Opening his mouth under water gave the young performer an idea.
He stretched out his arms in a tired and lazy manner, yawned with wide-open mouth as though sleepy, and then, using the box his tricks came in as a pillow, he stretched out on the sandy bottom of the tank, and pretended to go to sleep.
And this, coming at the end of his little performance, and when he had been under water nearly three minutes, made quite an impression on the crowd. There was some laughter at Joe's comical antics, but there were also murmurs of wonder at his endurance.
However, Joe was about at the end of this now. His head felt dizzy and it seemed as if his lungs would burst through his chest, so great was the confined pressure on them now.
Still he knew he must not hurry up, gasping for breath. Benny never did that, but came out as though he could have stayed under all day if he had cared to. It made a far neater finish to the act.
So Joe slowly opened his eyes, pretended to look at a watch as though it were time to get up, and then he slowly floated to the top of the water.
And oh! how good it did feel to get that breath of air. He wanted to gulp in a whole lot of it at once, but he held himself in reserve, and tried to breathe naturally. It was hard work, though.
”Three minutes and four seconds!” announced the ring-master, as he held up his watch. ”If I am wrong correct me, friends.”
”Good work! Fine, Joe!” cried the ring-master. ”You saved the day for us. I put some one else on your trapeze for the time being. I thought you wouldn't want to go on.”
”No, hardly. Glad you did. Do you think it went all right?”
”It sure did!”
”Oh, Joe! I'm so glad--for you!” exclaimed Helen as the young performer went down the steps to the ground.
”Look out! I'll get you all wet!” he warned her.
”I don't mind,” she answered blus.h.i.+ngly. ”Oh, it was great!”
”I'll do better, next time,” Joe said. ”I wonder how Benny is? I think I'll go to the hospital and find out as soon as I get into my regular clothes.”
”I'll go with you,” offered Helen.
The two young people, their circus work over for the afternoon, were soon on their way to the hospital. The doctor who had attended Benny in the tent met them.
”Well, what's the news?” asked Joe.
”It's bad, I'm sorry to say,” was the answer.
”Is--is Benny going to die?” asked Helen, clasping Joe's arm.
”No, he won't die, but it will be a long while before he can join the circus again.”
CHAPTER V
JOE'S PROMISE
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