Part 21 (1/2)

”I'm much obliged to you,” answered the boy fish. ”And I'm almost sure I'll take your seal--I mean sea-lion--if she'll act in the tank with me. Now for a trial.”

Soon, attired in an old bathing suit belonging to Mr. Blossom, Joe entered the tank and began to swim about. There was considerably more room than in his gla.s.s tank, and he did several of his tricks.

”Say, you _are_ a sort of human fis.h.!.+” exclaimed the sea-lion's trainer.

During the time Joe was in the tank Lizzie remained on the platform gazing at him. She followed his every movement with her big intelligent eyes, but she showed no disposition to enter the water with Joe. But she did not seem frightened.

”In, Lizzie! In!” commanded Mr. Blossom.

Lizzie ”Hooked!” but that was all, save that she moved about on the platform.

”Come on, Lizzie; go in and have a dip!” her master commanded.

But the seal (which is the name used here merely because it is a popular one, and not because it is correct) refused to go in, and Joe began to fear his plan would be a failure.

”You call her,” suggested Babson, who had been watching the proceedings.

”Come on, Lizzie! I won't hurt you!” called Joe.

”Hook! Hook! Ook!” barked the seal.

”Here, I think this will take her in,” said Mr. Blossom. He tossed a fish into the tank, and, after a brief moment of hesitation, in flopped the seal.

”Good!” cried Joe.

Like a flash the seal swam for the fish, and ate it at a gulp. Then she swam back to the platform, upon which she clambered.

”Well, we've got her started, anyhow,” said the trainer. ”I think she'll soon get used to you.”

Joe continued to swim about. Another fish was thrown in and this time Lizzie did not go out so quickly. She swam about and even let Joe approach her. Then the lad dived, turning a somersault in the tank.

The seal snorted, gave her peculiar cry, and then, to the delight of Joe, who, with open eyes under water, could see every motion, Lizzie fairly imitated his act, turning over and over and shooting out on to the platform.

”I guess you've got her started,” said Mr. Blossom. ”Give her a few more trials.”

For half an hour Joe remained in the tank, and every minute Lizzie seemed to grow more friendly toward him. Finally she let him swim at her side, though, of course, Joe could not equal the seal in speed.

Then she let him put his hands on her, and she took fish from Joe's fingers.

”I guess she'll do,” said the tank-performer, as he came out. ”I'll take her, Mr. Blossom, and trust to luck that she'll act with me in public. Now, can you s.h.i.+p her to me in good condition?”

”Oh, yes, I think so. I still have some of the s.h.i.+pping crates I used to use when on the theatrical circuit, and Lizzie is accustomed to traveling. You may have a little trouble with her in a new tank, and one of gla.s.s such as you use, but if you are patient with her I think she'll soon learn to do just what you want her to. That is the one great secret of training animals--seals or any other kind. One must be gentle and have infinite patience. I wish you good luck.”

”Thank you,” replied Joe heartily. ”If I can make this act go I think it will be a good thing for me and the circus, too.”

He donned his clothes and paid the sum agreed upon for the seal. It was a bargain as such things go, for Joe knew something about the value of trained animals. Lizzie would be s.h.i.+pped to the next town in which the circus showed, and in a crate she had formerly traveled in, and this crate Joe would use in transporting his new acquisition about the country.

”Well, now I'm ready to go back with you, Babson,” announced Joe. ”It sure was good of you to bring me on the machine. Only for that I couldn't have made that tank test and gotten back in time. As it is now, I'll have an hour or so to spare.”

”Yes, a motor-cycle is handy for getting anywhere in a hurry,” said Babson. ”Why don't you buy mine and work it in your tank act?”