Part 21 (2/2)

”I don't see how I could,” laughed Joe. ”But I don't know but that it would be a good thing to have, anyhow. I could take rides about the country.”

”You and your wife--when you get one,” added Babson. ”I'll let you have this machine cheap, for I'm in want of cash just now. It's in good shape, I'll guarantee that, though it is rather travel-stained. I've ridden about on it a lot lately, following up circuses and Wild West outfits looking for work. What do you say?”

He named a price that Joe knew was reasonable, and the upshot of it was that Joe became possessed of the motor-cycle.

”It sure is going some to get a trained seal and a gasoline craft all in one day,” laughed Joe, as he completed the transaction. ”I don't know which one will give me the most trouble.”

Joe went through his tank act that night with more zest than usual, and received an ovation when he remained under water four minutes and ten seconds.

”I'm coming on,” he congratulated himself. ”I guess that motor-cycle ride to-day did me good. I must take more. And when I get my performing seal in the water with me--well, I can ask for more money for the act.

It'll be worth it, and I'll need it, for I'll have some expenses I didn't have before.”

Joe told Helen of his new purchases, and spoke about the change he intended to make in his tank act.

”Is that what you've been saving your money for?” she asked.

”No,” Joe said. ”Both the seal and the motor-cycle were accidents, so to speak. Do you think you'd like to ride with me?”

”I certainly would. And I'm anxious to see the seal.”

The animal, which had traveled safely, was awaiting Joe on his arrival in the next town. He had told Mr. Tracy of Lizzie, and the showman was enthusiastic about the chance Joe had taken to add to his act.

”I hope it works all right,” the ring-master said. ”You'll have to try it out in private.”

”Oh, surely,” a.s.sented Joe.

He made arrangements to have his motor-cycle and seal added to the car in which his tank and goldfish were carried, so all his special possessions would be together.

”As soon as I get Lizzie trained, or partly so, I'll begin to practise motor-cycling,” Joe decided.

He began the seal's education the second day after he obtained possession of her, allowing one day to go past so Lizzie could get used to her new quarters. Then, as soon as the tank was set up and filled with water, Joe had the seal taken to the foot of the steps that led to the platform. Lizzie had been trained to go up a short flight of steps to her own tank.

”Now to see what she'll do,” said Joe, as Helen and some others of the circus folk gathered about to watch the experiment. Joe had arranged for a supply of fresh fish, and one of these he now put on the top step.

Lizzie flapped out of her box, she smelled the fish, and, looking at it, she cried: ”Hook! Hook! Hook!” and up the steps she went as she had been in the habit of doing.

”Now if she'll only go into the tank that will be part of the game solved,” mused Joe. He had not put in the goldfish, for he knew, no matter how well trained Lizzie was, she would surely eat the fish if they were left in the tank. The problem of using them in his new act was one Joe had not yet solved.

Up the steps, in her peculiar manner, went Lizzie, the trained seal, and at the top she gulped down the fish. Then, after a moment's hesitation, in which she looked about the tank, she plunged in and began to swim about as though used to it all her life.

”Good!” cried Joe. ”The gla.s.s sides didn't bother her a bit. I was afraid they would. Now to see how she acts with me.”

He had on his fish suit and, moving slowly in order not to alarm the sea-lion, Joe went into the gla.s.s tank with her. At first Lizzie seemed a bit timid, and came out. But Joe coaxed her in again with a bit of fish, and soon he and the seal were swimming about in the big gla.s.s tank, while the circus folk outside applauded gladly.

Around and around swam Joe, going through many evolutions, and, swimming sometimes at his side, sometimes above and sometimes below him, went Lizzie.

”Say! That's a great act!” cried Jim Tracy, coming in at that moment.

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