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 ship her to me in good condition?"

"Oh, yes, I think so. I still have some of the shipping 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 glass 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 shipped 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?"

"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 und