ingmaster, saying he thought he would not try for a
very long under-water stay that afternoon, as his chest hurt him a
little.

"I should say you wouldn't try!" exclaimed Jim. "I wouldn't let you.
And don't work on the trapeze at all. Just do as much of your tank act
as you can."

"Oh, I can do all that," Joe said quickly, "and string it out a bit if
I cut out the trapeze work."

"Cut it out, then--at least for to-day."

When Jim Tracy made his usual announcement about Joe, before the boy
fish entered the tank, there was a burst of applause at the mention of
our hero's name, some one called out:

"Three cheers for the pluckiest lad in seven counties!"

There was a roar from the big crowd in the circus tent, and Joe
blushingly bowed his thanks. The papers had made his bravery known to
every one, and there was a craning of necks to see him.

It was a relief to Joe to swim about in the tank after what he had done
in the forty feet of water, and he floated about with Lizzie, doing
graceful turns, exhibiting some of his tricks, and eating under water.
The seal seemed to show much affection for her young owner, and took
piece after piece of fish from his hand beneath the surface.

Joe's act was applauded again and again, and he had to take several
curtain calls, though, of course, there was no curtain in the circus.

"It went well, Joe! It was big!" whispered Jim Tracy, as our hero went
to his dressing-room after the act was over. "It's the biggest card
yet. I'm going to have new posters printed, showing you rescuing the
diver."

"Oh, I wouldn't do that."

"Sure I will. And say, Joe, if you want to ask for more money I won't
object," and the ringmaster smiled.

"Well, I can always use it," Joe replied.

Jim Tracy nodded, but he wondered what Joe was doing with his large
salary--that is, large in circus circles.

At night an even larger crowd came to the circus, and Joe's act seemed
the center of attraction. He was glad, not only on his own account, but
because it helped to advertise the circus.

Jim Tracy made a hasty change in plans and stayed two more days in the
town where Joe had made the rescue, since it was the center of a large
community. And each additional day and night saw the big tent jammed.
Joe's fame was spreading.

He called on Tom Rand in the hospital, and was glad to find the diver
much improved. Rand explained how the accident had happened.

He was adjusting the valve, which was impossi