s going to be done, with, perhaps, a reference to the
danger or difficulty of it. In this case there was no particular
danger, as Joe could come up whenever he wanted to. But it is not easy
to stay under water for three minutes.

Joe shot up to the top of the water, and climbed, dripping wet, out on
to the rubber-covered platform. He nodded to Jim Tracy to let the
ring-master know he was now ready for the second part of the
performance.

"Ladies and gentlemen!" cried the circus man, "Mr. Strong will now show
you how long he can remain under water. He is going to attempt to stay
three minutes--possibly longer. Of course that is not the record, but
you are aware of the circumstances under which this act is being done
to-day. During his stay under water Mr. Strong will do some tricks to
amuse you. Ready!"

The band blared out as Joe bowed, and once more he made himself ready
for the under-water act. While Jim Tracy had been speaking Joe had
deflated his lungs, and now he took a full, long and deep breath. Then
in he plunged.

As soon as he was on the bottom of the tank, lying full length on the
bed of soft white sand, an attendant lowered to him a metal box
containing some of Joe's trick apparatus.

"If I have to do this tank act often I can get some water-proof
apparatus made," thought Joe. "But I guess Benny will be back on the
job in a few days. I might teach him how to do tricks."

Raising himself on his elbow, with his head resting on his hand in a
careless and comfortable attitude, as though lying under water without
breathing were the most natural thing in the world, Joe juggled with
three small iron balls, using only one hand. It was an easy enough
trick to do "on land" so to speak, but Joe found that the balls did not
move so freely in the water, and he had to make his motions slower.
However, the trick seemed to be appreciated, for he could see the
people applauding.

"If I only had some celluloid playing cards, I could do some tricks
with those under water," Joe reasoned, as he kept juggling the balls.
"Water won't hurt celluloid. I must have a pack made." Joe was an adept
at card tricks, and they would show off well under water, he thought.

In order that the audience on all sides of him might see, Joe now
turned slowly about under water, facing to the four sections of the
tank.

He was beginning to wonder how many minutes had now ticked off, but he
knew it could not be three yet, though he was begi