the tricks I've made him
do. But wouldn't it rather detract from you to have a dog sharing in
the applause?"

"I don't think so," replied Joe. "If we get Toto to stay under a minute
we'll be doing well, and we may have to cut it to a half. But if I stay
under more than three minutes it will give the public a good idea of
how much more endurance a human being has than an animal. That's only
an idea of mine, of course. I don't know that we could make it work,
but I feel like trying it."

"Well, I'm willing, if you are," assented Mr. Fleet. "We'll give it a
trial, anyhow. We can do it now, if you like."

"We'll try the preliminaries," said Joe. "That is, we'll try to get him
to jump into the tank of water first, so he'll get used to that. The
rest will come gradually."

"Come on, Toto!" called Mr. Fleet, and the intelligent animal started
up from his master's feet. "A new trick, old boy," went on the trainer.
Toto barked in anticipation.

"Toto is a very willing worker," said the trainer. "He seems to love
trying something new. If any of my dogs, or any dog in fact, can do
what you want, Toto is the boy!"

The big tent was practically deserted save for a few attendants who
were putting apparatus in shape for the evening performance. The high
pole from which Toto jumped was on a movable platform, and with the
help of some ring-men Joe and Mr. Fleet transported it over close to
the tank which was left filled with water ready for Joe's evening act.

"Hadn't you better take out the goldfish?" asked Mr. Fleet. "Some of
them may be hurt if Toto jumps in."

"No, I think not," said Joe. "The tank is big enough for them to swim
out of the way, and if the trick goes I'll want the dog used to the
fish in the water, so he might as well begin with them."

"Yes," assented the trainer. "I don't suppose you'd dare use a cat in
an act like this, even if you could get her to go into the water, which
most cats hate. She'd eat the goldfish."

"I'm afraid so!" laughed Joe. "But say! that would be a stunt, wouldn't
it? A diving cat! That would create a sensation, but I guess it
couldn't be done. I've heard of diving horses and diving bears, but
never of a diving cat. Well, we won't bother about that now."

The pole was in place near the tank, the top being reached by a rope
ladder up which Toto climbed. On top of the pole was a small padded
platform for the dog to rest on before he got the word to make the
leap.

"Up, Toto!" ord