Joe Strong, the Boy Fish / or Marvelous Doings in a Big Tank

est. They stood together, a little distance away from the cot

an it, Joe?" aske

do all the tricks Ben did, for I haven't practised

l him as remaining under a fraction over four minutes, and challenge the world to produce

liest attempts, did make it four even. But the public isn't very critical on that point. As a r

to last three minutes under water-I mean

act I can do better

ou sur

, su

the ring-master turned to see Helen Morton standing b

f I could do anything. I heard what you and Joe were saying, Jim, and I couldn't

emed dazed by the way things were h

d the watch on him

she did," c

hing suit, and gone into Benny's glass water-filled tank to cool off. While there Joe, who was an adept in the water, as are many boy

than three minutes

can pull off the act yet," agreed th

s put in it to be taken to the hospital. The physician promised to give the boy eve

ted, "but it is something serious, I fear. It was something th

rtain Benny could not finish his act. "You'd better ge

tight fit. It's wet, too, and it is

d been taken off Benny before

into the suit. It was of

announcement you please. Sort of tone it down for me, for I don't know that I can please

the tent, having come back to see how Joe looked in the fish su

e reflectively. "I've got a

out," offered the pret

," murm

wd would be waiting for the rest of the tank act. The ring-ma

sic st

ct, under the care of one of your local physicians. As you all know we advertised to show the 'human fish,' and if there is one thing more than another that the Sampson Brothers try to do it is to keep their word-keep faith-with the public. As we advertise so we do. And I say,

g man who will take his place. You have all seen him. But a little while ago he thrilled you, in company with his partners, the Lascalla Brothers, in a high trapeze act. It was while doing this that the young man I am about to bring to your favorable no

d, and some applause. Clearly

k of that?" was a

we would-a wonderful under-water act, full of thrills, and interesting in the extreme. But I must crave your slight indulgence, and I feel sure that, under the circumst

s you who have seen him before can bear witness. And if any of you think it is easy to do that, just take out your watch, and hold

ter paused i

ve, is his limit. But you must remember, ladies and gentlemen, that he is doing this act in public

g under water even three minutes is a feat of no mean ability. We do not say that no one else can do it, though we have a standing offer of a thousa

utes just try to hold your breath for the time Mr. Strong r

ok out his watch, and looked toward the entrance to the dres

you Joe Strong, the boy fish, and I crave your slight indulgence under the circumstances

eside the ring-master and threw off his bath robe, rev

d right

to entertain you, my friend

e steps that led to the platform from which Benny had d

ny, whatever it was, doesn't happen

ne of his trapeze tricks, and turned three somersaults before he struck the water. In he went, with a little splash, and, a moment