y on the
motor-cycle. And as he rode Joe began to turn over in his mind plans
for utilizing the machine in some trick.

"Though I don't just see my way clear to it now," he told himself.

Finally Joe became so well-used to the gasoline bicycle, as he
sometimes called it, that he took Helen out with him, she sitting on
the seat in the rear. Naturally a good equilibrist, the girl took
easily to the motor-cycle, and even when Joe went at top speed on some
smooth road she liked it.

"Oh, it's just great!" she said. "I'll think Rosebud is terribly slow
after this."

The time quickly came when Joe was first to exhibit the seal in public.
Lizzie had been behaving well, and in private she and Joe did all sorts
of tricks under water. Joe took down with him to his table some pieces
of fish. While he ate the bananas he would hold up on a fork a piece of
fish for Lizzie to take.

The seal would curve gracefully downward, take the morsel and eat it
under water, even as Joe ate his fruit. It made a novel scene.

"And now to see how it goes in public!" said Joe.

The big tent was crowded when the boy fish entered his tank that
afternoon, and after going through some preliminary work, showing the
tricks with the celluloid cards and other of his sleight-of-hand
performances, Joe gave the signal, and Lizzie was let out of her cage.

Barking and uttering her peculiar cry, she flapped her way to the
steps. Up them she went, taking the piece of fish left there to tempt
her, and then into the tank she plunged with Joe. Of course the
goldfish were not being used.

Then, while the wondering crowd looked on, Joe and the seal swam about
together, showing off to the best advantage. It was a good act, and the
throng appreciated it, applauding mightily. To cap the climax, Joe and
the seal ate under water. Lizzie behaved perfectly, paying no attention
to the crowd. Nor did the transparent sides of glass annoy her as they
had just a little at first, when she would sometimes unexpectedly bump
her nose against them.

It was one of the best aquatic exploits ever exhibited, and the
ring-master so announced it. Jim Tracy was delighted with Joe's work,
and Joe was pleased himself. Lizzie was certainly a great acquisition.

Back and forth, around and around, up and down, turning, somersaulting
and doing all manner of swimming went Joe and Lizzie.

"I couldn't have a better act unless I got a real live mermaid to
perform with me," Joe decided,