"It was just chance I did, though I sort of had an eye on him. He said he didn't feel well when he started out to-day."
The physician came in. A quick examination told him the boy would live.
"Though it was a close call," he said. "There's something the matter with him besides nearly having drowned."
"What is it?" asked the ring-master.
"I can't tell. I will have to make a more careful examination—and in a hospital."
"Hospital? Then he can't go on with his act now—I mean in half an hour or so?"
"Go on with his act! I should say not, my dear sir! Why, the boy is near death yet. I must give him heroic treatment. I will call an ambulance."
"All right, doc. You know best. But I don't know what I'm going to do," and Jim Tracy shook a puzzled head. "The crowd will expect the tank act—he didn't do more than start it. It's been advertised all over the country. I don't know where I can get some one to take his place. This sure is hard luck, though, of course, it isn't Ben's fault, and I want you to take the best care of him you can. But who in the world can I put in on the tank act?"
"Put me in," said Joe Strong in a quiet voice.
"You?" cried Jim Tracy.