human
What is your idea?
gpt
This, said Joe.
human
I want to get something alive in the tank with me--something bigger than the goldfish and the turtle. Of course the fish look pretty, and I shall probably keep them, but they don't show off well enough, especially at the far end of the tent. People can't see them well--I mean as well as I'd like to have them.
gpt
And you have an idea that you can take one of my dogs into the tank with you?
human
Well, yes, that's what I've been thinking of, answered Joe.
gpt
Now take the one that jumps off the pole. He seems to have a lot of nerve.
human
He has. That dog is a wonder, but I had my own troubles training him. However, I don't understand just what you mean.
gpt
This, said Joe.
human
After you have put your dogs through their paces, and I have done most of my act, why can't we have the jumping dog leap into the tank, where I'm under the water?
gpt
We might be able to get him to do it, assented the trainer, slowly considering the matter.
human
But he wouldn't stay under water with you.
gpt
No, I don't suppose he would at first, certainly not very long at a time, Joe said.
human
But he could be taught to. An animal, I think, instinctively holds its breath under water. It doesn't try to breathe, as a human being does who falls in for the first time. Of course a dog, or any other animal, instinctively comes to the top as soon as it can after finding itself under the water. But your dog is so smart we might be able to teach it to swim under water, for say a minute at a time.
gpt
Well, perhaps we might, assented Mr. Fleet.
human
Toto is very quick to learn, and I suppose staying under water for a little while wouldn't be any harder for him to accomplish than some of the tricks I've made him do. But wouldn't it rather detract from you to have a dog sharing in the applause?
gpt
I don't think so, replied Joe.
human
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.
gpt
Well, I'm willing, if you are, assented Mr. Fleet.
human
We'll give it a trial, anyhow. We can do it now, if you like.
gpt
We'll try the preliminaries, said Joe.
human
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.
gpt
Come on, Toto! called Mr. Fleet, and the intelligent animal started up from his master's feet.
human
A new trick, old boy,
gpt
Toto is a very willing worker, said the trainer.
human
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!