es have to be taken from a distance, as she trails
along at the stern. We'll have plenty of time for rehearsal, though."

"Ah, a motorboat to follow us. Then there isn't so much danger," said
Jack Jepson, and he seemed talking to himself.

"Danger!" exclaimed Ruth. "What do you mean by that?"

"Danger? Did I say danger, Miss?" he asked, and again Ruth was surprised
at the strange look on his face.

"You certainly did say it," she replied.

"Well, I didn't mean it," he said, though he spoke with an obvious
effort. "I meant it would be much more company--company for you folks as
aren't used to sailin' the seas. That's all, Miss. Oh, no, there's no
real danger--that is there won't be to _you_, as long as old Jack Jepson
can ward it off," he murmured under his breath.

The little party went back to the studio, and, after lunch, some of the
easiest and less important scenes in the marine drama were rehearsed.
Sailor Jack soon understood what was wanted of him, and did very well.
Ruth and Alice took pleasure in coaching the honest, simple old salt.
His too-conscientious scruples about doing a seemingly wrongful act were
overcome when it was explained to him, and he went through the scene in
the studio shipping office very well.

"And that will be all you'll have to do for a few days," Manager Pertell
told him. "You will not be needed to take part in any scenes until we
get ready for the second act. Meanwhile you had better arrange to stay
aboard the _Mary Ellen_, while she is in the Erie Basin, and help
Captain Brisco."

"That I will! Aye, aye, sir!" exclaimed Jack. "And it'll be a relief to
be where I can feel the heave of a deck, even if the craft is anchored,
and to smell the real salt water again. I'll go aboard as soon as I can
get back to the Snug Harbor, and stow my dunnage in a bag."

He really seemed delighted to make the change, and the worried look left
his face, though Ruth could not forget the shadow it had cast. What did
it mean? She asked herself this over and over again.

Meanwhile there was hard work for the moving picture girls and Mr.
DeVere. A company engaged in the making of films does not content itself
with merely producing one big play. There are any number of small reels
that are needed, as "fillers." Some of them are called "split reels,"
meaning that there are two plays, or sketches, on each one. And in the
intervals of going through scenes in "Out on The Deep," or rehearsing
for them, Ru