wring some of the water from his clothes. "I didn't burn, but I
nearly drowned."

There was nothing to do but return to their boarding place and arrange
for another drama, rehearsals for which would take place in a day or so.

"Meanwhile," said Mr. Ringold to Joe and Blake, "you may have a little
time off. I tell you what you might do. We could use a fishing scene, I
believe. Suppose you go out in one of the small boats here and get a
series of views when they lift their nets."

"The very thing!" cried Blake. "We'll do it; eh, Joe?"

"Sure thing!"

"You might, in fact," went on Mr. Ringold, "show the whole process of
fishing, from the launching of the boats until they come back filled
with the day's catch."

This the boys arranged to do, and that noon, when the power boats were
launched, they were on hand to make moving pictures.

The craft, as I have explained, were "eased down" the sloping beach, by
means of rollers and planks, until the stern was just at the edge of the
surf. The motor was then started, the boat being still held fast by a
rope. This rope was fastened in a peculiar knot, so that one man,
standing near it, could loosen it with one pull when the word was given
to "cut loose."

The men watched the rollers with practiced eyes, for if the surf was
heavy the boat might get into the trough, on being launched, and
capsize. Often fishermen are drowned in this way, being struck by the
heavy boat, or getting under it.

With the engine racing, the men got into the boat. One remained on the
beach, holding the restraining rope. Another took his place at the
stern, with a long steering oar that was to be used to get her bow on to
the waves.

A particularly large wave was seen coming in.

"Get ready!" ordered the captain.

The man at the big oar took his place. The boat was almost afloat now.

"Cut loose!" came the order.

The man at the rope yanked the knot loose. The boat slid into the water
and the next instant was being tossed about in the breakers, the man
with the oar forcing her head around, aided by the powerful gasoline
engine that turned the propeller. The craft came near to capsizing, but
kept upright, and a little later was beyond the surf, into deep water,
speeding out to the nets two miles away.

Blake and Joe, working by turns, got some fine views of the launching.
Then, getting into another of the fishing boats with their cameras, and
with Macaroni to aid them, they prepared to go