. "First we know you'll
be saying we'll all be smashed in a train wreck going to the coast; or,
if not, that we'll be carried off by a tidal wave as soon as we get
there."

"It might happen," spoke the gloomy comedian, as though both accidents
were possible at the same time.

"And it may rain--but not to-day," put in Miss Shay, with a look at the
hot, cloudless sky.

"Then it's all settled," went on Mr. Ringold. "It is understood, Joe,
that you can have considerable time, if you need it, to locate your
father. The dramas I intend to film will extend over a considerable
time, and they can be made whenever it is most convenient. After all, I
think it is a good thing that we are going to the Southern California
coast. The climate there will be just what we want, and the sunlight
will be almost constant."

"I'm sure I'm much obliged to you," said Joe. "This trip after the
Indian films cost us more than we counted on, and we'll be glad of a
chance to make more money. We're down pretty low; aren't we, Blake?"

"I'm afraid so. But then, we may get that prize money, and that will
help a lot."

"That's so," put in Mr. Hadley. "You had better have those films
developed, and send them to the geographical society. I wouldn't ship
them undeveloped, for they might be light-struck. You were lucky the
Indians didn't spoil them."

The boys decided to do this, and during the next few days the reels of
moving pictures were developed, and some positives printed from them.
While the lads had been after the Indians Mr. Ringold had sent for a
complete, though small, moving picture outfit, and with this some of the
pictures were thrown on a screen.

"They're the finest I've ever seen!" declared Mr. Hadley, after
inspecting them critically. "That charge of the soldiers can't be
beaten, and as for the Indian dances, they are as plain as if we were
right on the ground. You'll get the prize, I'm sure; especially since
you're the only ones who got any views, as I understand it."

Mr. Hadley proved a good prophet, for in due time, after the films
reached New York, came a letter from the geographical society, enclosing
a substantial check for the two boys.

The films were excellent, it was stated, and just what were needed. One
other concern, aside from Mr. Munson's, and the one the latter
mentioned, which had gone to Indian land, had succeeded in getting a few
views of the Indians in another part of the State, but they were nowhere
nea