ck, pointing to a place where, back of the moss-fringed row of trees,
could be seen some stately palms.

The rather clumsy boat turned slowly toward shore, and a little later had
"poked her nose," as Russ expressed it, against a luxuriant growth of
tropical vegetation, in the midst of some low palms and gigantic ferns.

The moist smell of earth and plants, and the odor of flowers was borne on
a gentle breeze.

It was a lonely spot, and just what Mr. Pertell wanted for this
particular play. On the way up the stream they had passed several small
settlements, and the population, consisting mostly of colored folk, had
rushed down to the crude landings to stare with big eyes at the passing
steamer.

"Everybody ashore!" called the manager, when the boat had been made fast.

"Oh, but we can't go through there!" complained Mr. Bunn, who, in
attempting to make his way into the deeper part of the woods, had
suffered the loss of his tall hat several times, low branches having
knocked it off.

"Wait, I'll send some of the hands ahead with axes to clear the way,"
offered the steamer captain. "It'll be easier going, then."

This was done, and the moving picture players found it no trouble at all
to make their way along the hewn path to where a little grove of palms,
in a pretty glade, offered the proper scenic background for the pictures.

"This is just the place!" cried the manager. "Russ, set your camera up
here, and you'll get the sun just right. Now, everybody attention!" and
he carefully explained what he wanted done.

The play concerned the elopement of a pretty Southern girl, the pursuit
by her father, her subsequent marriage, and the forgiveness of her
parents. One of the scenes showed the young couple fleeing through the
wilderness, and coming to rest beneath the palms, while the pursuers
searched in vain for them.

"You're one of the lovers who has been disappointed by the elopement, Mr.
Towne," said Mr. Pertell, in giving his directions. "When I give the word
you must come running along there, so the camera will show you alone."

"But I may fall in there," objected the actor, as he pointed you to a
small, muddy stream along the path he was to take.

"You must look out for that," the manager replied. "In fact, I don't know
but what it would be good business to have you fall in. It would seem
more realistic."

"I absolutely refuse to fall in with this new suit on!" cried Mr. Towne,
as he glanced at his while f