er. "I'm an alligator
hunter by callin'. But they're gittin' a bit scarce now, so I'm on the
move."

"I wish you'd come back and meet our friends," suggested Ruth. "Mrs.
Maguire, the children's grandmother, will want to thank you for what you
have done."

"Wa'al, I'm in no special rush, and I reckon I can spare a little time,"
agreed Jed. "But I ain't much used to havin' a fuss made over me."

"You can see how moving pictures are made," suggested Alice.

"Can I, Miss? Then I'll come," and shouldering his gun he set off with
them.

"Are you going to leave the bobcat there?" asked Ruth.

"Yes, Miss. Its skin ain't really no good this time of year, and I don't
want to bother with it. The buzzards'll make short work of it. Leave it
lie."

There was considerable excitement among the other players when the girls
and children came back, accompanied by Jed, and told of their adventure.

Much was made over the alligator hunter, and Mrs. Maguire was profuse in
her thanks. Then, in the next breath, she scolded the tots for wandering
so far away.

"I think they won't do it again," said Ruth, with a smile, as she
recalled their fright.

"No, sir! Never no more!" declared Tommy, earnestly.

Bad as the scare had been, its effects were not lasting, and Ruth and
Alice were able to take their part in the drama that was being filmed.
Jed Moulton looked on, his eyes big with wonder.

"That beats shootin' bobcats!" he declared at the conclusion of the
performance.

Jed at once became a favorite with all, and when Mr. Pertell learned that
he was quite a successful hunter he made him an offer.

"You come along with us," the manager urged. "I want to get a film of
alligator hunting, and I'll make it worth your while to do some of your
stunts before the camera. I'll pay you well, and you can have all the
alligators you shoot."

"Say, that suits me--right down to the ground!" cried Jed, heartily.
"I'll take you up on that."

So Jed became attached to the moving picture outfit, and a cheerful and
valuable addition he proved. For he knew the country like a book, and
offered valuable suggestions as to where new and striking scenic
backgrounds could be obtained.

An uneventful week followed the episode of the bobcat. The _Magnolia_
went up and down sluggish streams and bayous, while the company of
players acted their parts, or rested beneath the palms and under the
graceful Spanish moss.

"But it is getting lonesome and tire