Well, you're due to have a bit more," observed Mr. Pertell, drily. "For
you fall overboard from one of the boats, at the conclusion of the race."

"I fall overboard!" was the startled exclamation.

"Yes, and Mr. Bunn dives in after you. You are both good swimmers--you
remember you told me so."

The use of the dock of the St. Augustine Power Boat Club had been loaned
for the making of the moving picture, and next day, with such of his
company as were to go in the boats, Mr. Pertell went to the float.
Others of the players took their places on the wall of the fort.

Two cameras were to be used, Russ working one to show the start and
finish of the race, and Pop Snooks the other, to depict the action of the
players not in the boats.

The motor boats were powerful and handsome craft. The skippers of each
were at the wheel as the players took their places, and each boat carried
a blackened and greasy mechanician, as looking after high-powered motors
was no simple matter.

"Well, are we all ready?" asked the manager, as he assigned the players
to their places.

"All ready, sir," answered Mr. DeVere.

Alice was in one boat, well up in front beside the captain-owner, while
Ruth occupied a similar position in the other craft.

"You may start, if you please," said the manager, with a nod at Russ and
another at the skippers.

A moment later the air was filled with the thundering, rattling exhaust
of the motors as the boats swept away from the float.

The motor race was on.

CHAPTER XI

TO LAKE KISSIMMEE

The staccato explosions of the motor boats, the cheers of the spectators,
of whom there were many; the clicking of the camera operated by Russ, and
the shouts of the picture-players themselves as they went through the
"business" prescribed for this act of the play, made the scene a gay one.

"This will make a fine film," declared Mr. Pertell, who was in the boat
with Alice, Mr. Bunn, Mr. Sneed and Mr. DeVere.

"I think so," agreed the latter. "I am glad we came to Florida."

"Is your throat better?" the manager asked.

"Indeed yes--much better. That is, it does not pain me, but I still
retain my hoarseness, as you notice."

"Yes, and I am selfish enough to wish that it will stay with you a little
longer," the manager said. "That is, only so that you will not leave me
and go back to the legitimate," he added, quickly. "For I want you in
moving pictures. I have some other plans when we finish work here,