a moving-picture company--one belonging to the Appleby
Film Corporation."

"Oh, then you are all moving-picture actors!" cried Ben, with interest.

"Yes," answered the young man. "But we didn't come out to get into any
such scene as this," he added, with a short laugh.

By this time a number of those in the rowboats had been assisted to the
deck of the steam yacht, and those above were calling down to those in
the rowboat manned by Dave and his chums.

"Say, young men, I'm very much obliged to you for what you did for me,"
cried the stout man, heartily, as he prepared to ascend the ladder. "I
guess I was foolish to jump overboard when there was no great danger."

"It's too bad Case didn't get a picture of that scene," said the young
man named Porton. "It would have been a dandy to work into one of the
sea dramas."

"I guess that's right," returned Dave, with a grim smile.

"Much obliged to all of you," went on Ward Porton. "If there are any
charges, send the bill to Mr. Thomas Appleby, the manager. He ought to
reward you handsomely for saving a part of his company." And with these
words he followed the stout man to the deck of the steam yacht.

"Aren't you folks coming up?" came a call from the manager of the
moving-picture company, as he leaned over the rail.

"Oh, Mr. Appleby, I don't want to stay out here!" cried Della Ford, "and
neither does my Aunt Bess! The young men here say their boat is going
to Portland. Maybe we had better go there and take the train to Boston."

"Oh, there is no use in doing that, Miss Ford," answered the manager.
"The fire is out, and it is perfectly safe on board now. You had better
come up here. I will help you," and he reached down with his hand.

"I don't suppose it will be just the right thing to do, to desert the
company," said Mrs. Ford, the girl's aunt. "We still have to act in
several scenes on the ship, you must remember."

"Very well, Aunty, just as you say," returned the girl. "But oh! I must
thank this young man for what he did for me!" she went on. And at the
danger of causing the rowboat to tip, she bent over and caught Dave's
hand in both of her own. "Won't you please tell me your name?"

"It's Dave Porter," was the answer. "Come, let me help you up the
ladder."

"My name is Della Ford, and I belong in Boston. You are a very brave
young man, and I shall never forget you. Some time when you are in
Boston you must come to see me."

"Thank you, Miss Ford, perh