d again to run; was again thrown. But he was determined to please
the manager, and he earnestly continued his efforts. Benson himself
would see the picture and probably marvel that a new man should have
mastered, apparently with ease, a pair of genuine hidalgos.

"Maybe we better try smoother ground," Baird at last suggested after
repeated falls had shown that the undergrowth was difficult. So the
cameras were moved on to the front of a ranche house now in use for the
drama, and the spur lessons continued. But on smooth ground it appeared
that the spurs were still troublesome. After the first mishap here
Merton discovered the cause. The long shanks were curved inward so that
in walking their ends clashed. He pointed this out to Baird, who was
amazed at the discovery.

"Well, well, that's so! They're bound to interfere. I never knew that
about hidalgo spurs before."

"We might straighten them," suggested the actor.

"No, no," Baird insisted, "I wouldn't dare try that. They cost too much
money, and it might break 'em. I tell you what you do, stand up and
try this: just toe in a little when you walk--that'll bring the points
apart. There--that's it; that's fine."

The cameras were again recording so that Baird could later make his
study of the difficulties to be mastered by the wearer of genuine
hidalgos. By toeing in Merton now succeeded in walking without disaster,
though he could not feel that he was taking the free stride of men out
there in the open spaces.

"Now try running." directed Baird, and he tried running; but again the
spurs caught and he was thrown full in the eyes of the grinding camera.
He had forgotten to toe in. But he would not give up. His face was set
in Buck Benson grimness. Each time he picked himself up and earnestly
resumed the effort. The rowels were now catching in the long hair of his
chaps.

He worked on, directed and cheered by the patient Baird, while the two
camera men, with curiously strained faces, recorded his failures. Baird
had given strict orders that other members of the company should remain
at a distance during the spur lessons, but now he seemed to believe that
a few other people might encourage the learner. Merton was directed to
run to his old mother who, bucket at her side and mop in hand, knelt on
the ground at a little distance. He was also directed to run toward
the Montague girl, now in frontier attire of fringed buckskin. He made
earnest efforts to keep his feet du