ld say I did remember it," said Blake. "Some picture that!"

"Where was this?" asked the Spaniard.

"In earthquake land. There were _some_ times there!"

"Ha! Do not think to scare me!" cried their pupil with a frank
laugh. "I said I was going to learn moving pictures and I
am--slides or no slides."

"Oh, we're not trying to 'josh' you," declared Blake. "We'll all
have to run some chances. But it's all in the day's work, and,
after all, it's no more risky than going to war."

"No, I suppose not," laughed their pupil. "Well, when do we
start?"

"As soon as we can arrange for the government tug to take us
along the Canal," answered Blake. "We'll have to go in one of the
United States vessels, as the Canal isn't officially opened yet.
We'll have to make some inquiries, and present our letters of
introduction. If we get started with the films inside of a week
we'll be doing well."

The week they had to wait until their plans were completed was a
pleasant one. They lived well at the hotel, and Mr. Alcando met
some Spaniards and other persons whom he knew, and to whom he
introduced the boys.

Finally the use of the tug was secured, cameras were loaded with
the reels of sensitive film, other reels in their light-tight
metal boxes were packed for transportation, and shipping cases, so
that the exposed reels could be sent to the film company in New
York for developing and printing, were taken along.

Not only were Blake and Joe without facilities for developing the
films they took, but it is very hard to make negatives in hot
countries. If you have ever tried to develop pictures on a hot
day, without an ice water bath, you can understand this. And there
was just then little ice to be had for such work as photography
though some might have been obtained for an emergency. Blake and
Joe were only to make the exposures; the developing and printing
could better be done in New York.

"Well, we'll start up the canal to-morrow," said Blake to Joe on
the evening of their last day in Colon.

"Yes, and I'll be glad of it," remarked Joe. "It's nice enough
here at this hotel, but I want to get busy."

"So do I," confessed his chum.

They were to make the entire trip through the Canal as guests of
Uncle Sam, the Government having acceded to Mr. Hadley's request,
as the completed films were to form part of the official exhibit
at the exposition in California later on.

"Whew, but it _is_ hot!" exclaimed Joe, after he and Bl