otested the grouchy
actor.

"Try!" ordered Mr. Pertell. "I have a very important part for you in the
new play."

"All right, if you say so, I suppose I must. But I know something will
happen," he sighed.

It did, and within a few seconds after Mr. Sneed started out. He took
three steps, and then, forgetting that the snowshoes were rather large,
he tried to walk as though he did not have them on. The result was he
tripped, and came down head first in a deep drift, and there he
remained, buried to his shoulders while his feet were up in the air,
wildly kicking about.

He was probably saying things, but they could not be heard, for his head
was under the snow.

"Somebody help him out!" cried Mr. Pertell, trying to keep from laughing
too hard.

In fact everyone was so amused that, for the moment, no one rendered any
aid to Mr. Sneed. But Flaming Arrow finally went over to him, and
succeeded in righting him.

"Take--take 'em off!" spluttered the actor, when he could speak. "I am
through with snowshoes."

He tried to unlace the thongs that bound his feet, but could not manage
it.

"Better try once more," advised Mr. Pertell. "I really need you in the
scene, Mr. Sneed, and you will soon learn to get along on the
snowshoes."

"I never will!" cried the grouch. "Take 'em off, I say!"

But no one would, and finally, after Flaming Arrow had given a few more
demonstrations, Mr. Sneed consented to try again. This time he did a
little better, but every once in a while he would trip. He did not again
dive into a snow bank, however.

Other members of the company had haps and mishaps, and Mr. Bunn stumbled
about so that he lost his new tall hat in a drift, and he refused to go
on with the act until the silk tile was dug out.

But finally after two day's practice, the Indian declared that the
company was sufficiently expert to allow the taking of pictures, and
Russ began to work the camera.

"Could we come over to your lumber camp some day?" asked Alice of
Flaming Arrow, when the little drama was over.

"I would be pleased to have you," he replied, with a smile. "There are a
rough lot of men there, but they are always glad to see
visitors--especially ladies. It is rather dull and lonesome in the
backwoods. This has been quite a little vacation for me."

"Then we'll come and see you; won't we Ruth?"

"I don't know, dear. We'll have to ask daddy," responded Ruth, rather
doubtfully.

"Oh, he'll say yes!" Alice crie