s!" reproved Ruth. "To think of such a thing at this time!"

"Why, what's the matter?" he asked, ruefully, for Ruth's manner was a
little cold toward him.

"Of course Russ naturally thinks of the picture end of it," put in Alice,
determined to soften the unintended effect of Ruth's manner.

"I suppose so," agreed Ruth, and she gave Russ a glance that made up for
what she had said.

"I do wish we could do something," said Paul, "but, as Alice says, it
doesn't seem possible."

The hotel at Sycamore was nothing to boast of, but it answered fairly
well as the moving picture company would be outdoors practically all the
time, as Mr. Pertell pointed out. The weather was like early Summer--most
delightful--and it was a temptation to wander out under the stately,
graceful palms, which cast a grateful shade.

There were not many other guests at the hostelry, and interest centered
in the company of players. They were asked many questions as to what they
did, and how they did it, and when Russ set up his camera for the first
time, merely to try it, and get the effect of light and shade, he was
surrounded by a curious throng.

The scenery around Sycamore was most wonderful--at least, so Ruth and
Alice thought. It was not that it was grand or imposing--for it was
anything but that. Florida is a low-lying country with many lakes and
swamps. But the vegetation was so luxuriant, and the palms, the big trees
festooned with Spanish moss and the ferns were so beautiful, that it was
a constant delight to the girls.

There are few rapid streams around the vicinity of Sycamore, most of them
being sluggish to the point of swampiness. And a short distance away
from the hotel, on some of the creeks and bayous, one could imagine
oneself in some impenetrable jungle, so still and quiet was it.

"It will give us some new effects in moving pictures," said Mr. Pertell.
"It is just what we want."

"How are we going to get farther into the interior?" asked Mr. DeVere,
when that subject was brought up.

"I have chartered a small steamer," said the manager. "At first I decided
we could use a large motor boat, and make the trips back and forth from
the hotel each day, to get to the various places. But I find that
distances are longer than I calculated on, and it might be inconvenient,
at times, to come back to the hotel. So I have engaged a good-sized,
flat-bottomed stern-wheeler, and we can spend several days at a time on
her if need be."