Pertell, sharply. "Your contract calls for
any reasonable amount of work, and to wade into a bog knee-deep is not
unreasonable."

"But I will spoil my shoes and trousers."

"No matter, I will provide you with new ones. You need not sacrifice your
tall hat this time."

"That is one comfort," sighed the old actor. "Well, I suppose there is no
help for it. Where is the bog hole?"

"I think this one will do," said the manager, pointing to one where Mr.
Towne had fallen into the mud. "You will come along, pretending to look
for the fleeing lovers, and you will unwittingly wade out into the bog.
There you will struggle to release yourself, but you will be unable to,
and will call for help. Mr. Switzer, who is also on the trail, will
respond and he will wade out and save you."

"Excuse me," remarked the German actor, softly, "but vy iss it necessary
dot I rescue him?"

"Why he can't rescue himself," declared Mr. Pertell. "You've got to do
it."

"No, dot I did not mean. I meant dot as Herr Towne iss alretty wet and
muddy, dot he could as vell do der rescue act."

"That's so. It will be better!" said the manager. "I didn't think of
that. I'll have Towne do it. He can come along on the film right after
he's pulled himself out of the ditch. Fix it up that way, Russ."

"All right, Mr. Pertell."

"Have I got to go in more mud and water?" demanded the fastidious actor.

"Yes," replied the manager. "But it won't be much. Just a few feet or so
of film."

Mr. Towne groaned, but there was no help for it. And really he could not
get much muddier.

Accordingly, after some intervening scenes had been filmed to make the
action of the story, as revised, more plausible, Russ moved his camera
near the bog hole, ready to get views of Mr. Bunn, when he should stumble
into it, and also Mr. Towne, when the latter came to the rescue.

"All ready now--let her go!" called the manager. "Come along, Mr. Bunn."

The old actor advanced, but evidently with very little liking for his
part.

"Oh, be more natural!" cried Mr. Pertell. "You are supposed to be the
father of the young man who is eloping, and you want to prevent him. Put
some spirit into your work!"

Thereupon Mr. Bunn tried, and with better success. But when he came to
the edge of the bog hole he hesitated.

"Hold on! Stop the camera!" cried the manager, sharply. "That won't do at
all. This must be spontaneous. Run right along, and don't stop when you
see the bog hole. Pl