Part 29 (1/2)

”But I can't see what object cowboys would have in taking a film--and an undeveloped one at that,” said Russ. ”I can't believe it.”

”Maybe the International firm bribed them, or maybe one of their men was disguised as a cowboy,” suggested Mr. DeVere.

”That's possible,” admitted Russ.

”Well, we'll soon find out,” declared Baldy. ”Come on, boys. Grub up and then we'll ride over.”

The visit to Double X ranch proved fruitless, however, except in one particular. The cowboys attached to that ”outfit” easily proved that they had not been near the camp of the picture makers.

”But there was one fellow who rode with us,” said the foreman. ”He was a stranger to us. Looked to be a cow-puncher, and _said_ he was, from down New Mexico way. He was with us when we were at your place, and when we rode away he branched off. It might have been him.”

”I'm sure it was,” declared Mr. Pertell. ”Now, how can we get hold of him?”

But that was a question no one could answer, and though several of the cowboys took the trail after the stranger, he was not to be found. The missing film seemed to have disappeared for good.

It was a great loss, but there was no help for it, and plans were made to go through the big scene again, though not until later.

”I have something else I want filmed now,” said Mr. Pertell. ”We will make that 'lost' scene we spoke of last night and then try a novelty.”

”Something new?” asked Mr. Bunn. ”I hope I don't have to be la.s.soed again,” for that had been his most recent ”stunt.”

”No, we'll let you off easy this time,” laughed Mr. Pertell. ”All you'll have to do will be to escape from a prairie fire.”

”A prairie fire!” gasped the Shakespearean actor. ”I refuse to take that chance.”

”Don't worry,” said the manager. ”It will only be a small, imitation blaze. I want to get some scenes of that,” he went on to explain to the cowboys. ”In the early days of the West prairie fires were one of the terrible features. I realize that now, of course, with the West so much more built up, they are not so common. But I think we could arrange for a small one, and burn the gra.s.s over a limited area. It would look big in a picture.”

”Yes, it could be done,” admitted Baldy. ”We'll help you.”

Two or three more days were spent in the open, traveling over the prairie, making various films. Then a suitable location for the ”prairie fire” was found and a little rehearsal held.

”That will do very well,” said Mr. Pertell at the conclusion. ”We'll film the scene to-morrow.”

The arrangements were carefully made, and in a big open place the tall dry gra.s.s was set on fire. The flames crackled, and great clouds of black smoke rolled upward.

”Go ahead now, Russ!” called the manager. ”That ought to make a fine film! Come on, you people--Mr. DeVere, Ruth, Alice--get in the picture.

Register fear!”

CHAPTER XXII

HEMMED IN

Elaborate preparations had been made for this prairie fire picture. In fact, in a way, the whole story of the drama ”East and West” hinged on this scene. It was the climax, so to speak--the ”big act” if the play had been on the real stage. Naturally Mr. Pertell was anxious to have everything right.

And so it seemed to be going. The flames crackled menacingly, and the black smoke rolled up in great clouds that would show well on the film.

In brief, this action of the play was to depict the hards.h.i.+ps of one of the early Western settlers. He had taken up a section of land, built himself a rude house, and was living there with his family when the prairie fire came, and he was forced to flee.

Of course all this was ”only make believe,” as children say. But it was put on for the film in a very realistic manner. Pop Snooks had constructed a slab house, with the aid of the cowboys, who said it was as near the ”real thing” as possible. Later on the house, which was but a sh.e.l.l, and intended only for the ”movies,” would be destroyed by fire.