Part 6 (1/2)
”We'll let you know as soon as we can,” promised Blake ”But my chum and I will have to think it over We have hardly beco flood pictures”
”I can well believe that, from what I have heard of your strenuous activities”
”Well, what do you think about it all?” asked Joe, as he and his chu incidents I have just narrated
”I hardly know,” answered Blake ”I guess I'll have another go at Mr Hadley's letter I didn't half read it”
He took the ain perused it It contained references to other matters besides the projected Panama trip, and there was also enclosed a check for so picture boys had done
But as it is with the reference to the big canal that we are interested we shall confine ourselves to that part of Mr Hadley's letter
”No doubt you will be surprised,” he wrote, ”to learn what I have in prospect for you I know you deserve a longer vacation than you have had this summer, but I think, too, that you would not wish to o to Pana picture cameras, but I would rather have you than anyone I know of So I hope you will accept
”The idea is this: The big canal is nearing coe when it willfil slides There have been several se, but no more than has been counted on
”I have infor in Culebra Cut athat ever before took place there If it does happen I want to getpictures, not only of the slide, but of scenes afterward, and also pictures showing the clearing away of the debris
”Whether this slide will occur I do not know No one knows for a certainty, but a man who has lived in Pana ditch, claireat deal about the slides and the causes of them He tells me that certain small slides, such as have been experienced, are followed--aler one The larger one is due soon, and I want you there when it coet this you will be visited by a Spanish gentleues Alcando He will have a letter of introduction fro picture business, and as he coold and I are under obligations to people he represents, we feel that we rant his request
”Of course if you feel that you can't stand him, after you see him, and if you don't want to take hio to Panama at all, don't hesitate to say so But I would like very o, for the films from down there will be particularly valuable at this ti of the Canal for the passage of vessels So if you don't want to go, so us will have to make the trip
”Now think the matter over well before you decide I think you will find Mr Alcando a pleasant coh his views on soner But that does not matter
”Of course, as usual, ill pay you boys well, and meet all expenses It is too bad to break in on your vacation again, as we did to get the flood pictures, but the expected big slide, like the flood, won't wait, and won't last very long You have to be 'Johnnie on the Spot' to get the views I will await your answer”
CHAPTER VI
SOMETHING QUEER
For a little while, after he had read to Joe the letter from Mr Hadley, Blake remained silent Nor did his chum speak When he did open his lips it was to ask:
”Well, what do you think of it, Blake?”
Blake drew a long breath, and replied, questioningly:
”What do you think of it?”
”I asked you first!” laughed Joe ”No, but seriously, what do youto Panama?”