* THE MOVIE BOYS IN THE JUNGLE OR Lively Times Among the Wild Beasts BY VICTOR APPLETON Author of “The Movie Boys on Call,” “The Motte Boys and the Wreckers,” ete. GARDEN City EW YORK GARDEN CITY PUBLISHING ee INc. 1926 THE FAMOUS MOVIE BOYS SERIES BY VICTOR APPLETON See back of book for list of titles A) COPYRIGHT, 1913, 1926, BY GARDEN CITY PUBLISHING COMPANY, INC. THE MOVIE BOYS IN THE JUNGLE CHAPTER I UNEXPECTED NEWS “THat’s the way to do it! Jump right into the surf and get after her, Mr. Piper!” “Move a little faster, can’t you?” “If he doesn’t that big wave is going to get him as sure as fate!” “There he goes! Stop. those moving picture machines, boys!” A big wave came tumbling up the beach, roll- ing over and over in its foamy grip a man clad in a life guard’s bathing costume; while farther up the sands two lads, at the handles of moving pic- ture cameras, ceased grinding away at the film, and doubled up with mirth. (Then, when the wave had spent its force, the I 2 MOVING PICTURE BOYS IN THE JUNGLE man arose, got rid of the water in his eyes and the sand in his mouth, and exclaimed: “T knew it! I knew something would happen — if you tried one of these lighthouse dramas! I’m done! I quit here and now!” “Oh, C. C., just one more trial!’ pleaded a man who seemed to be a theatrical manager. “You can do it if you try again; I’m sure you can!” “Never again!” cried the man, and then the two boys and the other members of the company gathered about him to use their persuasion. “C. C. is up to his old tricks; isn’t he, Blake?” remarked one of the lads, as he looked at his mov- ing picture machine to see how many feet of film had been registered. “That’s what he is, Joe,” responded the other youth. “But I don’t know as I can blame him this time. Something did happen, in spite of the fact that he’s always predicting calamities that seldom come to pass.” “Think they’ll get him to try it again?” “Oh, yes, I guess so. Mr, Ringold and Mr. Hadley generally get what they want. There, he’s going to do it over again. I guess we'd better get back to our machines,” for the lads had joined the group about the man in bathing costume. UNEXPECTED NEWS 3 “Well, Pll try that rescue scene once more,” finally announced the person who had been desig- nated as Mr. Piper and also as C. C. “But it does seem,” he went on, “that I always have to do all the work in these tank dramas. I’m the one that’s always falling in the water and getting my death of cold. I always have to do the rescuing. Why can’t I be rescued myself some time? Though I suppose if I jumped in, and waited for some one to get me out, they’d let me drown. Oh, why did I ever go into this miserable business, anyhow?” and while uttering these dismal words the man made a series of comical faces that sent the others into spasms of laughter. “Oh, cheer up, Gloomy!” cried one of the young ladies of the company. ‘You'll be happy yet.” “I doubt it,’ came the answer. “But go ahead !”” “All ready out there!” called Mr. Ringold, head of the Film Theatrical Company, which was making a series of dramas for moving’ pictures on the lower California coast, near San Diego. “All ready out there in the boat! C. C. is going to try the rescue once more.” “And look out for the big waves, C. C.,” ad- vised the manager. “Just swim as you always do. You've been in the surf before. And you’re 4. MOVING PICTURE BOYS IN THE JUNGLE supposed to be a life guard, you know. They can swim like fishes.” “T’m not a fish!” declared the actor. “Be ready, Miss Lee!” called Mr. Ringold, to a young lady, who was out some distance on the ‘lazily rising and falling ocean, in a small boat. “Remember you’re supposed to be adrift in an open craft—you have been lost for days and days. You finally get near shore and the life guard sees you. He swims out at the peril of his life'and rescues you.” “That’s it—always at the risk of my life,” grumbled C. C. Piper, to give him his right name. “If I don’t drown, I get my death of cold!” : We “Go ahead!” cried Mr. Ringold, impatiently. “Remember, Miss Lee, you’re supposed to be nearly starved. The life guard brings you in and carries you to the lighthouse. There you fall in love with the young keeper, and the life guard and he have trouble over you. But we’ll get those — scenes later. All ready now, C. C. Jump in. Joe—Blake, be ready with your cameras there!” “All right!’ cried the two lads, and, as the actor once more plunged into the surf, Joe and Blake began turning the handles of the moving picture cameras. ‘The machines clicked and purred as the film UNEXPECTED NEWS 5 unwound from one reel, passed behind the lens with its rapidly opening and closing shutter, and then was wound on another reel, pictures being taken at the rate of sixteen per second. This time nothing happened. C. C. swam out to the boat containing Miss Lee, one of the younger actresses, brought her to shore, and she was carried into the lighthouse, which was near at hand. | “That'll be all for the present, boys,” directed Mr. Ringold. “The next scenes will take place in the lighthouse, and I’ll have to arrange for some lights there, as it’s too dark to get the pic- tures without. I won’t need you for several hours, and then this will bring our work on the Pacific coast to a close.” “That lets us out, Blake,” said one lad to the other. “What shall we do?” “Go back to the boarding house and finish pack- ing up, I guess. If we’re going to make that trip to China, to look for your sister, who is sup- posed to be with some missionaries there, we’ve got lots to do yet. Where is your father?” “He went to the postoffice to see if there was any mail. He expected something from that mis- sionary to whom he wrote for more explicit direc- tions how to get to the station where my sister Jessie is supposed to be. He had rather indefinite 6 MOVING PICTURE BOYS IN THE JUNGLE ones when he started for Hong Kong, just before he was wrecked.” “That’s so. I say, Joe! It’s going to be quite an experience for us to go to China. Vm glad you thought of taking a moving picture camera along. We will get some good films, I believe.” “So do IJ, but I won’t be much interested in them until I find my sister.” : “T suppose not. Well, come on back to our shack,” and the two lads, Joe Duncan and Blake Stewart, moving picture operators, who had been engaged to “film” a series of dramas on the Pacific coast for Mr. Ringold, packed up their machines and left the beach. The theatrical com- pany went inside the’ government lighthouse, which they had been permitted to use for part of the moving picture play. Some months before, Joe and Blake, after a series of strange adventures, which I shall tell you about in brief, presently, reached San Diego with the company. Joe was on the track of his father, whom he had not seen since he was a. baby. He learned that Mr. Duncan was an as- — sistant keeper at the very lighthouse in which the ~ little drama was now taking place. But Mr. Duncan had left there just before Joe and his chum, Blake, arrived. It was said he had fled to escape being arrested as a wrecker of UNEXPECTED NEWS > ships by means of false lights, but this was dis- proved, and it was learned that Mr. Duncan had _set out for China to find his daughter Jessie, who had disappeared at the same time as had Joe. But the vessel on which Mr. Duncan sailed was wrecked. He was picked up by a ship bound for San Francisco, and this craft foundered, too, in a great storm near San Diego. It chanced that Mr. Ringold wanted moving pictures of a storm and a wreck, and while the life savers were rigging up the breeches buoy to bring ashore the unfortunates, Joe and Blake took moving pictures of the stirring scene. The last to come: ashore was the captain and Mr. Duncan, and thus Joe found his father. The latter cleared himself of the false charge, and told how he had been seeking his daughter, who was said to be a missionary’s helper in China. Of course, Joe at once decided to give up his work for the Film Theatrical Company and ac- company his parent on the quest, and Blake elected to go with his boyhood chum. But there were a few moving pictures yet to be taken to finish the work on the coast, and the boys agreed to do them for Mr. Ringold. This was what they were engaged on when the present story opens. “I wonder what it will be like in China?” mused Joe, as he and his chum walked on. © 8 MOVING PICTURE BOYS IN THE JUNGLE “Oh, just like what we’ve read about, I expect. Men with pigtails, and women with fans, tea gardens, vases, dragons, and all that.”’ “We ought to get some pretty good pictures, then,’ went on Joe. | “That’s right,” agreed Blake. “T can hardly wait to start,” continued his chum. “To think that I’ve found my father, when I never expected to see him again, and that m going to have a sister. Ill soon have quite a family, Blake.” “That’s what you will. Well, I wish you luck. I wonder what your sister Jessie will be like?” ““She’s about a year older than I am,”’ remarked Joe. “Dad said so. And he said she was very pretty when she was.a baby. Poor Jessie! To think that she doesn’t know she has a father any more than I did a few months ago. Won't she be surprised when we come walking in on her, over in China, and ask for a cup of tea?” “T guess she will, Joe. Well, ’'m going to pack up. We have only about a week more here, and then Ho! for Hong Kong!” “That’s right. Say, VIl need two trunks to take all the truck I’ve accumulated since we came here.” : | “You'll have to leave some of it, I reckon.” For a time there was silence in the rooms of the UNEXPECTED NEWS 9 two lads; broken only by the noise they made in packing their trunks. Presently Joe said: “Seems to me Dad is a long while coming back 4rom the postoffice,” for Mr. Duncan had taken up his residence with his son in the big theatrical boarding house on the beach. “Tt’s quite a walk into town,” observed Blake. “Tll tell you what let’s do,” suggested his chum. “What ?” *“Let’s walk in and meet him. Then I’ll know sooner just where my sister is. I want to write to her.” “AMl right, ’m with you; come on,” and the two, leaving their packing half finished, started for San Diego, which was some miles from the little fishing settlement of Chester, where most of the films had been made. | “That looks like him coming,” observed Blake, some time afterward, when he and his chum had walked on for a considerable distance toward the town. “It walks like him, anyhow.” | “Yes, that’s Dad,” observed Joe. “Say, do you know he’s just like I pictured him in my mind, after we met Uncle Bill, the time he rescued us from those Moqui Indians. Dad is just as I thought he’d be; a bit younger, perhaps, but other- wise the same.” to MOVING PICTURE BOYS IN THE JUNGLE “That’s good. It’s nice not to be disappointed. But he seems to have a letter, Joe.” “That’s right; he has. I hope it’s from Jessie, though that can hardly be, as Dad only wrote to the missionary headquarters in New York to find out her exact location in China. But he sure has something,” and Joe looked closely at the man who was approaching, holding in his hand a bit of paper. | At that moment Mr. Duncan looked up and saw his son and the latter’s chum. But he did not quicken his pace, though Joe broke into a run. “Hello, Dad!” he cried. “Any news?” ““Y es—there—there’s some news, Joe,” was the answer. “That’s rather odd,” mused Blake. “He doesn’t speak as if it was good news. I wonder if anything could have happened ?” The same thought must have come to Joe, for he hesitated a moment, and then, hastening on,. was soon at his father’s side. ‘‘What’s the matter, Dad?’ he exclaimed. “Is anything wrong? Isn’t Jessie in China? Is she —is she dead ?” | “No, Joe, not dead, as far as I can make out, but I have unexpected news just the same—news I don’t like!” and he looked at the letter in his. hand. UNEXPECTED NEWS tI “What is it, Dad? Tell me!” urged his son. “Has anything happened to Jessie? Isn’t she in China?” “No, Joe, she isn’t.” “Where is she?” “Why, this letter from the missionary society says she changed her mind at the last minute, and instead of going to China went to the interior of Africa.” “To Africa!” cried Joe. “Yes, into the jungle; and Joe,” went on Mr. Duncan, with a tremor in his voice, “it’s in a locality where the natives are said to be none too _friendly. Poor Jessie! My poor little girl!” and Mr. Duncan turned his face away. CHAPTER I] ON TO NEW YORK Jor Duncan looked at his chum Blake Stewart in surprise. Neither knew what to say, and Mr. Duncan seemed so affected by the unexpected news that his son was seriously alarmed. But Joe was used to meeting emergencies. His work in taking moving pictures had put him in good trim for this. In a moment he had .recoy- ered his poise. “Gone to Africa; eh?” he exclaimed. ‘Well, I don’t know that Africa is much farther than China, Dad,” and he spoke cheerfully. “What do you mean, son?” “T mean that if Jessie has gone to Africa we'll go there to get her!” | “That’s it!’ cried Blake. “The jungles of Africa can’t be much worse than the wild parts of China.” “But the natives!’ exclaimed Mr. Duncan. “This letter says that the African tribes are on 12 ON TO NEW YORK 13 the verge of an uprising. If that had been known before Jessie started they would not have let her go. As it is, they have written to her, and the missionaries she is with—a man and his wife—_ to come back. But it will be some time before’ they get the letter, for they are far in the interior.” “Well, don’t worry, Dad,” advised Joe, cheer- fully. “We'll make out all right. We'll soon start after her and get her away from those natives—if they chance to have her.” “Do you mean that?” cried Mr. Duncan. “T sure do, Dad. The jungles of Africa, or the wilds of China—it’s all the same to us; isn’t it, Blake ?” “Tt sure is. Count me in!” “And will you come with us?’ asked Joe’s father. “I certainly will!’ came the quick answer. “And we won't lose any time,’”’ added. Joe. “We were going to engage passage to China; it will be just as easy to do so to Africa, though it may take a little longer. Now let’s get back to the boarding house and arrange the details.” And, while father and son, with the latter’s chum, are on their way back to the fishing ham- let, | will take the opportunity to make my new readers a little better acquainted with Joe and Blake—the moving picture boys—whose adven- 14 MOVING PICTURE BOYS IN THE JUNGLE tures they are soon to follow in the “Dark Continent.” The lads were first told of in the initial volume of this series, entitled “‘The Movie Boys on Call”’; or ‘‘Filming the Perils of a great City.” In the beginning Blake Stewart worked for his uncle, Jonathan Haverstraw, in the village of Fayette- burg, in the middle part of New York State. Mr. Haverstraw had a farm, and on an adjoining one, owned by Zachariah Bradley, Joe Duncan worked. Joe thought himself without relatives, since from’ his earliest days he could remember none. | Owing to the fact that Mr. Bradley found he could no longer pay Joe’s wages, and because Blake’s uncle decided to give up his farm and retire to a home for the aged, the two lads un- expectedly found themselves without positions at the same time, Blake having no other relative than Mr. Haverstraw. But, just at this time, a Mr. Calvert Hadley came to Fayetteburg with a theatrical company to take some moving pictures. The boys met him, and after some negotiations were engaged by him to go to New York. : There they learned the business and helped Mr. Hadley, who was engaged in getting out a “mov- ing picture newspaper,” showing the perils of the car oe age of ‘Mrs. Betty Os a Southern 16 MOVING PICTURE BOYS IN THE JUNGLE ceived a strange letter. It intimated that he might find his father, of whose existence he was uncertain, The letter was written by a roving cowboy, and the only clue was that he had been at Big B ranch somewhere in Arizona. He for- got to mention just where. Full of hope, not only of getting films of the Indians, but of finding Mr. Duncan, Joe and Blake started out. They had many adventures, for the theatrical company went with them, Mr. Ringold, the proprietor, needing some films of the West, with cowboys and Indians. After “filming” a number of Western dramas, Joe and Blake started off to find the hidden Indians. Unexpectedly they located Big B ranch, but the cowboy who had written the letter was gone. Fiowever, another cowboy, Hank Selby by name, decided to go with the lads to help find the Indians, for Joe and Blake were tenderfeet. They located the fanatical Moquis, got the films of the weird dances, were attacked and saved, not only themselves, but their rivals. Joe’s uncle, Bill Duncan, chanced to be one of the United States troopers who drove the Indians back to their reservation. Joe’s uncle gave news of Joe’s father. The latter, it seems, had been made a widower when ON TO NEW YORK 17 the two children—Joe and Jessie—were young. He placed them in the care of a family, and went to the gold fields. When he came back—dquite a rich man—the two children had disappeared and he could find no trace of them, as the family he left them with had separated. Joe’s uncle said the lad’s father was a light- house keeper somewhere on the California coast, and, after the Indian pictures had been obtained, © Joe decided to look for his parent. Blake offered to accompany him. The boys thought they would have to say good- bye to their theatrical friends, but Mr. Ringold had long contemplated a series of sea dramas, and, learning that the two lads were going to the coast, he hired them, together with Mr. Hadley, to make the films near the Pacific Ocean. In the ‘third book of the series, entitled ‘“‘The Movie Boys and the Wreckers’’; or “Facing the Perils of the Deep,” you will find the details of further strange happenings. Mr. Duncan, so Joe learned, was assistant keeper of a lighthouse near San Diego. Going there with the company, which engaged quarters in the beach settlement of Chester, Joe sought his parent. But, to his surprise, Mr. Duncan had left unexpectedly, and the lightkeeper intimated Odea to Blake, privately, that it was. 5 2 goo had nN Pressed for a reason, the pe aan that d tectives had come to arrest Mr. Duncan on a _ charge of having helped to wreck some vessels ‘sf means of false lights on the coast. BEN As How the boys traced the real wreckers | and a as- sisted in their capture; how they toek ‘part in ~ thrilling sea scenes, and helped make. films for the theatrical company, I have set down oes in the nean » BN among them, and on the beat Hie fer: u The two were happy, and Mr. Duncan ol Jong search for his children. aa figs che. name eileen: Cutler. He } he or used to call him “Christopher Cus- | EP eeenarled Blake, when he and his chum, 1 i Mr ‘Duncan, had reached the oe £ eore , Tata oP peri air es ° Cee »” answered Mr. Duncan, “she is with a Mrs. “pies at a Syieipaie station’ >? a poor little girl! 3 Dad! yes = her! Ge exclaimed 20 MOVING PICTURE BOYS IN THE JUNGLE “Of course we will!” said Blake, with a confi- dence he did not altogether feel. “I wish we were there now. I’ve always wanted to go to Africa.” “We'll have to start from New York,” said Mr. Duncan, who had been looking at maps and steamer routes. “And the sooner we get there the better? “We might as well travel with the theatrical crowd,” suggested Blake. ‘They'll soon be leay- ing, and we'll have company. Besides, Mr. - Ringold might decide to get some jungle dramas, and we could film them.” But the theatrical manager had no such in- tention. “I’m going to run a series of city dramas,” he said, when the boys told him the news. “Of course, I’d like to have you make the pictures for me, but if you are going to Africa you can't. However, Mr. Hadley will do it, and when you come back I may have a new commission for you. I wish you all sorts of luck.” “They'll never come back alive,” predicted €. C., in his most gloomy tones, and then he continued to hum a comic song. “Oh, don’t be so melancholy,” said Miss Lee, one of the actresses. “Terrible place—African jungle,” went on the - comedian. ‘‘Fevers, wild animals, wilder natives, ON TO NEW YORK pe snakes, elephants, bugs of all kinds, swamps— ugh! Excuse me!” “Qh, I guess we can manage,” said Joe, cheer- fully. “Tf. we can’t we'll send for you,” added Blake, with a laugh. “Never!” cried C. C. Piper. The final scenes at the lighthouse were filmed, the boys and their friends packed up, and then, accompanied by the theatrical company, Joe, Blake and Mr. Duncan started for New York, soon to embark for the jungles of Africa. CHAPTER III THE CIRCUS WRECK “WE'RE making good time, Blake.” “That's right, Joe. It’s a little too fast to suit me. I always get to thinking what would happen if we hit anything at full speed,” and Blake Stewart looked out of the window rather appre- hensively at the landscape flitting past. “Oh, don’t come any of that C. C. Piper talk,” urged Joe, with a laugh at his chum. “Where is he, anyhow?” — “Up in the smoker, I Ne He said he was -going there.” “And he’ll come back, and complain that he’s full of tobacco germs, or something like that, and won’t live a week.” “That’s right,” agreed Blake. The boys, with Mr. Duncan and the theatrical company, were speeding East in a fast train, all of them anxious to reach New York. It was their second day since leaving the coast, and to 22 THE CIRCUS WRECK © 23 ‘ Joe, though the train was making exceptionally fast time, as Blake remarked, the cars seemed - fairly to crawl along. “T suppose you’re anxious to get there,” re- | marked Blake, when they had stopped at a sta- tion, and were again on the move. “Yes, they can’t reach New York any too soon for us; can they, Dad?” and Joe. glanced toward his father, who was looking at,some papers. “That's right, son,” came the answer. ‘‘Every time I think of poor little Jessie, out there among those savages, it makes me nervous. I haven’t seen her since she was a baby, when I left her in the care of the family I supposed would keep - her until I could get back.” “What did they do with her?” asked Blake, who had not heard all the particulars. “Well, they had bad luck, too, it seems, and had to separate. In that way both Joe and Jessie became lost to me, but I have Joe back,” and he if glanced oly at his son. “And you’re not going to lose me again ina at hurry, either!” exclaimed the lad. “Folks are too scarce with me to get rid of ’em when I don’t — u have to. But, Dad, do you Nie! think there is any danger for Jessie?” i Pag “I don’t know, son. I’ve hake watching the _ newspapers lately, and they haven’t said anything 24 MOVING PICTURE BOYS IN THE JUNGLE about trouble with the natives in Africa. Though it’s so far off, and news travels so slowly in the jungle, that anything might have happened and we wouldn’t know of it until it was all over.” “Oh, I wouldn’t worry,” suggested Blake. “She is in good hands; isn’t she?” “Yes, the head of the missionary society writes that Mr. and Mrs. Brown have had much experi- ence in Africa. They know the natives, and the latter trust them. Jessie went as a sort of assist- ant to Mrs. Brown, you know. I can't imagine, though, why she should go into foreign work.” “Maybe she wanted to find you, Dad,” sug- gested Joe. ‘You know one reason I came out to film those crazy Indians was to have a chance to look you up. Maybe Jessie did the same thing.” “Perhaps,” admitted Mr. Duncan. “Well, I only hope she is all right. It will be some time before we can see her, even if we have good luck.” “What route are we going to take?” asked Blake, who was always interested in geography. “From New York,’’ spoke Mr. Duncan, con-; sulting some memoranda he had made, “we take a German steamer for Naples, Italy.” “Italy!” cried Joe. “I thought we were going to: Africas” “We are,” said his father; “but unless you want THE CIRCUS WRECK 25 to land on the West coast, and travel all the way across the continent, which is almost impossible, in order to get to the Victoria Nyanza, the prac- tical route is by way of Naples, the Mediterranean Sea, Suez Canal, Red Sea, Gulf of Aden, and so out into the Indian Ocean. We will land at Mombasa, and after a trip on the Uganda Rail- road we will strike into the interior.” “It’s a long trip,” sighed Joe. “Oh, we'll soon make it,” spoke his father. “It's better than going around by way of the Cape of Good Hope, and striking up through the Mozambique channel between Africa and Madagascar. It won't take long, once we get to New York. But the journey in Africa, after we leave the railroad, may be tedious, and, I may as well add, not a little dangerous.” “Dangerous!” cried Joe. “Yes, from wild men and wild beasts. But I am going to take all the precautions I can. I am, as you know, boys, fairly well off now, and I can afford to hire something of an expedition to help us in this quest after Jessie. We will have a safari and # “What's a safari?” asked Blake. “Tt’s what they call an expedition in Africa,” explained Mr. Duncan. “It consists of porters and native policemen. It’s the only way to travel. _ Of course, we won’t have as ae nN one 28 certain - well-known hunters have had, but we will do the best we can. I am bound to find my aah aay I spend my last cent!” ara “And we're with you!” cried Ble. : ae can have all my share of the business, Joe!” i and he held out his hand to his chum. _ A ee “Thanks, old man!” replied the belie and, moisture came to his eyes. “It’s good of you, but I don’t want to take your share of the profits.’ a4 “Of course you will!” cried Blake. “Didn't” we make it toe And we'll spend it to- gether !” x I might explain that the Does fad done very well in their moving picture business, — an the: prize they won for the Indian films had given” them a substantial bank account. Mr. Ringold also paid them well, and, weiss their Rirci'siy THE CIRCUS WRECK a ae, | The train rushed on, seeming to increase in speed, and others than Blake looked apprehen- __ sively out of the windows as the landscape seemed fairly to fly past. _ “What’s the hurry, conductor?” asked Mr. _ Hadley, when that official came through, as the cars swept around a curve with such force that several held on to their seats in fear. _ _ “Making up lost time,” was the short response. i “Don’t get nervous. This is the best stretch of _ the whole road here.” _ “Then there’s sure to be a wreck,” predicted C.C. “It’s always on the best stretches that the yi accidents occur. We'll leave the track, roll over pin ditch, or go through a bridge—I’m sure Pott!’ . Oh, you cee thing!’ cried Miss Shay, an- ~ other of the actresses. ‘‘Can’t some of you men _ do something to him?” and she cay to the actors of the company. _ “We'll drop him at the next tank station, if he - doesn’t cut out that line of talk,” declared Mr. ey tobers. who played the “villain.” : “What! And have me starve to death?” eed / a Piper. “T had almost rather be wrecked in _ some nice locality where there was plenty to eat. ; A wreck there——” Beas oe not finish his words, for at that mo- 7t 28 MOVING PICTURE BOYS IN THE JUNGLE ment there came a grinding of the brakes on the wheels, so suddenly that several of the passengers were thrown from their seats. “It’s a wreck, all right!” yelled Blake, getting to his feet. “Hold on, everybody!” cried Joe. The train shook and trembled as the engineer endeavored, by the use of the emergency air brake, to bring it to a stop, Then there came a crash, a splintering of wood and a clang of metal. It was followed by a curious combination of © sounds. There were grunts, roars, squeals and trumpetings—the neighing of horses, and the shouts of men. Chains clanked, and a rumble, as of thunder, was heard. Then the train came to a stop with a jolt that further shook up the theatrical company, which was traveling in a private car. “For cats’ sake—what’s happened?’ cried Blake. “Some sort of a smash!” declared Joe, crawl- ing out from under a seat, where he had been thrown. Women were screaming, men were yelling and shouting. The hissing of escaping steam could be heard, and the moving picture boys, looking toward the forward end of their car, saw that part of the roof was torn off. But otherwise the THE CIRCUS WRECK 29 vehicle was not much damaged, and no one ap- peared to be hurt save for minor cuts and bruises. Suddenly Miss Lee, who had slid along the aisle to the front end, uttered a scream and came | running back. : _ “What is it; are you hurt?” asked Blake, catch- ing her as she was about to fall. “No! No! I’m not hurt! But look! A snake! A snake is coming into the car! Oh, stop it!” The boys looked to where she pointed. Through the crack in the roof something long and sinuous was thrust inside, and began feeling about. It was a dull slate color. “Snake?” cried Joe. “That’s no snake!” “What is it, then?’ demanded Blake. “Tt’s a trunk—an elephant’s trunk!” “An elephant!’ screamed Miss Lee. “Yes, we ci “Then we've wrecked a circus train!” cried Blake. He put Miss Lee in a seat, and looked out of the window. ‘“That’s what’s happened!’ he yelled. ‘We've run into a circus train, and the wild animals are all over the track—most of ’em alive, too!” CHAPTER IV A GREAT OPPORTUNITY BLAKE’s ringing words caused no little excite- ment in the car—excitement that was already in- tense, owing to the crash of the wreck. ‘“What’s that you said?” cried Mr. Duncan, for there was so much confusion that Blake's words did not carry clearly. ‘We've struck a circus train,” replied the boy. “Not a bad smash, I guess, for I don’t see many cars piled up. But a lot of the animals are out.” “T knew it!” cried C. C. Piper. “I knew some- thing would happen! If I don’t drown I’m saved to be eaten by a lion! Oh, why did I ever go into this business?’ “Ts there any danger, Blake?’ cried Mr. Dun- can, coming to the side of his son’s chum, as Blake was looking out of the window. “Can you see if anyone is hurt?” ‘“No—none, though some of the animals seem to be killed. Joe, come on out an 3 30 . ered: Miss Lee. - “That's a jungle , sure! Even though it wasn’t a snake I ee s We diat’s a lion.” ye “Yes, it’s a lion,’ said Blake, withdrawing his ce ye nead from the window; “but it’s in a cage. ee y’re running it off one of the smashed flat | The lion can’t get out, Miss Lee.” ank goodness for that!” she exclaimed. Ans so frightened.” e chorus of uncouth sounds kept up, but Dive od to be lessening. Those in the car picked bee elves up from the places whither they had oe tossed. No one seemed to be much hurt, he C. was aes blood from a cut on all. right! cried a brakeman, entering ite car at that moment. “It wasn’t a ‘guess not,” said the brakeman, but the ticed that he appeared ill at ease. “You're | : here, ss he added. “We may pane some ee a . doctor. ex ie 3 ASF he hurried out, and Blake noticed i athe ok Blake looked toward the crack in 2 the = i ngoet: we exclaimed, in a 1 whirl saw that there was no need for their assist s in the theatrical car. “Whatiis ite? | “Let! S film hie wreck. ms dazed ee the oe bf the He y “Yes, it : will make some we dandy dig ri Heys let's get some views. may this ae ves here,” for the lads sted Sei f wo we oe Fe enke | A GREAT OPPORTUNITY 33 one Pa the hand machines, was with oe bag- gage sent on ahead. _ “Come on!” cried Blake. “No time to lose. They'll get the beasts back in their cages as soon as they can.” | “That’s so,” agreed his chum. “But if there are lions and tigers loose, Blake——” | “J don’t believe there are,’ spoke Blake, quickly. “I didn’t see any when I looked; but, if there are, the beasts tls be too dazed to make any trouble. Come on.” _ “I’m with you!” cried Joe. and they got out their camera. , “What are you going to do?” asked Mr. Beco who was binding up a cut on Miss teed s arm. _ “Get some moving pictures Of this’? 4 “Good for you!” the theatrical manager cried. “Maybe I can work ’em in some of my dramas.” _ Joe and Blake were soon outside the car. A scene of confusion met their eyes, but it was not as bad as they had anticipated. The collision was what is known as a “side-swipe”—that is, the circus train stood on a siding, but not far a enough beyond: the switch, when the passenger train rushed by it and hit the other a glancing blow. | | 4 As it was, the penert pete y was damaged, 34 "MOVING PICTURE BOYS IN THE JUNGL as was the first car, and the next one—that which our friends were. But the jar to the circu: train had thrown some of the cages off the flat cars and broken them. Also a box car, contain- ing a number of the elephants, had been. smashed, as well as one containing some camels. A few : of the animals had been killed. ee” q ea “Lively work!” cried Blake, as he and his ; eh chum took in the scene. | ‘i OR Ves. they're trying to catch ’ em all, g agreed oN Joe. “Set the camera here,” and he indicated a piece of elevated ground. {CNS A Or a The circus men were rushing here and there, under the directions of someone who was evi. “ dently the manager. Sacred cows, crooked-neck camels and some ponies were being caught and driven back into one of the undamaged car The elephants were seemingly the easiest qi handle, though they showed a eT to wander. DS IC ea } Ue Ngo to! ss 14 GREAT OPPORTUNITY 35 was about to take a strol. across the tracks and off into the open country. By hard work they succeeded in turning him back. A camel showed signs of fight, but was subdued. _ Joe and Blake were getting a fine lot of films, but they had to work quickly, for the circus men, with the speed that is characteristic of them, were rapidly getting order out of chaos and put- ting the animals back in the cars or cages. Where the vehicles were damaged the animals were doubled up. { A lion cage on a wrecked flat car was being eased off by means of ropes and pulley, the tawny beast inside giving vent to his displeasure - im growls and roars. i “Some class to this film; eh?” cried Joe. _ “That’s right,” agreed his chum. “I’m sorry for the trouble, and for the hurt animals, and I'm glad none of the folks was killed, but it sure is a dandy chance for us.” - “Look!” suddenly cried Joe. “That lion cage has gotten away from ’em!” _ As he spoke, Blake saw the cage beginning to ig rapidly down the planks that had been laid to get it from the car to the ground. A rope | — broken. _ “Hold it!” cried the circus man. | «But it was too late. With a rumble and crash NAS t Shetuction! and ‘the nent iE OE odes over on its side. There was a splintering of wood, a door flew open, and the big lion bounded out 4 with a roar of defiance. mie iy “Wow!” cried Joe. “T ook at that! ONG ae “A great chance!’ exclaimed Blake, coolly. 4 “We'll film him!’ and he proceeded to. grind away at the crank as if he were making views: sof a most peaceful scene. BO There came a scream from the direction ok ee | theatrical car, and Joe, looking, saw a number of : ladies scrambling for the doors. The sight of : the freed lion had been too much for. them. There was a scattering of the circus men, manager. “Not for mine! Y replied several. Ball lan ndlers ‘ att! ty pes) ne Ue, Nee} Ki ioe f ai and uh ’ sae <2 ’ “a es ahs . ae him,” went on the ha ee ‘**There » harm in King; is dere, olt fellow?” and {? s is 5 great eae ee ASN. | Beye best ever,” asserted his chuim. Pee ee > work of caring for the liberated animais — on rapidly. Only a few were loose now, oan of them dangerous. Still the scene rely one, for the railroad men were busy, ys made nearly a thousand-foot reel of ” amera, captanately, having been eee ei . Just then the circus manager noticed them, and ' started in some surprise. “What are you fellows eee he asked . striding toward them. Y ma, i “Filming this wreck,” vemtian Blake, aye “Making moving pictures; eh?” i. “That’s it,” said Joe, looking to : see how much film remained to expose. eae in “Did you get that lion deer PO eae “We did.” a oe 4 “Did; eh? Well, you’ve got pluck, all right. — I wouldn’t want everybody to know it, but that’s — one of the most dangerous lions in captivity. — He’s killed several of his keepers, and only this — German seems able to manage him. No wonder the men held back. And so you filmed him; eh ae “Oh, we’re used to thrills,” said Blake, with ae smile, as the last of the film was reeled off. — | “So I should judge,” observed the circus man. a | “Say,” he went on, “I’ve been looking for some — ead fellows with nerve, and I guess I’ve found ’em. How would you like to Bed into the circus — business ?” . Bee “Pm afraid we can’t ‘consider. it,” dota on it _ “We have something else on hand. We leave: for Africa in about a week.” ame A Ce iad i What for; to get pictures?” ne Pia ah er - 2a A GREAT OPPORTUNITY 39 “No, to get my sister, who is a missionary helper there.” ; “To Africa!’ exclaimed the circus man. “Say, this is just the opportunity I’ve been looking for! Boys, I’ve got a great proposition to lay before you. I'll see you in a little while—just as soon as I can straighten things out. Hi there!’ he called, suddenly. “Don’t let that elephant hurt that camel. Separate ’em, men! Lively there!’ and he'’rushed over to where the two animals seemed on the point of coming to a clash. CHAPTER OFF FOR AFRICA “WHat sort of an offer do you think he’s going to make us, Blake?’ asked Joe, as they finished the films of the circus wreck, and began taking their camera apart. “T haven’t the least idea, unless he wants to buy a reel of these pictures to show in his circus; and yet I don’t see how he can do that very well.” “Oh, if he wants to buy a reel, I suppose we can sell it to him, after we run off some positives.” “Sure, we're in that business. But let’s get back and see what the chances are for moving. The wreck isn’t as bad as I feared it was.” “No, and a good thing, too.” “I sure thought it was all up with us, when that crash came,” went on Blake. “It sounded like the end of everything.” “That’s right. And when Miss Lee yelled ‘Snake!’ I didn’t know what to make of it.” “Thought it was a sort of nightmare; eh?” “That’s about it.” 40 45 —is ‘there, any more danger, young men?” sked a portly gentleman, as Blake and Joe ar a. nae the car. Bans 39 replied eo \ ai am on to hear that,” replied the pas fs “Ter—was just going out to offer my ue ae ces. I used to be somewhat of a hunter, but - soon, having ascertained by observation ‘that 4 no rapidly. Fortunately, the smash had taken place : "42. MOVING PICTURE BOYS IN THE JUNGLE ca animals, save a few horses, were loose, ‘they left, taking their women folk with them. 1 arch ele yy aa “IT guess they used this car as a sort of haven — of refuge, while the animals were loose,’ observed | Mr. Hadley, while ake and Joe put aver their : camera. | “That’s right,” ‘reine Mr. Dene pee i _had gone outside to see Joe and his chum operate : the machine. ‘That’s why the railroad men bi wanted those people to come in here. It’s a steel car and safe from attack.” “bie SRA EO a “There wasn’t any danger,” declared ‘Blake. | “The lion was the only dangerous one, and his _ trainer made him as meek as a lamb. It was an wonderful exhibition.” thy ane “That’s right,” agreed Joe. | “Once tee 4 hoodoo—of something always happening—seems _ to have us in charge. I hope it will keep right on a until we get to Africa ah find Jesse i eae would be the best luck ever.’ Re keen “Indeed, it would,” agreed his father. a The work of clearing away the wreck went on near a small way station, and men from it, as well as inhabitants of a oy town, came out to lend 4 _ their aid. | cee ae OFF FOR AFRICA ian train had been hit, a few cars being smashed. Of course, the jar and crash, however, had been com- -municated all along the length of it. The pas- -senger engine was considerably damaged, as was the baggage car and the coach directly behind “it, but the locomotive could still be used, though not for great speed. _ Anexamination of the baggage of the fuegtricl troupe showed it had suffered only a little, none of the moving picture cameras having been - damaged. Nor were many persons hurt. None was in serious condition, and their injuries were dressed ‘by a physician who chanced to be on the train. The first-aid kit carried by the theatrical company proved very useful. _ As for the circus people, none of them was hurt, though some were badly shaken up and bruised. A few animals were killed, but none of the valuable ones, and soon all that had escaped or strayed were safe in other cages or cars. “All aboard!” called the passenger conductor, after straightening out many tangles and wiring on ahead for another train to meet his. The theatrical car could be,used, but it was considered safer to get another as soon as possible. “All ‘gyath Ve ane that circus man wants to tell us about some , Be 5 i * -moving soon,’ te as Oe ys “That's a ” agreed Blake. “ woes w he can want us to do? ‘I’m not. going to be . circus performer, I give you that ee “Me either,” declared Joe.ia 2) | a PR: Mr. Stone attached | some import ta leaving the finishing of the circus” were ‘ol assistant, he hurried t to the theatrical car. i Mabou ets 0 Oe i ~ “Somewhat,” admitted J joes te ia . PUY, hay iat come to the point at nice,” “Stone, ae a ny nt the cir Paes OFF FOR AFRICA. 48 “Thats all right,” said Mr. Stone. “What I “have to propose will fit right in with that. You _know how to take moving pictures; don’t you?” “Tf'they don’t, no one in the business does!” exclaimed Mr. Hadley. “They’re experts at it. They can get anything.” - “Good! I’m glad to hear it. Do you think they could get views of the animals in the jungle -—views that would show the animals in their native wilds—fighting, feeding at the water holes —just as they actually are, undisturbed by man? Could they do that?” _ “Of course they could!” exclaimed the head photographer, while Joe and Blake looked curi- ously at each other. _ “Then they’re just the very lads I want!” exclaimed Mr. Stone. “Listen. For some time back I have been considering the showing of films : of wild animals of the jungle in connection with my circus. I have a big menagerie, as you have doubtless noticed. People are always interested in animals. 7 f “Now, if I could fit up a dark tent with my Bow and exhibit films of wild animals as they © are in the jungle, people could look at them, and _then, by stepping into the next tent, they could see | the vey animals themselves—at least, some just 46 MOVING PICTURE BOYS IN THE JUNGLE | like those in the pictures. , I think it would make ‘ a hit.’ “Tt does sound good, ”’ remarked Mr. Ringold, : with a theatrical man’s insight into what would | please the public. ‘ “It’s going to be good!” declared Mr. Stone. — “Now, if you boys will make the films, I'll do the rest. What do you say; is ita go? I'll pay you what’s right, and the only stipulation is that ‘Iam to have an interest in the films, for we can doubtless sell a number of the reels. Will you Hdo ibe} Joe and Blake hesitated: The idea shen to. them. Joe looked at his father. “TI don’t see why you can’t do this,” caid Mr. Duncan. ‘We have to go to the jungle, anyhow, — to find Jessie, and there’s nothing to hinder you~ from taking moving pictures. I think you may accept the offer.” “That’s the way to talk!” exclained Mr. Stone. 2 “Shall we, Blake?” asked Joe. “Tm willing.” “Then it’s a go!” cried his chum. Oe , _ the best we can for you, Mr. Stone.” “Good!” cried the circus man. “Now you’ re. going to New York, as I understand it. You'll probably be there a week, won’t you, before you OFF FOR AFRICA 47 can Uerolets your arrangements for going to Africa ?” __ “Probably,” boalied: Mr. Duncan. | . “All right. I'll come on before then and look you up. I’ve got to go on with the circus for a time, and then my helpers can look after it. I want to be in New York, anyhow, to see about suing the railroad, and that will just fit in. That’s all settled, then? You'll get pictures for me of the wild animals of the jungle ?”’ _ “We'll do our best,” promised Joe and Blake. a “Then Pil see you later and arrange details. Good-bye.” _ “All aboard!” called the passenger conductor again, and the train, somewhat crippled, ener away from the scene of the wreck. _ “Well, what do you know about that?” asked Joe of his chum, when they had settled down, nursing some minor cuts and bruises. “Isn’t that about the limit—filming wild animals in the “poe es me It sounds strange, but it’s reasonable, I suppose.” | _ “Tf you got films of the fanatical Tdi I don’t see why you can’t get wild animals,” said Mr. Duncan. “It can’t be much harder than get- ting the wreck in which I came ashore.” _ “But it’s more dangerous,” said C. C. Piper, { rhinoceros. _ back alive! i Led. “You are worse than ever, ‘Goon “Well, it’s so. They'll have a terrible time. 8 wouldn’t go for a fortune. New York for mine. - We'll probably be dead when we ee Mls ) we'll get there.” 7). ! Oh go get scene a to eat,” avivibeel Mr Ringold. ‘That may put you in better humor “I guess I will,” agreed C. C. “But Vi pro ably get indigestion from the fright [ve, had ~ New York was reached without incident, and _the pers went to their ae hots; Mr. ‘Dun cisco ole pichire | theatre. ‘n Busy days followed, c onsi | oy ae sanders to prepare OFh POR AFRICA 49 and made satisfactory arrangements with Joe and Blake for taking pictures of wild animals. “Mind,” he explained, “I want pictures so that - the person seeing them will imagine he’s right on the spot looking at the animals eating, fighting, or playing about. Don’t let the animals pose for you.” “T guess there’s not much danger,” said Blake, with a laugh. “A wild lion posing would be a curious sight.” “And one not altogether healthy for the mov- ing picture machine and the fellow operating it,” added Blake. “Well, it’s all settled, then,’ concluded Mr. Stone, and a contract was drawn up. Good-byes were said to the theatrical com- pany—that is, all but Mr. Piper, who, so Mr. _ Ringold said, had gone off on a little trip. The boys left their farewells for him. Then, the arrangements being completed, they went aboard their vessel in New York, and soon were on their way to Africa, Naples being the first stopping: point. “Ho! for the jungle!” cried Blake, as he stood on deck while the ship went through the Narrows. “And for my little sister!’ added Joe, softly. CHAPTER VI AN OLD D FRIEND _ BLAKE and Joe soon made friends ahead ‘the ship. They were lively lads, and as soon as" it became known they were on voyage to Africa they were asked many questions. aan als They did not give details of their two quests merely saying that they were on their way to set t ‘ _Joe’s sister, and, incidentally, t to 0 get views of he jungle catia A my sister in so many years,” was a bit sensitive on the Siew, go into too many details about those wild a oe nit they'll think we’re faking.” 3 i “That’s right,” agreed Bla! hy _ The fact that Hee had with them Pp a could not be shown. However, the bot ft the ava with the captain, who promised and Blake spent some e days looking over ee. Picture cameras. _ They sai pur- consists of a light-tieht ee ee a fens: eh ~ properly focusing whatever is to be taken. ‘Bae of the lens is a sensitized film of celluloid or glass plate. When the 1 image has been taken | on. F this film, it is se ban ey chemicals, and. when } dry a print or “positive” can be made from de _ And, for all this mano. itis a ve wonderful _ process. A, moving picture camera is merely ae snapshot camera on a larger scale, except tha instead of one ae back of the lens there isa - place pene the ical Pera A moving picture camera can. Gaon ures © a thousand feet of celluloid reel at one f era and. as each picture is k aya qt AN OLD FRIEND 53 operator points his camera at whatever he wants to show—a speeding train, a man diving, a scene in a theatre—anything he wants—turns the ' handle, and the rest is automatic. When the reel is filled with pictures it is de- veloped just as you would develop a single plate, or film, except, of course, a larger tank is necessary. _ Many persons suppose that the film that is in the moving picture camera is the same one that is run through the projecting machine, and thrown on the screen. That is not so, otherwise _ it would be necessary to take many hundreds of - reels of the same scene, to accommodate the many theatres. The first film taken is called a “negative” and is a sort of “master film.’’ Once this is dry it is put in an apparatus somewhat like the camera. Under the master film, just as you put a piece of Sensitive paper under your one negative, is a reel of unexposed film. A bright light is placed in front, the machinery starts pulling the strip of celluloid along, and from the negative any number of “positives” can be made. It is these positives, with the true relation of lights and shadows, that are thrown on the screen. | The positive is put on the projecting’ machine, an intense electric light is used, again a handle is | firued! and ag views, _ aid times, are thrown | on the s meh _ where a full explanation is given, “with : a: shore | Oe, of how moving pictures were discovered. Lnocked at the door. “Well?” asked Blake, ma aan “Tf you please, sir,’ ’ the man announced, ME is a friend of yours who wants to see e you.” < “A friend of ours?” asked Jon. oh OM ese sit. On board here. ‘He bes he's Ss an So friend?” | Ay : “An old friend? We toc t any old | ay on board here,” said Blake, wonderin: | AN OLD FRIEND 5s “Well, he thinks he is dying—all seasick folks do,” replied the steward. “I will take you ‘to him,” and the boys, much aaa followed to a _ nearby stateroom. As they opened the door they heard a familiar - voice saying: “Oh, why did I do it? Oh, why did I ever come? Oh, this is the last of me! Let me see my friends before 1 go. Oh, dear!” “Listen!” cried Blake. “Tf it isnt C. C. Piper I’m an Indian!” exclaimed Joe. “Yes, look your last on me, boys,” said the gloomy comedian, as he raised his head from the berth. “I’ma goner!”’ CHAPTER VII BAD NEWS BLAKE and Joe hardly knew whether to believe the evidence of their senses or not. To all appear- ances there, before them, in a narrow bunk, was C. C. Piper, the erstwhile comedian of the the- ~ atrical troupe. And yet, as they looked at him again, they saw a great change in him. He was wan, thin, and pale—altogether ill-looking. “Is—is it really him?” gasped Joe. “It doesn’t seem : “T hardly know,” began Blake, ‘“‘and yet ie “It’s me, all right, boys,” answered Mr. Piper, and they recognized his voice, weak as it was. “His name is Piper,” put in the steward, “and he’s down that way on the passenger list.” “But I won’t be here long,” groaned C. C. “I haven’t much longer to live, boys. That’s why I — sent for you.”’’ “They all imagine that,” whispered the steward — to Joe and Blake. “It’s only a bad case of sea- a BAD NEWS | 37 sickness. He’ll be over it soon. The doctor has given him some stuff. But they all imagine they're going to die, and some of ’em are afraid they won't. He will be up eating as hearty as an ~ elephant soon.” miever! cried C. C., gloomily.’ “Il never eat again,” but, even as he spoke he seemed to have gained a little in hope, since the boys had come to see him. Blake decided to solve the mystery. | “How under the sun did you come here?” he asked. “The last we heard of you was that you had taken a few days’ vacation.” “I decided to take a longer one,” said Mr. Piper, his voice growing stronger. “When I got away from the theatrical crowd I just couldn’t bear to go back. I had some money saved up, and the’ idea of doing more moving picture dramas was distasteful to me. So I just decided to go to Africa with you boys.” “Go to Africa with us!” cried Joe. “Yes. You won't object; will you? Ill pay _ my own way, and I may be able to help you. I used to be a good shot, and I have traveled con- ° - siderable. I’ve been in India, and shot lions and tigers, to say nothing of elephants.” “You have!’ exclaimed Blake, with a new admiration for the actor. a MOVING PICTURE BOYS IN THE I ek Ves OT know something of big game, though not in Africa. Let me go along.” eyo DOs “T haven’t any objections,” oe Blake! father yh glad, on the whole, that C. C. was along. In i haw y Spite of tis See he could be jolly at times. fe | ita “Me either,” added Joe. “But how did you i happen to come here, and we not know it?? “Well, I decided to make it a sort of surprise,” | said the actor. “I learned which ship you were sailing on, and engaged passage. I asked the — purser and captain to keep my name off the list J until the last minute, and they did; so you never saw it. I intended to keep to my room, or at best go out on deck only at night, until we got to the other side. I was afraid your father might : object,” he said to Joe. bee Ph er eee “I guess he’ll be glad to have some one along who knows how to shoot,” poate the boy. aac | ae and I aren’t much with guns.” ey A Dr, a2) (0 “Well? went on CoG) fine storm was 408 much for me. I was afraid I might die, and I wanted to see you before I went. So Leet | you; but, I declare, I feel better already.” — 4 _. “That’s always the way!” declared the Stowe “You had better have something to eat.” “Eat! Ugh—er—I think I willl?) ‘cried Mr Piper, “It may kill me, but I might as well i that way as Sa oa a a a good meal ieee 59 re ” bade as ibe man left C. C. told the boys de had oe ia his ticket, and had _ When we come back, after we get i AE. ‘eee to Joe, am can take my old PS . to (cake some,” Hea’ a, a , just wild ee, and perhaps scenes ve African natives,” ae bi oh Joe’ s father, when it ‘haa been , ‘to Phcen ' “In fact, I think he will be an fa nter to accompany us, for if we have to go int the jungle we'll need the services of a ie age. I ‘was thinking of hiring some sort : ie . As it is, I think we will have to hire — ! fs ; | white man—who will know how to a 60 MOVING PICTURE BOYS IN THE JUNGLE | handle the native porters. It will be sei to take someone like that with us.’ “T wish the time would pass!’ exclaimed Joe. “T’m anxious to get into the jungle and film an elephant charging, or a lion rushing at us.” “Yes, as long as he doesn’t rush too close,” put in Blake. “I’m thinking it’s going to be ticklish work standing up to a charging lion.” The next day Mr. Piper was well enough to leave his room. He called on Mr. Duncan, apologized for the unconventional manner in which he had attached himself to the ayy, and was made welcome. Then, for several days, nothing was talked of but the coming trip into the jungle. Mr. Piper’s experiences in India would serve them all in good stead, it was felt. “The three worst animals in Africa,” he said, “are the elephant, lion and rhinoceros. Some put the cape buffalo in place of the elephant, and I don’t know but what they are right, in certain sections.” | “How is that?” asked Blake. “Because you never can tell what they are going to do,” was the answer. “From what I have read J should put the rhinoceros down as the most dangerous.” “Why ?” Joe wanted to know. ee ee ee eR gee ee ne BAD NEWS 61 “Because he seems to act wholly without reason. You never can tell when one is going to rush on you, and the charge of one of the ungainly beasts is no joke. You see, their eye- sight, like that of the elephant, is very poor. They ‘depend altogether on their hearing and sense of smell, both of which are very acute. Once they scent, or hear, what they think is an enemy they charge blindly. Their rush, their great weight and the ripping power of their horns is enormous. _ Natives have been impaled through their hip*bones _ by rhinoceroses, and tossed into the jungle to die, “merely because they passed by a place where a rhino was sleeping. — “So you never can tell what they may do. You may pass one without the least intention of harming it, but it may blindly rush you, and, if _ you don’t stop it with a bullet, you are likely to be killed. “Buffaloes are much the same, but they are less erratic. You can more easily figure on what they will do. Elephants and lions will seldom charge. unless you persistently hunt them. They prefer _ to run along and mind their own affairs. Rhinos and buffaloes do not. But we'll see what happens _ when we get to the jungle, boys.” “Oh, I do hope we can get some good pic- ee Bist The voyage passed off wittiont incident. ‘They made a stop of a few days in Naples, and inspected some of the Italian moving picture studios. Of late, several Italian firms had entered the business, q making elaborate films of historical subjects, and Joe and Blake were interested in noting their: _ methods. “But they all have to come to the: United States for one thing,” said Blake, ane a tour of one of the largest factories. By “What's that?” asked Joe. : AN “The perforations in the edges of the hte ie which it is moved in the camera or projector. — They all have to conform to the standard adopted by Thomas A. Edison, when he first Hens ou! ‘a moving picture.” ie This is a well known fact; all Farie Gon domestic or foreign, have the same number O: perforations per inch, on each side of the film, as that adopted by the celebrated inventor of West Mahone New Jersey, several hs aEp a Tt ane BAD NEWS 63 From Naples they took another German line steamer for Suez, thence to go to Mombasa. Now they began to get sight of foreigners other than Europeans, for there were both African and East Indians aboard, and there were many interesting sights. Nothing of importance occurred until reaching Suez, and there more foreign types were noticed. And it was here that they received their first bad news. They were just about to embark for the last stage of their journey, to Mombasa, when Joe and Blake came aboard with a copy of an English paper printed there. They were idly scanning the news, hoping to see something from their own land, when Joe uttered a cry, as he stared at a certain paragraph. “What is it?” asked Blake. “Bad news,” replied his chum. “I wonder if we can keep this from Dad?” He pointed to few lines, which read: “Latest advices from Entebbe state that the native uprisings at Kargos, a missionary station, are more serious than at first supposed. The whole missionary settlement was wiped out, and the missionaries, a Mr. Brown and his wife, were taken into the interior by the natives. It is under- 64 MOVING PICTURE BOYS IN THE JUNGLE stood that the Home Office will take immediate : action, though the missionaries were United ~ States subjects. The American consul has nade an appeal for help.” “That’s fierce!” cried Joe. “That’s where my ‘ sister was—at Kargos, near Entebbe. Now she’ S- been carried off into Fas jungle.” “It doesn’t say so,” spoke Blake, clinging to. a last hope. “No, but if Mr. and Mrs. Brown have been - \ carried off, it is likely that Jessie went with them. ” This sure is tough!” “What is?’ asked Mr. Duncan, as he ap- © proached the lads. Joe tried to hide the paper, F but too late. Z CHAPTER VIII i tala nee INTERIOR os or not to tell Mr. Duncan what they had any Then the realization came to gle My poor little girl! ‘But é he interior after lass Joe, we'll eed ae - possible! ai “That’s what we will!’ ceried the ee the missing girl. ‘ ey > “And I’m with you!” added Blake, and they turned to behold Gs C. Piper. | rey “T heard what you said,’ went on the acto “Don’t be discouraged. We'll get her, all right. i | Those natives may not be half so bad as they’re painted, and they may treat your sister his! the eu missionaries fairly decent. q Mich SWihatid they ate tas jungle? We can follow ae them. I didn’t learn to shoot big game for not | ing. We'll trek into the interior; the sooner t 2) 3 Mien It will all come out right yet, you'll: see!” This talk, so much in contrast with the w y C. C. usually spoke, had its effect. Joe, Bla and Mr. Duncan felt more hopeful. - “It’s like the time on the beach,” whispe ae gal S seems that when there's san niece PAT LLANE Ma Aah eet AME Ci atten Ry eae Lae ag ba Gea 2 t an HY Fade cae aed § Be EE ty a ges Sat Vaan tin ; Sa DCA A elite ge A hs Ae Rae is Jix\ arias 4 an i! K fh. ; PaaS OT tr INTO THE INTERIOR — 67 | a an slow progress.” | Sy # yet we are apis fairly well,” said C. C. 1e , as he once more pearined the paper giving account of the raid on the missionary station. I the fact that my little os may be among ther! it e will! *icclaed Blake, with a confidence d ty altogether feel. “We'll get right 17? it than. at first supposed. “TI think that t work can be done by going direct to iilee! the Uganda railroad to ie Victoria Whe en Crossing that body of water we can get jungle, try to locate the station Be Kargos an and then ** began Mr. Duncan. BK “‘And then find Jessie!’ interrupted Joe. hy) “And we'll do it!” cried Blake. en “My idea exactly!” declared C. C. Piper, whol Av seemed to show no disposition to revert to his : coe original state of gloom. a me “T wonder if we'll get any chance to. may get pictures yet.” eal i 50,” said Oe, but even this thought eh HY Aion Tt | ig an ancient African city, and pes and their companions found many — 70 MOVING PICTURE BOYS IN ‘TH. JUN E Wey) to be fitted out for a trip into ithe eee The; ae had, besides their personal baggage, their movin __- picture cameras, and a considerable quantity ¢ ° (Seti, ; “And now, since we Lay we may have a bret Mh “with the natives,” said Joe, “we'll have to ‘Be eo. oarms.. nes “Yes, indeed,” agreed uh) C “And I want a aaa heavy hunting rifle. I’m out after big. game, though it may get me——. Oh, I don’t mean that!” he cried hastily. “I’m going to try not to” be gloomy on this trip,” and he ‘smiled: reas- ee suringly. | | ee ee Our friends were fortunes Te to , obtain maki the services of a veteran hunter and guide, ‘a Sergeant Hotchkiss, who had fought in the Boer | war. He agreed to accompany them into the _ interior, and to arrange for a soon oh once na reached Lake Nyanza. Be ee “But you had better bargain. fon your prov : sions | and ie we he said; “that is, ae INTO, THE INTERIOR 71 “Off for the jungle!” cried Blake, as they pulled out of the station. “Into the interior.” “For Jessie and the wild animal pictures,” added Joe. “But it’s Jessie first!’ “That’s right!’ cried his father. CHAPTER IX THE SAFARI s THE queer ae } coaches, | pa “But you'll ie: find, ‘i een Serg at ohies: Pele pardonable pride 4 in AS nation’ si __- progress, au, mere. : Poo hats) tight.” aarect E Blake. | came to think of a railroad stally veing so “The British government," is tae yn tl ‘ beh CouGe ashe had fold on! te ead Mr. in ee ah a smile. fle ot sade 1? antic C Gi Ns more hae ie | sit I forget, remind me of it.” a tain game becomes so numerous and so bold. that it is taken off the protected list and classed as vermin, when anyone is allowed to shoot at will. Often here the buffaloes and hippos are so styled, - for the latter often come in from the lakes and — a rivers and destroy the natives’ crops. And it has happened that the buffaloes get so bold that - they attack on the least, and often without be provocation.” mint It did not take long for the train to reach a wild part of the country, passing through what would be a jungle, except that it was reclaimed to civilization by the railroad line. On either side of the rails, a short distance away, it was a real jungle, teeming with bird and animal life. It was on the afternoon of the second day, ar the boys had Ase their moving etn camera ‘i had said, until wie got farther into” the ae for the most they had glimpsed were big bird and a hyena or two, the latter slinking off at tt ‘i approach of the train before they could be filme: SHetey the engine eae to slacken speec | fee “We did hit one aye and damaged le engine so we couldn’t go on. But I don’t - that’s the case now. However, we'll. take “hey piled out of the coach. It was hot, and ture hung in the air. There was a deadly pr siite odor—a cae. smell. Great ferns — ie friends with the boys | “Its an odd Me case, and if you lads had been here with your 4 cameras you'd have had a fine chance for a picture. — N othing less than a AB: knocked our ran 4 the poadiclyk was tinea oe him. ““That’s it. You can see his hoof marks where he passed over the railroad. His head was so- high that his neck probably hit the wire, and, as neither the wire nor the neck would break the” pole had to. Yes, take my word for it, a giraffe broke down the line, and we'll be held up until it q can be fixed.” 4 “How long will ase be?” asked athe an idea coming into his head. “Qh, several hours, maybe.’ r ll have to ead a man back on foot to the next station to have a lineman come out. I don’t dare take the chance of proceeding without orders, for there is NO telling ea a special met come along and run into us.’ “Then, if we’ve got several hours,” cried : Blake, ‘‘can’t we go off into the jungle and on for some pictures ?” “Great !’’ exclaimed Joe. “I think you might,” - “Don’t go too far, though. deciding to stay in the train. ? ‘I do hope we stir up a lion!” exclaimed Blake, Biaalces! 13 * eee “Are they around beret? asked Joe, thinking g Ba he had heard of these savage creatures ses te ois. Pde ae in 6 een Te Sy ? ej “Here you are, boys!” Joe and Blake pressed ewe and, comin suddenly into a ‘sort of glade where the grass grew tall, they saw a score or more of the ig cape buffaloes. Some were lying down, othe ‘S$ standing up, and some feeding, while one big bull. seemed to be on guard. The wind was blowing from the creatures to the boys—the man-odo would not carry to the animals. et “If we can get a little nearer we can film them,” whispered Joe. “Go ahead,” counseled Blake, and ‘they stot forward with one camera. | a “Plucky lads,” observed the sergeant, add miringly. | ie ( } his gun. Perhaps he wished for a “aan use it. tf theal the smell they needed, and i they | warily and ssi nh , | “Look out! WE GAY ie ie ; ¥ ih Ah iC 5, ia: ras y ~ sf aga and this was just what the a for moving pictures that do not move much of a success. Then the one bull, ae out!” cried Hic sergeant. “Run! A a irdly had he spoken than the whole herd was ys. : ‘in motion, but the lads, far from running, stood © ground. — ti ai This is just what we want!” cried Joe. “It {?? me on!” fairly screamed oe oe for; os the terrible power of the buffalo’s horns. 1ess we've got enough,” cried Blake. | he es aS and r ll take the camera !” an 7 Ai a Pe aaices were coming on, or whether the herd did not like the cana of | gun, was not made manifest. At any rate, th stopped, and, after waiting a moment, they wheeled around and retreated—that is, all’ but the big bull. He had been Killed Ce regretfully. As the sent buffaloes deena the boys walked up to look at the creature. ‘Truly he was a large and fine specimen, and they. te : some pictures of it to finish out their film. {= They went on for some distance farchen saw nothing worth taking. Then the engin | whistle blew, and they started back. On th return they passed a water hole, and fror screen of bushes some views were taken of sm animals, including some gazelles, coming to dr nk “Well, that will do far a starter,” anno nee Joe, as they neared the train, “Pretty aueek too,” | ‘declared Blake, % elegraph line had been repaired, and ti d off once more. Nothing more of interest tred that day, though on the next the boys eros, as it waddled along the track for some dis om The engine eae to enable the eed part GPiout journey, ” said Mr. mincan to the boys. “Once we are across the 4 e, we will be far from civilization, in the heart _ ers to proceed having been received they. “Tl see about that, ” said Sértaae Hotchtc | They remained at Port Florence several days, ; and on the morning of the fourth they heard confused sounds outside of their stopping plac . “What’s that?” cried Joe, as he got up to lo “Sounds like a minstrel chorus,” said Blak “It’s our native prey} .; cried his chum. : “T ook! ke a Bard ee te As they peered from their window they saw score of almost naked savages—black as coals— | with only blankets on, their ears heavy with all ae a sorts of ornaments, from empty tin cans to bis bones, sticking in the lobes, their hair plastere with mud, carrying long spears, or sticks, and. all going through a sort of dance, Spatans. the ih in a strange tongue. _ ce ae “For the love of cats, what is that?” ei C. C., as he joined the boys. “Have they con to eat us? Are they cannibals?” “Indeed they are not,” said Mr. Hotehk who entered the room at that moment. “Thos se _ are the porters I have engaged to take us oa our baggage into the interior of the jungle. T | | ae ae will form our expedition. In Africa you can’t : get along without them. They are all fine | lows, I assure you, and faithful, You can trust - them with your lives.” anaes UA arte “Well, they don’t look $0," os ” spoke Cea THE SAFARI 83 pointed to one gigantic black, who looked par- ticularly hideous with the skull of a hyena fastened on top of his head. “He sure is the limit,” agreed Joe. “And his name is Happy One,” said the sergeant. “Come down, and I’ll introduce you to them.in form.” “And are they the natives who are to lead me to my daughter?” asked Mr. Duncan. “They are,” said the sergeant, gravely. “And if they can’t do it, no one can.” “But they will!” cried C. C., in his new, jolly manner. “We'll find her, all right!” "suggested Blake. : i a | “That's Hight, i“ agreed his chum, oy We wouldn’t ae dangerous chapels : : _ “Indeed no,’ ek in Mr. Dunes an. : : i » and he assured me bd would only y eet sh s | pat 46 BIG RISK Sr We “pe 'S talking and laughing with them,” ot on the actor, “and they seem jolly enough. ook at Happy. One, as he is called—the chap ith the hyena skull on his head. -He’s doing a sular two-step.” ‘And lots of them are - singing,” observed ke, as the notes of a strange and rather weird nt came to them. | “By Jove, I know what I’m going to do,” declared Joe. a “What: >” asked his chum. Ee m going to make some moving pictures of m. They will go well as a sort of introduc- ae the views of wild animals we may get.’ Blake agreed with this, and while Mr. Duncan > s being formally presented to the porters as ipa head of the safari (it being decided helt shields.” iy uy , “Oh, most of tes vel ‘been one ‘s a before,” explained the sergeant, as he heard ‘this, _ “They have been with white men, some of whom hunted, while others took pictures, and, though the camera is much of a mystery to them, thi don’t mind it in the least. But what do yeu think of them?” oe — *An odd lot,” was Joe’s opinion, as he c ceased - grinding at the handle of the camera.” “Can you trek them?’ asked Blake. ms “I think so,” said the former soldier. “ course, human nature is the same the world ove Some of the men are what are called ‘mission’ boys—that is, they have been Christianized, after a fashion. They are very Ont The others can also be trusted, I think. a Aes ANS _ clash with the tribesmen Gite. may “have ‘ daughter?” asked Mr. Duncan. aC “I have explained,” said the sergeant, - there may be a fight.” ale “What did they say? asked. the at X10U: father. \ : ° ee “They gave the bout answer ae : sharpened their a and donk gs to ne **Then it’s” all right,” ond Mr. ek relieved tones. We can’ 't get Jessie : white n men, ye: will fave to depend on the ee a we take with us. But are we ready to Bee ad: we all our Shee rvasked: C..C, ” mitts a ye n’t want to starve—oh, of course we won't. eo ste ve! ’ he added, hastily. “I am getting into — 3 ny old habits,” and he laughed. | ae _ “Everything is in readiness,” answered the | seant, who had looked after all the details. “pit across the Victoria Nyanza in about an ea ° Then began a busy time. Each porter wasto rry a load of about sixty pounds. Thisisfound be as much as a man can march with, day after , Otten: without water or food, and over all he dis were Gnade up re various objects— is 1, supplies of different kinds, ammunition for ae e rifles and revolvers, some medicines, and, of Ae Tents ‘were carried, to fattora' shelters at Ft 1 et ough it is gael hot during “5 pincan a part of the United Sate ‘Often, it j is possible to camp in sight of mountains whose summits i to have all in readiness to SNe Confulnee later _ “Happy One,” who spoke considerable English, was made the head porter, and it was easy to see ~ that the selection pleased him. The others, too seemed to take to him, and it was Hones) the would be no trouble. ‘ There were few passengers on the eead © bd which our friends were to make the ate actos the ‘northern part of the lake. : “Tt doesn’t seem as if we were in the beset: of ; | t Africa,” remarked Blake, on the afternoon embarking. “Here we are, ona fairly comforta steamer, on a big haley and with almost unknoy a inci all about us. ee Think Ea toere can « “T am thinking of it, Bake” was Mah te “but while it is ine still we ve be . ee in the midst AE some aa jungle! 1? t t is tough, Joe. But don’t give up hope yet. 7, even C. C. goes ahead of you these days. y ee he is, and I mustn’t give way to my fears,” went on & oe. i won 't—that! 8 all! Now s reed this view.’ , Reick Their baggage had been put away, the native porters, in their section of the onda games, at the engines of the boat, or r gaze : \cross the stretch of waters. an auine for a day or - two. | os could film pquerines a i eave some goods for an Ease who h started an ostrich ranch there. It was in rath a lonely spot. There was no dock for. ‘th ‘steamer, and the goods had to ‘be taken ashor : ‘in small boats. 7 Africa is a strange place: Youn may stir up ae i when you least expect it.” UY wh Gets try suegetice Jee | and his e m agreed. \ Narnia 24 lg go along, and see ‘if 1 can get a a sh | ene, said Cc Cc. | Services.’ ho oe eae A OAL aetna Mite Seed Pas Peers ite har “Let’s try that,” suggested Joe. Abd too open : ere to get anything. Let’s go where it’s wilder.” -—“Tt’s wild enough here!” exclaimed Blake, a | | “Tittle later, when they were rowing along, hardly { able to move from the number of lily pads on the | "surface of the stream. The lilies themselves, “great yellow and white blossoms, were all about, amid the broad green leaves, on top of which 5 ee “Ves, it is wild,” Teed Joe, “but I don’t see png to make pictures of, and— # ‘sort in coughing groan just ahead of them. rd ‘here was a stir among the lily pads. The water | ¢ wirled, and up from it heaved a black, bulky — {?? ‘A Re ereeeoiis cried Joe. “Hurray! i Something to film at last! Row us toward it . 4 f you don’t mind, C. sane Rea ‘ t ae pene. a ee risk, ” said the actor, sol- ch emnly. ne chance! 7 “ness, bent to the oars. camera handle. ine open, iowa a ue expanse ‘of red, “ong and igh aie teeth mit it. | - CHAPTER XI “FORWARD!” ET’S get out of this!” cried Mr. Piper. ell crush this boat with one bite!’ Bi si ‘I guess you're right,” agreed Joe. “Let’s _ r to shore, Blake. I’ve heard they can’t go ast on land!” — qi ie he ‘Blake was not rica, but He! really “not understand the ok of the hippo as would ip allright! He's afraid of us!) | a on’t ee believe, it!” shouted Cc. C., as hei, a ane take us all in at one bite! ie hippos!’ | But Joe, imbued with sonnets of ihe reck less courage displayed by his chum, held his place at the moving picture machine, as. did. Blake Together they revolved the handle, making view: of the swirling waters where the hippo had dis: - appeared—bubbles, foam and little swirling eddy showing where the big river-horse had sunk. | “What do you think, Joe?” asked Blak “Shall we chance it any longer?” “T'think so. He doesn’t seem as bad as C. C thinks he is. Anyhow, he went down witho attacking us, and he may pass us up altogether If he does, we’ll get him running away, and that _ will make another good Re of ie ae Let's eeistick fey) yet, i “That’s what I say. It isn’t every ay we o | a chance like aie If we had—— AY __ stems sd flowers. _ arose amid them. Tere he is again! yp ied Blake. Yes, and he means business, too!”’ yelled Tee ) *C,, it’s up to you to do-something! We aven’t time to row ashore.” | stil This was very evident, for the hippo had, this, me, risen so close to the boat that the boys ery: ought they could feel his hot breath. The mon- ous mouth was wide open, and the red throat, : looking like some immense flannel bag, seemed rawning for them, The hippo could easily have — crushed the boat amidships, a there was no time i: back water. oS ! te “Shoot! Shoot!” yelled wee $ | cae pa euess Jl’ have to! cried C.'C. Piper; “but; 9 4. Psa last hope. — T can’t oop him at such eS 1 He Ce itecl ie oars ad alien up the heavy... 7 5 le hant gun. Even in this excitement Blake con- Me inued to grind away at the camera, getting some ve ws at close range. Then, thinking that the = oat would be crushed, and wishing to save the achine and the rare films if possible, he caught = p the apparatus and fled to the stern, Page Ted h apne a clear view. am On. ee ee then he lake the enormous 6 ve +2 i aws with a ‘crunching sound, and at such oe when it was closed the water splashed out _ be sides in miniature fountains. ce “Shoot, if you’re going to, C. C. y velied 10 4 “Here goes for a slim chance!” cried bo Piper. At that moment the big eae: again eee ; _ wide his jaws. He was but a few feet from the. boat now, and the wave of his advance caused the craft to rock dangerously. Aiming directly down the big red throat, C. c. a fired. The report of the heavy gun at such close 4 quarters almost deafened the boys, and the recoil nearly tossed the hunter daibincne. oie het main : tained his balance. ae Joe and Blake eagerly looked shee the hippos had been. There was no need of waiting for the smoke to clear away, as the actor-hunter was using nitro cartridges, which were smokeless, “He’s gone!” shouted Joe. ane * “He sank at the shot!” cried Blake. ‘ “I guess I did tickle his throat some,’ 1 penta Mr. Piper, grimly. ‘That was a heavy bull and it must have gone clear through him.’ wt wonder if you killed him?” d aed nage “FORWARD! vt n Abbe yuerber ‘mortally or not, sinks imme- diately. If it is dead it won't float for nearly a day, and we can’t stay here that long. If he’s only wounded he’ll swim off under water and me up, the land knows where. No, we're lucky to be rid of him so easily. I never thought I could stop him at such short range, but the bul- let must have gone in a tender spot.” _ “Well, we got some dandy pictures,” spoke Blake, fervently. ; _ “That’s what,” agreed Joe. \ distant whistle was heard, echoing ly r the sluggish river. _“That’s the steamer calling us, I guess, . ae “Let's a back. te 39 said A was over, almost forgetting it. Don’t tell Dad all about it,” suggested Joe to chum. “He may think it was worse than it os was, and not let us go out again. He The tine ne the ieee was Coon and once more the trip across the Yake was ae | bind there were ious delays for reraieo! “So fe they were three days gre the paet were seen on the aa . fe “Think of that—in Africa!” Hie ee an “T’ll be looking for a sign of Broadwa ‘ __ Forty-second recs soon,” ’ said Blake. , said Seon Hotetiise: _ with the notion that this town is ws ; the jungle. It isn’t. ‘Why, on the it wild animals come a Herds of zc beds. oo CO d that on going out to ona the evening fe n always take guns. They might have to use n a rhino or something coming home.” “Really?” asked Mr. Duncan. *‘That’s a fact,” the sergeant assured him, and, my readers, I might add that all the essential er cts given in this book, both as regards the wild 3 animal life of Africa, as well as the making of - ving pictures, are true, and can be verified by se who care to do so. - In the native part of Entebbe dwelt the young ng of Uganda, and the boys had a chance to — ‘e some moving pictures of him and his court, me of the attendants at which had adopted Me / ropean dress, while the others wore nothing ae ta blanket. Even the king was still enough = f a barbarian to delight in the beating of many er ams, though he had an English tutor. — gins is too civilized for us,” remarked Blake That’ Hed Blake. We ought to be in the e. But I guess we’re almost ready to. trek 3) s ting impatient. e: ig “wel dee Yommocruat boys” - geant Hotchkiss that night. supplies we need now. I have eae a _ more porters, gotten some more ammunition, a: we can now head for Kargos. What we'll fin _ there, of course, I don’t know,” and he loo serious. . ee, “The best I hope for,” said Mr. Duncan, : to get some trace of my daughter. If the m sionary station is wholly os there ee ? aol to learn Christianity, ma and can aid are “I hope so,’ > murmured Blake, a a sighe _as he nodded his head 1 in ep janele: It was some diate back ‘fee the i and inhabited by several asi and warlike tr % et ft) Y Duncan—seemed to have completely sa oe P i WARD: pre ve, no one knew, though all yes for the oa alternative. The last arrangements were ise The por- ters’ burdens were packed anew, the last supplies : vere, bought, guns and ammunition looked to, and, one puny morning, the word to start was given. 3 Horses had been provided for the Aes and e or two mules carried the heavier burdens; ; t all would have to accommodate their pace to : march of the porters. However, these men . iron frame and constitution could cover many niles in a day. eee Quite a number of the residents ot Entebbe 45 ae ime to see the expedition start, as word of its itm xject had leaked out. There was much sympathy => pressed for Joe and his father, and all hoped ey y would find Jessie. ae “All ready?” cried ‘Sergeant Hotehicias: as be a ked over the line of porters with their loads their heads. ‘Ready! ’ cried Happy One, ‘the leader, as hela ee ed about, his fantastic headdress of a hyena’s ‘bobbing up and down. He had removed it m his crown, as it did not fit in with the plan arrying a burden, and it was suspended about by the beating of the tom-toms. some carried, Gs party started into the jungle, CHAPTER XII AT THE BURNED STATION “Wer, Joe, oes ie you tilte it?” “TI don’t know, Blake. It’s a heap-sight dif- ferent from camping out on our Western plains.” ee a1, should say so!” exclaimed C. C. Piper. aes c ere’s one inch of me that hasn’t been bitten a o | yme of these ticks, I’d like someone to point it out. i: is know Tl never get back alive to fi “Hold on there!” cried Blake, with a , laugh, “I thoughi you'd given up all alt sort of tine ae since coming to Africa.” ee) Hi “So I have,” answered the hunter-actor. ie i e for got myself. for a moment. At the same time, ose ticks do bite; but I suppose it had better ee lem than a pao and he Apne to apply tf De Ripka sd suggested Suiveant Hotchkiss. a ““How was that?” asked Mr. ly Piper. . . ee the Irishman put up at a hotel i in: som over the bed. He didn’t know exactly wiiatl was for, but he managed to solve the probler r his own satisfaction at least. In the morning t e ed hotel clerk asked him how he slept, also inqui a. in peace and mies if the Laie: bothered him see much. ts inspiration. He said Ae tore a hole | in » the me net’ over his bed. ASS . ous, and all the mosguitoes went in oth .” he Ried 949 aS yay | AT THE BURNED STATION oe _ ters were fresh, and had made good time. Mr. _ Piper was lucky enough to shoot a big eland, and _ this furnished meat, which the’ white travelers were almost as glad to partake of as were the | e blacks.’ | The boys had tried several times to get moving _ pictures of some of the herds of «wildcbeest or hartebeest, a species of antelope, and also the numerous gazelles, the Thompson variety, known locally as “Tommy’s,” and also the Grant. But _ they had been unsuccessful from various causes. | Sometimes, just as they got ready to begin grind- ing away at the film, having placed the camera at some water hole, or stream where game came to drink, the clicking would frighten the timid creatures away. Or the deer would scent some animal! that they dreaded—a lion or leopard, and would gallop off before Joe or Blake could get the desired films. | Then, if they waited for the more powerful y animals to appear, something might frighten : them off, and so the opportunity would be lost. “But we'll get ’em yet,” said Joe. “I’d rather get some of the wilder or bigger animals, if we ip cogs instead of these deer-like creatures, any- how.” ae “Oh, welll get em all in time,” declared his z += Pi aes on He cavaneee as ee were, they rested in shade if they could find it, or under their tents. At night they would seek out. ‘so: ae near water, tether their animals, raise { provisions they had browne with them, | or a what game Mr. Piper or the sergeant Shot Ae Occasionally the boys. themselves, under the Aa : rn GMine sight,” Pe ne . aby looked from the tent where all the whit es sl pt, xen ) STATION — i throwing fein? ant bold relief. ene y ne, who ee resumed his ae skull head- ‘ The smell of cooking was in the air, for the | A aaa ce aay never seemed to tire of eating. sew “nt sure is strange,” agreed Boke as he tonite ‘ on the. scene. “Getting the films of the Indians _ was nothing to this.” ie eee es “But we haven’ t got many films as yet” aaa “| ie EN; ae we will,” said his chum. “We wily i soon be at Kargos, and then 5 . a “Then we may find some trace of Sister Jessie,” | id Joe, ina iow voice. “I only hope we do.” They talked for some time longer, and. then i turned over and tried to go to sleep. It was not _ sy work, Their surroundings were strange, and they were not as comfortable as they might le ve been, though they had brought all the con- es veniences they could with them. : ‘ven at that, with the chattering of baboons - dy in the distance, the eke of the wild fowl | fi vA 5 7 iyhiating and beans off ee at th there was enough disturbance: to fal _ bigger camp awake. — | | ‘ ‘ came a ON. alarm. From aie syaane xe noise like thunder. It rumbled and roared, a the boys sat up on their Stn ain Cots. 31% ay Hey ico What is it? cried. Joe: . on is storm,’ Bah ai his chum. had esuBhE the words of the frightened porters They all turned out with ace guns, while th - fires blazed brightly. from. the wood thrown ol by, the natives. But i noise died ot in ‘the “We'll get it Bie turned in. 4 eTrhe next day broke hot and Lay. Be i 1 |“ AT. THE BURNED STATION 109 It was hard work, but the porters, under the _ “jollying” of Happy One, did not seem to mind i it. C. C., too, seemed to retain his good spirits and made no direful predictions. But Mr. Duncan, no less than Joe and Blake, ‘was anxious to get to the place where, according to reports, his daughter had last been. They ques- tioned many native tribes, as they went along, and were told that the mission station was still r many miles farther along. _ “And when we get there, what will we find?” asked Joe, and there was anxiety in his tone. “Maybe not as bad as we have heard,” said _ Blake, encouragingly. | And so they traveled on. Lucky it was that _C. C. and Sergeant Hotchkiss were along, for on them devolved the work of keeping the camp in meat. The boys did their best, but they had not had the experience, nor the practice in bringing down big game. But the former soldier and the _ actor-hunter were sharp on the trail, and brought _ down many a lusty buck of the antelope species, occasionally getting a giraffe, or some smaller animal good for food. Everything was grist that came to the mill of the Africans, though the whites were more fastidious. Though even with _ the most unprepossessing animals there were some ie oe for food. a “Welt, 1 1 ee what well trike | ce so troublesome. | i “More moving pictures, Bs “hope” ‘said he chum. | “We are getting near the aliee she "sister was,’ "went on Joe, in a low voice. } “Ha ‘we Se Hate it. I wonder hat welll find th ‘ we can only pick up some clue— as course we will, "i sa in C. c che 2 _ AT THE BURNED STATION IIft “A lion, maybe,” added Blake. ‘Get the camera ready.” 3 “That isn’t an alarm,” said Sergeant Hotchkiss, quietly. ‘What is it, then?’ asked Mr. Duncan. “They are singing a song of lament—of sor- -_row,’’ was the answer. Se ee ee ee ee A ae = — A chill struck to the hearts of the boys, as they pushed forward. What would they see? | “Tt must be the station where—where Jessie was,” said Mr. Duncan, brokenly. “If there are any of the mission people left they may be able to——” But he did not finish. Accompanied by the boys he made a turn in the trail which brought him to the little clearing where the mission had been. But the station was gone. It had been destroyed, and nothing but a fire- blackened area marked where it had stood. There were the ruins of the buildings, and of the charred huts occupied by the natives from whom an attempt had been made to lift the darkness of - ignorance. All was gone! The little church was - burned—nothing but a pile of charred timbers. 3 The raiders had done their work well. The song of the African porters seemed to become more and more melancholy. They felt _ for their white employers, for the story of the j 112 MOVING PICTURE BOYS IN THE JUNGLE search for the daughter of Mr.. Duncan was known to all. “Nothing left!” exclaimed Mr. Duncan, and he placed his hand on Joe’s shoulder. “Not a trace. Oh, my poor Jessie!” There was silence for a moment, and then C. C. Piper, who had gone forward, uttered a cry—a cry of joy, it seemed. “What is it?’ asked Blake, eagerly. “Have you a clue?” “T think I have, and a good one, too!” replied the actor-hunter. ae a ae tne Can ®): et bole i ot i ea ee ee (ENS TS a ea em ny ur try.” , x P j a Ly i a E: 2 : CHAPTER XIII THE LION HUNT rT a nee 7 “ _ Crowpinc around Mr. Piper they all tried at once to look at what he had picked up. It was something covered with dust and ashes—some- thing swollen with the rains that had fallen—a strange, misshapen thing, that seemed to be a ‘book, and yet which might have been almost anything. “What is it?” cried Joe.’ _ “Ts it any message from my daughter?’ de- -manded the former sailor, as with trembling hands he reached for it. - “Tt’s a small Bible,” said C. C., as he examined ; ‘it “But there is some writing on the first page.” Blake, feeling that this was too sacred a ; [@oment for him to intrude, held back, as did ‘Sergeant Hotchkiss. Joe and his father took the little book, which had almost lost semblance to_ ‘itself. “It isa Bible, 7 spoke Joe, softly. 113 Duncan, as che scanned the aie eae ; page. “It is a gift from Mr. and Mrs. Bro Oh, how glad I am that I Hats this ieneee my little girl. If only | “There’s more writing there, Dad!” Bee Joe, as he looked over his father’s shoulder “And it’s in a different hand from the othe Could Jessie have written that?” — a: _ Anxiously Mr. Duncan scanned it. ‘Then cried out: | hers. She appears to hae written a messag ts Blake, your eyes are better than mine. See if you can make anything of this,” and. he hand : over the book. No wonder his eres were di fe “ the tears made them so. A saan Blake scanned the title page of t they were so as Soh “Try this!” dacclatnie oy ci. holt a u pocket reading glass. “It will magnify ae our Once more Blake looked. Braun cu oi is a message, 5; he said. be seems | THE LION HUNT © 115 ‘surprised, as were the others, by the raid. She only had time to leave a hasty message, and, there being no ink, she dipped a sharp stick in a mixture of water and ashes, and left her message that _ “It does seem so,” admitted Sergeant Hotch- kiss. “Can you read it, Blake?” _ Slowly Blake spelled out the scrawled words: | **To—-any-—’ ” he began, “‘to any who -come—after. We have—been carried away by the inatives—to the——’ “It looks like ‘south,’ ”’ said Blake. “It’s so blurred.” | : _“That’s ‘south,’” was Joe’s opinion, as he looked over his chum’s shoulder. “T hey took ’em 4 south, és oe ‘We have been vied off to the south,’ ” ead Blake. “ ‘Help us if you can. I think they ‘mean to hold us for ransom.’ ” q “Thank the dear Lord for that!” breathed Mr. ‘Duncan, “Now let’ s start ‘at once. Off to the south, to rescue my daughter! Sergeant, ask these natives what they know of the tribes south. © ‘Are they friendly ? Will they give up Jessie? ‘Tl spend my last dollar for her recovery!” — The sergeant paused a moment. . ‘We must go slow,” he said. “I must think - about this. I will have a talk with papey One. 2 is a wise old native.”’ oo € Mr. Duncan was all for sane One at a | but the others persuaded him to wait and so mal a better and more detailed plan. ? camp was made near the burned missiona station. It was evident that the friendly natives at t +n little village, and the missionaries, had been su aa prised by the warlike Africans. Whether an had been killed could only be guessed at. Ce tainly the station had been pillaged, and some the inmates, if not all, had been carried off. The Bible hastily written in and tossed aside by Jessi in the hope that someone would find it, We s evidence enough. a And the trail seemingly led south, ee her clue, though when Happy One was appeal to he declared that only friendly natives dw there—natives who were inclined to Christianit and who would never think of raiding a missi Or “But some of the more warlike ones may h come from there,” insisted Mr. Duncan. Hs Le we should search to the south.” And so, the next morning, in spite of thal adv of Happy One, they trekked south. It was 1 less to look for clues, but there seemed to. sort of rough trail leading from the station the southward, and this was ea THE LION HUNT 117 fraught with danger and discomfort, for part of the way lay through a swamp which was too large to go around. Once some of the porters sank to their hips, and only prompt work saved them and their precious loads. For the expedition was. now getting far from all sources of supplies, and everything they had with them was of vital necessity. | Again they stirred up a herd of buffalo, which were on the point of charging, and only a fusil- lade of shots drove them away. On this occasion Blake and Joe tried for some moving pictures, but, though they got out their cameras as soon as the herd was turned aside, it was too late, and only some unsatisfactory films were obtained. . Another time, at dusk, they disturbed a couple of the prehensile-lip rhinoceroses, who blindly charged, though our friends had no intention of _ harming them. | C. C. Piper had to do some quick shooting then. He killed one of the queer beasts and wounded another, and the slain one made the natives happy, for they were short of meat. _ But on one occasion the boys did get a series. _ of fine pictures. This was at a water hole, in the midst of a plain surrounded by a growth of timber which gave them a screen. They ascended a tree came to drink. Then came a We of po which spread their tall front legs in ungainly fashion in order to bring their heads close enough to sip the water, in the low pools (7) .0e as Afterward came a family of sienhane one a ‘little one, and they drank their fill, the baboons retiring a safe distance, being the weaker animals, though this species is dangerous in the extreme in small droves, a 1 match for aay animals—but > snot the elephant. vga went “A good day’s worst: ace ae Toe) when they came away from the ‘water hole. “Some dandy films!’ was Blake’ Ss opinion, “And, best of all, we hee: have to gO out of i: rr There had been some indications of the passage es of a body of natives in that direction. — Whether ae a or not they had with them Jessie and the othe _ white captives was a matter of conjecture. Stil _ Joe and his father had hopes. They cea as ae until the ahh | ho et | “THE LION HUNT 119 here a number a atlopes were seen, and Joe nd Blake were fortunate enough to get a very Tare picture—a view of two noble Koodoo bucks having a battle royal. So interested were the animals themselves in the outcome that they never noticed the moving picture boys, who stood in plain view, in a clearing, making films. Nor did the others in the herd take the alarm until the fight was over and one of the bucks vanquished. _ Then some movement on the part of Blake or Joe startled them, and they were off at a gallop, leaving the injured buck on the ground. But his flesh made good food for the black porters. _ The journey was ever onward, and _ several ays after the finding of the Bible, Happy One, tho was in the lead, suddenly threw down his bundle, readjusted his hyena headdress, and began brandishing his spear. “What is it?” asked Blake in some alarm. “Simba! Simba!’ cried Happy One. “He says lion,” interpreted the sergeant. “Alion!’ cried C.C. “If that’s the case d he made a quick motion toward his gun. “Oh, there’s no lion about to charge,” said Mr. otchkiss, hastily. “Probably Happy One has ghted a party of African hunters after a lion. i rere i is no beast the blacks fear so much as the Many of the porters got rid of their bade and began dancing about. The whites pushed f for- ward and beheld a curious sight. a Marching toward them was a band of Age hunters, each one carrying a big spear with head several feet long, of soft iron, sharpene to a razor-like edge. The butt of the spears, to was partly of iron, only the middle being of wooc and the natives all carried ox-hide shields. _ They were tall and straight, these savages, fierce and fearless-looking; true lion hunter: _ And, as they advanced, they broke into a chan “That’s it!” cried the sergeant. “It’s a lio hunt, all right. Boys, you’re in luck! Get yo cameras ready, and you'll see a rare ‘sight—lic hunted by means of spears and shields!” _ “Good!” cried Blake, while Joe hurried: back toward the mule that cacy: the seat pict outfits, 4) Se TE a CHAPTER XIV. | THE WRONG TRAIL ©Wuar’s it all about?” asked Mr. Duncan. “I f ‘be a lion hunt here?” is _ “That’s about it, Mr. Duncan,” answered the former soldier. “That is, not exactly here, but in this vicinity. These are some Masai warriors out on a hunt. Probably their village is near here, and there may have been trouble with lions. Yl have a talk with them, and we'll find out. But if they stir up one of the beasts you will sure see some great fighting, my word!” and he lapsed © into his English idiom. “But will they hunt the lion with just those . spears | >?” asked C. C. Piper, wonderingly. “No say, now. I think we eet to offer them the use | of a gun or two.” _-—s “They’d feel insulted if you did,” said Mr. e "Hotchkiss. UIf-is their boast that they can all | “don’t exactly understand, sergeant. Is there to _ guns, no revolvers for work at close quarters? t i lions. with only their Spears, with their shields for defense. They would scorn to use a gun. But we’ll soon see what’s up. Got your esa ready, boys?” : ioe We will have, soon,” replied Blake. va “This doesn’t look much. like lion yaraines \ i ey "spoke Joe. . 3 “You never can tell,” answered the sergeant. By this time the advancing warriors, who wore ; only loin cloths, had come to a halt at the sight — ' of the safari. They were a bold and elie | looking lot of men, and the absence of any women — " ‘ or children betokened that they were bent on desperate business, sh ‘ \ “Maybe they’re on the waepat . cigeeted Mr, Duncan. “Can it be that savages, such as : these, have carried off my little daughter?” “T hardly believe so,’ answered the sergeant. “Certainly this particular tribe did not, for they don’t do such things. It is more likely some of _ the lower class African races. In fact, according to our information, none of the Masai were involved in ss kidnapping. But Raa want a hipariey;. I see.’ The lion hunters had halted, ond one, Pee the chief, now advanced. There was nothing i . hostile i in their actions, for doubtless the sight, of oF ae native : Porters, and ee ee ching ’ i _ THE WRONG TRAIL 123 ona peaceful errand. But, as one’s life in Africa depends. on the attitude of not only beasts, but savage men, it is best to take no chances. The chief of the lion hunters came forward and began to talk in a deep, almost booming voice. He’ used simple but effective gestures, and really seemed quite a dignified savage. : a “You forget that he hasn’t many clothes « on, _ when you hear him talk,” said Joe. “That's right,” agreed Blake; “I wonder what he is saying? Happy One seems to understand him.” ; | porter and the chief lion hunter were in a friendly conversation. Then Sergeant Hotchkiss took part in it, as he understood some of the Masai language, and presently the former soldier said: --“Tt’s just as I expected. They are out on the trail of a pair of lions that have carried off several _ tribe. They invite us to go along, but they expressly stipulate that no guns are to be used.” id fine them? C. C. wanted to know, songs they sung, told them that our friends were This was so, and in a few moments the head — of their cattle, and have injured some of their “Not even if there is danger of the lion attack- “Not even then,” insisted Mr. Hotchicas: : A 4 “They Bay, peey can take care of the lion with 124 MOVING PICTURE BOYS IN theif REranes and they can, too. My wanda Tv seen ’em. I have told,them the boys want some ag? moving pictures of it, and they are willing. Now. : trail along. Of course, if you find yourselves i in danger from a lion, don’t hesitate to shoot, but — don’t even to save a native’s life—that is, one of — the Masai natives—don’t fire. They would nace ey forgive you if you did.” | a He said something to the Masai chief, nie in 8 turn, addressed his men. The latter called out what seemed to be a salute to the white men, and the latter’s porters answered. Then they started — off. ae: : seve | Leaving their property in charge of the native — porters, one and all of whom refused to come on _ the lion hunt, Joe and Blake, with the sergeant and Mr. Piper, started after the warriors. Mr. — Duncan elected to stay with pie baggage. ae pe “Better take these with you,” said C. ci to the boys, as they started off with their cameras, — for each had one of the moving picture machines. “What?” asked Blake. lee “A heavy revolver. In case of the. worst, Ha : the lion comes at you, and those fellows don’t - stop him with their spears, you may need it.” ed Le _“That’s right,” agreed Joe. Oe ey oe the weapons into their posts : 4 THE WRONG TRAIL qas 4 heir way soon lay across a plain of rather high grass. The hunters were strung out in a long line, covering a wide area, for the lion might be © er upon at any time now. : After a few miles of this progress, during Ewhich there were several false alarms, they came toasmall valley. Tall rushes and grass grew in the centre, with here and there thorn trees of no great height. _ The head hunter called out something, and his men replied in a fierce chorus. : _ “He says,” translated the sergeant, “that here, if anywhere, we'll stir up a lion.” ~ “Good! cried Blake. | _ The line of warriors advanced. They were rather silent now, wary and cautious, with their eepears and shields in re The boys were on the alert. 4 Suddenly came another shout, aad the blacks broke into a run. | _ “Simba! Simba!” was the cry. _ “A lion!” shouted the sergeant. And there, just ahead of them, sprang up a 3 The hunters broke into a joyous shout, spread- g out fanwise. The lion leaped ahead, intent on — them. in store for him. “We can never get a moving: ee ne going to run away!” exclaimed Blake. __ “They'll ‘stop him soon,” said Mr. Hotchkiss “Come on.’ On they ran, and they bal not gone far befo the lion was brought to bay. Snarling and growl ing, he stood in the midst of a large circle of t spearmen. Their leader shouted. Eon “He’s calling us to come up with cut Bie machines,” explained the sergeant. “Come on.” The boys ran forward. The lion was not it sight now, but the grinning chief of the hun pointed to a clump of thorn bushes which move now and then. And there was no wind to ae Simba. exclaimed the cher. Was “The lion is there,” oeehaned the serg rea “Put your cameras on that little mound, and yc have : a a good view of the whole He | “THE WRONG REAL I al 127 4 Stealthily the bikes: advanced. Joe and Blake 4 took picture after picture. It was a tense moment. - With a terrific roar the lion leaped from his } cover and stood in the open, lashing his sides with “his tail. The very ground seemed to vibrate with his rumblings “T hope he ee t break through that Hee and “come for us,” spoke Blake. 3 “Same here,” echoed Joe, grinding away at his machine. Nearer and nearer came the warriors. The lion wheeled about seeking an opening. There was ‘none in that circle of bristling spears. - But, seeing a place that the beast evidently erent was weak, he made for it. The chief called out something, and the men braced with their spears, ready for the shock. _ “There he goes!” cried Joe. “I can’t get a 1 Bood view! The men are in my way!” — “Pll film it!” shouted Blake. _ With a roar the lion leaped into the air, and at ne of the men, who rose from a crouching posi- ion to receive it. While the beast was yet in nidair the black man threw his spear. Like a haft of light it struck the lion, and passed com- ae se him, the head appearing on the eer On he launched Hinaeeles scape at ous ma | 4 who oe ‘him on his shield. But the lio ge spear faa to him bye a fellow hunter. | a With shouts the other warriors closed in o1 either flank of the beast that was bearing dow: ~~. \ their comrade. Scores of spears flashed in the ee light. No living creature was proof against the Ale Gs “He’s done for!” cried Blake, who was bu with the machine. + ee aes “And so is the man, I guess,” said Teen yoke The warrior had been borne to earth, ‘but , shield partly protected him. The lion was ni hidden by the blacks surrounding him, and stab bing him with their spears. There came a las rumbling roar, and the fight 1 was over. ena Kwitchine!: in deat Ok their comrade. The li li fight was over. an | vont a : “And, oh! what a film ve ooh 4 cried Blake, % Ot Oe Moston it, too,” said Joe. Pata co) There was much loud talking and ‘rit i opus among the hunters, while some =. i be 7 p 2 } Fs a 4 ‘ Pe: _ THE WRONG TRAIL 129 “And they’re used to being clawed,” explained the sergeant. He talked with the head hunter, ; who explained that the lion was the very one that B had been devastating their village. They recog- nized him by a spear wound in his flank, given | a native the beast had attacked. There was further rejoicing among the blacks, as they carried off the body of the lion, as well as the form of their comrade, on their shields, _ Joe and Blake filming the triumphant march and _ the dance of rejoicing around the fallen foe. Then, returning to where they had left their _ porters, our friends once more started on the trail they hoped would lead to the captive missionaries and Jessie Duncan. For three days they traveled on, "sometimes easily and again under hardships. The trail seemed to become more and more plain as they advanced, and there were indications of foraging ~ and hunting parties having made trips into the jungle. “We'll soon be up to them,” said the sergeant, a. afternoon, — “And what will Beppen: oy ae Mr. Duncan. “It’s hard to say,” was the answer, “but we must prepare for the worst.” “Or the—best !” exclaimed C. <,, 4n-heatty 2 nee as dusk was ee ann they came to Rr aia the outlying huts of an African village. The — 4 - expedition closed up, and the porters” grasped a their spears. The whites got out their guns. — “According to all signs this is where the trail ends,” said the sergeant. ‘We will ask them what we want to know, and if ic! ca seu cap- ( tives here ‘ ver : “We'll make them give ’em up!” cried Toe ; fiercely. : | ra Nearer they came to ihe villa Men aad women and children ran out. There were ex- cited shouts and cries, and then, to the aston . dered. | SF hes eae. a), SURE don’t seem very hostile,” said Blak “We've made a mistake. We've ai on : wrong trail all the time!” Biot a bhe wrong trail?” asked Joe sion station?” ergot Se) a, mae : “Yes, but not anti after it t was bu THE WRONG TRAIL 13! came from there, and it is their trail we have Been following. But the other savages were there before them, and did the damage. We have followed the wrong trail!” CHAPTER XV AT THE WATER | HOLE _ DISAPPOINTMENT was the portion of ou ends They had been so sure all along tha they were on the right trail that to get to th end and find that all their work had been 2. fai ure came as a shock to them. Riayat) “Are you sure you are right?” asked Mi Duncan. “Is it not. possible that these nat , may be deceiving us? Have they hidden daughter away. somewhere?” — ; Eagerly he looked through. the ae dusk amid the native huts. Joe, too, | forward, followed by his chum. ve Sa SNE SLE she these natives are one 7 they say,” spoke Sergeant Hotchkiss. “But there is just a Renee said - | inte man By a THE 5 WATER HOLE | 133 j y Pics was teed ba bere was nothing else to be Boone. _ The villagers welcomed their unexpected guests, and set aside some huts for the use of the porters. Of course the whites camped by themselves: in their tents. Soon supper was — _ being served and later a walk about the place _ convinced even Mr. Duncan that he need have 4 proting: to suspect of these Africans. ee err head men told a straight story. They at a been off on a hunting trip and had passed sey through the burned village. They even ap- } _ propriated some of the things overlooked by P! _ the natives who had pillaged it, but this was all. “Then it means another search,” said the _ father of the captive girl. ag “But that will be successful—I’m sure of it,” _ declared C. “ Piper. “We'll find her next. é: “T’m sure I hope so,” spoke Blake. _ They began their return trip the next morning, = oe an invitation from the tee natives (ea . ea a Ft I 134 “MOVING PICTURE BOYS. I "HI ay | «So do 1 midiioe. INS Se ea And so back they went. The a lvened) oe the place of the burned village was without i it a _ cident, save that some moving pictures wer ne obtained of the smaller animals feeding. and _ drinking. Some monkeys were discovered and a very funny film was made from their antics, as Joe, hidden in the dense underbrush, feed them at their play. “T think you boys are in ee cone teed , good,” said Mr. Hotchkiss one day when they — had gone about a day’s journey away from the pillaged mission station, on a new trail this tim “What is that?” asked Joe. SR a “At a water hole not far off now,” was t answer of the former soldier. “It’s the main one for this region and all about, it is quite. a very much frightened save boy ay hi been witness of the original attack, mee % ‘route tae by the pillagers and he fate that 7 they had carried off the white captives. a “Thank the Lord for. that!’ exclaimed Mr. "Duncan “Then Jessie may yet be alive—she and Mr. and Mrs. Brown.” : : And so they had taken the new trail—the one ¥ they hoped would be the right one. _ “A water hole; eh?” said Blake, when he "heard about it. “What sort of pictures ought e. _ we to film there, sergeant?” “All kinds,” was the answer. “You may get ny thing from a giraffe to a lion, or from a _ baboon toarhino. Water in the jungle makes all wild animals of a kin—for the time eg Te f 2 pe Phough later they may fight like cats and dogs.” They traveled on, and it was late that after- Ps when Happy One, who, as usual, was in the lead, stopped, threw down his burden and began dancing about, brandishing his spear. _ “What’s up now?” asked Blake. f “Maybe he sees an elephant or a hippo,” sug- gested Joe, “and he wants C. C. to tt it, sO a “they | can have broiled steak for supper.” “TT don’t believe it’s that,” remarked Ser- eant Hotchkiss, who was riding beside the wie : e indeed. ae i! _ ' “Then this must be the water hole!’ claimed Blake. © “T hope it is,” said Joe. one ee It was the water hole, as they soon saw. | Coming up to where Happy One was dancing _ about and singing, the boys looked down into a sort of level valley, in the centre of which wer a number of depressions containing water. “Water hole!” exclaimed Mr. ae “it look Jike a whole lot of holes.” | “There are a number, fortunately,” ‘gail. the former soldier. “But it is generally spoken of gas a ‘hole. Gaye here are a number of places apa . we ae weather het there is only one, filled, there are terrible fights for the nig He t the few drops that remain.” ae ae ae 7 a" Look cried Joe. “What are those small animals running away from the cn : “Monkeys. ois baboons,” | ‘ : Hotchkiss. 2 ‘some pictures here?” “I’m sure we can,” said Blake, as he noted that there were a number of large trees in which _ their cameras could be placed and screened from view. | “We'll try it to-morrow,” said Joe, and so it was agreed. ‘They went into camp not far from the water hole, but as it was likely that many wild beasts would come to the drinking pools after dark, unusual precautions were taken. The tents of the whites, as well as the primitive sleeping _ places of the blacks, were surrounded by a thorn _bomba, or fence. Large fires were built and aaide posted with guns. : It was some time after the night meal before lake or Joe turned in. They were getting heir cameras ready for the morning. Then, too, the strangeness of the surroundings im- pressed them. And they watched the blacks ooking their ao meal and preparing to. 7 ere.“ noise. At first he thought te was in N ew York and that the fire engines’ were passing. - Ther she was more fully aroused by a nudge from Joe “What’s the matter?” asked Blake. “Something’s going on!” cried his. chur “There’s a row at the water hole. oes seni nels arevall éxcited.7' yams ste re rh Once more that peculiar whistling g un sounded. eran Pirie ise “Rhinos!” exclaimed Sérgeant Hotchki 44 from the next tent. “And a fight. is on at 1 he pool. Boys, if you had a ee Lev co get a dandy picture now! natives. 7 Was ae) ae oy thy 3 RIE: eS Ae aN) by aly ena ait TOV Mie ter ‘aes | CHAPTER XVI if RHINOCEROS CHARGE # -“Wrerr’s that flash powder, Blake ?” _“T don’t know. Hand me my shoes, wil! you?” “There they are, right by your cot. rae nock that camera over!” f “Say, you fellows are so excited you don’t know whether Ky re standing on your head or on your heels,” complained C. C. Piper, as he ooked into the tent, lighted by a swinging lan- ern, Indeed Joe and Blake were somewhat ipset at the prospect of making a new kind of moving picture. “Oh, we'll get there after a bit,” said Blake, is he completed dressing. Joe, too, was soon ready and got out the cameras. Meanwhile the native porters, learning that hey were not expected to get out and assist at night hunt, had ceased their excited cries. : r. Duncan took occasion to warn the boys to E be careful and then went back to his tent. lighted up.” : 2 ty et eee our ae. works,” spoke oa “s enough to get a series of views.’ “How did you fix Len asked Sergent Hotel 1- kiss.”’ . Pherae fe Blake. “Mr. Hadley t us about it. Are you ready there, 7 Decay 4 “Sure thing.” vn “Plenty of film i in the camera?” us ae A thousand feet en hate the light?” | “Tt’ll burn for half. an hous, I think.” a ak S good. on, I'm ious | Geeta. eee started from their ¢ cam ie ring Foe Mitch bush een as a fence, i g toward the water hole. drinking plabe: ‘We may es more of a picture than we bar- gained for.” _ “And hark to those rhinos,” added his chum. “They must be having a great old time.” s “A fight, probably,” said the sergeant. “They have: a very thick skin, but when one rams another, those heavy, sharp horns make terrible q wounds.” The noise at the water hole seemed to in- rease. The roaring of the lion became louder nd then died away. It was almost silent for a lained the former soldier. “He drinks alone. ish. Ate fone 2 suggested Blake. “We want to film him.” They hurried on and, a little later, came to 1€ water hole, yee moon was just coming up, tary “A lion, all right,” remarked Joe, grimly. “The lion has driven everyone else away,” ex- Vhen he leaves. the others will come back and. "Ce Se = at ato an 142 “MOVING PICTURE Bors —“T guess this will do,” sui Bla e in | fone, as he indicated a Pls where the ) sacha be set. oe offered Joe. “And we'll stand by thee guns, ee Mr. Piper. I Been Thus it was arranged. They could se shadowy forms moving about near the wate hole, but could not make out what animal they were. “Light up!” called Blake, ‘when he had th camera set. Beet “Light she is!” exclaimed Joe, and ai mome t later the scene was brilliantly illuminated. — strange picture was presented as Mies bega ‘to turn the handle of the camera. Bas Somewhat back from the water bole were. number of baboons, sitting on their haunche seeming to grin in their ugly fashion at som other animal. Some of the ape-like creat res were chattering angrily. Then came a gr _and the boys noticed a big lion es his ‘ at the pool. | : hin Se “Qld Mr. Leo drove the baboons away i a hiapened Blake. | | ° Phats right,’ answered cae ‘chum, ‘he me low voices did: not disturb the lion ee Cae of ey looted up to _ see the cause of the flare. The baboons did also, it none of them ran away, as the boys feared ould be the case. “Maybe they think it’s aconiotnat sug- gested Joe. _. “Queet moonlight,” Beeeed Blake; ‘but as long as they think so, it’s all the better for us,” and he continued to grind away at the machine. | The slight clicking noise seemed to bother the lion at first, but, looking carefully about, and seeing nothing and, as the wind was blowing 7 om him to the boys and he did not scent them, _he seemed to conclude that everything was all vi right and went on drinking. Ner were the apes - ae ching back to ie water. Meio t “Some pictures, these,” remarked Blake. ae I should guess yes,” agreed his chum. 4a ‘The scene was ever changing. The baboons ished away ina body and a herd of some small deer came to the pool. Then a slinking leopard - ; drove these timid creatures away. In his turn the fierce cat Bar way to a troop of howling ee Though these scavenger ers of “molest a ‘eopand) a a a eta, a be so bold that they will sometimes even atta _lion—and kill it, too. Be te for they were well screened oh Nes occasi ally did some beasts hear the clicking of the camera and look suspiciously i in that directic mn ) j all,” a YE Mr. Piper. Bree ee © rue it doesn't look so,” ey the = water hole. af 3 “Rhinos!” exclaimed the sergeant, his rifle in readiness. ie : Tight “moment, and then consading that, re was ie a thie queer grunts, aad al Ae scond rhinoceros rushed out toward the water. _ he second one did not seem tosee the firstone ntil almost at its side, and then the first one, aising its head, noticed the other. MGR With lowered heads, the two great Nina? on ach one prominent, they stood for a moment aotionless, and the sergeant whispered: “ ~ | The words were scarcely out of his mouth , before there was a rush and the two came to- | ether with an impact that could be heard for ome distance. The magnesium light made verything almost as clear as day, and Blake kept on taking pictures. _ The fight did not last long. The first rhi- noceros, with a quick, savage motion, thrust its orn into the other’s side, inflicting a grievous © wound. The injured animal, with a grunt of pain and dismay, backed off, and, after standing motionless a moment, turned and walked slowly A ead off, staggering. ~ ORE ‘“He’s badly hurt,” whispered Blake. | eee) ‘I should say so,” agreed his chum. “He | We last _ long. But what pictures we’ re dee i asa rhinoceros tale back to ihe in the: Deana were see waterbu : ing on to the pool. Suddenly the film in! the / >} ceamera broke. \ baa _ “Pshaw!” exclaimed Blake load: ‘before thought. “Now we'll lose some ae scen while I fix that. as | Pe said Joe. “Quiet! re hissed the acute. The reas had Real the boys’ a i and had sensed from whence iticamexin ty - With an angry, whistling grunt he rush straight for the place of cones ee , gathe speed as he came. | t “We'd better man!” cried Joe. ia Aa “Save the camera, whatever ‘you do!” claimed Blake. ant eee Mee | se s, Oreias Soe Say TE A RHINOCEROS CHARGE 147 have a clear range to shoot. The rhinoceros was now close enough so that he could make out his enemies in the strong light. “We've got to stop him!” cried the former soldier. “Here goes!” came from Mr. Piper, as he leveled his gun. “I’m with you,” echoed the sergeant, as he got into a position to blaze away at the in- furiated beast. ula see the great eee waver in a bis d y? “Keep on going, boys! 30 Blake and Joe, who were pa the be: t ti sb Nandy RN out of danger, with Savi banish ee f- pr “He S a tough ¢ one! . afraid we ‘d better run for ito “THE ELEPHANT TRAIL 140 eS | ; | em to eee On came the janibering beast, but the fusillade of shots was too much for it. Bullet after bullet snapped out from the two heavy rifles, and, though it might seem like cruelty, they were not shooting for sport, but to save their lives. Then, when he had almost reached the two ntrepid men who stood there facing him, the iN rhinoceros stumbled and came to hisknees. a ‘We've got him now!” sang out C. C. - “One more shot to finish him!” cried his com- _ And, as the creature was endeavoring to rise, final bullet sent it over dead. “That was a narrow squeak!” , and Blake came to a stop. : “That’s right, old man. But, Sar only the _ iim hadn’t broken, and we could have had a i‘ said Joe, ashe.) - UN like that one,” sighed Bake an sae a Harpe tones. “But I Speers ae ought to be Oe i 150 MOVING PICTURE BOYS IN * on camp to see what the deine are “No, I guess we have coaual said Blak ‘ of the film, and I guess the light i is aNout burnec N _ out. 9? 3 AS hae had. Te the =noonN they eae their vi aa Moe. back to their tents and to sleep, though most of o We the porters, hearing of the slain rhinoce OS. stayed up to get some meat. Then they lighted big fires and hada feast that lasted until nea i morning. ty When daylight came, ‘Blake an Jae found | ‘the reason for the breaking of the film was that -some of the mechanism of the camera was out _ of order. They decided to stay in camp until it ‘ could be repaired, and ee this bia v coh Sthat hey could hardly alee ‘ _ There was no need to kill any more i : the table, and thus every one had aun x ee and Be who busied the mst Slow what sort of trail they might meet deeper - inthe jungle, they decided to remain where they were until it cleared. But it continued to rain for two days and they spent them drearily _ enough, there being little to do. Mr. Duncan _ fretted because they were not making progress toward finding his daughter, but there was no C help for it. _ Then came clear weather, and with ae : One to lead the now well-satisfied porters the _ expedition again started off. They were in a — good game country now, and while for some time afterward the boys did not get a chance to a _make any extraordinary pictures, still they got some. And there was plenty to eat, which kept 4 _ the porters in good humor. Oba they were on the right road, for they made a inquiries at small native villages through which ae pay “THE ELEPHANT TRAIL st The next day it rained and, as they did not | _ For nearly a week they traveled on, sure ae tg me and learned that the party of raiding as be oi ” replied Happy One, who Y 152, “MOVING PICTURE BOYS INT rH. "spoke several Aigisare “One white 1 _ two missies !” ba “Oh, that must be Jessie Bad her friend cried the father of the missing girl. ; _ Sometimes they received wrong informatio | hot intentionally given, however; | and oy were abate SEX ones to ‘have ening! i raiding party on its way back, had been timid to get close Pe to Jearn the It was mot easy ee “Most fiehe wee Tay through a dense jungle, with only a narrow ' 4 native trail, which necessitated going file. : this was es we sleome. | ford a river. A Sale ae iE ELEPHANT 1 TRAIL : rhe y eek i in one camp to nurse him. But he CC vere and once: more ao were under way. ayo} anes somewhat afraid of it, others declai med CHAPTER XVIII SOME RARE Beco Happy One sent back the aan to the porters ‘the rear, and at the news of elephants there we mingled expressions. While some of the bla men chanted of the power of the mighty be ° a feast ey as you never § saw Getonee dealt “Ts elephant meat good to eat?” sad oat a “The natives will eat almost. anythi saic the sergeant, “as long as it’s. ‘meat. - course, there are some parts of an ele _ ter than another. 7 has El ever enjoyed, and the i 1 soup. Elephant’s. s feet, i delicious.” ORG an te TN: SOME RARE PICTURES so ‘a “Elephant s feet!” cried Blake. “T’ve eaten a pig’ s trotters, but elephant’s _ “The way to do it,” said the former soldier, “is to make a hole in the ground, build a fire A in it, get a lot of hot embers ready, and bury _ the foot in them. Go off for the day, and when you come back the meat inside the foot will be a roasted to a turn and no beef or mutton can equal it. But we may not get an elephant.” f “We'll make a hard try for some pictures, j 4 | ! - F - anyhow,” said Blake. “Let’s get our cameras ready, Joe.” “Qh, you’ve got plenty of time,” said the ser- _ geant. “Though this trail is comparatively fresh, still a herd of elephants can travel much faster _ than you would think, merely to look at them. _ They are a good many miles off now, and, _ though they may stop to feed, we can hardly come up to them. to- Roh It may take three - days.” | “But it’s a good trail to follow,” spoke Joe. } “Yes, indeed,” agreed C. C. Piper. “When a FE: “herd of elephants go along, they don’t stop for " small obstacles. They knock down anything that gets in their way. That makes it good for us. But if we go after these big beasts we may 99 Unconsciously he was falling into his old . danauey at Lape “You didn’t catch me. ae time!” he. Ti af gaily. “Everything is going to be lovely, 1 you'll get some fine views; I’m sure.” “That’s the way to a cried Blake, en 3 couragingly. e “Well, let’s mave,’ * aapaaleasl yon better than crawling through a tein “But won’t it take us too far away from search?” asked Mr. Duncan, bgt, | kidnappers are. iy poor Tessie may b : ing all sorts of hareeiD ant ee that,” ‘said id the sergeant, g is necessary. But we must keep ‘the | : well supplied with meat, or tees ae : Oo the jungle So if we can get an nla 4 i | nae to our nena ie ie “can, in the end, save time an pit | Ny “That? s all qT want to know,” . aid 7 A i ; f d } ‘ee SOME RARE PICTURES 157 a ead: sO do dy Dad! !? cried Joe. “And we will find her, too. We won't waste any time, but _ we've got to depend on our porters when it comes to the last, and there may be a fight.” “Yes, that is so,” admitted Mr. Duncan. _ They took up the elephant trail, and followed it until nightfall. They made camp near a _ spring, and Joe, who went out to trace a bird _ with a peculiar call, was lucky enough to shoot an eland, which furnished the camp with meat, and sent the porters into transports of joy. _ Early the next morning, after an uneventful night, save that lions roared in the distance, _ and hyenas howled, they again took up the trail. They followed it for three days, but could not - seem to come up to the big creatures. Once or twice they heard them in the distance, crashing through the underbrush, and pulling up thorn - trees on which they fed. But the wind was _ blowing from behind, carrying the scent from the hunters directly to the pachyderms, so that ( they were continually being alarmed and kept _ on-the march. as “But when the wind dies down, or changes, we'll have a good chance,” said the sergeant, ae, C. C. Piper agreed with him. ee ohn), ‘ cred of being continually on the move,” went — on the former ae ‘and stop to rest.” HeMaybe they'll 1 lie dona inc suggested Joe. yay “Elephants sleep standing up, as aru the er BranE, OLS Re, one of ae habits.” y | ' A\big birds were. © A cock ostrich chased him, and as ae ic these birds” is as pa as one from a ory See ee, Happy One saw his fellow mores 'g d nge ‘ae SOME RARE PICTURES 159 “to pick up a piece of thorn bush, and hold it in front of the bird.” | “What good will that do; charm it?’ asked ~ Blake. “No, but there is a very tender spot in the neck of an ostrich, just under the head,” said the sergeant, “and it dreads the prick of a thorn there more than anything else. That’s the only | way to protect: yourself from one of the big birds.” The black man did as directed. As he ran he caught up a long piece of thorn bush. Turning, he faced the ostrich, and, as he advanced the thorns toward the bird’s neck, the creature stopped and then began to “waltz” around the porter, seeking an opening. But the man con- tinually presented the thorn bush at the crea- ture, and then, getting a ee chance, C. C. shot the big bird. 3 - “Too bad,” said the actor-hunter; “but it had to be done.” Blake and Joe had filmed the odd — scene, and later they took some of the ostrich _ feathers as souvenirs, some of the porters add- ie ing the plumes to their already fantastic head- _ dresses. | “T wonder when we will come up to those elephants?” asked Blake a little later that day, _ when they were once more on the march, 160 MOVING PICTURE BOYS IN THE JUNGLE “The trail is getting fresher,” said C.C. “We ought to be up to them soon.” “Vl have one of the porters climb a tree, and see if he can make them out,” said the sergeant. The black man had scarcely reached the top . of a tall bamboo standing on the edge of the broad trail, than he set up a shout. “What does he say?” demanded Blake. “He sees the elephants!” cried the sergeant. “Get ready now, boys. The wind is in our favor, and you may be able to get some pictures of them feeding.” o CHAPTER XIX A SHOT IN TIME _ Cautiousty the moving picture boys made ; their way along the elephant trail.. They had ‘two cameras with them, for they remembered hie. accident that had interfered with their setting a film of the charge of the rhinoceros, when the celluloid broke at a critical moment. “Though I don’t know that I care for an ele- phant charge,” said Blake, grimly. “A rhino is bad enough, but an elephant is about three times as big, and so PE ne three times as bad when he comes after you.” : “More than three times as bad,” declared Sergeant Hotchkiss; “especially if it’s a rogue lephant.” — “What kind is that?” asked Joe. _“Tt’s a solitary elephant, who, for some reason or other, likes to flock by himself,” explained the former soldier. “He gets unreasoning fits — ff rage, if Boeeats ever do reason, and runs i amuck, ‘just like scree ‘He Bhs na tiv , He'll charge a stone wall, if he takes a notior i and once he gets after a hunter it’s all up Ww ith the man unless he can make a kill or rea a shelter. But I don’t imagine there’ I be 1 in this herd. As I said, they psa go abou by themselves.” | The natives of the expedition oe beets behind, so as to render the noise of the advan less loud, and the only ones in the party wer the whites, the two boys, Mr. Duncan, C. C and the sergeant. The three latter carried g u with their cameras. . wee es will only shoot one, unless theres iS ger,” said the former. soldier; ‘ as ee ec V us meat Palas : ee be * ie f ty att ie te: Asn at had Wy ch) ae : } raspy 7 +e SHOT IN TIME 163 x «No ow if we can only get some pictures!” said | Blake. , _ “We'd better climb a tree,” Suggested Joe. i Then we can get a better view.’ - “There’s a good cne over there,” suggested c 2. gy take that,” spoke Joe, a Blake, you can get in the one next to me. We'll work one camera, but if anything aE eHe to that we'll have the other in reserve.” _. So it was arranged, and soon the two lads “were making their way up into the trees, mov- _ ing as cautiously as possible. There were low branches which made the ascent compara- tively easy, and they carried with them light but strong cords, by which their cameras could be hoisted up. They could not use the tripods, but hoped, by resting the machines on a limb, to make them steady enough. “Oh, this is a fine view!’ cautiously called Blake to his chum, it being agreed that Blake was to make the first try for the pictures. _ “Yes, and I have a good one, too. If you reak a film or anything else Bae I can go party of our friends was not organized fort less slaughter. One beast for food was they had limited themselves to. | ticks or other jungle Aitu site an | _ They ate in a peculiar manner. Reachin Mel with their trunks they would pull o : branches. Holding to one end of these the would put the foliage of the branch | ins he mouths and pull it out as one would a’ ‘bun currants, thus stripping off the tender leav which they munched contentedly, ig asic the now sense branch. fa ane wd te Duncan, any ea Been Se i, SA, i sb. = ele, s Eaten - ; £54 Mt Se GOR OE fui Soe es ee a 3 its if ia oe ae. ae heal A SHOT IN TIME 16s shot at the beasts when the films were com- - pleted. : “T guess I’ve got enough,” said Blake. “T’ll get down now. The elephants are getting uneasy and it seems as if they were going to start off again.” “Go ahead,” suggested Joe. “I'll stay for a while and maybe I can get something different.” Blake had lowered his camera to the ground and was about to descend himself, when, a short distance down, he slipped and fell with a crash. He was stunned for the moment, though not much hurt; but he made considerable noise. - Instantly the herd of elephants became aware of danger. The leader, a big bull, trumpeted shrilly and the others gathered together ready for a rush into the jungle. “Get that view, Joe!’ called Blake, as he staggered to his feet. As he did so he became aware of a sharp pain in his right ankle. He could not walk. At that instant the big bull, hearing the lad’s voice, became aware of the location of his foes. Raising his trunk high and with open mouth, his big tusks standing out, the huge fellow rushed straight at Blake. “Shoot! Shoot!” cried Mr. Duncan, who a ~~ was So nervous that he realized it would be w use- ip less for him to try. | “Both together!” said Serearte Hothhice: | in a low voice to Mr. Piper. “We've as to | . stop him short!” ‘ a -' They aimed quickly. On came the cicphanee 2 trumpeting with rage, while the others in the — herd joined in. They all began to move — i toward Blake, who was hopping away as fast as he could on one féot, having abandoned his _-Seamera. Joe was still in his tree, but. could — easily be shaken out of it. ay “Ready!” cried the sergeant. “Fire!” | we The two guns were discharged as one. The | | elephant was almost up to Blake, crashing through the bushes. But the men had fired aN straight, true, and just in time. The heavy bullets halted the elephant ious) is enough for the lad to make good his escape. Crashing to its knees the big beast tried to rise. Bl _ “Give him another!” yelled the former soldier and again they shot together. The elephant an crashed over on its side. Blake had been saved in the nick of time. The other elepha - shrilly trumpeting, made off in the jungle : | _ Blake’s camera, with its rare film, was rescu ry from the bushes where it had Gropp ne CHAPTER XX. DOWN THE RIVER ‘ Hotchkiss, as he stood on the bank of a jungle I iver. Tt ¢ seems to be the ae thine! to do,’ ie Mr. Duncan. “Our information is to the effect that the native camp we wish to reach is down this. direction, and the river offers the best 39 ” put in But we can frake a raft,” soa his a that’ s ae we'll have to do,” said C. C. 1? raft aya be just the thing!” : eee shall we chance it?” asked Sergeant. - “though it may capsize—no it won’t — Weneeance: on “atin: sprained when he ae hen out of He The sai sleaheat ae a pair pes magnit tusks and Ay were dea phi as. op sergeant way told them sbout—elephant Joe and Blake voted it very good. © 2 Then had come a period of srayeline the Lac during which ies had s DOWN THE RIVER 169 spring for water. The big cat was shot by Blake, but the man suffered very much and was incapable of any hard work. Then they had come to the banks of a fairly large river down which, according to native in- formation, was an African village that might be the home of the kidnappers. “Well, it seems to be the only thing to do— to try a trip down it,” said Mr. Hotchkiss, when they had held a consultation about it. “River travel is certainly easier than on land, in a jun- gle, and we'll have to cross it sooner or later, for J have a general idea now where the country lies that we are trying to reach.” “But how are we going to go down the river when we have no boats?” asked C. C. Piper. “We can’t swim—and I’ve had enough of that anyhow, since leaving the California coast.” “We can get the natives’ to build a big raft,” suggested Mr. Hotchkiss. ‘On that we can float down, but we can’t very well take the animals,” for they still had with them their rid- ing mules and those that carried packs. Sev- eral of the animals had died from the bite of the —tse-tse fly, but as the expedition was constantly using up food and supplies, the burdens of the dead animals were transferred to the heads of the porters. : : | | “What can we eo with the animals?” " asked — Mr. Duncan. “Leave them back at the. valnee we passed a little while ago,’ ‘ suggested the former soldier, — and this was agreed to. | Happy One declared that his men bak soon build a raft that would carry them all, but when . e - it came to the making of it the whites found it i : better to superintend the details themselves. _ “They’d have it come apart in the middle of aN the river the way cee were binding the logs _ rar | together’ with vines,” said the sergeant as be ‘caummade the ‘blacks correct some of their faults, “We __-want it substantially made.” fir But when the rafts were about dean (for they decided to make two) they were ample for all. The animals were to be left behind, and, with the packs and bundles, the moving picture _ cameras and films, those aac oPOr and ~ at inede some morning soon. “a ‘While the raft- building was going on es and Blake had some opportunity to go out into a jungle, near the river camp, and make ‘mo vi | - pictures. - Though they got no remarkable a _ they did succeed in filming a rhinoceros -u OR) M Ale back were a number of tick a (cee | | DOWN THE RIVER 171 } : rhinoceros what the pilot fish are to the shark. They warn of danger. The big-horned animals of Africa, in common with most of the mam- mals, are infested with ticks, an insect that lives by sucking the blood of the beasts. Tick birds feed on these ticks and often perch on the backs of the rhinoceroses and pick them off. “But the birds are very shy and easily made aware of danger, not only to themselves but to their animal feeding-ground. They fly off at the first alarm, and as soon as they go the rhi- noceros knows that he must look out for himself. Once the tick birds fly from his back he begins to use the natural faculties most useful to him. Blake and Joe were getting some fine pictures of a rhino feeding, and as the wind was right, the beast did not scent them. Presently, how- ever, the tick birds became aware of something unusual going on. CHAPTER XXI THE LONE MESSENGER “Loox out!’ exclaimed Blake, as he saw the bird sentinels fly from the back of the big beast. “What is it?” asked Joe, who was working the camera. “He'll be coming this way soon if he happens to see us. He’s getting uneasy now that the birds are gone.” . Joe, who had been looking at the mechanism of te moving picture machine, glanced over toward the rhino. The huge creature did in- deed seem to be getting restless. He stopped feeding and began ieee the air, at the same time peering about with his lit- tle pig-like eyes. The birds were circling about, seemingly in an endeavor to locate the enemy they had sensed. Whether or not they would locate them our heroes did not know. They were fairly well screened amid some bushes, but this would offer no barrier to the rush of the rhinoceros. 172 THE LONE MESSENGER 17 “With the birds gone the rhino knew some- ‘thing was wrong and it began casting about to ‘discover it, either by the sense of smell or his sharp hearing. But the wind carried from him, ‘to the boys, consequently he did not get their. odor, nor did the slight chcking of the machine pry to him. With a puzzled “ “woot” and his peculiar | Bicline grunt the big beast finally moved off Finto the depths of the jungle, crashing his way through the underbrush. The tick birds fol- lowed as if satisfied that their walking res- taurant had done the right thing. _ “There he goes,” said Blake, with a sigh of telief, for they had brought no guns with them _and were some distance from the river camp. _ “Yes, we got some good pictures and without any danger,” observed jee “Well, shall we get pack?” “Might as well, I guess,” agreed his chum, and they took to the trail again, a deserted ele- phant. path through the fastness of the jungle affording g good footing. | On their way back they had rather a curious experience. They had often read of the honey © bird, but had not yet seen one, and when a little ‘ eathered creature began circling about them, es Leet a ing Shem to follow, Joe sade “That must be a honey bird Blake.” “T believe it is. Let’s trace it and see. can pick out a honey tree. Maybe oe ag about it is all bosh. i ee Hew on ahead of ere ‘perce in one Aree another until it had led them about half a Then, alighting on the limb of a gum tr stayed there, calling shrilly. ait “The bees must be near here,” observed J They looked around and, finally attracte the buzzing of some insects, a locates 4 bees’ nest in a hollow tree. . Re kel Mas if, eet ae t: Vt Eis S38 } THE LONE MESSENGER 175 in order that it may get what otherwise it could _-not—a share of the sweet stuff and the succulent larvee. a The honey formed a welcome addition to their meal. The rafts were completed now, and the next day the expedition started down the _ river, the pack animals having been left behind. The trip down the stream was interesting. ; : There was not so much life to be seen as there was in the jungle, but there were any number of _ erocodiles—big ones that seemed at first to be mere floating logs, but which soon came to life when the raft passed. A number of pictures were made of the unprepossessing saurians and, once or twice, great hippotami came so close fd filmed the huge creatures as they swam along- _ that it seemed they were going to attack the rafts. But the big boats were too solid to cause © any fear in regard to them, and Joe and Blake side, often with their mouths open to their widest extent. _ The progress was not fast, but it was much easier than traveling through the jungle. There were no bundles to carry, and the blacks seemed _ to appreciate this. All day long they stretched out on the rafts, improvising their queer chants and songs, now _ poleing the craft out from the shore when the — # 176 MOVING PICTURE BOYS IN THE JUNGLE current: carried them too far in, or keeping out from rapids they might run upon. At times a halt would be made to enable game to be shot, for it was necessary to keep the party in meat, and it all had to be killed fresh in that equatorial climate. They had been four days going down the river and were beginning to wonder when they would come near the location of the kidnapping natives. Mr. Duncan was beginning to get more and more worried. as he approached what he hoped would prove:to be the place where his daughter was held captive. “Oh, if Jessie is only alive and unharmed!” he exclaimed, “everything else will be all right.” “Of course she’ll be,’ declared C. C. Piper, who had only once or twice relapsed into his former gloomy moods. ‘Of course she'll be all tight and we'll soon find her.” Cite have to send out a scouting batty -soon,” declared Sergeant Hotchkiss. “Why?” Joe wanted to know. “Because we don’t want to come upon that a native camp unexpectedly. We don’t want to rush into danger. There may be a big crowd ~ of ’em and if we can take ’em unawares well © have so much the better chance to rout ’em. Yes, we must soon send out a scouting party!” Y geese OW Te aa 4 AS aia eet aiae get PF emy f . mat, g ut ae aie THE LONE MESSENGER 177 “Can Joe and I go?” asked Blake, eagerly. \ “Hum! Well, I suppose so,” was the former soldier’s answer. “But we'll need some native guides, too.” _. They had moored the rafts to the river lees _ that evening, for they did not want to chance _ running down the stream in the dark, and were ~ just making a camp when Blake, who was look- _ ing across the water, called out: | ie “Here comes the biggest crocodile I’ve seen “yet. Get a gun, C. C., and have a pop at him. Maybe Ae could take the skin home for a souvenir.” _ They all looked to where he pomted. In the _ gathering dusk they could see some object com- ing up stream. It did seem larger and higher out of the water than crocodiles usually swim. The motion, too, was different. — “Crocodile!” cried Sergeant Hotchkiss, when he had taken a oa of it. “That’s no croco- dle. do. What is itt, then?” asked Blake, curiously. 7 Bs “A native in a dugout canoe,” was the an-. ¢ _ swer. “It’s a solitary native and it’s strange, _ too, seeing him all alone.” ie _ “He’s seen us and he’s going to turn back, is - put in Joe. 3 _ Then Happy One, the leader of the blacks, 178 MOVING PICTURE BOYS IN THE JUNGLE called out something in his native tongue. There was a moment of silence and back floated an answer across the stream. “What does he say?” asked Mr. Duncan. “Happy One assured him that we were friends,” translated the sergeant; “and asked who he was and where he was going.” “What did he say?” “He said he was a messenger going for help for some captives.” “Help for some captives!” cried Blake. “Maybe he can tell us something about those we are after!” Sergeant Hotchkiss started in surprise, and then shouted something to Happy One, who immediately set up a great shouting. The lone messenger in the canoe, that was hollowed out of a solid tree trunk, hesitated a moment and then waved his paddle. ‘ Pe is e ma eee te = ae é 2 Se ees ae . ea © bee tt So ae Le ates = “a a eee eae pee Te ae PS oe ee CHAPTER XXII - AN AFRICAN CAMP _ “HERE he comes!” cried Joe. : “And he doesn’t quite know whether he’s’ going to be captured, or whether we’re friends,” remarked Blake. “Joe, do you s’pose it’s pos- sible that he can be from—from your sister and her friends?” “I don’t know. It sounds too good to be true, Don’t let Dad hear you say that, or he may De terribly disappointed if it turns out wrong.” The lone messenger was paddling his clumsy boat toward the raft. i, “We'll soon know what’s up,” remarked Me. _ Piper. “That is, if he can speak any ordinary * language.” -. | _ “Oh, I guess between our natives and the ser- | vs geant we can make out,” spoke Blake. i The messenger came on more slowly, as _ though the nearer he approached the more A aes 179 180 MOVING PICTURE BOYS IN THE JUNGLE timid he became. They could see him plainly now—a big, tall native with rather more clothes than his kind usually wore. He carried in the boat with him a keen-edged spear and a big club that seemed to have been often used. A little way from the shore he halted his boat by sticking his paddle down in the muddy bottom and then he called out something. Happy One answered and the two carried on quite a conversation, with Sergeant Hotchkiss occasionally putting in a word. “What’s it all about?” called Mr. Duncan, impatiently. “Has he any news for us—good news?” “The very best we could expect!’ exclaimed the sergeant. “It appears he is a messenger— one of those captured from the mission station and carried off by the raiders along with the - whites.” “My daughter!” cried Mr. Duncan. “Is she alive—was she one of those carried off? Oh, tell me quickly!’ “T’d better tell you the whole story as I heard it,” said the former soldier. “Happy One, tell — him to come to the camp and eat. He must be half starved.” And from the manner in which the messenger ate it would seem that this was so. ‘ ; } | AN AFRICAN CAMP Lian est : “He was one of the natives ides in the mis- | Me sion settlement,” explained the sergeant to _ those gathered about him in that portion of the camp set aside for the use of the whites. “He was one of the Christian natives and everything was going well, when this party of Africans, who belong to one of the worst tribes of the _ whole continent, came along and made the raid, ; _ burning the place and carrying off all whom they did not kill.” “And—and my daughter—Jessie?” exclaimed ae Mr. Duncan. _- “She and Mr. and Mrs. Brown were carried _ off, together with some men, women and chil- _ dren of the natives,” said Mr. Hotchkiss. “They _ were intended for slaves. After many hardships | the captives were brought into the village _ where their captors lived. There they were treated meanly, but none of them was killed. ie ‘“Finally the whites managed to get word to Me this young man, urging him to try to escape and take word of their plight to friendly natives, ys asking to be rescued. ae : “Chak, for that is his name, watched his — 182 MOVING PICTURE BOYS IN THE JUNGLE night, and his progress was slow. Once he was thrown overboard by a hippo ramming his craft, and again a crocodile nearly got him. But he kept on, and when he saw us he had just started out on his night trip. He did not know whether or not to trust us, but when he heard the friendly words of Happy One he decided to ap- peal to us.” “And he comes from Jessie?’ asked Joe. “Yes, she is one of the white captives, though Mr. and Mrs. Brown were the ones who directly sent the message. “How—how is she?” faltered Mr. Duncan. “How is Jessie?” “Unhappy and much frightened, as you may suppose,” said the sergeant; “but she was in no immediate danger when Chako left.” “How far is it to their camp?” demanded C. C. Piper, as he looked at his elephant gun. “About two full days’ journey down the river, and then one day into the jungle.” “Then let’s start at once!” cried Jessie’s father. “I must get to my daughter.” “It will be better to wait until morning,” sug- gested the former soldier. “It isn’t altogether safe to travel at night; and then, too, we can make better time by daylight.” “Oh, and to think that this native has lately AN ‘AFRICAN CAMP 183 seen my little girl, whom I have not beheld in so long!” exclaimed the father. “Ask him how she _ was—tell me all about her!” | “He doesn’t know much,” replied the ser- geant. “The whites were separated from the black captives, so he had little chance to speak to her. But we ought to—oh, well, we’ll start at once, as soon as it is daylight,” said the ser- - geant, suddenly interrupting himself. “TI’ll tell Happy One to have the natives in readiness for a quick start. And—well, I guess that’s all,” _he concluded as he walked over to where the “messenger was being entertained by the porters. Blake followed. There was something in the _; manner. of Mr. Hotchkiss that worried him. When he got a chance to ees alone to the — former soldier the lad asked : “Is there anything wrong, Mr. Hotchkiss? ; Is there more need for haste than you told?” The man looked around and, seeing neither we nor his father near, said: : “There is, Blake, grave need of haste, but I didn’ t dare speak before them. It seems that ia _ within a week these kidnapping natives are to celebrate one of their most cruel feasts. Many 2 sacrifices are to be made and it may be that in _ their frenzy they may injure the whites. Though 184 MOVING PICTURE BOYS IN THE JUNGLE them, for they know the far-reaching power of the British government. “But when they are mad with their religious rites there is no telling what they may do. Yes, there is need of haste. I am going to tell Mr. Piper what I know, and with his help and yours, while keeping Joe and his father in ignorance of the imminent danger, we will make as much speed as we can without seeming to do so.” “A week off; eh?” mused Blake. “That ought to give us plenty of time.” “Yes, but we don’t know what delays we may meet in the jungle,” said the sergeant. “Then, too, this Chako may not have correctly esti- mated the time it takes.’ We shall have to pre- pare for the unexpected. They may proceed with their rites before the week is out. We must hasten.” “That’s right,” agreed Blake. They made‘an early start next morning, the curious boat Chako had paddled in being put on board one of the rafts. Fortune favored them, for they soon came to a part of the river where the current was swift, and they made good time. The members of the expedition had caught the fever and were anx- ious to hasten on to try conclusions with their black enemies. AN AFRICAN CAMP _— 185 Spears and shields were looked to. Some of the natives improvised bows and arrows and a few had blow guns. Our white friends over- hauled their weapons and ammunition. “I hope it doesn’t come to a fight,” said Blake. “But if it does “We want to Ds prepared,” finished Mr. Hotchkiss. The boys had no chance now to take moving pictures, even had they been in the mood. All their thoughts were centered on the rescue. Finally the day came when Chako, the lone ‘messenger, indicated that they were to leave the river and strike inland. The rafts were moored to the bank, though it was doubtful if they would be used again, for it would be almost impossible to pole them up stream. Into the jungle they struck, with Chako in the lead as a guide. This part of the journey he had correctly estimated and at dusk one day he signaled for a halt. “What is it?” asked Mr. Duncan. “The African camp, or village, that he es- caped from,” said the sergeant. “We are here at last!’ CHAPTER XXIII THE ATTACK THEY were in a dense part of the jungle. On all sides of them were immense trees, growing so close together that one could see only a lit- tle way in either direction. Between the trees grew a great tangle of vines and pendant moss, making an almost impassable barrier, save to an elephant or buffalo. | They had followed a rude trail, that, at times, was almost lost sight of. But Chako seemed to know the road by which he had escaped, and led on unerringly. Occasionally they would come to a swamp in which there was danger of sinking to one’s hips. But now they were near ‘to the place where they hoped to rescue the captives. “What’s to be done?” asked Blake, as they came to a halt in the midst of the now almost twilight darkness in the dense jungle. “Rush right in and rescue my daughter and her friends!” cried Mr. Duncan. 186 eng THE ATTACK 187 «He actually started forward, catching up one OF the guns carried by a native bearer. , ae “Hold on! That won’t do!” cried the ser-. geant: “We must map out a plan of campaign. To rush in now would be the worst kind of folly. _ They would either overwhelm us, for they far - outnumber us, or it would bring about the very thing we are trying to avoid | “You mean they might—might do something _ to the captives?” asked Blake. | “That’s it,” the sergeant went on. “We've got to use strategy in this attack. And one of - the first things we’ve got to do is to get to some place where we can camp without the noise “s penetrating to the village. Then we can make our. plans.” - Chako indicated that the African camp was still some little distance in advance, but added the information that scouts from it might be anywhere in the jungle, and might discover the _ presence of the rescuers and give the alarm. eis “Then back we go,” decided the sergeant. bao. We'll camp at the last spring we passed and have supper. Lucky we’ve got the fresh meat os we killed this noon, or the natives would go hungry.” For on the march that day C. C. had managed to kill a big antelope for food. ee: They feasted—at least the natives did, for 188 MOVING PICTURE BOYS IN THE JUNGLE they could eat no matter what impended—but the whites were too anxious to enjoy the meal. No unnecessary noise was made, for, though they were some distance from the village, there was no way of telling when black scouts might be about. “T think a night attack will be best,” said the sergeant, when-it had all been talked over. “That will take them most by surprise and give them the least chance of harming those we have come to save.” “Do you mean attack to-night?” asked Blake, “No, it is too late to do that now. I suggest that we rest to-night and to-morrow try to see how the situation is. Then we can attack with some chance of victory. Chako can probably tell us which side to make the ady etre against. And then——” “By jove! I have it!’ suddenly cried Joe. “The very thing for a night attack.” “What?” asked Blake. “Fireworks!” went on his chum. “You know we have quite a box of them that we got in Entebbe, expecting to use them in trading with some of the native chiefs, but we haven’t even opened them. They’re still in the water-tight package. Now what’s the matter with using them in the attack?” THE ATTACK aie 189 Be “The very thing!” exclaimed the sergeant. : —“Couldn’ t be better. We'll attack to-morrow : night. Now to get some rest and when it’ ; day ee we'll see if we can spy out the camp.” — , - With Chako to lead them, Sergeant Hotch-' scan Blake and Joe made a cautious advance on ! the village early the next day. Mr. Duncan and oC C. Piper were left behind to stand guard, for _ there was no telling when a party of the kid- re , -_nappers might take a notion to penetrate the _ jungle. 2 AS _ Approaching cautiously, the two moving pic- ture boys and the sergeant, guided by the mes- ‘ -senger, soon came within sight of the native village. It was a typical one, with the thatched mud huts—many of them—arranged in some sort of order. One large hut, in the middle of ie the village, seemed to be that of one of the chief _ men, and Chako whispered that it was there the > king dwelt. “And what are those smaller huts near his— he the huts where the men stand in front with | _ spears: >” Mr. Hotchkiss wanted to know. i | _ “The white captives are there,” was the ane) _swer. “The young girl and Missis Brown and ie her man.” eee oy. sister there!” exclaimed re with ee ees ling Dh “Oh, is ae L can soon see her.” - hb) 3 >i BRM oer EA 190 MOVING PICTURE BOYS IN THE JUNGLE “Patience,”’ counseled the sergeant. “Now to plot out the best method of advance.” They were looking down on the village from a little hill to the north of it. The native town lay in a -elearing in the jungle that surrounded it on all sides. “T don’t see any better way of making the at-- tack than from here,” said Mr. Hotchkiss, after a pause. “It is easy to reach from our camp, too.”’ | “Then we'll attack from here?” asked Blake. “One party will. The other will circle around and execute a flank movement. We'll have them between two fires, and I guess that will take them by surprise. It may be possible to rout them without any serious loss. I hope so, for I Bee t want to take lives—not even of these savages.” “T think the fireworks will do the work,” de- clared Joe. _ The scouts returned to the camp and the plans were talked over and finally decided on. The attack was to be made just before day- break, as Chako said the Africans always slept — the heaviest then, and even the sentinels would probably be dozing after their hearty meal of meat. So it was arranged. The night passed slowly = 2 Nah fall oh met ee E nyt ns a Re ee 7 Ee Pn ag ey ee ty ees re ge ee = oe eu ee eee ax les 5 oo Be ee a ee er ae lo : _ iso a a ce alee Te es ee alee? oe fy case rae - Fl keer i - 2 al re te ae ee ee a ee ee THE ATTACK I9r —all too slowly for the anxiously waiting ones. Then the sergeant gave the order to advance. There was a late moon, which gave enough light for them to see their way, as silently they ap- proached to the attack. It was no easy task, marching through the jungle to make the attack. Hard enough it would have been in daylight, but with blackness all around them, hardly able to see where they were going, it was difficult in the extreme. “T do hope we make out all right,” murmured Blake, who was marching near Joe. “So do I, old chum. It’s a slim chance, but we've got to take it. If only we can surprise the beggars before they rouse up enough to know what hit ’em, we'll have it easier.” “Yes, I suppose so. That’s the worst of it, though. They are so used to awakening at the slightest sound that they may rouse up before we get ready to attack ’em.”’ “We'll have to take our chance, that’s all.” “Silence back there!’ suddenly called Mr. Hotchkiss, as the murmur of the boys’ voices reached him. “Don’t talk any more than you have to.” For a time they marched on silently, the only sound being the crackle of dried reeds as they 192 MOVING PICTURE BOYS IN THE JUNGLE broke under foot, or the occasional swish of the branches of trees under which they passed. “And to think that your sister is off here in this wilderness,” whispered Blake, when they had © gone on a little farther. “This is a small world, after all.” : “Tt is,’ agreed Joe. ‘To think that, only a comparatively short time ago, you and I were farm-boys. Now we’re in the African jungle and we don’t know what will happen.” “That’s right,” remarked Blake. “But if your sister is safe so far, there’s no reason why we - shouldn’t rescue her. : think the idea of the ey works is a dandy one.’ “Yes, if they only go off,” spoke Joe, “Why shouldn’t they go off?” “Oh, it’s so wet here. Land! when you get up in the morning your shoes are so damp you can hardly get them on.. And as for your clothes, you might just,as well sleep in a Turkish bath.” “It is damp,”’ agreed Blake. “And if the fuses don’t light easily we'll out of it,” went on his chum. “You see the plan — is to surprise them, and the fireworks will do that, if they shoot off quick enough.” | The march continued, until suddenly, from the van, there came a cry of alarm. It seemed to come from one of the natives. eae 2s | \ snake! he: Ge Blake. | . ane Well, that’s what he thought it was,” said | “au “Tt Sipe was only a big thorn ra ae . But he ee have raised ieee n ane pocket,” ” said Mr. Hotkhkise Bh war » keys on it, and he was tickled almost == with the jingle. He forgot all about his pri: down, Ale a had to tie 194 MOVING PICTURE BOYS IN THE JUNGLE “‘Are we near there?” asked Joe. “Yes, pretty close now. Don't make any more noise than you can help.” Again the line was formed, and the advance continued. It went on in silence for some time, until suddenly, off to the left, there came a sound like distant thunder. “What's that?” asked Joe. “Lions, I guess,” replied Blake. From the natives about them came the murmur: ) “Simba! Simba!’ “Quiet there!” commanded Mr.- Hotchkiss. “No lions will come near this party. Move on!” The roaring died away, only to be repeated a. little later, somewhat farther in advance. “This is Rete ’ murmured Blake, “Tt sure is,’ agreed his chum. “If those beasts make an attack it’s bound to give the whole game away.” “Oh, what a picture this would make!” mur- mured Blake. “But we wouldn’t dare try to film it,’ said Joe. ‘It would give us dead away. Hark to that, would you!” 7 As he spoke the very ground seemed to vibrate _ with the sound of the roaring of the lions. There was almost a panic of fear among’ the natives until THE ATTACK 195 the white men in charge had assured them that there was no danger. ‘A halt was made, and a number of the black men begged that fires might be lighted to scare away the jungle beasts. But Mr. Hotchkiss knew this would be risky. Instead, he ordered those of his companions who had them to display their pocket electric torches. These tiny, flashing lights seemed to have the desired effect, for the roaring of the lions died away. Then the cavalcade advanced once more, Joe’s mind filled with anxious thoughts about the rescue of his sister. The natives carried their spears, or bows and arrows. The white men had their guns, Joe and Blake had a pyvolver each for use in emergency; but their'main arms were the fire- works, carried for them by several bearers. On reaching the mound where they had spied on the camp that afternoon a party, under C. C. Piper, was sent around to begin hostilities in the rear. “Fire as soon as you are there,” said Mr. Hotchkiss, ‘But shoot in the air. If we can scare them, without hurting any one, so much the better. Ready now! March! As soon as you attack, we'll get busy here!’ CHAPTER: AALYV. A VICTORY Watlrtinea in the darkness, looking down on the | | camp of the kidnapping Africans, Joe, Blake ~ and the sergeant, and the blacks with them, lis- tened for the echoes of the shots that would tell of the beginning of the attack. C. C. Piper and Mr. Duncan, with about half of the porters and Chako, were in the second party. “T wonder what will happen,” asked Blake, “when the firing begins?” “There'll be one grand rush,” said Joe, “and it will be up to us to make it a worse one. The more we can demoralize them the better it will be for us.” rn “That’s right,” agreed the sergeant. “Get “em wild, so they don’t know what’s happening, and — we can rush in there and make our rescues. I hope we shall be able to save some of the mis- sionaries’ friends as well as your sister and Mr. and Mrs. Brown, Joe.” 196 'A VICTORY 197 “T hope so, too. Lucky we got here before they began their so-called religious ceremonies— these kidnappers.” “That’s right. Chako said they might start to-morrow, though. We’re only just in time.” “And it will soon be to-morrow,” spoke Blake, softly. “It will be daylight in a short time.” : They looked down on the camp. Here and there a sentinel fire could be seen burning dimly, but even the guards had gone to sleep, it seemed, for none could be observed pacing about. It was as the messenger had said—they all slept heavily toward morning. “They ought to be there by this time,” said the sergeant after a long pause. ‘I wonder if anything could have happened to bs He was interrupted by several shots that echoed through the night. The darkness, over on the far side of the camp, was cut by several jagged splinters of flame. “There they go!” cried Blake. “Now for the fireworks!” sang out his chum. Once more came a burst of rifle fire from the other attacking party. “Tet em go!” shouted the sergeant. The scene was now one of confusion. The blacks in their camp, suddenly awakened by the 198 MOVING PICTURE BOYS IN THE JUNGLE volleys, were rushing about, yelling at the top of their voices. They could not imagine what was going on. A few shots came in return— shots from old-fashioned muskets that did no harm. Then, with a mighty roar, a big skyrocket shot over the African camp, scattering fire and sparks and colored balls in its train. It was fol- lowed by several others; Roman candles, and - then several other forms of pyrotechnics, set off by Blake and Joe, shot through the darkness. The effect was startling. The blacks who had started to run away from the rifle fire, harmless as it was, for the shots were directed into the ~ air, were met by the rain of sparks from the aerial bombs and other pieces of Fourth of July ordnance the moving picture boys touched off. There was considerable noise, too, for some of the pieces burst with loud reports. “How are you making out, Joe?” éalled Blake | {rem the place where he had stationed himseli— — a sort of clearing behind a clump of mimosa trees. woe “Fine and dandy. How about you?’ . “Oh, I’m all right. I’ve set off a lot of those big skyrockets. Say, they’re peaches! Did you see how they burst?” “T should say yes! One nearly went off before A VICTORY, 199 i was ready for it—too short a fuse. I got ready to run.” “That’s right. Here goes for one of those bombs! I’m glad we had these things with us.” So am I!” For a time the chums could not speak: to each other, though but a short distance apart, for the noise of the fireworks was almost deafening. The jungle was lighted up with’the hues of-many- colored fires, and the wild heasts were thrown into a panic by the unusual demonstration. There sounded the deep-voiced defiance of distant lions, which, died away to be replaced by the shrill laughing-like sound: of hyenas that were always hanging about, slinking around to see if they could not make a meal off what some _ stronger or more brave beast had killed, Then would come the chatter of monkeys dis- turbed at their slumbers, or the scolding of par- rots or other birds of the dense forest. It was as though the morning sun had unexpectedly risen and called into life all the inhabitants of the jungle. Mr. Duncan came running up to where Joe and Blake were stationed, and, in the glare of a bursting rocket, they saw that his face was blackened with powder. 200 MOVING PICTURE BOYS IN THE JUNGLE “Have you seen her, Joe?” he gasped. “Did you get a sight of her?” “No, Dad,” replied the brother of the a they had come so far to rescue. “Did you, Blake?” “No, Mr. Duncan. But it’s so dark, and we aren't quite near enough to the camp yet. Weill get her all right, never fear.” : “Oh, boys, I can’t help being worried. It means so much to me. Think how I would feel if those natives—those Africans—should turn ~ against her at this last minute and Mr. Duncan was so affected that he could not go on. “Now, Dad, you don’t want to think anything like that!” exclaimed Blake, heartily. “We'll scare these fellows so they won’t know where > they’re at. Come on here! Help Blake and me set off some of these fireworks. We've got more than we can handle!’ and he thrust into his father’s hand a torch used to ignite the fuses. “That’s the way to talk to him!” said Blake, in a low voice. ‘Keep him occupied. Then he won't think so much about your sister. I think she’s safe—don’t you, Joe?” “T hope so.” | “Oh, she must be. Why, it was all quiet when we stole up, and we've been so busy ever since Re a ee es = ts ee ~ oF Re ee a s hs Le ae isnt a “Lames. aX <2 : a mi aaa aie Se = ‘A VICTORY, 201 _ that they haven’t had time to rush off with her to another part of the jungle. They must think this is a shower of meteors, or something: like that.” “T hope they do,” murmured Joe, as he brought up another rocket from the box where the supply was kept. The shooting of the pyrotechnics was kept up for some time longer. Then C. C. Piper, who had been industriously letting off bombs and Roman candles, seemed to beat his own energetic record. For there was a great burst of fire from where he had stationed himself, and then his voice was heard to call: “Help! Come here! I’m getting shot “What is it?” yelled Joe. “Come here and you'll see! I guess I must have—” his voice was drowned out in a burst of noise that sounded like the letting off of strings of firecrackers. Guided by the glare and brightness, Joe and Blake rushed through the jungle to where their old friend had stationed himself. As they reached him they saw him rushing about in the 4°? _ midst of a lot of sparks, while all about him balls from Roman candles shot in various directions. “What is it? What is it?’ cried Blake. 202 MOVING PICTURE BOYS IN THE JUNGLE “T dropped a match in a box of fireworks!” yelled Mr. Piper. “They’re going off!” “IT should say so,” agreed Joe. As he spoke a skyrocket that must have been lying on the ground, or some flat surface, shot over his head with a whiz and a roar. “Look out!’ yelled Blake. But he need not have spoken, for Joe ducked instinctively and the rocket, colliding with a tree, burst with a loud report and a shower of fire. Then came another, so close to C. C. that the actor’s clothes were set ablaze. | “Gee whiz!’ cried Joe. ‘This is the limit!” “Help! Help! cried Mr. Piper, vainly en- deavoring to beat out the flames. Blake,’ seeing the danger, ran to a pool of water, and filling his hat, dashed the liquid over the man. The spray served to put out the flames, and Mr. Piper, beating out the last remaining sparks with his hands, tossed some damp earth on the smouldering box of fireworks. “That’s over, anyhow!” he remarked with a sigh of relief. | “Come on!” yelled Joe. “One last volley and I think we'll have ’em on the run!’ | Then the native porters set up shouts of tri- umph. They were answered with wild yells of ‘A VICTORY 203 fear from the kidnappers. The shooting re- doubled in its sound and glare, | “Give ’em all we have!” yelled Blake, as by the flare of the rockets he saw the mass of na- tives huddled in the centre of the village, too terrified to move. “All we have—that’s right!” echoed Joe, as he sent another aerial bomb aloft. “It’s now or wnever.” The fusillade was greeted with a chorus of groans and yells. Then there burst out a blaze from the centre of the village. “One of the huts is on fire!’ cried Blake. “The sparks have caught on the thatched roof!” “And it’s the king’s, too!” yelled Joe. “Come on, or the other huts may catch—the ones where Jessie and the missionaries are. Come on!” “Go ahead!” cried Sergeant Hotchkiss. “I guess we’ve)got ’em on the run!” And so they had.» Endeavoring to escape from the fire of the guns on the south, the Africans had rushed to the north, there to be met with the fusillade of skyrockets and Roman candles. It was too much for their superstitious natures. They might stand a human assault, but the fire from heaven was too much. 204 MOVING PICTURE BOYS IN THE JUNGLE With howls of fear they rushed off to one side —off into the jungle, deserting their village. — Men, women and children fled, leaving their captives to those who had come to rescue them. | It was a complete victory. “Come on, Dad!” shouted Joe, as he she Blake: rushed into the deserted native village, several huts of which were now ablaze. “We'll get Jessie!” “Jessie! Jessie! Where are you?” cried the — anxious father. “‘We have come to save you!” CHAPTER XXV SISTER JESSIE For a moment there was a lull in the noise. The firing had ceased, the skyrockets and Roman candles had died away. The aerial bombs no longer crashed like thunder over- head. The attacking party, flushed with victory, ceased for the time their cries of delight at the ease with which they had driven OF their “enemies. As for the kidnapping natives, they were no longer in sight, for they had slunk off into the jungle, fearing the just vengeance of those whom they had despoiled and captured. “Jessie! Jessie!’ shouted Mr. Duncan again. “Are you here? We have come to save you?” There was silence again, and then from one of the smaller huts, near the one where the king had dwelt, came girlish tones. “Who is calling me? Yes, 1am here? Oh, 205 206 MOVING PICTURE BOYS IN THE JUNGLE Mr. Brown, is that your What has happened? Where is Mrs. Brown. Oh, what is going on?” “Jessie! Jessie!’ called another voice—one that seemed to come from an adjoining hut. “T did not call. I don’t know what to make of it. My wife is here, but she has fainted. I can't” SS ee er ae i a eee ee, nS ae get out. I’m tied. So is she. Can you escape and tell me what it is? I fear the village is on fire. I heard guns is . , “So did I. Oh! if it is only a rescue——” her voice faltered and she could be heard to sob. “It is a rescue!” shouted Joe. “Dad and I have come for you, Jessie. Tm your brother. Father is here!” “Father—brother!” faltered the tones. “I have none. Iam all alone——” “Hurry out before the hut catches fire!’ cried Mr. Duncan, who, in rushing toward the rude building, had stumbled and fallen. “T am a prisoner—tied fast,” the girl’s voice answered. ‘Oh! whoever you are, save us!” “Come on,” yelled Blake. “This whole place will be on fire in a few minutes. We've got to get ‘em out!” They dashed for the huts. It was a matter of seconds only to tear aside the grass cloth that — served as doors. Then the flames from several burning huts lighted up the interior. ae fe sister JESSIE. ap ‘ i y i ; } meee ue ened! Ae, I’ve found you at ‘last. | aa Yen it is esiew Jessie! Hy exclaimed Bhe was, a baby I aay Lae her any- _ Oh, Jessie, we have you neg) 7 have ; and daughter now!” — Vas ie Mies her sae | Wonderingly s she / hs ‘Ts | it—is it Lene ya” the faltered. Sane a eo ME | ie “Blake, come over: ; d se a, i cried - 408 MOVING PICTURE BOYS IN THE JUNGLE “It’s all right. I got them out,” said Ser- geant Hotchkiss. “They were tied to the cen- tre pole of their hut, but here they are all safe. Not harmed a bit,” and he stood to one side to disclose those whom he had rescued. | “Oh, Jessie! can it be true that we are saved?” cried a lady, as she rushed up and clasped the girlin her arms. “I had almost given up hope.” “The Lord is very good to us,” said a man’s voice behind her, and then Mr. Brown went on: “Dear friends, we cannot thank you enough. It is all a mystery to me. I do not even know you, but can it be possible that our dear little missionary helper has found the relatives she suspected she had, but about whom she was never sure—can she have found them in this strange fashion?” | “No, we found her!’ cried Joe, laughing. “But it’s all the same!’ “Come, hurry away from here!” cried C. C.. Piper. “It’s getting too hot, We can talk later.’ “That’s right,” agreed Mr. Brown. “What about. the native prisoners?’ asked Mr. Duncan. “We should save them, too.” “They are not confined in any huts,” said Mr. Brown. ‘““They were treated as slaves, but not tied up. I fancy they escaped when you drove Ps Cee BOG i : ! rs off. ia your shots, es it eee e too ne be true!” i 210 MOVING PICTURE BOYS IN THE JUNGLE her parentage, without result. Finally she had — been, in a sense, adopted by Mr. and Mrs. Brown and had traveled with them extensively, acting as a helper in their missionary work and eventually coming to Africa. Of the horrors of the raid and the terrors of their trip through the jungle and as captives little was said. They wanted to forget it. Jes- sie told how, in a moment amid the mad scenes, she had written the message in the Bible and tossed it out, hoping some friend would find it. “And it will be easy to forget all the sad scenes now that I have a father and a brother,” said Jessie, as she looked at them both fondly. “Our trip ended most successfully,” said Blake. “Not only did we get some of the best moving — pictures ever filmed, but we found what we came after—Sister Jessie.” : “And what will you do next?” the rescued girl wanted to know, when they had related their strange adventures since coming to Africa, and had told of their work in filming many weird scenes. “It’s hard to say,’ replied Joe. “Things seem to come our way most unexpectedly.” But what they did next and what happened to them will be told of in the next book of this series, SISTER JESSIE 211 to be called “The Movie Boys in Earthquake Land”; or “Filming Pictures Amid Strange Perils.”’ After a rest in the partially burned African village the expedition was reformed and with the former captives—white as well as black—the start for Entebbe was made. There were hard- ships on the way, but they put up with them as best they could. The boys got several more fine films of wild animals, some secured with no little danger, and they shot some big game. “I wouldn’t have missed this for the world,” said Blake when they were on the steamer on the way to New York, accompanied by C. C. Piper, Mr. Duncan, Jessie, of course, and Mr. and Mrs. Brown. For the missionaries decided to take a vacation, as Mrs. Brown was very nervous because of her captivity. “Tt sure was great,” declared Joe. “I hope our circus man likes the films.” And that he did need not be doubted, for Blake and Joe were by this time experts in the moving picture business. And thus, safely on their way to New York, we will take leave of our heroes and their friends. THE END of. - MOVIE BOYS ON CALL, or Filming the Perils of A Great City. Published alts 2, 1926 HE MOVIE BOYS IN THE WILD WEST, _ or Stirring Days Among the Cowboys and Indians. Published January 28, ae “MOVIE BOYS AND THE WRECKERS, Facing the Perils of the Deep. Published F ebruary 28, 1926 E MOVIE BOYS IN THE JUNGLE, Lively | Times Among the Wild Beasts. Published March 28, 1926. “A eatilming Pictures and Strange Perils. Published April 28, 1926 : : oP MOVIE BOYS AND THE _FLOOD, as Days Alqng the Panama Canal Crap Published June 28, ig MOVIE BOYS UNDER THE SEA et r The Treasure of the Lost Ship. Published July 28, 1926 © ar The Search for the Stolen Film, " Published August 28, 1926 r Taking Pictures for the Army. Published’ September 28, 1926 E MOVIE BOYS’ FIRST SHOWHOUSE, ¢ Fighting for a Foothold in Fairlands. Published October 28, 1946 MOVIE BOYS AT SEASIDE PARK, The Rival Photo Houses of the Boardwalk. H MOVIE. Be BOYS on BROADWAY, ‘HE Mc OVIE BOYS" OUTDOOR EXHIBITION, or the Film that Solved the Mystery. Published January 28, 1927 MOVIE BOYS’ NEW IDEA, OVIE BOYS’ WAR SPECTACLE, Published November ai Midas 4 Published December 28, 1 9. ve, x" ee tting | the Best of Their Enemies. Published February 28, 19a 4 Pern Greatest Film Ever Exhibited. Published March 28, r927 v ‘he Film that Won the Prize. — Published April 28, ide Piae The Frank Allen Series By GRAHAM B. FORBES FRANK ALLEN’S SCHOOLDAYS, or The Ali Around Rivals of Columbia High. Published January 2, 1926 FRANK ALLEN PLAYING TO WIN, or the Boys of Columbia High on the Ice. Published January 7, 1926 FRANK ALLEN IN WINTER SPORTS, or Columbia High on Skates and Iceboats. Published February 7, 1926 FRANK ALLEN AND HIS RIVALS, or The Boys of Columbia High in Track Athletics. Published March 7, 1926 FRANK ALLEN—PITCHER or The Boys of Columbia High on the Diamond. Published April 7, 1926 FRANK ALLEN—HEAD OF THE CREW, or The Boys of Columbia High on the River. Published May 7, 1026 FRANK ALLEN IN CAMP, or Columbia High and the School League Rivals. . Published June 7, 1926 Garden City Publishing Co., Imc. Garden City ~ ~ New York ie ELEN DL ETE STORIES ye dia “ed RIDLEY, Jr. "Published January 2, 1936, Nat Ridley at tthe > Magne Mine, { {7 | inp id Published January 21, ae sat Ridley: ns a Life. Published tc 21, 1926 SRIME ( N THE LIMITED, Dee pet suas in 1 the Follies. Published March 21, , toat Many ya) | Published A pril 2 21, 1, 1926 ie “a E STOLEN | NUGGETS OF GOLD, | Ri ae Hai r Ns at t Ridley. on the ee ed _ Published Mag ai, aietd Hi ise Published dates 2i, 1 98 bas y ‘ eines : MxsTERY, | he bog | ion s Queerest Pure Gut a be ape Dd ee & ; Published September 21, sth The Dave Fearless Series By ROY ROCKWOOD DAVE FEARLESS AFTER A SUNKEN TREASURE, 3 or The Rival Ocean Divers. Published January 2, 1926 DAVE FEARLESS ON A FLOATING ISLAND, or The Cruise of the Treasure Ship. Published January 14, 1926 DAVE FEARLESS AND THE CAVE OF MYSTERY, or Adrift on the Pacific. Published February 14, 1926 DAVE FEARLESS AMONG THE ICEBERGS, er The Secret of the Eskimo Igloo. : Published March 14, 1926 DAVE FEARLESS WRECKED AMONG SAVAGES, or The Captives of the Head Hunters. Published April 14, 1926 DAVE FEARLESS AND HIS BIG RAFT, or Alone on the Broad Atlantic. Published May 14, 1926 Garden City Publishing Co., Inc. Garden City - : New York ONEAG OF THE DESERT ee W. C. Tuttle ARIZONA ARGONAUTS He H. Bedford-Jones ass HE C. CANYON OF THE GREEN DEATH by F. R. meee i vais havnt CORRAL by Ralph Cummins “THE SHERIFF OF PECOS by H. ele lines Pee tl ti at WONDERSTRANDS ae Samuel Alexander White ie THE ONE BIG THING by James B. Hendryx AVENGERS OF THE SEA by George Ethelbert Walsh MUSKET HOUSE by Theodore Goodridge Roberts MORMON VALLEY by H. Bedford-Jones THE LAW OF THE RANGE by W. C. Tuttle i ITH ROPE AND BRAND <4 William Maer aahe Raine HE BANDIT OF ‘DEVIL'S OWN by L. De RG oc!” 5H Harold Titus HE OUTLAW OF RATTLESNAKE GAP by H. Bedford-Jones MPS ‘OF THE RANGE by RB, C. Tuttle en City Publishing Co., Inc. es City. Gad eee oe ral York — 12 Famous Authors A Rare Combination of World-Famous Authors, Each Represented by a Notable Work | THE DUEL by Joseph Conrad. An acknewledged master of Eng- lish prose tells a dramatic story of France. NORTH OF 53 (from Pardners) by Rex Beach. In the land of the midnight sun men fight for a living. WINGS by Gene Stratton-Porter. With Nature as a background Mrs. Porter brings the wildfolk close to our hearts. MA PETTENGILL TALKS by Harry Leon Wilson. Do you re- member Ruggles of Red Gap? Ma Pettengill was one of his . friends. UNEDUCATING MARY by Kathleen Norris. From a life of luxury to the hard facts of life goes a conquering girl. THE BEAUTIFUL LADY by Booth Tarkington. A romance under the glamorous Italian moon. THE DARK FLEECE by Joseph Hergesheimer. A forty-niner comes East with his golden fleece which soon fails to glisten. AN AMATEUR by W. B. Maxwell. She thought of suicide— the race that night was against death itself. CAPT. WARDLAW’S KITBAGS by Harold MacGrath. How old was Cupid? Many have guessed, but few have discovered. THE GORGEOUS ISLE by Gertrude Atherton. A bmilliant novel- ist writes of love and regeneration under tropical skies. THE TOUCHSTONE by Edith Wharton. And this is how it happened—but no! Read it for yourself. Mrs. Wharton is « literary artist. ; THE SPANISH JADE by Maurice Hewlett. A fascinating story of the pursuit through Spain of a seductive beauty. ante Garden City Publishing Co., Inc. Garden City - - New York THRILLING, BLOOD - CHILLING EXCITING STORIES! Mystery and Detective Series Follow the crooked trails of criminals—with cour- ageous men face danger and death against an invisible foe-——unravel strange, terrible mysteries. Many ex- citing, throbbing hours are ahead of you. ALL IN A NIGHT’S WORK. By Ethel Watts Mumford and George Bronson Howard THE DEVIL’S HEIRLOOM. By Anthony M. Rud THE DEATH BELL. By Edison Marshall THE CURRENCY EXPERT. By Francis Lynde FLA? 2 By Edgar Wallace GREEN TIMBER THOROUGHBREDS. By Theodore Goodridge Roberts CROOKED SHADOWS. By Gordon Young $10,000 REWARD. By Charles Wesley Sanders THE WATER DEVIL. By Crittenden Marriott THE REMITTANCE WOMAN. By Achmed Abdullah THE MOSS MYSTERY. By Carolyn Wells THE GRAY GULL. By Henry Francis Granger vs a A | A RR A SN Nm serene] Garden City Publishing Co., Inc. Garden City ~ - New York Three Boys’ Books. CAVES OF TERROR By Talbot Mundy A story of two secret service detectives in India. They get mixed up with some natives who take them through caves and grottos which hold all the mysteries and secrets and horrors of the strange East. A hair-raising story. THE OXBOW WIZARD | By Theodore Goodridge Roberts A thrilling story about a boy trapper and amateur de- tective who goes into the Oxbow forest. With splendid daring the boy runs down the villains, but only after a series of adventures which make stirring reading for fathers and mothers as well as sons, THE WHALER By Ben Ames Williams A New England lad stumbled into New Bedford only to — have a man with a gash in his neck fall dead at his feet. Shanghied aboard a whaler the lad goes through a tough cruise with a variety of stirring adventures and comes home a new man. Garden City Publishing Co., Inc. Garden City - - New York ee ae Edition aa Lillian Eichler . ifobcket edition of the famous book which has sold 1 million copies retains all the important portions of ginal. ‘This i is the ideal manual for correct behavior. ish 40 acquire a. sound and convincing mastery of nglish. There are many sample letters, etc. Included is ‘oot ee ata, which must ee be wragy to hand. “spe oF No mai nae he a) ei you ae how to cook, this hone eal ia ble to you. There are 275 ees end: apernysty Th Pe etbie guide to ied forceful English for the yu ee ‘or woman. eprcenren by an experienced execu-— The Movie Boys Series By VICTOR APPLETON THE MOVIE BOYS ON CALL, or Filming the Perils of A Great City. Published January 2, 1926 THE MOVIE BOYS IN THE WILD WEST, or Stirring Days Among the Cowboys and Indians. Published January 28, 1926 THE MOVIE BOYS AND THE WRECKERS, . or Facing the Perils of the Deep. Published February 28, 1926 THE MOVIE BOYS IN THE JUNGLE. or Lively Times Among the Wild Beasts. Published March 28, 1926 THE MOVIE BOYS IN EARTHQUAKE LAND, or Filming Pictures an] Strange Perils. Published April 28, 1926 THE MOVIE BOYS AND THE FLOOD. or Perilous Days on the Mighty Mississippi. Published May 28, 1926 THE MOVIE BOYS IN PERIL, or Strenuous Days Along the Panama Canal. / Published June 28, 1926 THE MOVIE BOYS UNDER THE SEA, or The Treasure of the Lost Ship. Published July 28, 1926 THE MOVIE BOYS UNDER FIRE, or The Search for the Stolen Film. Published August 28, 1926 THE MOVIE BOYS UNDER UNCLE SAM, or Taking Pictures fer the Army. Puhlished September 28, 1926 THE MOVIE BOYS’ FIRST SHOWHOUSE, ; or Fighting for a Foothold in Fairlands. Published October 28, 1926 THE MOVIE BOYS AT SEASIDE PARK, or The Rival Photo Houses of the Boardwalk. , Published November 28, 1926 THE MOVIE BOYS ON BROADWAY, or The Mystery of the Missing Cash Box. Published December 28, 1926 THE MOVIE BOYS’ OUTDOOR EXHIBITION, or the Film that Solved the Mystery. Published January 28, 1927 THE MOVIE BOYS’ NEW IDEA, or Getting the Best of Their Enemies. Published February 28, 1927 THE MOVIE BOYS AT THE BIG FAIR, or The Greatest Film Ever Exhibited. Published March 28, 1927 THE MOVIE BOYS’ WAR SPECTACLE, or The Film that Won the Prize. Published April 28, 1927 Garden City Publishing Co., Inc. Garden City - - New York