uppermost in his mind, he continued to grind away at the camera crank.

"This will be a peach of a film!" he exulted.

"Oh, Paul! Is it going to attack us?" asked Ruth.

Paul did not answer, but jabbed with his oar at the manatee and struck it
on the head. The sea cow dived, and this produced the desired result, for
the rope slipped off its flipper, and it was free. It went under the
boat, rubbed along on the keel with its back a short distance, causing
Ruth and Alice to scream as their craft careened, and then vanished for
good.

"Oh, thank goodness! It's gone!" gasped Ruth.

Their boat began to drop down stream, until the dragging anchor caught
and held it. Russ now ceased to work the camera.

"I don't know just how we can incorporate that scene in this drama," he
admitted; "but I suppose Mr. Pertell can find a way. He generally does.
Now, if you girls are up to it, we'll finish with the regular play. I'll
have to slip in some new film, though."

"Oh, I guess we can go on, after we quiet down a bit," Ruth said, and a
little later she and her sister, with Paul, went through with the
business of the play as originally laid down in the scenario.

"What a strange experience!" observed Ruth, as they were returning to the
steamer.