"Wasn't it?" agreed Alice.

Mr. Pertell, after properly sympathizing with the girls, declared himself
delighted with the unexpected film of the manatee.

"I tell you we didn't make any mistake coming to Florida," he said.
"We'll get pictures here that no other company can touch."

And later this was found to be so, for the films made under the palms
created quite a sensation when shown in New York.

Mr. DeVere, as usual, was somewhat perturbed when he learned what his
daughters had gone through, and again expressed his doubts as to the
advisability of keeping them in moving picture work.

"Oh, but that might have happened to anyone--if we were out after
orchids, instead of being filmed," protested Alice. "I don't ever want to
think of giving up this work."

"Nor do I!" added Ruth, with more energy than she usually exhibited.

The players were out in the palm forest. It was several days after the
episode of the manatee, and the steamer, with a plentiful supply of wood
fuel, had gone up another sluggish stream, some miles farther on.

Quite an elaborate drama was to be filmed and the "full strength of the
company," as Paul laughingly said, was required. Even little Tommy and
Nellie were to used in some of the scenes.

"Isn't it wild and desolate in here?" remarked Ruth, with a little