The Moving Picture Girls at Sea
L >> Laura Lee Hope >> The Moving Picture Girls at SeaMr. Pertell looked bewildered.
"Perhaps I can explain," said Ruth, "and if I go wrong, Jack, please
correct me."
"That I will, Miss!" he exclaimed.
Thereupon Ruth told the whole story, much more connectedly, and more
briefly, than would have been possible for the old salt. But Ruth had
the knack of condensing a long scenario into a few words.
"Was that it?" she asked Jack, when she had finished.
"That's it, Miss, an' you did me more credit in the story than I
deserved."
"Oh, no I didn't," Ruth said, smiling. "I'd like to help you solve that
mystery, too--the mystery of the disappearance of the captain and Mike
Tullane."
"That's it!" cried Jack. "If I could only find one of them, or if some
of th' real mutineers would confess, it would clear me an' I could be
free t' roam wherever I wanted t' in th' world. But it's too much t'
hope for that. But you said th' name of th' vessel we was t' make
believe be shipwrecked on was th' _Mary Ellen_, sir," and he turned to
the manager. "The _Mary Ellen_ was the name of the craft where the
mutiny occurred. Could it be--" he paused, hope showing on his eager
face.
"No, there's hardly a chance that this is the same one," said Mr.
Pertell. "_Mary Ellen_ is a common name for vessels," he went on, "and
there must be scores with it painted on their bows. I don't know
anything about the vessel I have bought, but I doubt if she was ever in
a mutiny. She is a very old craft, and isn't really fit for service now.
But her owners say she will do for what I want. We are going to take her
to Southern waters, and the main scenes of the drama will be
photographed aboard her, and around her."
"Where is the craft now, if I may ask?" inquired Mr. DeVere.
"Over in Erie Basin," answered the manager. "I am having her fitted up,
and a crew is being engaged. Of course it will be some time before we
sail, but I want to get everything in readiness. So suppose we take a
run over there now, and look at her."
"That suits me!" exclaimed Jack, to whom matters nautical were as the
breath of life. "And I hope you'll sign me on, sir; when it comes to
makin' up your crew, sir."
"I intend to ship you," was the answer. "Captain Brisco said he would
need some good officers. You have a mate's certificate, have you not,
Jack."
"Yes, sir, and mighty glad and proud I'll be to fill that berth, sir."
"Oh, won't it be jolly to go sailing!" exclaimed Alice. "I shall just
_love_ it!"
Mr. DeVere sighed resignedly.
"I'm afraid it won't be very good for your throat, Daddy," said Ruth in
a low tone. "The damp air will be sure to make you cough."
"Oh, well--" he began.
Mr. Pertell overheard what was said.
"I don't like to ask you, Mr. DeVere," he said, "to do anything that
will be bad for your health. But I certainly need your services, and
those of your daughters, in this sea drama. Otherwise I would not ask
you to run any risks with your throat.
"But I will say this. We shall not be afloat until Summer, and, as we
shall be in a warm climate, perhaps the bad effects will not be so
pronounced."
"No, I think so myself," the old actor admitted. "It may even do me
good. I will doctor up in the meanwhile. And I realize that if I do not
go, my daughters cannot. I would not like to have them miss this fine
opportunity."
"Oh, Daddy! We wouldn't go if it harmed you!" Alice cried.
"Oh, I dare say I can manage," her father replied. "The new treatment I
am taking seems to agree with me. Who knows? Perhaps, when it comes time
to sail, my throat may not trouble me at all."
"Let us hope so," Alice broke in. "I do so love the water, and the
Southern sea will be a dream!"
Perhaps if Alice could have looked ahead, and seen what lay before her,
she would not have been so enthusiastic in anticipating the future.
Mr. Pertell saw that the other plays under way in the studio were
running smoothly, and then prepared to take Mr. DeVere, his daughters,
and the old sailor over to Erie Basin, to inspect the _Mary Ellen_, as
she lay in her slip, being refitted for another voyage--her last--for
she was to rest beneath the waves when she had played her part in the
moving picture play.
"I wish I were going with you," said Russ Dalwood, as Ruth passed him
where he was having a moment's respite from grinding away at the crank
of a camera.
"I wish so, too," she answered, in a low voice.
"But I've got to stay here, and grind away at this film," he said
hopelessly.
"We'll see you to-night," she called to him, as she went out.
Paul Ardite waved to Alice as she "twinkled" her fingers at him. Paul
was in a cowboy costume, playing a scene in the cowboy story, which
seemed to be giving more and more trouble as it proceeded.
"This is the fifth time we've done that act," Paul called to Alice in an
aside as she passed. "And all because Mr. Bunn is so fussy. They'll take
him out, if he isn't careful. Where are you going, Alice?"
"Over to see _Mary Ellen_."
"Who's she? A new actress?"
"Yes, she's a 'she' I suppose, and she's going to have a big part in a
drama. I'll tell you about it later."
The _Mary Ellen_ certainly did not present a very trim appearance as the
little party went aboard her at the dock in Erie Basin. The decks were
cluttered up with an assortment of ropes, planks, casks, boxes and other
things, so that it was impossible to move about without great care. On
coming in sight of the craft Jack Jepson's face wore a look of
expectancy.
"She might be the same _Mary Ellen_ that I was on," he said.
But when he saw that the craft had three masts, whereas the ship where
the mutiny had occurred boasted of five, Jack shook his head.
"She isn't th' same ship," he murmured.
Yet as he stepped on deck he gave a start, and an exclamation escaped
his lips.
"What's the matter?" asked Alice, who was near him.
"Well, Miss, you may think it strange," he said, "but if I had my eyes
shut, I'd say I was on my old ship--th' _Mary Ellen_ I was tellin' you
about."
"But she had five masts, and this one----"
"Yes, I know, Miss Alice. But, masts or no masts there's somethin' about
this craft that's strangely familiar. I'm sure I've been on her before,
and yet--no, it can't be--three masts can't make five, no matter how you
count."
"Well, this is the ship," said Mr. Pertell to his guests. "This will be
our home when we get her fitted up in ship-shape. I don't know much
about such things myself, so I've given Captain Brisco full charge. He
is to get her in readiness."
"Well, if you were to ask me I should say it would take the greater part
of a year to get this in ship-shape," said Ruth. "I never saw such
confusion--never!" and she gazed about the deck.
"Why, Miss, this isn't anythin'--nothin' at all!" cried Jack Jepson.
"With a few of my old shipmates I could get this craft ready for a
voyage in half a day--that is, if she's all right below th' water line,"
he added as an afterthought.
"I'm trusting all that to Captain Brisco," said Mr. Pertell. "He was
recommended to me by the ones from whom I purchased this boat. I think
he will have everything in ship-shape for us in time."
As they stood looking about the deck a man came up from below. From his
appearance he was unmistakably a sailor, and one in authority. He issued
several orders, on hearing which a number of men bestirred themselves,
and then, catching sight of the little party, he called out in rough
tones.
"Come now! What's this? No visitors are allowed on board here. Get
ashore at once!"
"Hello, Captain Brisco!" called Mr. Pertell. "That is, if that's the
proper nautical greeting."
"Oh, Mr. Pertell. I didn't recognize you," said the commander of the
_Mary Ellen_. "I beg your pardon! Won't you walk this way?"
"We are on a little tour of inspection," the manager went on. "These are
some of my principle moving picture actors, and I want them to get
familiar with the ship. And, Captain Brisco, this is an old salt who
will be with us. He is to be second mate, I believe. Jack Jepson, let me
present you to Captain Brisco."
A strange look came over the old salt's face. He stepped forward and
burst out with:
"I guess I've met Captain Brisco before, but that wasn't his
name--then!"
Captain Brisco started back as though a shot had been fired near him.
CHAPTER VII
JEPSON IS WORRIED
For an instant only did the commander of the _Mary Ellen_ show signs of
perturbation. He recovered himself with an effort, hardly obvious to the
moving picture girls who were watching. It was as though a cloud had
passed over the sun so quickly as to give an observer no time to glance
up and see it, before the shadow was gone. Then Captain Brisco smiled.
"I think you've made a mistake, my man," he said, with the air of one
used to commanding. "I'm sure I don't know you, whether or not you think
you have had the pleasure of my acquaintance. How about it?"
He turned a sharp look on Jack Jepson, and the latter faltered.
"Well--well, maybe I am mistaken," he said slowly. "But I sure did take
you for an old shipmate of mine. I sure did--an old shipmate," and he
spoke the words slowly.
"For instance--who?" asked Captain Brisco, and the words seemed to come
out like the closing of the jaws of a steel trap.
"Oh--er--you wouldn't know if I told you," said Jack. "I guess I was
mistaken," he added.
"And I'm sure of it," Captain Brisco said, coolly. "I don't know many in
these parts, for I've been away for some time. And--er--who might you
be?" he asked, with more of that commanding air.
"This is the sailor who will be one of your mates on our little trip,"
explained Mr. Pertell. "You said you would need officers, even for a
short voyage such as we intend making, so I picked up Jack Jepson. Do
you think he'll do?"
"Depends on how much he knows of navigation," was the sharp answer.
"Oh, I have my certificate," Jack answered. "If you want t' see it I
have it----"
"Never mind now," interposed Captain Brisco. "There are a thousand and
one things to do, and nothing seems to be going right. Lay aloft there,
some of you!" he cried to a group of men. "Get those halyards reeved and
straightened out. Think we're going to lie here all Summer? Lively now!
I think I could use you, if you've any knack of handling men," he added
in lower tones, turning to Jack. "It's slow work, getting fitted out."
"I could come any time," Jepson answered, and Alice noted that the old
sailor gazed furtively now and then at the captain. It was as though he
wanted to impress his memory with the face of the commander. "I'm over
in Sailors' Snug Harbor," Jepson went on, "I came over to do some
actin'----"
"Yes, this play acting business is new to me, too," said Captain Brisco.
"But I suppose I can get used to it. Seems rather queer to go to all
this work and expense," he went on to Mr. Pertell, "just to fit a
schooner out, and then sink her. It's a waste of good money, I should
say."
"We'll get our money back, never fear, if the film turns out all right,"
said Mr. Pertell. "Now how are you coming on? That's what I came to see.
I want some of my principal actors to get familiar with the ship, so I
brought them down. I started with Jepson, up in the studio," he added in
a lower voice, for the benefit of Captain Brisco, "but he balked, I'll
tell you about it later. He can stay and help you if you like."
"Well, I probably can use him," the commander said, as he looked at
Jepson, who was wandering about the deck with a curiously abstracted
air.
"Sort of funny thinking he knew you, wasn't it?" commented Mr. Pertell,
while Alice, Ruth and Mr. DeVere looked on with interest at the various
activities connected with getting the _Mary Ellen_ ready for sea.
"Oh, not at all queer," answered Captain Brisco, quickly. "I have
commanded so many men and ships in my day that I must be familiar by
name, at least, to hundreds of sailors. But I never saw this Jepson
before. However, he seems to be a good, honest soul."
"Too honest, by far!" laughed Mr. Pertell. "He wouldn't even pretend to
take some false papers to carry out a film idea. Said he'd been in
enough trouble over being falsely accused in a mutiny!"
"A mutiny!" exclaimed Captain Brisco. "A mutiny!"
"Yes. Why, is that remarkable?" asked the manager, for Captain Brisco
seemed startled.
"No, oh, no! I don't know as it is. I was only thinking if he was given
to starting mutinies, he wouldn't be a safe man to have on board here."
"Oh, you needn't fear for Jepson," the manager said. "He was innocent in
that mutiny affair, I believe. But now as to details. I want to consult
with you in regard to certain matters."
And while the captain and manager sought a quiet corner, where they
might converse, and go over the plot of the great marine drama, Alice
and Ruth wandered about the ship. The sailors who were fitting her out
looked curiously at the girls as they went to and fro. Mr. DeVere found
a sheltered spot where he said he would wait until Mr. Pertell was
finished with the captain.
"Does your throat pain you much?" asked Alice solicitously.
"Oh, not as much as I expected, coming so near the water. I think it
will be all right. Don't worry."
"Isn't it perfectly wonderful, to think we're going to be on board this
schooner!" exclaimed Alice to her sister. "And are we going to sleep
here and eat here, Jack?" she asked, as the old sailor came toward them.
"Well, Miss, if you goes on a voyage you can't walk off th' ship
whenever you want to, you know, to get a berth, and some grub. I mean
something to eat and a place to sleep," he quickly translated. "You has
to stay right on board until the voyage ends."
"Oh, and could we see where we sleep?" asked Ruth.
"The staterooms? Yes, of course," said Captain Brisco, who with Mr.
Pertell came forward just then. "Jepson, take the ladies below. If
you're a sailor you don't need to be told the way."
"No, sir," was the respectful answer. Jack seemed to have acquired new
dignity since coming aboard; and it was noticeable, a little later, that
he took more pains with his talk, being more grammatical, and
pronouncing his words better, as befitted a mate.
"And I want to see where they do the cooking," remarked Ruth. "What is
it they call it--the alley?"
"The galley," corrected Alice. "Don't you remember?"
"Oh, yes, so it is. What a funny name for a kitchen."
"This way," directed Jack, as he started for the companionway. Meanwhile
Mr. Pertell and Captain Brisco having settled on certain details, called
Mr. DeVere into consultation, since that actor was to have a prominent
part in the scenes that would take place aboard the ship.
Jack Jepson led his two pretty charges below, where some men were also
at work. They inspected the sleeping quarters, the galley and other
parts of the ship. Then, at the suggestion of Alice they penetrated to
the men's quarters--the forecastle, or "fo'cas'l," as Jack pronounced
it, sailor-fashion.
As they passed two carpenters doing some "patch-work," Jack paused and
looked closely at what they were doing. Suddenly he turned to Alice and
asked:
"Is this craft to make a voyage all by herself?"
"A short one--yes," Alice answered, for she had looked over the
scenario. "Why do you ask?"
"Oh, nothin'--nothin'--," answered Jack Jepson. "Only, oh, well, I
s'pose it's all right," he went on. But as he led the way forward Ruth
noticed a look of worriment on the face of the old sailor. It was so
evident that it startled her--the more so as she heard him murmur:
"Going all by herself; eh? Well, she certainly needs a consort."
CHAPTER VIII
HARD WORK
Ruth took advantage of the first opportunity to question Sailor Jack
Jepson. The memory of that look on his face haunted her. But it was not
until they had come from the _Mary Ellen_ that Ruth found her chance.
While on board, arrangements had been made for taking some of the
preliminary scenes of the marine drama, and Mr. Pertell urged Captain
Brisco to hasten, as much as he could, the preparations for the voyage.
But finally, when Alice and her father had gone on ahead, walking with
Mr. Pertell, and were deep in a discussion about a certain scene, Ruth
found a chance to ask:
"Didn't you like what you saw downstairs in the _Mary Ellen_, Jack?"
"Downstairs, Miss?" the sailor questioned, a puzzled look on his face.
"Or whatever the right sea-term is for under the deck?" she went on.
"Oh, you mean below."
"Yes, didn't you like what you saw below?" asked Ruth.
"What do you mean, Miss?"
"Well, you didn't seem altogether pleased. I don't want them to hear,"
she went on, motioning to her father and sister, "but you looked
worried. Was anything--wrong?"
"Wrong? No, Miss, not exactly wrong. But some of them fellers didn't
seem to know their business in repairin' a ship, that was all. But we
aren't goin' on much of a voyage, so I don't s'pose it matters--much."
"But we are going on a pretty long trip, and for a time we'll all be
alone on board the _Mary Ellen_, some distance from land," Ruth said. "I
know, for I've read the outlines."
"Is that so, Miss? Why--I--I didn't exactly know that. I wonder if I'd
better----"
Before Jack Jepson could continue Mr. Pertell turned back and called:
"Oh, I believe I forgot to tell you people, but we are also to have a
motorboat in connection with the _Mary Ellen_. A big, powerful gasoline
craft, she is, called the _Ajax_. She'll follow us, part of the time,
for some of the pictures have to be taken from a distance, as she trails
along at the stern. We'll have plenty of time for rehearsal, though."
"Ah, a motorboat to follow us. Then there isn't so much danger," said
Jack Jepson, and he seemed talking to himself.
"Danger!" exclaimed Ruth. "What do you mean by that?"
"Danger? Did I say danger, Miss?" he asked, and again Ruth was surprised
at the strange look on his face.
"You certainly did say it," she replied.
"Well, I didn't mean it," he said, though he spoke with an obvious
effort. "I meant it would be much more company--company for you folks as
aren't used to sailin' the seas. That's all, Miss. Oh, no, there's no
real danger--that is there won't be to _you_, as long as old Jack Jepson
can ward it off," he murmured under his breath.
The little party went back to the studio, and, after lunch, some of the
easiest and less important scenes in the marine drama were rehearsed.
Sailor Jack soon understood what was wanted of him, and did very well.
Ruth and Alice took pleasure in coaching the honest, simple old salt.
His too-conscientious scruples about doing a seemingly wrongful act were
overcome when it was explained to him, and he went through the scene in
the studio shipping office very well.
"And that will be all you'll have to do for a few days," Manager Pertell
told him. "You will not be needed to take part in any scenes until we
get ready for the second act. Meanwhile you had better arrange to stay
aboard the _Mary Ellen_, while she is in the Erie Basin, and help
Captain Brisco."
"That I will! Aye, aye, sir!" exclaimed Jack. "And it'll be a relief to
be where I can feel the heave of a deck, even if the craft is anchored,
and to smell the real salt water again. I'll go aboard as soon as I can
get back to the Snug Harbor, and stow my dunnage in a bag."
He really seemed delighted to make the change, and the worried look left
his face, though Ruth could not forget the shadow it had cast. What did
it mean? She asked herself this over and over again.
Meanwhile there was hard work for the moving picture girls and Mr.
DeVere. A company engaged in the making of films does not content itself
with merely producing one big play. There are any number of small reels
that are needed, as "fillers." Some of them are called "split reels,"
meaning that there are two plays, or sketches, on each one. And in the
intervals of going through scenes in "Out on The Deep," or rehearsing
for them, Ruth and Alice took part, with others of the Comet
organization, in the making of many pictures.
Several weeks went by in this way. Spring was gradually turning into
Summer, to the delight of the girls, who loved the outdoors. Of course
they loved Winter, too, for they had many outdoor scenes to take part in
then, since snow effects are always easy to photograph.
"But Summer is the best!" cried Alice, gaily dancing about the studio,
after she had finished in a little comedy scene, one day.
"I think so, too," agreed Ruth.
"And when we get out on the deep blue sea," the younger girl added, "it
will be ideal. Oh, I can hardly wait for the _Mary Ellen_ to start on
her last voyage. Isn't it too bad she has to be sunk?" she asked.
"Yes, it is rather tragic," agreed Ruth. "I hope we get far enough away
when she takes her last plunge beneath the waves," she added with an
involuntary shudder.
"Oh, trust Captain Brisco for that," Alice said.
"I had rather trust--Sailor Jack Jepson," murmured Ruth in a low voice.
Meanwhile work on refitting the schooner had gone on apace. The moving
picture girls, and their friends, had paid several visits to her, and
found Captain Brisco, Jack Jepson and the others hard at work making the
vessel a semblance of her former self.
"She's an old tub," said Jack to the girls, "but she's in better shape
than she was when you were here afore, Missies."
And indeed the _Mary Ellen_ did seem so. A new coat of paint added as
much to her appearance, as a new dress and hat does to a young lady,
though _Mary Ellen_ could no longer be classed as young.
Then came a day when many members of the theatrical company, including
Jack Jepson, who now enjoyed that distinction, were taken down to the
seacoast, some distance from New York. They went in a tug specially
hired for the occasion.
"Some of the scenes of the marine drama take place on the seacoast,"
explained Mr. Pertell. "I want to get them now, when we have the chance.
I need a rocky shore, and this is the nearest one we can reach. Get
ready now. We have rehearsed these scenes, you remember."
They were not easy scenes, and, even though they had been gone over in
the studio, when it came to actually going through them on the beach,
one difficulty after another arose.
In the first place it was a raw, windy day, and there was a pretty high
sea, dashing up among the rocks of the shore, and sending a spray over
toward the cameras.
"I can't do anything from this point!" finally complained Russ Dalwood,
who was at the machine. "I've spoiled about a hundred feet of film now.
We'll have to get around that point."
"All right," agreed Mr. Pertell, "but the scenery isn't so good there."
But when one difficulty was disposed of another one was found. Mr. Bunn
made trouble when he was asked to do a certain "fall" in the water. He
complained that he did not want to spoil his tall hat.
"Oh, you and your tall hat!" impatiently exclaimed the manager. "Go on
with that scene, I tell you!"
"But I--er--I--" expostulated the old actor.
Before he could make further objection a mist of heavy spray dashed over
him, thoroughly wetting his beloved hat.
"There!" cried Mr. Pertell. "Your tile is spoiled anyhow, now go on and
fall in. It can't get any wetter!"
"Oh, what a life! What a life!" groaned the "Ham" actor, but he went
through the "business." Perhaps he realized that other engagements were
not any too plentiful for men of his talent.
Nor did Ruth and Alice have an easy time. They had to scramble over
rocks, they had to escape from smugglers, they had to hide in caves,
and once Alice had to fall down on the rocks, and pretend to be hurt. It
was a very real fall, too, and she did not have to make much of a
pretense at limping.
"Oh, I'm so sorry!" exclaimed Paul Ardite, hastening to her side. "Shall
I carry you?" he asked eagerly.
"No indeed. I'm all right. I just----"
"Keep back there, Paul! Keep back!" cried Mr. Pertell. "Don't get in
range and spoil the picture. That's fine, Miss DeVere. It's very
natural--that limp!"
"It ought to be!" murmured Alice, biting her lips to keep back an
exclamation of pain. "It's real enough, especially the pain."
Moving picture acting is not all as easy as it seems.
CHAPTER IX
THE RISING TIDE
"Well, that's very good, so far," said Mr. Pertell, when there came a
lull in the taking of the preliminary scenes of the marine film. "A
little more life wouldn't have hurt any, but the conditions aren't just
the best. It was fairly well done."
"Huh! Fairly well done!" exclaimed Pepper Sneed. "I wonder what he
wants, anyhow? I nearly broke my neck scrambling over those rocks, and
the skin is all gone from the palms of my hands, and all he says is that
it was 'fairly well done!' I wonder what he wants, anyhow?"
"Ha! He vants dot you shouldt altogedder preak your neck, ain't it?" put
in Mr. Switzer. "Dot vould be a real funny picture, alretty yet!" he
went on in his favorite character of a Dutch comedian. "Preak your neck,
Mr. Sneed, und let Russ make der picture."
"Ha! I think I see myself!" exclaimed the "grouch," as he looked for a
seaweed-cushioned rock whereon to sit. "There's been a lot of trouble
today, but, mark my words, there'll be more before we have finished.
That's all I've got to say," and by the sour look on his face anyone
would have thought that he rejoiced in his prediction of trouble to
come.