The Moving Picture Boys on the War Front | Page 3

more rehearsal and I'm going to start you on the real thing."
Under the direction of the assistants of Mr. Ringold, while Mr. Hadley looked on critically, the Confederates took their positions in and about the old house. They rehearsed the merry-making scenes and Miss Lee and Miss Shay took the parts of the daughters of the Union sympathizer. The two girls, being actresses of some experience, did very well, and the extra people evidently improved, for Mr. Hadley nodded as if satisfied.
"Now, then, Unionists, move up!" he called. "March along the road as if you didn't care whether you met Stonewall Jackson and his men or not. Get a reckless air about you! That's better. Now, then, some action! Lively, boys!"
This part, too, went better; and after a little more rehearsal the producer called to Blake and Joe.
"Go to it, boys! Get the best results you can from this mimic battle. Maybe you'll soon be where it's hotter than this!"
"What does he mean?" asked Joe, as he picked up his camera and took his position where he could film the scenes at the farmhouse.
"I don't know," answered Blake, who was to take pictures of the marching Unionists. "Maybe there are more stunts for us to do in Earthquake Land."
"If there are I'm not going! I'd rather do undersea stuff than be around volcanoes."
"So would I. But we'll talk about that later. Say, that looks better!" and he motioned to the so-styled Confederates, who did seem to be putting more life into their work.
"Yes," agreed Joe. "I guess when it comes to shooting, and all that, there'll be action enough even for Mr. Hadley."
A little later the mimic battle scene was in full swing. Hundreds of blank cartridges were fired, smoke bombs filled the air with their dense vapor, and in the distance bursting shells tore up the earth, far enough removed from the positions of the men to preclude any danger.
The Unionists closed in around the farmhouse. Close-up scenes were made, showing Birdie Lee and Miss Shay fighting off their Confederate admirers.
Then came the turn in the battle where the Southern force had to give way.
"Burn the house, boys!" cried their officer; and this would be flashed on the screen later as a lead.
The dwelling, which had been purchased with the right to burn it, was set afire, and then began a scene that satisfied even the exacting producer. Great clouds of smoke rolled out, most of it coming from specially prepared bombs, and amid them and the red fire, which simulated flames, could be seen the Union leader carrying out his sweetheart, Birdie Lee.
Blake and Joe ground away at their cameras, faithfully recording the scenes for the thrill and delight of those who would afterward see them in comfortable theaters, all unaware of the hard work necessary to produce them.
The Confederates made a last stand at the barn. They were fired upon by the Unionists and finally driven off down the road--such as were left of them--while the victorious Northern fighters put out the fire in the house and the scene ended in the reuniting of long-separated lovers.
"Well, I'm glad that's over!" remarked Mr. Hadley, as he came up to Blake and Joe where they were taking their cameras apart in readiness for carrying them back to the studio. "It didn't go so badly, do you think?"
"I think it'll be a fine picture!" declared Joe.
"The last stand of the Confederates was particularly good," observed Blake.
"Good!" cried the producer. "That's a fine line for a leader--'The Last Stand.' I must make a note of it before I forget it. And now you boys can go back to New York. Have the films developed the first thing and let me know how they have come out."
"They'll probably be spoiled," put in the gloomy voice of C. C.
Mr. Hadley looked around far something to throw at him, but having nothing but his note book, which was too valuable for that, contented himself with a sharp look at the gloomy comedian.
"When will you want us again, Mr. Hadley?" asked Blake, as he and Joe made ready to go back in the automobile to New York, the "Southern" battle scene having taken place in a location outside of Fort Lee on the New Jersey bank of the Hudson River, where many large moving picture studios are located.
"Oh, that's so! I did want to talk to you about something new I have in mind," said Mr. Hadley. "Blake--and you, too, Joe--are you game for some dangerous work?"
"Do you mean such as we had in Earthquake Land?" asked Blake.
"Or under the sea?" inquired his partner.
"This is a call to battle," replied Mr. Hadley. "And it's real battle, too! None of this smoke-bomb stuff! Boys, are you game for some actual fighting?"
CHAPTER II
THE ACCIDENT
Not at all to