“The look of Broadway.”
The day fixed for the expedition was one of those that frown before they smile, and while it was frowning there were many misgivings among those who assembled for the early train into New York.
“I wonder,” queried McConnell, “why the weather always tries to frighten photographers like this. We all know it will clear up.” And it did.
When they reached the end of the railway journey the sun was cheering the jaded troops, whitening the sand of the beach and the canvas of the tents; glistening on the harness of the cavalry horses, on the muskets of the guard, in the folds of the regimental flags.
The great Montauk camp opened before the visitors in an imposing way; yet it seemed less of a show at the outset than the boys had expected. What it all meant came to them later. The longer they stayed, the wider and more populous it seemed to grow.
When they found the elder McConnell, he was on guard duty, and it was two hours later before he could go about with them; but meanwhile he called Terry, the big reporter, and Terry promised the boys he would help them get some pictures of interest. To begin with, he carried them off to the Rough Riders’ camp.
“But, mind you,” he said, “I want some prints. I can use them in a magazine article I am getting up.”
The camera people were first introduced to “Teddy,” the eagle mascot of the Rough Riders, who sat on the ridge-pole of a tent, and refused to pose when he was asked. But they all trained their lenses on him, and, in almost every instance, got a silhouette against the bright sky.
Allan made free to tell Terry that he would like to photograph Colonel Roosevelt.