"A bit rough!" exclaimed Russ with a smile. "I like the way you say it. But the rougher it is the better effect we'll get on the film. I'll be ready when you are, Captain Brisco."
"All right, I'll have the boat over at once," and the commander gave the necessary orders for lowering the Ajax over the side. This had been provided for when she was cradled, so there was little delay at this task.
"Are we to do any 'stunts,' while Russ is taking pictures?" asked Alice of the manager.
"No, you are just to stand around on deck, and look a bit anxious. You are supposed to be an old-time passenger packet you know, on a long voyage, and you are running away from the storm. We don't want many feet of this film—just enough to indicate what is to come. The real shipwreck—that is the imitation of it—will come later, when this storm blows over. Get on the side where the motorboat will be," the manager directed, "and line up along the rail."
While Russ was "loading" his camera, Ruth and Alice watched the sailors getting the Ajax ready. The engine had been tested, and seemed to work well. Jack Jepson came along with a small keg of water, and a bundle done up in a piece of sail cloth.
"What's that for?" asked Alice.
"Provisions and water," answered the old sailor.
"But they're only going to be away a few minutes," the girl objected. "They won't want anything to eat or drink."
"It's a rule of th' sea," said old Jack, "never to put a boat over the side without provisioning and watering her. You never can tell what will happen on th' ocean. I've seen boats put out just for a little row around, and a fog would come up, and they'd be away nearly a week. And when they didn't have any water or food aboard—well, Miss, them's not nice things to talk about to ladies," he said simply. And Alice understood.
The storm seemed to be holding off, at least for a time. Far away the dark mass of the British steamer could be seen. The Ajax was soon ready, and lowered to the heaving water.