"Are you really going to jump your horse down a cliff?" asked Alice.
"I really am," was the smiling answer. "There is to be no fake about this. But really there is little danger. I am so used to horses."
"Yes, and I marvel at you," put in Ruth. "Where did you learn it all?"
"I don't know. It seems to come natural to me."
"You must have lived on a ranch a long time," ventured Ruth.
"Did I? Well, perhaps I did. Say, lace this up the back for me, that's a dear," and she turned around so that Alice or Ruth could fasten a corset-like pad that covered a large part of her body. It would not show under her dress, but would be a protection in case of a fall.
Alice and Ruth were so greatly interested in the coming perilous leap of Estelle's that they did not pursue their inquiries about her life on a ranch, though Alice casually remarked that it was strange she did not speak more about it.
The two DeVere girls had no part in this one scene, and they went to watch it, safely out of range of the cameras. For there were to be two snapping this jump, to avoid the necessity of a retake in case one film failed.
"All ready now!" called Mr. Pertell, when there had been several rehearsals up to the actual point of making the jump. Estelle had raced out of the woods bearing the message. The Confederate guerrillas had pursued her, and she had found the bridge burned—one built for the purpose and set fire to.
"All ready for the jump?" asked the director.