This hill would, in the motion pictures, form a stronghold of the Southern forces and it would be demolished by shells from the large cannon, and then would follow a charge on the part of the Union soldiers. Real shells, with large explosive charges in them, would be used, but it is needless to say that when the shots were fired at the hill the players taking the parts of the Southerners would be at a safe distance. "They're just trying it out now," observed Russ, who with Paul, was walking over the fields with Alice and Estelle. "Mr. Pertell wants to get the range, and decide on the best places from which to make the pictures. I think we'll film some to-morrow if it's a good day." "What's the matter with your eyes, Estelle?" asked Paul, as he looked at her. "Were you working in the studio to-day? I know those lights always affect my sight." "Why, no, I wasn't in the studio," and then Estelle realized why her eyes were so inflamed--it was from crying. She gave Alice a meaning glance, as though to enjoin silence, but she need have had no fears. Alice would not betray the secret. The big gun had been mounted on a level piece of land, not far from the hill, and on this plain had been thrown up earthworks behind which the Union forces would take their stand in an effort to reduce the Confederate stronghold. "They're going to fire!" cried Estelle as they came within sight of the gun, and saw, by the activities of the men about it, that a shot was about to be delivered. Alice covered her ears with her hands, and Russ and Paul stood on their tiptoes and opened their mouths wide. "What in the world are they doing that for?" asked Estelle. "I can't hear a word you say!" called Alice, making her voice loud, to overcome her own hearing handicap. "There she goes!" cried Russ. The earth trembled as flames and smoke belched from the muzzle of the cannon, and the girls screamed. Something black was seen for an instant in the air amid the swirl of smoke, and then another portion of the hill was seen to lift itself up into the air and dirt and stones were scattered about. "A good shot!" observed Russ, letting himself down off his tiptoes. "That would make a dandy scene for the film." "That's right," agreed Paul, also letting himself down and closing his opened mouth. "Why did you do that?" asked Estelle, when the echoes of the firing had died away. "Why did you stand on your toes, and open your mouths?"