"Oh, now we're all right, Daddy!" cried Ruth, as she nestled close to her father. Mr. DeVere had been allowed to go in the boat with his daughters, as there was plenty of room, and all the other women had been provided for. "I wasn't worrying," declared Alice. "Oh yes, it's easy to say that now," sighed Ruth. "But I'm sorry for poor Captain Falcon." "He is a brave man," said Mr. DeVere, again. The _Bell_ came as close as was safe, and a little later the small boats rowed to her accommodation ladder, which had been lowered. Then began the risky work of getting from the small boats to this ladder, and so aboard the _Bell_. For there was now a little sea on, and the boats rose and fell to a considerable degree. But the sailors were skillful, and soon all the passengers and baggage were transferred. Russ was the last to leave the _Tarsus_, and the last to go aboard the _Bell_, for he wanted every view he could get. He was received with a cheer, given not only by his friends, but by the passengers and crew of the _Bell_. For Mr. Pertell had told of the devotion to duty of the young operator, and his act was duly appreciated. Back to the burning vessel--perhaps, for all they knew, back to their doom--rowed the sailors of the _Tarsus_. The chief mate of the _Bell_, at the request of his commander, went to consult with Captain Falcon. On returning, the mate reported that Captain Falcon felt he could get the fire under control, and also make repairs to enable him to get his ship to port. "Then we will proceed," said Captain Blackstone, of the _Bell_. He gave the signal to go ahead, and soon the ill-fated _Tarsus_, with the smoke pall hanging about her, was left behind. But it is a pleasure to record that, after a hard fight, Captain Falcon and his men did subdue the flames, and, after harder work, temporary repairs enabled them to limp into port. Thus the commander saved his ship, and also avoided the payment, on the part of the owners, of heavy salvage. Later he was suitably rewarded by his superiors. "Oh, but what an experience!" lamented Miss Pennington, as she sank into a steamer chair after the rescue. "I wonder what sort of a stateroom we'll have here, Laura?" "They'll be lucky if they get even a berth," grumbled Paul. For the _Bell_ carried a number of passengers, and the addition of those from the _Tarsus_ rather crowded her. But accommodations were found for all, though the quarters were rather cramped. The _Bell_ was bound direct for St. Augustine, and in due season, and without further mishap, the moving picture company reached that oldest city in the United States. CHAPTER VIII ST. AUGUSTINE "Oh, isn't it beautiful!" "The most gorgeous place I ever saw!" Alice and Ruth were standing in the doorway of the hotel to which the moving picture company had been taken. They were looking out into the ladies' court--into a sun-lit and palm-girded garden, wherein a fountain played, the water falling with a musical tinkling.