“Oh, yes, we’ve taken some pretty big ones,” Blake’s chum admitted, as he thought of the time when they had so recently been in the flooded Mississippi Valley, and when they had risked danger and death in the jungle, and in earthquake land.

“Though, I suppose,” went on Mr. Alcando, as he folded the part of a letter Blake had picked up, “I suppose there are big guns at Panama—­if one could get pictures of them—­eh?” and again he looked sharply at Blake—­for what reason our hero could not determine.

“Oh, yes, there are big guns down there,” said Joe.  “I forget their size, and how far they can hurl a projectile.  But we’re not likely to get a chance to take any pictures, moving or otherwise, of the defenses.  I fancy they are a sort of government secret.”

“I should think so,” spoke Blake, and there was a curious restraint in his manner, at which Joe wondered.

“Yes, we probably won’t get much chance to see the big guns,” went on the Spaniard.  “But I am content if I learn how to become a moving picture operator.  I shall write to my friend and tell him the difference between the word ‘one’ and ‘gun.’  He will laugh when he finds out his mistake; will he not?” and he glanced at Blake.

“Probably,” was the answer.  Blake was doing some hard thinking just then.

“But so you have decided to go to the Canal?” asked the Spaniard, when he had collected his scattered papers.

“Yes, we are going down there,” answered Blake, “and as Mr. Hadley wishes you to go along, of course we’ll take you with us, and teach you all we know.”

“I hope I shall not be a burden to you, or cause you any trouble,” responded the Spaniard, politely, with a frank and engaging smile.

“Oh, no, not at all!” returned Joe, cordially.  He had taken quite a liking to the chap, and anticipated pleasure in his company.  Usually when he and Blake went off on moving picture excursions they had some members of the Film Theatrical Company with them, or they met friends on the way, or at their destination.  But neither C.C.  Piper, nor any of the other actors were going to the Canal, so Blake and Joe would have had to go alone had it not been for the advent of Mr. Alcando.

“We’re very glad to have you with us,” added Blake.  “How soon can you be ready to go?”

“Whenever you are.  I can leave to-day, if necessary.”

“There isn’t any necessity for such a rush as that,” Blake said, with a laugh.  “We’ll finish out our week’s vacation, and then go to New York.  Our cameras will need overhauling after the hard service they got in the flood, and we’ll have to stay in New York about a week to get things in shape.  So we’ll probably start for the Canal in about two weeks.”

“That will suit me excellently.  I shall be all ready for you,” said the Spaniard.

“Then I’ll write to Mr. Hadley to expect us,” Blake added.

The boys left Mr. Alcando straightening out his papers, and started back through the town to the farm.