“Well, maybe it’s a good thing we didn’t,” returned his chum.  “The Canal is supposed to be so safe, and free from the chance of accidents, that it might injure its reputation if a picture of a collision like that were shown.  Maybe it’s just as well.”

“Better,” agreed Captain Watson.  “As you say, the Canal is supposed to be free from accidents.  And, when everything gets working smoothly, there will be none to speak of.  Some of the electrical controlling devices are not yet in place.  If they had been that vessel never could have collided with us.”

“I should think her captain would know better than to signal for her to proceed under her own power in the Canal lock,” spoke Joe.

“Possibly there was some error in transmitting signals on board,” suggested Mr. Alcando.  And later they learned that this was, indeed, the case; or at least that was the reason assigned by the Brazilian commander for the accident.  His vessel got beyond control.

“Well, it’s lucky she didn’t ram the gates, and let out a flood of water,” said Joe to Blake a little after the occurrence.

“Yes, if that had happened we’d have had to make pictures whether we wanted to or not.  But I wonder what we are going to do for a boat now?”

However, that question was easily settled, for there were other Government vessels to be had, and Blake, Joe and Mr. Alcando, with their cameras, films and other possessions, were soon transferred, to continue their trip, in the Bohio, which was the name of the new vessel.  The Nama was left for the wrecking crew.

“Well, this isn’t exactly the quiet life we looked for in the canal zone; is it, Blake?” asked Joe that night as he and his chum were putting their new stateroom to rights.

“Hardly.  Things have begun to happen, and I’ve noticed, Joe, that, once they begin, they keep up.  I think we are in for something.”

“Do you mean a big slide in Culebra Cut?”

“Well, that may be only part of it.  I have a feeling in my bones, somehow or other, that we’re on the eve of something big.”

“Say, for instance—­”

“I can’t,” answered Blake, as Joe paused.  “But I’m sure something is going to happen.”

“No more collisions, I hope,” his chum ventured.  “Do you know, Blake, I’ve wondered several times whether that one to-day was not done on purpose.”

Blake stared at his chum, and then, to Joe’s surprise replied: 

“And I’ve been thinking the same thing.”

“You have?” Joe exclaimed.  “Now I say—­”

“Hush!” cautioned Blake quickly, “he’s coming!”

The door of their stateroom opened, and Mr. Alcando entered.  He had a room across the corridor.

“Am I intruding?” he asked.  “If I am—­”

“Not at all.  Come in,” answered Blake, with a meaning look at his chum.

“I wanted to ask you something about making double exposures on the same film,” the Spaniard went on.  “You know what I mean; when a picture is shown of a person sitting by a fireside, say, and above him or her appears a vision of other days.”