merton of the movies-第57章
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〃Go to it； cowboytake all the footage you want！〃 called Baird in a curiously choked voice。
The actor took some more footage。 〃But we got to keep a stiff upper lip； old pal； you and me both。 No cryin'； no bustin' down。 We had out last gallop together； an' we're at the forkin' of th' trail。 So we got to be bravewe got to stand the gaff。〃
Benson released his old pal； stood erect； dashed a bit of moisture from his eyes； and turned to the waiting detective who； it seemed； had also been strangely moved during this affecting farewell。 Yet he had not forgotten his duty。 Benson was forced to march back into the Come All Ye Dance Hall。 As he went he was wishing that Baird would have him escape and flee on his old pal。
And Baird was a man who seemed to think of everything； or perhaps he had often seen the real Buck Benson's play； for it now appeared that everything was going to be as Merton Gill wished。 Baird had even contrived an escape that was highly spectacular。
Locked by the detective in an upper room； the prisoner went to the window and glanced out to find that his loyal horse was directly beneath him。 He would leap from the window； alight in the saddle after a twenty…foot drop； and be off over the border。 The window scene was shot； including a flash of the horse below。 The mechanics of the leap itself required more time。 Indeed； it took the better part of a morning to satisfy Baird that this thrilling exploit had been properly achieved。 From a lower window； quite like the high one； Merton leaped； but only to the ground a few feet below。
〃That's where we get your take…off；〃 Baird explained。
〃Now we get you lighting in the saddle。〃 This proved to be a more delicate bit of work。 From a platform built out just above the faithful horse Merton precariously scrambled down into the saddle。 He glanced anxiously at Baird； fearing he had not alighted properly after the supposed twenty…foot drop； but the manager appeared to be delighted with his prowess after the one rehearsal； and the scene was shot。
〃It's all jake；〃 Baird assured him。 〃Don't feel worried。 Of course we'll trick the bit where you hit the saddle； the camera'll look out for that。〃
One detail only troubled Merton。 After doing the leap from the high window； and before doing its finish where he reached the saddle； Baird directed certain changes in his costume。 He was again to don the false mustache； to put his hat on； and also a heavy jacket lined with sheep's wool worn by one of the cowboys in the dance…hall。 Merton was pleased to believe he had caught the manager napping here。 〃But Mr。 Baird； if I leap from the window without the hat or mustache or jacket and land on my horse in them； wouldn't it look as if I had put them on as I was falling？〃
Baird was instantly overcome with confusion。 〃Now； that's so！ I swear I never thought of that； Merton。 I'm glad you spoke about it in time。 You sure have shown me up as a director。 You see I wanted you to disguise yourself againI'll tell you； get the things on； and after we shoot you lighting in the saddle we'll retake the window scene。 That'll fix it。〃
Not until long afterward； on a certain dread night when the earth was to rock beneath him； did he recall that Baird had never retaken that window scene。 At present the young actor was too engrossed by the details of his daring leap to remember small things。 The leap was achieved at last。 He was in the saddle after a twenty…foot drop。 He gathered up the reins； the horse beneath him coughed plaintively； and Merton rode him out of the picture。 Baird took a load off his mind as to this bit of riding。
〃Will you want me to gallop？〃 he asked； recalling the unhappy experience with Dexter。
〃No； just walk him beyond the camera line。 The camera'll trick it up all right。〃 So； safely； confidently； he had ridden his steed beyond the lens range at a curious shuffling amble； and his work at the Come All Ye Dance Hall was done。
Then came some adventurous days in the open。 In motor cars the company of artists was transported to a sunny nook in the foothills beyond the city； and here in the wild； rough； open spaces； the drama of mother…love； sacrifice； and thrills was further unfolded。
First to be done here was the continuation of the hero's escape from the dance…hall。 Upon his faithful horse he ambled along a quiet road until he reached the shelter of an oak tree。 Here he halted at the roadside。
〃You know the detective is following you；〃 explained Baird； 〃and you're going to get him。 Take your nag over a little so the tree won't mask him too much。 That's it。 Now； you look back； lean forward in the saddle； listen！ You hear him coming。 Your face setslook as grim as you can。 That's the stuffthe real Buck Benson stuff when they're after him。 That's fine。 Now you get an idea。 Unlash your rope； let the noose out； give it a couple of whirls to see is everything all right。 That's itonly you still look grimnot so worried about whether the rope is going to act right。 We'll attend to that。 When the detective comes in sight give about three good whirls and let her fly。 Try it once。 Good！ Now coil her up again and go through the whole thing。 Never mind about whether you're going to get him or not。 Remember； Buck Benson never misses。 We'll have a later shot that shows the rope falling over his head。〃
Thereupon the grim…faced Benson； strong； silent man of the open； while the cameras ground； waited the coming of one who hounded him for a crime of which he was innocent。 His iron face was relentless。 He leaned forward； listening。 He uncoiled the rope； expertly ran out the noose； and grimly waited。 Far up the road appeared the detective on a galloping horse。 Benson twirled the rope as he sat in his saddle。 It left his hand； to sail gracefully in the general direction of his pursuer。
〃Cut！〃 called Baird。 〃That was bully。 Now you got him。 Ride out into the road。 You're dragging him off his horse； see？ Keep on up the road； you're still dragging the hound。 Look back over your shoulder and light your face up just a littlethat's it； use Benson's other expression。 You got it fine。 You're treating the skunk rough； but look what he was doing to you； trying to pinch you for something you never did。 That's finego ahead。 Don't look back any more。〃
Merton was chiefly troubled at this moment by the thought that someone would have to double for him in the actual casting of the rope that would settle upon the detective's shoulders。 Well； he must practise roping。 Perhaps； by the next picture。 he could do this stuff himself。 It was exciting work； though sometimes tedious。 It had required almost an entire morning to enact this one simple scene； with the numerous close…ups that Baird demanded。
The afternoon was taken up largely in becoming accustomed to a pair of old Spanish spurs that Baird now provided him with。 Baird said they were very rare old spurs which he had obtained at a fancy price from an impoverished Spanish family who had treasured them as heirlooms。 He said he was sure that Buck Benson in all his vast collection did not possess a pair of spurs like these。 He would doubtless； after seeing them worn by Merton Gill in this picture； have a pair made like them。
The distinguishing feature of these spurs was their size。 They were enormous； and their rowels extended a good twelve inches from Merton's heels after he had donned them。
〃They may bother you a little at first；〃 said Baird； 〃but you'll get used to them； and they're worth a little trouble because they'll stand out。〃
The first effort to walk in them proved bothersome indeed； for it was made over ground covered with a low…growing vine and the spurs caught in this。 Baird was very earnest in supervising this progress； and even demanded the presence of two cameras to record it。
〃Of course I'm not using this stuff；〃 he said； 〃but I want to make a careful study of it。 These are genuine hidalgo spurs。 Mighty few men in this line of parts could get away with them。 I bet Benson himself would have a lot of trouble。 Now； try it once more。〃
Merton tried once more； stumbling as the spurs caught in the undergrowth。 The cameras closely recorded his efforts； and Baird applauded them。 〃You're getting itkeep on。 That's better。 Now try
