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diff --git a/37800.txt b/37800.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..7cb1a04 --- /dev/null +++ b/37800.txt @@ -0,0 +1,7628 @@ +Project Gutenberg's Girl Scouts at Dandelion Camp, by Lillian Elizabeth Roy + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Girl Scouts at Dandelion Camp + +Author: Lillian Elizabeth Roy + +Release Date: October 19, 2011 [EBook #37800] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK GIRL SCOUTS AT DANDELION CAMP *** + + + + +Produced by Roger Frank and the Online Distributed +Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This book was +produced from images made available by the HathiTrust +Digital Library.) + + + + + + + + + +GIRL SCOUTS AT DANDELION CAMP + +By Lillian Elizabeth Roy + +Author of The Polly Brewster Books, The Little Washington Books + +Illustrated + +Grosset & Dunlap + +Publishers, New York + +Made in the United States of America + +Copyright 1921 by George Sully & Company + + + + +CONTENTS + + CHAPTER ONE--THE DANDELION PATROL + CHAPTER TWO--AN UNEXPECTED PROPOSITION + CHAPTER THREE--THE OLD CAMPSITE + CHAPTER FOUR--BEGINNING THEIR CAMP LIFE + CHAPTER FIVE--RUTH MEETS WITH DIFFICULTIES + CHAPTER SIX--FIRST LESSONS IN SCOUT WORK + CHAPTER SEVEN--HEPSY JOINS THE SCOUTS' UNION + CHAPTER EIGHT--SUNDAY VISITORS + CHAPTER NINE--THE CABINET MAKERS + CHAPTER TEN--A FOURTH OF JULY OUTING + CHAPTER ELEVEN--IN BLUEBEARD'S CAVE + CHAPTER TWELVE--AN UNPLEASANT SURPRISE + CHAPTER THIRTEEN--THE CAPTURE + CHAPTER FOURTEEN--THE REWARD FOR COURAGE + CHAPTER FIFTEEN--A FURNITURE SHOWER + CHAPTER SIXTEEN--A VISIT TO GRANNY DUNSTAN'S CABIN + CHAPTER SEVENTEEN--NEW MEMBERS + CHAPTER EIGHTEEN--THE SCOUTS MEET JOHN DUNSTAN + + + + +[Illustration: _Mrs. Vernon turned the flashlight over the ground +about them (Frontispiece)_] + + + + +GIRL SCOUTS AT DANDELION CAMP + +CHAPTER ONE + +THE DANDELION PATROL + + +"Dear me, I never saw so many old dandelions in my life!" exclaimed +Juliet Lee, as she tugged mightily at a stubborn root. + +"Seems to me there are ten new weeds ready to spring up the moment we +pull an old one out," grumbled Ruth Bentley, standing up to straighten +her aching back. + +"Forty-six for me! I'll soon have my hundred roots out for the day!" +exulted Elizabeth Lee, Juliet's twin sister. As she spoke, she shook a +clod of loose earth from a large dandelion root, and threw the +forty-sixth plant into a basket standing beside her. + +"You handled that root exactly as an Indian would a scalp before he ties +it to his belt," laughed Joan Allison, another girl in the group of four +so busily at work weeding a vast expanse of lawn. + +"Oh, me! I don't b'lieve we _ever_ will earn enough money this way to +pay our expenses in a Girls' Camp!" sighed Ruth, watching her companions +work while she stood and complained. "Doesn't it seem foolish to waste +these lovely summer days in weeding Mrs. Vernon's lawn, when we might be +having glorious sport in a Girl Scouts' Troop?" + +"We'd never be admitted to a Patrol or Troop if we had to confess +failure in pulling up little things like dandelions," ventured +Elizabeth, without raising her eyes from her task. + +"There you go--preaching, as usual!" retorted Ruth. + +"Well, anyway, Mrs. Vernon said it wasn't so much what we did, or where +we did it, as long as we always did the _best_ we could; so I'm trying +my best on these unfriendly weeds," added Elizabeth, generally called +Betty, for short. + +"Pooh! Mrs. Vernon is an old preacher, too, and you copy her in +everything just because you haven't any mind of your own!" scorned Ruth, +her face looking quite ugly for such a pretty girl. + +Juliet, known familiarly as Julie, glanced over at her sister to see if +Ruth's rude words hurt. Seeing Betty as happy-faced as ever, she +exchanged glances with Joan, who understood Ruth better than the girl +understood herself. + +To change the trend of the conversation, Joan now asked: "Has any one +thought of a name for our club?" + +"Yes, I proposed lots of them but Verny seemed to think they were +meaningless. I suppose she prefers a Latin or Greek name," Ruth jeered. + +"Oh, not at all! She left it entirely to us to choose a name, but she +thought we ought to select one that would fit," hastily explained Joan. + +"I've got one--guess what?" exclaimed Betty, sitting back, and hugging +her knees as she smiled questioningly at her friends. + +The other girls puckered their brows and guessed all sorts of names, +some so ridiculous that a merry chorus of laughter pealed across the +glen; but finally, Betty held up a hand in warning and shouted: + +"Halt! Halt! if you keep on this way, we'll never finish the weeds." + +"Give up, then!" responded her companions. + +"Dandelion Troopy!" exulted Betty. + +"Troopy--why that 'y' at the end?" queried Joan. + +"'Cause we can't be a regular 'Troop,' you know, while we have only four +members--Verny said the Scout Manual says so. As most infant ideas end +with a 'y,' I suggest that we end that way." + +"Oh, Betty! I'm sure you don't want us to end there when we've but just +begun," laughed Julie. + +Betty was about to explain her meaning when Ruth interrupted. "Good +gracious! Haven't we had enough of dandelions in this horrid job without +reminding us forever of the work by calling ourselves by that name?" + +"Well, I was thinking how pretty the name would look if Verny prints it +on a board sign and paints yellow dandelions all about the words," +explained Betty, in an apologetic tone. + +"It _would_ look nice," added Joan, picking up a blossom and studying it +carefully. + +"You know dandelions really are lovely! And they smell sweet, too. But +they grow so freely, everywhere, that folks think they are weeds. Now +they'd be considered wonderful if they were hard to cultivate," said +Betty, seriously. + +"I fail to see beauty in the old things!" scorned Ruth. + +"You fail to see beauty in lots of things, Ruth, and that's where you +lose the best part of living," said a sweet voice from the pathway that +skirted the lawn. + +"Oh, Verny! When did you get back?" cried three of the girls. Ruth +turned away her face and curled her lips rebelliously. + +"Oh, some time ago, but I went indoors to see if the banker had his +money ready for my scouts," replied Mrs. Vernon, paying no attention to +Ruth's attitude. + +"We were just talking of a name, Verny, and Betsy said she thought the +name of 'Dandelion' was so appropriate," explained Joan. + +"Betty thought a signboard with the name and a wreath of the flowers +painted on it would be awfully sweet," added Julie, eagerly. + +"And I say 'Toad-stool Camp' with a lot of fungus plants painted about +it would be more appropriate for this Troop's name!" sneered Ruth, +wheeling around to face Mrs. Vernon. "We're sick of the sight of +dandelions." + +Understanding Ruth's shortcomings so well, the girls paid no attention +to this remark, but Mrs. Vernon said: "I came out to see if you were +almost through with to-day's work." + +"Seems as if we were awfully slow this afternoon, Verny, but we'll dig +all the faster now for having you here to boss us," said Julie. + +"It's all because I stopped them to talk about a name," admitted Betty. + +"Well, we were glad of the recess," laughed Joan. + +"Come, come, then--let's make up for lost time!" called Julie, falling to +with a zeal never before demonstrated by her. + +The other girls turned and also began digging furiously, in order to +complete the number of roots they were supposed to sell at one time. Not +a word was spoken for a few moments, but Ruth groaned about her +backache, and sat up every few seconds to look at her dirt-smeared +fingernails. Mrs. Vernon had to hide a smile and when she could control +her voice, said: + +"I'll be going back to Vernon's Bank, girls, but as soon as you are +ready to cash in for the roots, go to the side porch. Then wash up in +the lavatory and meet me on the front verandah, where we'll have +something cool to drink for such warm laborers." + +"Um-m! I know what! You always do treat us the best!" cried Joan. + +"With such an incentive before us, I shouldn't wonder but we'll be there +before you are ready," added Julie, smacking her lips. + +Mrs. Vernon laughed, then walked back to the house, and the girls dug +and dug, without wasting any more time to grumble or talk. Even Ruth +forgot her annoyances in the anticipation of having something good to +eat and a cooling drink the moment she was through with her hundred +weeds. + +As usual, Betty completed her task before any of her companions, and +Ruth said querulously: "I don't see how you ever do it! Here I've worked +as hard as any one but I only have sixty roots." + +"I'll help you finish up so's we can get to the house," Betty offered +generously. And Ruth accepted her help without thinking to thank her. + +"I know why Ruth always falls behind," commented Joan. "Betty may be a +'prude' and a 'preacher' in Ruth's eyes, but she sure does persist in +anything. I haven't heard her complain of, or shirk, a single thing +since we began this Scout plan. Ruth sits and worries over everything +before it happens, so she really makes her work hard from the moment she +ever starts it." + +"That's good logic, Joan," returned Julie. "Besides all that, I have +watched Betty work, and she seems to _like_ it! Haven't you ever noticed +how fast and well you can do anything that you love to do?" + +"You don't suppose I _love_ to root out dandelions, do you?" demanded +Betty, laughingly. + +"Not exactly, but you try to see all the good points in them and that +makes you overlook the horrid things," said Julie. + +"Well, I wish Betty would show me the good points in a pan of potatoes," +said Joan. "I have to peel the 'taters every day, and _I hate it!_ Many +a time I have tried to fool myself into believing I like them--but I just +can't!" + +The girls laughed heartily, and Julie added: "Next time you have to peel +them, begin to sing or speak a piece--that works like magic, because it +turns your thoughts to other things." + +"There now! Ruth's hundred are ready, too!" said Betty, tossing the last +few roots into the basket. + +Mr. Vernon was paymaster, and always contrived to have bright new coins +on hand with which to pay his laborers. To-day he counted out the +correct wage for each girl, and then said: + +"That lawn must be almost cleaned up, eh?" + +"Oh, Mr. Vernon! It's most discouraging!" cried Ruth. + +"Yes--why?" asked Mr. Vernon, quizzically. + +"Because we root out a place one day, and the next the young ones sprout +up again." + +"That looks as if you girls may bankrupt me before this contract is +completed, eh?" laughed he. + +"Come, girls! Don't waste your time in there with Uncle Verny when you +might be sipping cool lemonade out here!" called Mrs. Vernon from the +front of the house. + +So the four girls hastily washed away all signs of earth from hands and +faces, and joined their "Captain" on the verandah. Here they found +waiting great wicker easy-chairs, and a table spread with goodies. In a +few moments unpleasant work and dandelions were forgotten in the +delectable pastime of eating fresh cake and drinking lemonade. + +"What do _you_ think of the name 'Dandelion Troop,' Verny?" asked Julie, +when the first attack on the cake had subsided. + +"I think it is most appropriate at present, but how will you feel about +that name next year--or the next?" + +"Now that's what I say! We'll grow so tired of it," added Ruth. + +"But we don't think so!" argued Julie. + +"Besides, we ought never to weary of the humble things that really start +us in life. If dandelions mean our start to a real Scout Troop, we ought +to be grateful and honor the weed," giggled Joan. + +Then an animated discussion followed between the girls for and against +the name, but finally the champions of "Dandelion" came forth the +victors, and thereafter they wished to be known as "The Dandelion +Troop." + +"I suppose you girls know that we can't organize a regular Patrol until +we have eight or more girls," said Mrs. Vernon, after the mimic +christening of a dandelion with Betty as sponsor for the name took +place. + +"We know that, but you told us that the Handbook said we might be a club +from any school or Y. W. C. A., and meet regularly until we had secured +our needed number," added Joan, anxiously. + +"Yes, that is true, but I think we had better continue with our little +club as we are now, and study the ways and laws of the Scouts, before we +try to increase our number to eight. You see, you had already planned to +earn money for camping this summer before the Girl Scout Drive began; +then you became enthusiastic over that. + +"If I am to be your Captain, I, too, must study the plans, principles, +and objects of the Organization, or I would be a poor Captain to guide +you." + +"Does that mean we can't call ourselves Girl Scouts, or anything else, +until you've done training?" demanded Ruth. + +"By no means! Dandelion Patrol can go right along and obey the laws of +the Scouts, and perfect itself for admission to the Organization as soon +as we prove we know enough to claim our membership," explained Mrs. +Vernon. + +"But we won't have to give up our camp idea for that, will we?" asked +Joan, anxiously. + +"No," laughed Mrs. Vernon, while the other girls sighed in relief. + +While the four girls are trudging homeward, you may like to hear how +they came to be weeding Vernon's lawn, and why they were so keen about +starting a Girls' Scout Patrol. + +Julie and Betty were about thirteen years old, and were very popular +with their friends. Their sister, May, who was about seventeen, kept +house for the family, as the mother had been dead for several years. +Besides May, there were Daddy Lee, John, the brother, who was twelve, +and Eliza, the maid-of-all-work, who had been a fixture in the household +since May was a baby. + +Ruth Bentley was about fourteen, but she was an only child. Every whim +was law to her doting mother and father, so it was small wonder that the +girl was spoiled in many ways. But not past salvation, as you shall see. +She had a lovely home quite near the Vernons' place, with servants to do +the work and wait upon her; thus indolence became one of her evil +tendencies. When Ruth heard the Lee girls propose the forming of a Scout +Patrol, she, too, yearned to become a member. Hence she had to weed +dandelions for a test the same as the other girls did, but not without +complaints and rebellion on her part. Mrs. Vernon paid no attention to +her fault-finding, for she knew that if the girl persevered there would +be less danger of her failing in other tests when the Patrol began on +more interesting but more difficult tasks. + +Joan Allison was also thirteen years of age, and a more sensible little +person you would have difficulty in finding. She had three brothers +younger than herself, but her parents could not afford a maid, so Joan +helped with the house-work, while the boys did the chores about the +place. + +The Vernons' house, on the outskirts of the town, was the handsomest +place in the township. There were acres of woodland and meadows at the +back, and a velvety lawn that sloped from the front of the house down to +the stream that was the boundary line of the estate. + +The Vernons had had a son who enlisted in the Aviation Service at the +beginning of the War in Europe, but he had met death soon after his +initial flight on the battle lines. Mr. and Mrs. Vernon had always taken +an interest in the children living in their neighborhood, but after +Myles' death they tried to forget their loss by closer companionship +with the young people in the small town. + +Mrs. Vernon had heard of and seen the splendid work done by Girl Scouts, +and she decided to train a group to join the Organization. Thus it came +about that the four girls who were anxious, also, to become Scouts, were +the first members in the Dandelion Patrol to be started by Mrs. Vernon. + +To try out their patience and powers of endurance, as well as to have +them earn money for their simple camp-equipment, Mrs. Vernon suggested +that they weed dandelions at a rate of twenty cents a hundred. This test +taught the girls to appreciate the value expressed in a dime--for it +meant just that much service rendered. + +School would soon close for the summer, and the girls hoped by that time +to have enough money earned and saved to buy the second-hand tent and +camp-outfit a friend of May's had offered for sale. Every dollar added +to the camp-fund gave the girls dreams of the mountains where canoeing, +hiking, fishing and living in the open would constitute one long season +of delight. + +Mrs. Vernon listened to their plans and preparations, but she was too +wise to discourage them by saying it would take longer than two weeks at +the rate of income they were receiving to earn sufficient capital to +outfit a camp. She encouraged them in doing whatever work came for them +to do--be it dandelion roots or drying dishes--and explained how +Perseverance and Persistence always rewarded one. + + + + +CHAPTER TWO + +AN UNEXPECTED PROPOSITION + + +Julie and Betty dropped their coins into the bank at home that was +jointly kept for their savings, then they hurried out to the kitchen to +see what kind of dessert May was preparing. + +Eliza was busy with the finishing touches of the dinner when the twins +ran in; and being the nominal head of the family since the mother was +gone, she ordered the children around. + +"Here, Betty--mash them pertaters whiles I strain the squash, will yuh?" +said she. + +"Shall I add the butter and cream, 'Liza?" asked Betty, eagerly taking +up the patent masher because it was considered great fun to watch the +tiny squirms of mealy potato run through the sieve. + +"Julie kin get the butter an' cream--yuh jest hurry and do the mashin'. +I'm gettin' late with th' dinner ennyway," replied Eliza, turning her +attention to the roast in the oven. + +Julie started for the jug of cream, but stopped at May's side and asked: +"How far is it from here to the Adirondacks, Maysy--I mean, how much does +it cost to get there?" + +"It's a good ways, and I've heard it costs a lot of money, but I don't +know exactly how much. Why?" + +"Oh, nothing much--I just wanted to know, that's all," returned Julie, as +she took up the jug to carry it back to Betty. + +"We want to figure out how much more money we'll have to earn, Maysy, +before we can start for that camp. That's why Jule asked," explained +Betty, conscientious even in little things like this. + +"Hoh! why you girls will have to weed Vernon's lawn all summer before +you can raise money enough to pay carfare to the Adirondacks!" laughed +John, who now scuffled into the kitchen to see if he could find anything +good to eat before dinner was served. + +"We didn't ask your opinion! You're only a child, so how would you know +about carfares," retorted Julie, condescendingly. + +"Oh, really! Is that so! Well, let me tell you, I know a heap more about +it than you dream of, 'cause I'm planning to go to Chimney Point Camp +myself this summer--so!" exclaimed John, feeling highly gratified when he +saw the looks of consternation on his sisters' faces. But he forgot to +reckon with Eliza. + +Eliza was a trifle more than six feet in height, and buxom as well. She +had powerful hands and feet and when she snapped her mouth shut as a +signal of disapproval, the children knew better than to argue. + +Now Eliza plunked the soup-pot down upon the range and wheeled to face +John. Her broad hands went to their habitual rest upon her ample hips, +and she inquired in a high falsetto voice: + +"John Lee! Does your father know what you'se just said?" + +"Not yet, but he will t'night, 'Liza; the Y. M. C. A. director of our +gym is coming to see him about it," replied John, without the bravado he +had expressed towards his sisters. + +"Then lem'me tell you this much, sonny! Ef your father asks me fer an +opinion--and I s'pose he will, seein' how I has brung you all up--I'll +come out an' tell him it ain't fair fer him t' let you take money to go +to camp this summer, an' make th' girls set to work to earn their'n. An' +that's onny fair to all!" + +"Oh, I am not going to spend money, 'Liza--I'm goin' to help wash dishes +in camp to pay for my board," hastily added John. + +"Wash dishes! Huh!" snorted Eliza disdainfully. "I'd hate t' hev to eat +from them dishes!" Then as an afterthought struck her humorously, she +added: "But men-folks don't know th' diffrunce--they eat what's set +before them, whether dishes are clean or dirty!" + +May laughed appreciatively and said: "Which goes to show how much 'Liza +appraises John's ability to wash dishes." + +"Er anything else, that I knows of," murmured Eliza, winking at May. +"Don't we have t' look after his neck and ears every day afore he goes +to school?" + +Julie joined May in the laugh at John's expense, and he rushed out of +the kitchen, slamming the door behind him. But Betty turned to Eliza and +said: + +"'Liza, John's getting to be too big a boy for us to tease like that. I +think we hurt his feelings just now." + +"Betsy, if John's too big for teasin' then he's big enough to 'tend to +his own wardrobe and appearance. Now I wonder what he would look like in +ten days ef I diden' keep after him all the time?" + +Betty said no more but she had finished mashing the potatoes and so she +ran out, planning how she could please John in order to compensate him +for the teasing from Eliza. + +Julie had been hanging about, thinking she could scrape the bowl clean +when her sister had finished whipping the cream for the Snow Pudding. +But May had other plans. When the cream had stiffened into a peak of +snow-like froth, the bowl was carried to the refrigerator and there +placed upon the ice. + +With a regretful sigh, Julie watched, then ran out after Betty. John and +Betty were in the sitting-room asking Mr. Lee about railroad fares and +camp-life. So Julie was just in time to hear his reply. + +Having figured roughly on a scrap of paper, Mr. Lee told his questioners +about how much it would cost to reach the Adirondacks. John whistled in +surprise, and Betty looked at Julie in chagrin. + +"My goodness, Betty! It will take us all summer to earn that much +money." + +"I guess we'll have to find some mountains nearer home, then," ventured +Betty, wistfully. + +"I wonder what Ruth will do when she hears we can't earn enough money +for fares," added Julie. + +The following day after school, the four girls met again on Vernon's +lawn and exchanged items of news with each other. But the most +discouraging of all was the telling of the cost of carfare to the +Adirondacks. + +They stood with baskets hanging from their arms, and weeding tools idle, +while faces expressed the disappointment at hearing Betty's story. +Finally Ruth said: + +"Then there's no use breaking our backs over this old lawn. I'll not dig +dandelions if it isn't going to get us anywhere." + +"Oh, I didn't mean to make you feel that way, when I told you about the +fares," expostulated Betty. "I only wanted you to know we'd have to find +some other camp-place to go to, nearer home." + +"Anyway, girls, don't let's quit work just now, because we found out +about the cost of traveling. Let's keep right on and who knows! we may +wind up in the Alps this summer--carfares, steamers for ocean voyages, +and everything included--paid for and presented to us by an unknown uncle +from a far country!" laughed Joan. + +"Let me tell you something, too!" added Betty. "Let's try to keep up our +spirits while weeding this afternoon, by talking over what we will do +when we reach the mountains. I'd rather pretend we were in the +Adirondacks, or the Rockies, than over in Europe. But we can picture +ourselves in the mountains, _somewhere_, like Sarah Crewe did you know, +about her father and home, even while she had to live in the attic!" + +The girls laughed at Betty's optimism, but she took the laugh in good +part; then she began weeding and at the same time began a fine oration +on the beauties of the mountains and the wonders of Nature. + +Soon the other girls were weeding, too, and vied with one another in +thinking of some wonderful camp sports or plan they could talk about. +Soon, to Ruth's great amazement, each girl had rooted out the required +number of dandelions for the day. + +"Now then, didn't I tell you we could work better if we thought of +pleasant things and plans?" exulted Betty. + +"We certainly did our stint this afternoon without the usual complaints +and delays," admitted Joan. "Let's root some more." + +The rest of the afternoon passed quickly, and by the time the girls +carried their baskets of weeds to Mrs. Vernon to be paid for, they found +they had earned twice as much money, for they had each rooted out 200 +plants instead of their usual 100. + +As they sat on the cool verandah enjoying ice-cream and cakes, they told +their hostess how it was they had weeded so many dandelions. Then they +told her about their discouragement when they had heard how expensive a +trip it would be to go to camp in the Adirondacks. But in reply to all +their talking, Mrs. Vernon smiled and nodded her head. + +They began to say "good-by" for the day, when Mrs. Vernon said: "I'll +have pleasant news for you to-morrow." + +"Oh, can't we be told just a word about it now?" cried Ruth. + +"Is it about a camp in the mountains?" added Joan. + +But Mrs. Vernon shook her head in mild reproof of their curiosity, and +refused to be beguiled into sharing her secret. + +The Dandelion Girls, as they now styled themselves, lost no time after +school was dismissed, the next afternoon, in running to the Vernon's +house. They found Mrs. Vernon on the side porch waiting for them. + +"Before you begin work to-day, I thought I would mention a little idea I +had last night after you left. It is not _the_ secret but it has some +connection with it. + +"When Mr. Vernon came home last night, he told me he had heard of a fine +tent for sale very cheap. There are several cot-beds and four lockers to +go with it. He secured an option on it until he could ascertain what +your decision might be about the purchase. + +"As it is such a bargain, I would advise our buying it; then we can +erect it on the rear lawn, and your tools and other chattels can be kept +in the lockers. It would also provide us with a clubroom all our own +while here, and when we go away to the mountains we will have a tent all +ready to take with us." + +"Oh, I think that is lovely!" cried Julie, clapping her hands. + +"It is so good of Uncle Verny and you--and we thank you a thousand +times!" exclaimed Betty, thinking of gratitude before she gave a thought +to the fun they might have in the tent. + +"Well, it will make us feel as if we were preparing for a camp-life this +summer, even though we may not be able to really afford it," sighed +Ruth, despondently. + +"Heigh there! Cheer up, can't you? Don't be a gloom just when Verny +tells us something so fine!" called Joan, reprovingly. + +"But we don't even know the price! Maybe it will take all the savings we +have had on hand for our camping purposes," argued Ruth. + +"That's so," admitted Julie and Joan, but Betty said: + +"How much will it cost us, Verny?" + +"Well, as I am going to enjoy this outfit as much as any one of you +girls, I am going to pay my share of the costs--exactly one-fifth of the +total, girls." + +Ruth smiled unpleasantly at this reply, as if to say: "And you with all +your money only doing what we girls each are doing!" + +Mrs. Vernon saw the smile and understood the miscomprehension that +caused it, but she also knew that Ruth would soon overcome all such +erroneous methods of thinking and feeling if she but continued +interesting herself in the Scout work and ideals. + +"How much will the total cost be, Verny?" asked Julie. + +Mrs. Vernon took out a slip of paper and read aloud the items that went +with the tent, then concluded by mentioning the cash sum asked for the +entire outfit. + +"Why, it sounds awfully cheap!" exclaimed Betty. + +"I think it is, girls, that is why I advise you to take it." + +"What under the sun do we want of an ax, a saw, and all that carpenter's +outfit? Why not let the man keep them and deduct the sum from the cost +of the outfit?" asked Ruth. + +"Because, my dear, a good ax, and other tools, are as necessary in +camp-work and life as the tent itself. At present, tools are very +expensive, and these are of the best quality steel, Uncle Verny says." + +"Well, buy them if you want to, but don't expect _me_ to wear water +blisters on my hands by handling an ax or spade. Not when _I_ go to +camp!" retorted Ruth. + +Little attention was paid to this rudeness, as Ruth's friends knew +enough of the laws of the scouts to ignore such shortcomings in others, +but to try, instead, to nourish that which was worthy of perpetuation in +thought and deed. + +"Having our own tent where we can rest when we like makes it seem as if +the mountains were much nearer us than so far off as the Adirondacks +really are," said Betty, happily. + +"It may turn out that this camp will be all we shall have for this +year," commented Ruth. + +"I don't see why you should say that!" demanded Joan, impatiently. + +"Because we'll spend our money on this old thing and then have to weed +and weed all the rest of the summer to earn the carfares." + +"It won't figure up any differently in the end, 'cause we'd have to have +some kind of a tent, wouldn't we?" asked Julie. + +"We might be able to borrow some--or buy them on the installment plan. I +even might tease father to lend us the money to buy new ones when we are +ready to go," replied Ruth. + +"It isn't one of our rules to borrow or go in debt. We each want to +demonstrate independence as we go along. Buying on credit, or with +borrowed capital, is a very undesirable method of doing business," said +Mrs. Vernon, gravely. + +"But paying back for a tent next fall, instead of next week, isn't as +bad as you seem to think," insisted Ruth. + +"All the same, we girls are going to buy for cash, and never borrow +trouble, if we can help it!" declared Julie, sensibly. + +"Then it is settled, is it? We take the tent?" said Mrs. Vernon. + +"Of course! Even Ruth must admit that it is a bargain," returned the +three girls in a chorus. + +"I don't know the least thing about costs of camping, and there seems so +little hope of my ever participating in such joys!" retorted Ruth. But +they all knew she was well pleased with the purchase. + +That afternoon they went to work with a zeal hitherto unfelt, for they +had a keen sense of proprietorship in something worth-while. Mrs. Vernon +felt happy, too, over the way the girls voted to pay cash as they went, +for she knew it meant individual freedom for each; and Ruth would soon +be made to understand the meaning of "obligations" if she associated +with three such practical girls. + +The moment the weeding was done for the afternoon, four eager girls +assembled to hear about the "great secret." Mrs. Vernon began by saying: + +"Now I don't want you girls to be disappointed in what _I_ consider my +fine secret, but I really think it is the only way out for this summer." + +Ruth sniffed audibly and sat with lifted eyebrows, as if to suggest: +"Didn't I tell you that tent would be all you got this year for your +money!" + +But Mrs. Vernon continued her preamble without hesitation. + +"Even should you girls earn ten times the amount of money you are now +receiving each afternoon, you would still lack enough to pay carfares to +the Adirondacks, or the White Mountains. And as we agreed from the +beginning never to borrow money for our scout work, such a long trip +seems out of the question at present. + +"Last night I sat puzzling over this situation, when a splendid idea +flashed into my mind. I remembered a campsite in the mountains not so +far from here, that will give us all the delights of the Adirondacks +without the costs. A motor truck can carry our outfits instead of our +shipping them by freight, and we can go there in my car, whenever we are +ready to start. + +"If we decide on such a plan, we could prepare to leave home the week +following the closing of school. I think it will take us at least that +long to get everything ready, you know." + +"Oh, how wonderful!" breathed Betty, joyfully. + +"Our dreams come true!" sighed Joan and Julie. + +But Ruth, as usual, could not accept any proposition, no matter how +pleasant, without argument. So she said: "How do we know this campsite +is where we might wish to spend a summer?" + +"Mrs. Lee and I spent a summer there when we were girls, and your own +mother cried because she had to go with her parents to the farm in the +Catskills, instead of camping with her schoolmates. Perhaps your mother +will describe the beauties of this place to you, so you will feel sure +it is desirable enough for you," said Mrs. Vernon, calmly, but with a +faint suggestion of sarcasm in her tone. + +Ruth had the grace to keep silence after that, and Mrs. Vernon said: +"I'm not going to say more about the idea, but you shall judge for +yourselves when I take you there in the auto on Saturday." + +"Dear me. I feel so excited that I'm sure I won't be able to sleep all +week!" exclaimed Julie, jumping up and dancing around. + +"I feel as if there were wheels whirring around inside of me," added +Joan. + +The others laughed, and Mrs. Vernon admitted: "That is the way I felt +when it was agreed that I might join my friends for camp-life that +summer." + +"It will be so lovely to camp in the same place that mother dear did +when she was a little girl," said Betty, her voice trembling slightly as +she thought of the one now absent from sight, but not in spirit. + +"I don't know but what I'd rather try out the first summer in camp with +no other scout girls to watch and comment about our mistakes," confessed +Joan. "If we start alone this year, we will feel like experienced scouts +by next summer." + +"I agree with you there, Joan," said Julie. + +"Then we are pleased with my plan to ride out and inspect the old +campsite on Saturday, eh?" ventured Mrs. Vernon. + +"Yes, indeed!" chorused four voices; even Ruth agreed with her friends +about this week-end outing. + +By Saturday the girls had paid for the tent and outfit bought of the +man, and had nineteen dollars left for expenses at a camp that summer. +They were at Headquarters (they named the tent on the back-lawn +"Dandelion Headquarters") an hour before the time decided upon for the +early start to the mountains. But it was as Julie said: + +"Better too early than too late!" + +Mrs. Vernon was giving last instructions about packing a luncheon to +take with them, then she came out and joined her Patrol. + +"What do you think, Verny? Eliza said she would bake us a crockful of +ginger-snaps and cookies every week this summer, and send them to camp +for us, because we would not be home to eat." + +"How are you going to get them? I asked mother about the campsite and +she said it was three or four miles from any village," said Ruth, this +being the first inkling she had given that she had inquired about the +camp. + +"Why Rural Delivery will leave it for us, Daddy said," replied Julie. + +"And my mother said I could make fudge to sell to my family and friends. +She would give me the sugar and chocolate. Father ordered two pounds +then and there--so that makes a dollar more that I shall have earned +before next week," said Joan. + +"I can make good fudge, too. I'll ask May if I may sell it!" exclaimed +Julie. + +"Our waitress left last night, and mother said she would pay me a +quarter a night if I would wash the dishes. But I hate doing dishes. The +greasy water gets all over your hands and then they smell so!" said +Ruth, not willing to be left out of this working-community. + +"Did you do them?" eagerly asked the girls. + +"Of course not! I didn't want to feel all warm and sticky for the rest +of the evening. Besides, I manicured my nails so nicely just before +dinner." + +"Dear me! I wish your mother would let me do them--for a quarter a +night!" sighed Betty, anxiously. + +"Even if she did, would you give _that_ money to the Patrol?" wondered +Ruth, doubtfully. + +"Sure! Aren't we all earning for the general good?" + +"Well, I'll ask mother if she'll let you do them," replied Ruth, +magnanimously. She actually felt that she was bestowing a favor on Betty +by allowing her to wash her dishes and donate the earnings to the +camp-fund. + + + + +CHAPTER THREE + +THE OLD CAMPSITE + + +Early Saturday morning the chauffeur brought the car over to the tent, +and Mrs. Vernon told the girls to jump in while she sent Jim for the +lunch-baskets. She got in the front seat, as she proposed driving the +car. + +When all was ready, the merry party started off with Mr. Vernon wishing +them a good time. They were soon outside of town limits, and skimming +over a good hard country road. Then Mrs. Vernon drove slower and spoke +of the place they were bound for. + +"Of course you know, girls, that it is not necessary for you to select +this site if you do not like it. I am merely driving you there because +it seems to meet with our present needs for a camp-life. We still have +other places we can investigate, as there is a pyramid of catalogues on +the table in the tent." + +"But every one of those camping places will cost us so much money to +reach, and that won't leave us anything for board," said Joan. + +"Father told us last night that he always wanted to get a crowd of the +boys to go with him to that camp you all made when you were girls. But +his chums wanted to go so far away that they never got anywhere to camp +in the end," said Betty. + +"Yes, and he said he wished he could have his boyhood over again. Then +he'd spend his vacations in camp even if it was near home," added Julie. + +Mrs. Vernon smiled. "I remember how jealous a few of the boys were when +they heard us talk of the fun we had in camp. Betty's mother was so +sorry for them that she invited them to visit the camp now and then. +Betty takes after her mother for having a great heart." + +"Maybe we can invite our folks to visit us, too," said Julie, eagerly. + +"So we can--if they will come and bring supplies," said Ruth. + +Every one laughed at this suggestion, and Ruth added: "Well, we can't +afford to pay for visitors, can we? I won't be surprised to find that we +shall have to break camp and return home in a month's time, just for +lack of funds to go on with the experiment." + +"We won't do even that if we have to chop cord wood to pay our way," +laughed Mrs. Vernon. + +"Are there big trees on the mountain, Verny?" asked Betty. + +"We girls thought it a great forest in those days. To us it seemed as if +the trees were giants--but we had not seen the Redwoods of California +then," Mrs. Vernon chuckled as she spoke. + +"What do you call it now?" asked Joan. + +"This ridge has no individual name that I know of, but the range is an +extension of those known by the name of Blue Mountains. The place I have +in mind is one of the prettiest spots on this particular spur of hills. +You will find forest trees, streams, pools for bathing, softest moss for +carpets, flowers for study, wild woodland paths for hikes--in fact +everything to rejoice a nature-lover's heart." + +"Dear me, can't you speed up a little?" asked Julie. + +"No, don't, Verny--we'll land in jail if you go faster!" exclaimed Ruth. + +"Let's call this spur 'Verny's Mountain,' shall we, girls?" suggested +Betty. + +"Yes, let's!" abetted Joan. + +The automobile rolled smoothly and swiftly along, and after the first +excitement had abated somewhat, the girls begged their Captain to tell +them how she had found the place and what they did at camp when she was +a girl. + +"I think it was that one summer in camp that made me eager to give every +girl an opportunity to enjoy a like experience. But we went there under +far different auspices than you girls are now doing. We had to convince +our parents that we would not be murdered by tramps, or starved, or made +ill by sleeping out-of-doors in the woods. + +"Then, too, we had to load our outfit on a farm-wagon and climb in on +top of it so that one trip would do all the moving, as horses were +scarce for pleasure-trips, but were needed for farm-work in those days. + +"I can remember the shock we girls created with the village people, when +it was whispered around that we proposed a camp-life that summer, +instead of sitting home to do tatting and bleaching the linen. It was +all right for boys to have a camp for fun--but for girls, never! + +"However we six girls were of the new era for women, and we wanted to do +the things our brothers and their schoolmates did. They could go camping +and fishing and hiking so why couldn't we? What difference did skirts +and pig-tails make in vacation-time? So we won over our parents' consent +to let us try it for a week. + +"But we stayed a month, and then a second month until we made the whole +summer of it. And, girls, we brought home more knitted socks and crochet +trimming and tatting, with an abundance of good health and experience +thrown in, than all the rest of the girls in the village could show +together. + +"Even the parson, who had visited our mothers to dissuade them from +allowing us this unheard-of freedom of camp-life, had to admit that he +had been prejudiced by members of his congregation." + +"Just like a story-book, Verny! Do tell us what you did when you first +got to camp?" cried Julie. + +"Well, it was lucky for us girls that my brother Ted drove the +farm-wagon for us. When we reached the steep road that ran up over the +mountain, we had to leave the horses and wagon and carry our outfit to +the site we had selected. + +"Then Ted showed us how to build a fireplace, an oven, and a pot-hanger. +He also helped us ditch all about the tent so the rain-water would drain +away, and he constructed a latrine for camp. + +"He promised to drive up on Sunday to see how we were faring, and bring +a few of his chums with him, if they could get off from the farm-work. +So we gladly said good-by to him, and felt, at last, much like Susan +Anthony must have felt when she realized her first victory in the fight +over bondage for women." + +"And didn't you have any guardian or grown-up to help take care of you?" +wondered Ruth. + +"The school-teacher planned to stay with us for a month, but she could +not come for the first few days; and we feared we might be kept home +unless we started before our folks repented, so we went alone on the day +agreed upon. + +"But, girls, I will confess, every one of us felt frightened that first +night; for an owl hooted over our heads, and queer noises echoed all +around us, so that we thought of all the dangers the foolish villagers +had said would befall us." + +The car now went through a thriving village which Mrs. Vernon said was +Freedom, the last settlement they would see this side of the campsite. +With the announcement that they were now nearing "Verny's Mountain," the +four girls were silent; but they watched eagerly for the woodcutters' +road that Mrs. Vernon said would be the place where they would leave the +automobile and climb to the plateau. + +The further they went, the wilder and more mountainous seemed the +country; finally Mrs. Vernon drove the car up a rutty, rocky road until +the trail seemed to rise sheer up the rugged side of the mountain. + +"Here's where we have to get out and walk, girls." + +And glad they were, too, to jump out and stretch themselves after the +long drive. They stood and gazed rapturously around at the wildness and +grandeur of the place, and all four admitted that no one could tell the +difference between Verny's Mountain and the Adirondacks. + +"We'll take turns in carrying the hampers, girls," said Mrs. Vernon, +lifting the well-laden baskets from the automobile. + +They began climbing the side of the mountain by following the old +woodcutters' path, until they reached a large, grassy plateau. Back of +this flat a ledge rose quite sheer, in great masses of bed-rock. Mosses +and lichen clung to the niches of this rocky wall, which was at least +forty feet high, making it most picturesque. + +"What a wonderful view of the valley we get from this plateau!" +exclaimed Joan. + +"Is this where you camped, Verny?" eagerly asked Julie. + +"No, but this is where we danced and shouted and played like any wild +mountain habitants," laughed Mrs. Vernon, the joys of that girlhood +summer lighting her eyes. "And here is where you girls can play scout +games and dances, or sit to dream of home and far-away friends." + +"The scout games we'll enjoy here, but dreams of home--never! We'll have +to go back there soon enough," declared Joan, causing the others to +laugh merrily. + +"Well, come on, girls. Our campsite lies just there beyond that cluster +of giant pines that rear their heads high above the surrounding forest +trees," said Mrs. Vernon, leading the way across the plateau. + +The sound of falling water became plainer as they went, and soon, +between the trunks of the trees skirting the plateau, the girls spied a +beautiful waterfall. It tumbled from one great boulder to another, until +it splashed into a basin worn deep in the farthest end of the plateau; +thence it sought the easiest way to reach the valley, making many +sparkling pools and musical waterfalls in its descent. + +"How perfectly lovely!" breathed Betty, standing with clasped hands and +a gaze that was riveted on the falls. + +"You had plenty of water for cooking and bathing, didn't you?" said +practical Julie. + +"Yes, and that was one reason we chose this spot for our camp. You see +this high rocky wall made a fine wind-shield from the north, and where +could one find a more convenient gymnasium than that flat? The pines and +waterfall over here provided shelter and supply. So we built our hut +against the wall under those trees." + +"Hut? You never told us you built a hut," exclaimed Joan. + +"No, because I have no idea of finding it here. I suppose the logs have +rotted away years ago," returned Mrs. Vernon. + +"We might build another one, Verny, 'cause I see plenty of down-timber," +suggested Betty. + +"And it will be great sport to play carpenter," added Joan. + +Mrs. Vernon forced a way through the tangle of briars and bushes that +had grown up since that long-ago, and the scouts followed directly after +her. + +"Girls, here is the pool where we used to swim--isn't it lovely?" + +The girls stood still, admiring the clear water and the reflection of +green trees in the pool; then the Captain turned and began breaking down +slender twigs and bending aside green berry-bushes, as she eagerly +blazed a trail towards the wall. + +Here, not fifty feet from the pool, was glimpsed the old frame and +timbers of a log cabin. A mass of vines and moss almost hid the hut from +view, so that one would unconsciously pass it by, thinking it but the +trunk of a cluster of old trees against the wall. + +[Illustration: _A mass of vines and moss almost hid the hut from view_] + +"Oh, we must have built well to have had it survive all these years, +girls!" cried Mrs. Vernon, joyfully, as she stood and looked at the +handiwork of her friends of years long gone. + +"Verny, this is the way we girls will build, too. We will erect a hut +alongside this, and show it to our children many years from now," said +Betty, fervently. + +"I don't see why we can't use this hut, too," said Julie. + +"The frame and floor beams are solid enough," added Joan, examining the +posts. + +"It will need a roof and some new side-logs--that is all," Ruth said, +taking a lively interest in the camp-plan. + +"Yes, we can easily repair it, and then you girls can build your own hut +as an annex to this hotel," said Mrs. Vernon, still smiling with +satisfaction at the discovery of the cabin. + +"Dear me! I wish we had brought our camp outfit to-day and could stay to +begin work," complained Joan. + +"I'm crazy to start, too," admitted Julie. + +"But we have to have those tools, and some others besides. I shall ask +Uncle Verny to sell us some of his extra ones. He has several hammers, +screw-drivers, and other implements he can spare," said Mrs. Vernon. + +"Now what can we look at?" inquired Ruth, quickly wearying of one thing. +This was one of the weak tendencies Mrs. Vernon hoped to cure that +summer. + +"You can bring the hampers over to the pool, if you like, and when we +are through planning here, we will join you and have our picnic." + +"Why, I don't want to carry them alone! Can't we all go now and do it?" + +"I want to snoop about here a little more," said Julie. + +"And I want to figure out how many tree-trunks we'll have to drag over +here before we can have a cabin as good as this one," called Joan, as +she measured the length of logs with a hair-ribbon. + +"Mercy! Aren't any of you going to eat before you finish that nonsense?" +Ruth asked plaintively. + +Mrs. Vernon smiled. Then she turned to Joan and said: "If you girls will +really promise to build and finish a hut, I will ask Uncle Verny to loan +us the farm-horse to haul the timbers. You girls could never drag them, +you know. But Hepsy is accustomed to hauling and heavy work, so we need +have no fear of straining her." + +"Just the thing! Hepsy forever!" shouted Joan, throwing her hat in the +air for a salute. + +"Can you remember all the things we still need this summer, Verny?" +asked Julie, anxiously. + +"We'll jot down everything as we remember it, then we can compare lists +when we go to order the things," said Mrs. Vernon. + +"Won't the girls at school look green with envy when we tell them we are +going to have a strange girl camp with us this summer?" laughed Julie, +as a thought struck her. + +"Who is she?" gasped the other girls in surprise. + +"Ho! did I get you on that?" teased Julie. + +"This is the first hint we've had of it," complained Joan. + +"Why no! Verny suggested the plan herself--didn't you, Verny?" + +But Mrs. Vernon shook her head doubtfully, while Julie shouted with +delight at their mystification. Then, eager to share her fun, she cried +laughingly: "Hepsy, the dear old girl!" + +Of course when one is happy and gay it takes but little to cause loud +and long merriment, and so it was in this instance. They laughed +uproariously at the joke, and decided then and there to tease the other +girls at school who were so anxious to join a Patrol, but would not weed +the dandelions to earn money for a camp. + +As weeding had been the best test of endurance and patience Mrs. Vernon +could think of at the time, she had felt rather relieved to find that +only four responded to the initiation invitation. In doing things +according to the Handbook for Captains, she felt she would find four +girls sufficient material to practice upon for the first season. + +When the luncheon was unpacked and spread out, Mrs. Vernon smiled +continuously at the happy chatter of the four girls, and the +thousand-and-one plans they made for the camp that summer. Then all sat +down to enjoy the feast, for nothing had ever tasted so good to them +before, and then--did Verny say it was time to start for home? + +"Oh, no! It can't be late, Verny!" exclaimed Ruth. + +"Why, we've only been here half a minute, Verny," added Joan. + +The Captain glanced at her wrist watch. "We have been here more than two +hours, girls, and it is a two hour drive back, you know." + +"Dear, dear! the only comfort I have in leaving now is the hope of being +here for all summer in another week!" cried Betty. + +"Then you have decided to choose this site?" ventured the Captain. + +"I thought you knew it! Of course this is what we want," admitted Ruth, +frankly. And Mrs. Vernon mentally gave her a credit-mark for forgetting +self enough to speak her opinion honestly. + +The drive back was much longer than going, even though the girls planned +and plotted how to earn more money with which to buy everything they +craved for that camp. It was to be a wonder-camp. + +"I can add a dollar and seventy-five cents to the fund now," announced +Ruth, calmly. + +"A dollar and s-e-v-e-n-t-y--five cents!" gasped the girls. + +"Then I'll have another dollar and a half before next Friday--if I keep +on washing those nasty dishes every night!" + +"R-rruth!" squealed Betty, throwing her arms about her friend's neck. + +"Ruth Bentley!" cried Joan. + +"I cannot believe my ears!" added Julie, in a whisper. + +Mrs. Vernon never said a word, but she did a lot of silent +praying--thanking Him for this break in the clouds of human will and +selfishness that the girl had always displayed hitherto. + +Ruth felt embarrassed at so much fussing, and felt a deep gratitude to +the Captain for not adding to her self-consciousness. The moment she +could free herself from Betty's loving embrace, she said, recklessly: + +"I told mother I'd rather give up camping than do those dishes any more, +but now that I've seen the place, I'll scrub the kitchen floor if she +wants me to." + +A great laugh relieved every one's feelings at this statement from Ruth, +and the merry party reached the Vernon home feeling very much at peace +with the world in general. + + + + +CHAPTER FOUR + +BEGINNING THEIR CAMP LIFE + + +The next few days were so filled with the final work to finish the +scholastic year, and closing of school, that every one of the girls was +kept busy, and had little time to think of camp. + +Once Thursday came, however, the only exciting thing remained to be done +was Commencement on Friday; so the four girls met at Dandelion Tent to +plan for the camp. + +"We ought to have our folks give us a great send-off, like they did with +the regiments that mustered from the town families," said Julie. + +"If they'll only give us all I asked for, we will be satisfied," laughed +Joan. + +"What did you do?" instantly said three voices. + +"First, I told mother what we would have to have for camp, then I got +mother to visit your folks and tell them what we really ought to have to +make life comfortable in the wild woods." + +"Oh, oh! That's why Eliza told us she would fix us up with some jams and +other food-stuff," laughed Julie. + +"And mother asked me did we want any furniture or china?" added Ruth. + +"What did you say?" asked Julie. + +"I told her we'd rather she donated the price of china or furniture this +time, and let us invest it as we found need." + +The girls laughed and Mrs. Vernon ran out of the side door, saying: "I'm +missing all the fun! Do tell me what it is about?" + +Then Julie told her what Ruth had replied to her mother's question, and +the Captain laughed also. "I see Ruth is developing a wonderfully keen +sense of finance." + +"You'll say so when you see this scrap of paper, Verny," said Ruth, +taking a crumpled oblong of tinted paper from her middy blouse and +passing it over to the Captain. + +Mrs. Vernon looked at it in surprise, and gasped: "Why, of all things!" + +"The price of china and furniture that mother figured we would smash or +damage," explained Ruth. + +"Girls, it's a check for twenty-five dollars from Mrs. Bentley. We'll +have to vote her a letter of thanks at once." + +"Hurrah! Now, all ready for three cheers for Mrs. Bentley!" shouted +Julie, jumping upon the camp-stool and waving her hat. + +Instantly the girls began a loud hurrah, but the folding chair suddenly +shut up, with Julie frantically trying to balance herself. Before a +second hurrah could have been given, Julie was sprawling across the camp +table right on top of the hats, pans and what-not that had been +accumulated to take to camp. Such a clatter of tins and wild screams of +laughter that filled that tent! + +Finally Julie emerged from the wreckage and stood up, tentatively +feeling of her bones and head and body. "Am I all in one piece, girls?" +she asked, trying to appear anxious. + +"You are, but my hat isn't!" retorted Joan, holding up a crushed straw +sailor with the brim severed from the crown. + +"I'll have to work and buy you another," said Julie. + +"Please don't! I despise sailors and had to wear this one because mother +said I would need no new summer hat if I was in camp," hastily explained +Joan. + +"Come, girls, we must indite that letter to Ruth's mother now. Sit down +quietly and suggest something fine," interpolated Mrs. Vernon. + +So the letter was composed and given to Ruth to deliver, then the last +plans for leaving home were perfected, and the Patrol separated for the +day. + +Saturday found the girls again at Vernon's place, eager to hear what day +they were to start for camp. Everything that they had on their lists had +been provided, and now the only thing to do was to say good-by and +leave. This the girls felt could not be accomplished any too soon for +their peace and comfort. + +"Why, Verny, if we don't get away in a day or so, those seven girls who +are possessed to join us will steal us and hold us as hostages until you +agree to take them in our Troop," said Julie. + +"Patience! They'll have to wait now, and learn the lesson you girls have +finished before they can join this Patrol. Why, I wonder if you realize +how high you have climbed on the rungs of the ladder of Scout Ideals +during these past few weeks?" said Mrs. Vernon. + +"I can't see any change," said Joan. + +"What! don't you think your friends here have improved any whatsoever +since we decided to begin a Troop?" + +"Oh--the girls have--a little, but I haven't!" + +"You have, too, but you don't see it yet. Wait." + +"All the same, Verny, tell us when we _can_ start?" begged Julie. + +"Well, Mr. Vernon sails for his European trip on Monday, so I see +nothing to keep us home after that. Can you all be ready to go on +Tuesday morning?" + +"You know we can--why ask?" laughed Julie. + +"Maybe you'd prefer us to start Monday afternoon after you come home +from the steamer," suggested Ruth. + +Mrs. Vernon laughed. "Hardly as soon as that." + +When Tuesday arrived, however, the girls found many little things to +delay them, so it was past nine o'clock before they met at the old +headquarters, but the tent had disappeared. + +"Here we are, Verny, bag and baggage!" shouted Julie, as they tramped up +the side-steps of the porch. + +"And some of our folks are coming over in a few minutes to see us off. I +suspect they have various advices to whisper to you, as well as leave +with us some forgotten parting words," said Joan. + +"Eliza's going to give us a parting pie," added Betty, so innocently +that every one laughed. + +"Well, the visitor that we invited to camp with us for the summer is +hitched up and waiting to start," Mrs. Vernon informed the girls, as she +pointed towards the barns, where a horse was seen going down the back +road. + +"Why, Hepsy's hooked up to a buckboard? What for?" asked Ruth. + +"We won't need it this summer, so Uncle Verny suggested that Hepsy take +it along for us to use if we had to go to the stores at Freedom, or +should we want to go away on a picnic." + +"Say--that's a great idea! I never thought of it," said Julie. + +"Which proves that you have no monopoly on great ideas," retorted Joan. + +Then the automobile drove up to the steps and was soon followed by a +heavy rumbling auto-truck that was used for heavy cartage at Mr. +Vernon's factory. He had sent it down for the newly-fledged Scout Troop +to make use of to carry tents, boxes and what not to Verny's Mountain. + +The advance line of family members now came straggling up the road to +watch their girls depart. Before the truck started, the other friends +arrived, so there was quite a crowd to wish them good-by and good-luck +as they climbed into the car and wildly waved hats and hands. + +The ride seemed very short that morning, for so much had to be talked +over, and the village of Freedom was reached before they could realize +it. Then began the ascent up the woodroad to the plateau. Here the car +halted, and the chauffeur assisted the driver of the truck in +transferring the boxes and baggage to the buckboard Hepsy had brought +thus far. + +"We'll have to stable Hepsy somewhere, girls," suggested Julie, as she +stood and watched the men work. + +"Yes, we ought to make that our first concern, for Hepsy may not +appreciate outdoor life as we do--especially if it rains." + +"We'll build her a hut," promised Ruth, eagerly. + +"And let her sit out under a tree for the four weeks it will take us to +erect it?" laughed Joan. + +The girls were too eager to reach their campsite to wait any longer for +the men to complete the baggage transfer, so they informed the Captain: + +"We'll take our suitcases and start up, Verny!" + +Mrs. Vernon readily agreed to this, so they started off and were soon +out of sight. Once they had reached the old cabin, Julie said: + +"Let's get out of these city clothes and get into our scout +camp-uniforms." + +This met with general approval, and soon the girls were gleefully +comparing notes about each other's appearance. But this was interrupted +when shouts and crackling of brush was heard. Then poor Hepsy was seen +snorting and pulling to bring the loaded buckboard up to the plateau. + +"Gee! That's some haul--that grade!" complained Jim, as he mopped his hot +brow and stood looking back at the steep road. + +"And Hepsy's so soft from no recent work!" added Mrs. Vernon, as she +reached his side. Jim was too easy with the horses for their own good, +so she said what she did to let him know his sympathy was misplaced. + +Hepsy began nibbling at the luscious grass that grew near her feet, and +Mrs. Vernon laughingly added: "Poor thing! She must be almost dead to be +able to start right in and eat like that." + +The luggage was taken to the hut and then Jim went back for a second +load. The back seat of the buckboard had been removed so the camp outfit +could be easily piled upon the floor of the vehicle. But it did not hold +very much, hence it was necessary to make several trips. + +When all was carted up to the campsite, Mrs. Vernon said: "Now, Jim, +remember to bring the oats once a week for Hepsy, and any other things I +write for. See that all mail is forwarded to Freedom, where we can get +it." + +Jim promised to see that everything was done as requested, then he, too, +left. When the last chugs from the automobile truck and the car died +away, Mrs. Vernon turned to the girls. + +"Well, scouts, here we are for a whole summer of delights!" + +"Hip, hip----" began Julie, and the others joined in. + +"Don't you think the hut has grown smaller since we were here last?" +asked Betty, wonderingly. + +"That is because you were picturing the place on a much grander scale +after you got home than it actually is. It is your thought that has to +dwindle again to take in the proportion of the hut as it is," replied +the Captain, amused at Betty's experience. + +"I thought the very same thing, but I hated to say anything that sounded +like criticism," admitted Joan. + +"Tell the truth, girls, I think that hut is tiny, but it looked big +enough the other day," laughed Julie. + +"Then we must build ours larger than this," said Mrs. Vernon, turning to +look over the stock of things needing shelter. + +"It looks like an awful heap of stuff, doesn't it?" asked Ruth. + +"Yes, but we needed everything, so we had to bring them." + +"What shall we do first, Verny?" asked Betty. + +"Better pitch the tent first of all, and arrange the cots, then we can +work as long as we like, without worrying about having to make our +beds." + +The girls quickly unrolled the large canvas tent they had purchased, but +when it came to erecting it, they found it a much more difficult task +than they had anticipated. Jim and the gardener had helped pitch it the +first time, but now they were absent. + +However, after many failures, the tent was up, albeit it looked wobbly +and one-sided. The cots were next opened and placed under the canvas, +and the lockers were dragged to their right places. + +"Where's the crex rug Verny said we could bring for the ground inside +the tent?" called Julie, thrusting her head from the opening of the +canvas. But she forgot Ruth had placed a pole directly in front of the +entrance to hold up the flap temporarily. + +"Ouch! Who left that tree-trunk right in the way?" cried Julie, as she +bumped her head smartly. + +"That's the porter standing at the door of our hotel!" retorted Joan, +laughing as she saw Julie scowling. + +"Well, where's the crex rug, anyway?" demanded Julie. + +"Come to think of it--Jim threw it out when he unloaded the truck, and +then he must have forgotten to pick it up again," said Mrs. Vernon. + +"We'll have to use grass for carpet to-night, then," said Julie. + +"Unless you run down and drag it up," ventured Ruth. + +"That's what we brought Hepsy for, girls. Who'll drive her down and +bring back the rug?" called Mrs. Vernon from the hut. + +All four were anxious to drive and enjoy the fun, so Julie jumped on the +front seat and the others sat dangling their feet from the back of the +buckboard. The Captain stood smiling and watching as they went, thinking +to herself, "What a good time they will have in camp!" + +When the amateur truckman returned, Ruth called out: "Guess what, Verny? +We found the seat of the buckboard in the bushes, too. Wasn't it +fortunate we went for the rug?" + +"We might have hunted all over the camp for that seat when we want to go +for a drive, and never have thought of it being left down there," added +Julie. + +When the girls ran over to see what next to do, they found the Captain +eyeing a board about sixteen inches in length. She was calculating aloud +and wondering if it would fit. + +"Fit where? What is it for?" asked Joan. + +"You'll soon find out. Now you girls can unpack the hamper and get +luncheon ready--I'm hungry," replied Mrs. Vernon. + +She knew this would meet with great approval, and soon they were busy +unpacking the ready-made lunch, and placing it on a large flat rock. + +"Ruth! quick--brush that awful bug from the butter!" shrieked Julie, as +she stood with both her hands filled with dishes. + +"Oh--oh! I can't! It's an awful looking creature!" cried Ruth, running +away from the rock where the luncheon was spread. + +"Joan--come here! What's that beast on the butter--see?" called Julie, +trying to set the tier of dishes down on the grass. + +"It's only a young dragon-fly--don't you know one when you see it?" +laughed Joan, shooing the insect away. + +"I've seen them flying in the sunshine, but never on the butter-dish," +said Julie, picking up the dishes again and placing them on the cloth. + +Mrs. Vernon had started for the rock-table when she heard the shouting, +but now she laughed heartily. "Joan, where did you study insect-life +that you know so much about one of the common members?" + +"Wasn't it a dragon-fly, Verny?" + +"Not at all. I should think every one of you girls could tell a +dragon-fly, because we have them about our gardens at home." + +"What was it, then?" asked Joan. + +"I'm going to send to Scout Headquarters for a book on Insect Life, and +have you study the different ones you find while in camp. Then you'll +become acquainted with them and never forget again. The same with +flowers and trees--I must send for books that you can refer to and teach +yourselves all you need to know about these things that every good scout +knows." + +"Oh, come on and let's eat. Every ant and bug in the land will get there +before us, and we'll have to eat leavings," said Julie, whipping a +hornet from the jelly dish. + +So with all kinds of insects for guests, the girls ate their first lunch +at camp. They were so hungry that stale bread would have tasted good, +but given the delicious things prepared by the Vernons' cook, it was +small wonder they all felt uncomfortably full when they left the +rock-table. + + + + +CHAPTER FIVE + +RUTH MEETS WITH DIFFICULTIES + + +Immediately after luncheon, the girls left the flat table-rock and ran +off in quest of fun. They had ignored the remains of the meal, and the +dishes were left to attract all the ants and flies within a radius of +the odor of the food. + +Mrs. Vernon had gone to the buckboard to unpack the chest that held the +tools, and was engaged in sorting the nails she thought would be needed +to repair the old hut. When she turned to see if the girls were almost +through with the task of clearing away the dishes, she found them +eagerly investigating the camp grounds. + +"How I'd like to have a swim in this pool," called Joan, standing beside +the mirror-like water. + +"Oh, no; we can take a dip any time. Let's go for a hike up the +mountainside. I want to explore," cried Ruth. + +"Why not wait until to-morrow morning for adventuring--I want to see if +there are any fish in this trout brook," said Betty. + +Julie was out of hearing, but she was busy over some quest of her own, +and she had shirked work as well as the others. + +"Girls, is it possible that you are seeking for a kind fairy who might +live in the woods, or are you just waiting for some one to happen along +and offer services to you?" asked Mrs. Vernon. + +"What do you mean?" inquired Joan, puzzled at the words. + +"And what are _you_ looking for, Verny?" asked Betty, seeing the Captain +going about examining various spots, then glance up at the trees +overhead, or shade her eyes to gaze at the sky. + +"Finding a suitable place for the cook-stove," said she. + +"Cook-stove! Why, we didn't bring any!" replied four girls. + +"Oh, yes we did--I'll show you a fine one to-morrow." + +"Are we to have running water in our bedrooms, too?" laughed Joan. + +"You can, if you are willing to do the plumbing," retorted Mrs. Vernon. + +But evidently she found just the place she sought for; and now the girls +were deeply interested in watching her build a camp-stove. "You see, I +need a place where the smoke will not be driven into our tents, and also +where the wind will act as a blower up the chimney and not a quencher of +the fire. + +"Julie, you can bring me some smooth flat stones for an oven, and Joan +can find me a peck of small stones for a lining. Then Betty can cut a +good strong young sapling about an inch through, cut off the twigs and +leave a clean pole about five feet long; and Ruth can cut two shorter +ones with crotches made by two limbs. The crotched limbs can be about +three inches long and the poles cut to four feet high. Sharpen the ends +to a point so we can drive them into the ground." + +Each girl went to do the bidding of their Captain, and when they +returned they found a pit had been scooped out of the sheltered nook at +the base of a huge rock. This pit was lined with smooth small stones, +and the flat oven-stones firmly fixed at the back. Then the two notched +poles were planted one on each side of the fireplace, and the long pole +placed across the top, the ends fitting securely into the notches. + +"To-night we shall have hot soup for supper, girls, and there will be +plenty of hot water to wash dishes in." + +"Hadn't we better heat some water now for the dishes?" asked Julie. + +"Oh--haven't you cleared away the lunch table and washed the dishes?" +asked Mrs. Vernon, seemingly surprised. + +"Not yet--there wasn't any hot water," said Ruth. + +"Then we must heat some at once, for no good scout will postpone +clearing away food and dishes after he has had a bountiful meal. It +shows a lack of appreciation and gratitude to the Provider when one is +slack about cheerfully doing his part," said the Captain. + +So Joan was sent for a pail of water, and the other girls were told to +remove all signs of food from the rock and bring the dishes to the +kitchen. + +"Where is the kitchen?" giggled Ruth. + +"For to-day, we will have it _below_ the pool in which we wish to bathe. +Then the brook can carry away the dish-water without having it seep into +the ground and find its way to mingle with the pool." + +The pail of water was hung upon the cross-pole, and fire was laid and +lit in the fire-pit. The girls watched very closely as the Captain +slowly placed the dry leaves, then the dried twigs, and lastly the dry +wood that would burn quickly and start other wood burning in the stove. + +While the water was heating, Mrs. Vernon showed the girls how to hitch +and unhitch Hepsy. If either one needed to do it, she would understand +just where all the pieces of harness fitted in. Hepsy was now given a +drink and some oats, and turned out to graze about the plateau. + +With five pairs of hands, the clearing away of the dishes did not take +long. As they worked, the Captain planned the carpentry work. + +"Don't you think we ought to repair the old hut first?" asked she. "You +see, we need some sort of protection for our dry groceries and other +things." + +"Well, we can do that to-day, and begin on Hepsy's shed in the morning," +suggested Julie. + +"I doubt if we can complete all the work to be done on the old place in +this afternoon's few hours," returned Mrs. Vernon. + +"It doesn't look as if it would take more than two hours at most," +argued Joan. + +"We'll begin now and then you can find out for yourselves," the Captain +said in reply. + +All the tools they had brought were now unpacked and placed ready for +use. Mrs. Vernon then said: "Now we must weed up all the stubble and +wild-growth that has filled the interior of the hut. We may find the +floor beams good enough to use again when the undergrowth is cleared +away." + +"Why not let's build the roof first?" asked Ruth. + +"Because you have no flooring down, and every nail or tool you drop +while working on the roof will have to be sought for in the rank +growth." + +The girls saw the logic of that, so they began pulling and working on +the material that had to be eliminated before further work could be +attended to. + +"Why, this is as bad as weeding dandelions," grumbled Ruth. + +"Say, Ruth, dandelions were easy in comparison," laughed Joan, standing +up to wipe the perspiration from her face. + +"Well, all I can say is, if this is the sort of fun the Girl Scouts rave +about, I don't want any more of it!" declared Ruth, throwing down her +weeding fork and stepping over the beam to get out of the hut. + +The other girls stopped work and looked impatiently at her, but Mrs. +Vernon said: "Perhaps you'd like to work at some other task. There are +many things to be done before we can settle down in camp and enjoy our +leisure." + +"All right! Give me any old thing but that weeding!" + +"Here's the ax--see those trees growing so closely together over there?" + +Ruth took the ax and signified by a nod that she saw the clump referred +to. + +"Start to cut down several of them, but do not chop too low or too high +from the base. I mean, you ought to cut about eighteen inches above +ground. When you have chopped through nearly half of the trunk, call me +and I will show you what next to do." + +"Hurrah! Now I'm going to do something different! I'm sorry for you poor +girls with nothing but weeds to work on," called Ruth gaily, swinging +the ax as she moved away. + +The three girls watched for a few moments, but she had not yet reached +the clump of trees before they were again working hard. The Captain was +occupied in removing some boards from the packing cases already emptied +of bedding and other things, so no one noticed Ruth. + +She held the ax up over her head as she had seen others do, and brought +it down with a swing. But it caught in the high bushes beside her and +was yanked from her hands. + +"Well! to think a little thing like that birch bush could do that!" +exclaimed Ruth to herself. + +She picked up the ax and took a fresh start. This time she changed her +position so the birch could not interfere again. The ax came down, but +so wide was its swing, and Ruth had not allowed for any leeway in her +stiff pose, hence the muscles in her arms were wrenched and her back +suddenly turned with the force of the blow. + +"O-oh" exclaimed she, dropping the ax and rubbing the flesh of her upper +arms. + +She glanced over at her companions to see if they had seen the awkward +work she was making of the chopping, but they were laughing merrily as +they worked inside the hut. Mrs. Vernon was not to be seen so the girl's +pride was spared. She picked up the ax again and looked at it carefully. + +"What is there about you that hurt me like that?" + +But the inanimate ax did not answer, and Ruth could not tell. So she +lifted it again, slowly this time, and then made sure that no +obstructions were in the way. + +She paid so much attention to the ax that she scarcely looked where the +blow might fall, consequently the blade came down almost on a vertical +line with the tree-trunk. It glanced off and sank into the soft soil +beside the tree, with Ruth holding fast to the handle. So unexpected was +this aim and the downward continuation of the ax until it sank into the +ground, that Ruth was fairly pulled over and fell upon her face in the +vines and bushes. + +"You mean old thing! You can stick there as long as you like--I'll never +put a finger on you again!" cried the ax-scout, as she got up and felt +of the scratches on her face. + +"What's the matter, Ruth?" called Mrs. Vernon, seeing the girl slowly +returning to camp without the ax. + +"That tool is too heavy for me to use. Have you a hatchet or something +else to cut with?" + +"The ax is the only thing that ought to be used on a small tree; the saw +is for thicker trunks, but you can't manage it, either, if you can't +handle the ax." + +"Well, what else is there I can do instead of chopping down forests?" +asked Ruth, trying to cover her shortcomings with a laugh. + +"Did you bring back the ax? It's a very good one, you know." + +"I thought perhaps one of the other girls would want to change work +soon, so I left it by the tree." + +"If one of the others should feel like quitting the work they were given +to complete first, then they can take the ax from its place in the +tool-chest. Better bring it to me now, Ruth." + +As no other alternative was open, she went back to the tree and kicked +viciously at the ax. But the blade was still securely embedded in the +ground and that made the handle as resistant as an upright post. So all +Ruth got for her kick was a suddenly turned toe that felt lame for days +afterwards. + +"Oh, o-oh! _how_ I hate camping! I'm going home and tell every one I +know what a horrid thing this Girl Scout business is! All hard work +and--everything! No fun, no rest--just lame backs and broken bones!" Ruth +fairly screamed to herself as she sat down and removed the sneaker from +the foot that had tried to crack the ax-handle of hickory. + +The Captain heard the crying and hurried over to inquire into the cause +of it. Ruth was weeping by this time, so sorry did she feel for herself, +and her ill-treatment. + +"What ever has happened, Ruth, in this perfectly safe spot?" + +"O-ooh! I must have stubbed my toe! Oooo-h, I'm afraid it's broken!" +wailed the girl. + +Mrs. Vernon saw the ax with its head deep in the ground but she did not +dream how Ruth had "stubbed" her toe. She sat down and wiggled the +injured member tenderly, then said: + +"Oh, no, it's not broken, only hurt by the collision. It will be all +right in a little while," the Captain replied cheerfully. + +But Ruth did not want cheerfulness--she wanted to be told she had to +remain as quiet as possible and have others wait on her. + +"Pick up the ax and I'll help you walk over--you can lean upon my arm if +you think your toe will feel easier," suggested Mrs. Vernon. + +"I don't believe I can walk," breathed Ruth, fearfully. + +"Oh, yes, you can. The foot is all right, it is only the toe that feels +lame for a short time--just as it would have done at home if you ran into +a piece of furniture." + +Reaching camp again, Ruth was about to drop the ax on the grass, when +the Captain said: "The tool-chest is over on the buckboard, Ruth." + +The girl clinched her teeth in anger, but the ax was taken to its right +place and left in the box whence she had taken it. + +One after another of the girls looked up and felt surprised to find Ruth +sitting on a box holding her foot. Then Julie called out: + +"Good gracious! Ruth done chopping that tree so soon?" + +"No, she and the ax had an argument," laughed Mrs. Vernon. + +Ruth glanced at the Captain out of the corners of her eyes, and +wondered: "Did she see me kick that old thing?" + +"Oh! Well, then, come over and get busy here again," said Joan, +beckoning to Ruth. + +"That won't make your toe hurt, Ruth. You can remain in one spot and +weed," added Mrs. Vernon. + +Not having any other excuse at the moment, Ruth limped to the hut and +slowly began the old work, but she rebelled inwardly. + +After an hour's hard work the clearing was done, and the girls threw +themselves down to rest. The Captain was ready for this recess. + +"I made a jugful of lemonade, girls, and it is as cold as if we had ice +water in it. Just taste!" + +"Oh, glory! Just what I was wishing for," sighed Julie. + +The others quickly agreed with that exclamation, and tested the drink. +The mingled sounds of approval made the Captain smile. After a short +rest, Joan said: + +"What next? I'm ready to start work again." + +"Dear me! Haven't we done enough for this afternoon? I want to enjoy a +_little_ bit of the time here," complained Ruth. + +"I'm having a fine time! I like this sort of thing," said Joan. + +"You can do exactly as you like, girls; if you want to do any more work +on the hut, well and good; if you prefer to rest or do anything else, +there is no one to stop you. But it is plain to be seen that the hut +cannot be repaired completely this afternoon, eh?" said Mrs. Vernon, +with a smile. + +"I should say not! If we finish it by to-morrow night we will be clever +workers," replied Julie. + +"I'm going back to work on it, anyway," came from Betty. + +"You always were the easy mark for every one," Ruth said scornfully, +tossing her head. + +Betty flushed, but Julie defended her. "She isn't an easy mark at all! +But she may be too sympathetic for hard-hearted or lazy folks who always +play on her generosity!" + +"I don't believe the scout handbook says that members of the scout +organization must criticize or say unpleasant things to others," +commented Mrs. Vernon. + +That silenced every one, and soon all four girls were at work again, +removing the dead wood of the flooring. When this was done, Mrs. Vernon +examined it carefully. + +"It isn't as bad as I thought it would be. The tangle of briars and +brush, and the decayed outer layer of the beams, made it look as if it +all must be removed." + +Once they became interested in repairing the floor as it should be done, +the girls wanted to continue and complete it, but the wise Captain +called a halt, and said: + +"Twilight will soon creep up to compel us to stop work; before that +comes we want to have everything ready for the night." + +So when darkness fell the camp was ready and waiting for it. A fine fire +reflected light fitfully about its radius, and lanterns were lighted for +use in case the campers wished to go about. Hepsy had been fed and +bedded for the night, and the tent was in readiness for its tenants. + +Supper had been prepared and disposed of, and the dishes washed and +cleared away before darkness invited every one to sit down and listen to +the Captain's stories of girlhood days in this very spot. But she had +rather a drowsy audience that night. Four girls were so tired out with +healthy exercise and the mountain air that the fire gave them a feeling +of peace and rest. + +Not a demur was heard when Mrs. Vernon suggested bed, and the hard cots +must have felt like a nest of feathers to the newly-fledged scouts, for +soon every one was fast asleep. + + + + +CHAPTER SIX + +FIRST LESSONS IN SCOUT WORK + + +A loud drumming on a tin pan roused the would-be scouts in the morning, +and each girl tumbled out of her cot feeling as if she had slept on +roses. The invigorating air and the benefit of sleeping out-of-doors +began to be felt. Then the odor of cooking was wafted in through the +tent opening, and Joan ran to look out. + +"Oh!" sniffed she, "Verny's up and dressed and has something _awfully_ +good cooking for breakfast!" + +"Um-m--I should say she has!" added Julie, running over to join Joan at +the tent door. + +"What is it, Verny?" called a chorus of girls, and as the Captain turned +to reply she saw four tousled heads crowded out of the opening. + +"Can't tell secrets until you've washed and dressed!" laughed Mrs. +Vernon. + +It was not long, therefore, before the hungry campers joined her about +the fire and wanted to know what smelled so good. The Captain was adding +a pinch of salt to the "something" in the pot, so she did not look up, +but said hastily: + +"Will some one watch that toast--it seems to be scorching." + +"Did you ever! Making toast on a stone!" laughed Julie, trying to turn +over the slices with a stick. + +"But the stone's as hot as any stove-lid," commented Betty, as she saw +the smoke rise from the crumbs that burned on the rock. + +"Is that cereal standing off on that other stone?" now inquired Ruth. + +"Yes, but who'd a thought a stone would ever be used for an oven?" +laughed Joan, stirring the cereal with a long spoon. + +"The oven won't retain heat long after the stone is removed from the +embers. Better be ready to serve yourselves as soon as I say 'ready,'" +said Mrs. Vernon, as she removed the pot that had given forth such +appetizing odors from the fire, and stood it upon a heated rock. + +"Now--all ready!" laughed she, and every girl made a dash for the cereal. + +"Here--let me dish it up and pass it along. The whole mess will be in the +fire if we all struggle to be first," added Joan. + +The cereal disappeared like snow in July, and then four eager girls were +asking for the next course. + +"This food, fit for the gods, is composed of the leavings of supper last +night. But you girls will never dream that it goes by a homely name," +said Mrs. Vernon, as she ladled a goodly portion upon each plate which +was thrust out under her nose. + +"What _is_ it called?" asked Ruth, tasting a bit that fell upon the edge +of her plate. + +"It smells heavenly, Verny!" sighed Julie, rolling her eyes skyward. + +Every one laughed, for Julie always was extravagant in her language. + +"In boarding-houses the guests object every time it is served, but we +have the great advantage over city boarders whose hash is made merely +with chopped meat and eggs and milk! We have Nature's appetizer to +season our dish, so that it becomes nectar and ambrosia in this camp," +explained the Captain, smilingly. + +The hash went the way of the cereal, and the girls looked anxiously in +the pot to see if there could be a second helping. + +"Oh, thanks to our lucky stars and Verny, she made a lot of it!" called +Julie, waving a spoon at her comrades. + +"But where is the toast? Verny--the toast is gone!" shouted Joan, gazing +fearfully under the stones to see if it could have slipped from the +oven-rock. + +"Ha! that's my secret! Eat the hash, girls, and I will tell you where +the toast is." + +It needed no second invitation to finish all signs of hash, then Ruth +demanded to know where the toast was hidden. + +The Captain ran over to Ruth and touched the spot where the stomach is +located. "You've had your share of toast and it is in there!" laughed +Mrs. Vernon. + +"We haven't! We only had hash!" retorted Ruth, wonderingly. + +"The hash was made of toast and other things. I only had about a +spoonful of corned beef left from last night. But toast, when broken +into bits, will taste so like meat that few people know the difference. +That's how I managed to cook a second helping." + +"As long as it was not wasted I don't care much whether I ate the toast +in hash or had it with tea," said Julie. + +"But I can eat more breakfast," commented Joan. + +"'Enough is as good as a feast,' and I'm sure you girls must admit +you've had enough to sustain you until noon," said Mrs. Vernon. + +"Oh, certainly!" agreed Joan, "making the best of a famine is my +especial virtue." + +This started a laugh, and merry words were exchanged while the dishes +were cleared away and the camp was left in good order. + +"Now shall we start in to finish the hut, Verny?" asked Betty. + +"I thought I'd like to read aloud from the handbook, 'Scouting for +Girls,' and see how many of the laws and customs you girls know." + +"You'll find us in the A-B-C-class, I'm afraid," said Joan. + +"Then the sooner you are promoted out of it the better," declared Mrs. +Vernon, seating herself on a stump and opening the manual. + +"First question: 'How do you start a Patrol?'" asked the Captain. + +"Oh, we know that, Verny, 'cause we had to learn it by heart in order to +advise those girls who wanted to join, you see," chorused the girls. + +"Well, then, are we a Patrol now?" asked Mrs. Vernon. + +"In the real sense, we are not, as there are only four members at +present; but we are _going_ to be one, aren't we?" said Julie. + +"Yes, but until we have eight girls we are not anything on record. +However, we can form our club and then enlist new members to increase +the number to the required total. + +"Next it says: 'The Scout Captain who has studied the plan, principles +and object of the organization, explains the laws and obligations of +members to those who wish to form a troop.' I must now take down your +names and addresses in a book, and decide what day or at what time we +wish to hold our regular meetings. + +"It says here that fifteen minutes must be spent on knot-tying and +three-quarters of an hour on recreation. So I will now teach you the art +of tying knots. Following this lesson, we will take forty-five minutes +for recreation." + +But the fifteen minutes merged into twenty, and still the novitiates +begged to be allowed to "try just one more knot." + +"Now I am going to read the Girl Scout Laws from the book, but there +will be no comments, please, until I give the signal," said the Captain, +having taken away the rope for knots, and seated herself upon it to keep +the girls from experimenting. + +"'1--If a Scout says "on my honor it is so," that means that what she +says is as true as if she had taken a most solemn oath. + +"'2--A Girl Scout is loyal to the President, to her country, and to her +officers; to her father, to her mother, and to her employers. She +remains true to them through thick and thin. In the face of the greatest +difficulties and calamities her loyalty must remain untarnished. + +"'3--A Girl Scout's duty is to be useful and to help others. She is to do +her duty before anything else even if she gives up her own pleasure, +safety, or comfort. When in doubt as to which of two things to do she +must think: "Which is my duty?" which means "Which is the best for other +people?" and then do that at once. She must be prepared at any time to +save life or help the injured. She should do at least one good turn to +some one every day. + +"'4--A Girl Scout is a Friend to all, and a sister to every other Girl +Scout. Thus, if a Scout meets another Scout, even though a stranger to +her, she may speak to her and help her in any way she can, either to +carry out the duty she is then doing, or by giving her food, or as far +as possible anything she may want. Like Kim, a Scout should be a "Little +friend to all the world. + +"'5--A Scout is courteous; that is, she is polite to all. She must not +take any reward for being helpful or courteous. + +"'6--A Scout keeps herself pure in thought, word and deed. + +"'7--A Scout is a friend to animals; she should save them as far as +possible from pain, and should not kill even the smallest unnecessarily. +They are all God's creatures. + +"'8--A Scout obeys orders under all circumstances; when she gets an order +she must obey it cheerfully and readily, not in a slow, sullen manner. +Scouts never grumble, whine nor howl. + +"'9--A Scout is cheerful under all circumstances. Scouts never grumble at +hardships, nor whine at each other, nor frown when put out. A Scout goes +about with a smile and singing. It cheers her and cheers other people, +especially in time of danger. + +"'10--A Scout is thrifty; this means that a Scout avoids all useless +waste of every kind; she is careful about saving every penny she can put +into the bank so that she may have a surplus in time of need. She sees +that food is not wasted, and that her clothing is cared for properly. +The Girl Scout does not waste time. She realizes that time is the most +precious thing any one of us has. The Girl Scout's time is spent either +in useful occupation or in wholesome recreation, and she tries to +balance these two harmoniously.' + +"Now girls, have you any comments to make, for I have read the ten +commandments of the Girl Scout organization, and will hear any testimony +now?" said Mrs. Vernon, laughingly. + +"I haven't any comments to make on the reading, but I would like to +remind the illustrious Captain that she forgot a very important part of +the program this morning," said Julie, seriously, albeit there was a +twinkle in her eyes. + +"Speak now or forever after hold your peace!" declared Mrs. Vernon, with +a magisterial air. + +Every one laughed, but Julie obeyed the command: "You said we would give +fifteen minutes to knot-tying and forty-five to recreation. Now I wish +to ask Your Honor, is this Scout Reading to be considered as +recreation?" + +The Captain smiled, and after a few moments' pause said: "I am guilty of +theft. But I plead extenuating circumstances. I forgot what I said about +recreation, and was so over-anxious to have my infant Patrol grounded in +the first lessons of scout duties that I stole time from the hour. Who +is there here just enough to sentence me?" + +"We have no jury, but in lieu of a speaker, allow me to speak for +myself: your zeal shall be your excuse, but hereafter see that you do +not commit the same offense," spoke Julie, with a judicial air. + +The Captain and girls laughed heartily, and thus ended the first reading +of Scout Laws. Mrs. Vernon closed the book and got up from the knotty +seat of rope, and asked the girls if they had thought of any form of +recreation. + +"We still have to be informed by the Court if the time stolen from our +forty-five minutes must be returned or deducted?" countered Julie. + +"The Court thinks you should have the full time given you for any useful +recreation--not for foolishness," said Mrs. Vernon. + +"Well, would the Court adjudge a good hike to be useful?" demanded Joan. + +"The Court most certainly would, and will even offer to accompany the +jury, or whatever body you call yourselves." + +"Then it's us for a hike, girls!" cried Joan. + +The suggestion met with favor, and soon the newly-made Scouts were +climbing the steep grade of the mountainside. It was more than an hour +before voices were again heard, and Hepsy whinnied as if to ask "What +sort of scouts are you, anyway, to listen to a law read about animals +and how to treat them, and then go away without giving me my breakfast?" + +The moment the girls heard the appeal from the mare, they understood and +ran pell-mell to get Hepsy the oats. When she saw they were measuring +out her breakfast, she craned her neck as far as it would stretch, and +pawed the ground impatiently. + +Mrs. Vernon held her head with both hands and cried as if in despair: +"Merciful goodness! What sort of a Captain am I to forget our faithful +old scout Hepsy?" + +"Will Hepsy get sick now, Verny?" asked Betty, worried. + +"No, but she is so famished she may eat me up if I venture near her with +a pail of water! That is all that might happen." + +"If she does, there will be a second result, too. Hepsy'll sure have an +awful case of indigestion after dining!" retorted Julie, causing the +others to laugh. + +Hepsy was given a long drink and then left to enjoy her oats. While the +animal was feeding, Julie said: "How about the hut?" + +"I hope we can finish it to-day, Verny," added Joan. + +"You can try at least. Every bit done helps, you know," replied the +Captain. + +The old flooring had been scraped clean and the cross-sections that were +too badly decayed were removed. Then the boards taken from the packing +cases were fitted in and nailed down securely. By one o'clock the partly +new floor was finished and cleaned up. + +Dinner was suggested before continuing the work, and the campers talked +about roofing the hut while they prepared the meal. + +"Now that the floor is finished, two of us ought to begin to carry in +our stock, while the others work on the roof. That will save our +groceries from the moisture or dampness in the ground, you see," said +Mrs. Vernon. + +"But we all want to work on the roof--it will be fun," declared Julie. + +"In that case, we shall have to draw lots. And after half of the +groceries are moved in by two girls, the others will have to take their +turn while the first two enjoy the roof," suggested the Captain. + +"And you--what do you want to do?" asked Ruth. + +"I am going to hunt around for any down timbers that we can use for +siding the hut where the old logs have fallen away and rotted on the +ground. I will leave you scouts to work on the roof after your own +plans." + +"Oh, but tell us what to use before you go?" cried Betty. + +"You'll find a roll of tar paper over there with the supplies. This you +must measure off and cut the required size. Be sure to have it long +enough to turn under the eaves and over at the top." + +"How do we nail it down?" asked Joan. + +"Lay the strips lengthwise, from ridgepole to eaves, and fasten down +each strip on the old boards. But, girls, do be careful not to break +through those openings in the roof, nor crumble in at any decayed +places!" + +"All right--I guess we can remember that much all right," said Julie, +eager to begin. + +So Mrs. Vernon left them to see how far they would use their +intelligence in doing this work, while she began seeking along the +woodland road for down tree-trunks of movable length and weight. + +She found plenty of timber such as she wanted for the sides of the old +hut, and also to start work on the new one, but she did not return to +camp until four o'clock. When she did, she found two of the girls fast +asleep on the grass, while the other two were in the pool splashing +about. + +She went quietly over to the hut, and, to her surprise, found the roof +as neatly finished as if done by an experienced hand. The edges were +turned under and fastened with nails, and the seams lapped just as they +should be. In fact, she was delighted with the workmanship. + +Then, too, the boxes of groceries and other goods were neatly stacked in +one corner, so less room was used for storage and more left for personal +use. + +"Now I wonder which one of the girls thought this out? It is so natural +for young folks to shove the boxes in and leave them standing about +anywhere. But this proves to me that one of my scouts has a good head +for management of affairs." + +The girls swimming about in the pool now caught sight of the Captain, +and scrambled out of the water. They were soon dressed and ran over to +receive Mrs. Vernon's compliments on the work done. The two sleeping +ones also sat up, rubbed their eyes, and laughed. + +"When did you get back, Verny?" yawned Ruth. + +"Just now; but, girls, I have seen the hut, and you surely have done +fine work!" exclaimed the Captain, turning to admire the roof again. + +While her head was turned, four girls exchanged knowing winks, but their +faces were as serious as ever when Mrs. Vernon's eyes searched theirs +keenly. + +"We thought you'd be pleased, Verny. But what kept you so long?" said +Julie. + +"I found enough wood for a new hut, and then I sat down on a log and +sketched a working plan for the sections of the building you propose +erecting. + +"You see this rocky wall that rises back of the old hut?" the Captain +pointed to the lines she had drawn on the paper. "Well, we will use that +for a back wall against which our new hut can brace itself. The wall of +the old hut can supply one side of the new building, and we can extend +the roof on the same lines as the old one, along over the new hut." + +"Oh, yes, that's a fine idea!" cried Joan. + +"And that will save us hauling the wood and building up one whole side, +won't it?" asked Betty. + +"Yes, but it also makes a two-room house of the two huts, see?" and Mrs. +Vernon displayed another plan she had drawn on paper. + +"I think I like it better than having two separate huts, Verny," said +Julie. + +"And we can use the wood we might have built into the one side of the +hut for a shed for Hepsy. Can't we go right on extending the house and +build the lean-to to the end of the new hut, just as we plan hooking the +new addition on to the old hut?" asked Joan. + +The original way in which the description was worded caused a general +laugh, but Joan never worried about laughter when it was in fun. She +always said, "Well, if it gives any one any satisfaction to laugh at me, +I'm glad to accommodate them so cheaply. It doesn't hurt one." + +"Joan's idea is good, and we will follow it as soon as we finish the +frame of the new hut," said Mrs. Vernon. + +"We were thinking of moving your cot-bed into the old hut, Verny, but +then we decided to wait and see if you would like it," now suggested +Betty. + +"You see, we were a bit crowded last night in the tent, and we thought +you would like some privacy of your own. Being in the old hut might +appeal to your sentimentality," added Julie. + +Another laugh rang out, but this time at Mrs. Vernon's expense. She +sighed and posed as a sentimental maiden might, and simpered her thanks +for the scouts' forethought. Then they laughed again. + +"Now all joking aside, girls! I appreciate your thought and will gladly +move my hotel-suite to the hut. At least I shall be near the crackers +and prunes if I feel hungry at night," declared Mrs. Vernon. + +She then called the girls to assist her in moving her effects from the +tent to the hut, and as they went back and forth the Captain could not +refrain from again voicing her gratification at the manner in which the +scouts finished their first carpentry work. + +"If you were fully-fledged scouts of record, you surely would be awarded +a badge." + +Behind her back, as she said this, the Captain's four carpenters again +exchanged smiles and knowing winks. + + + + +CHAPTER SEVEN + +HEPSY JOINS THE SCOUTS' UNION + + +The next morning, after breakfast dishes were cleared away, the Captain +said: "Now we will give a few minutes to reading our Scout Handbook, and +then practice some new knots. After that we can choose our recreation." + +"I don't want to waste any more time on recreation until our new hut is +built," declared Joan. + +"Neither do any one of us, Verny," added Julie. + +"Well, if that is the general wish, we can work on the hut and call it +recreation, you know," answered Mrs. Vernon. + +The moment the knots and reading were finished, they all ran over to the +tool-chest to select whatever implements they might need. Mrs. Vernon +handed out a spade and a pick, but no one took advantage of them. + +"What are they for?" asked Ruth. + +"We will have to divide the work as we did yesterday. Two can dig the +cellar while two haul timbers for the hut." + +"Dig cellar! You haven't any cellar under yours," returned Joan, amazed. + +"But we have! Do you suppose those timbers and flooring would have +lasted as long as this if we hadn't excavated a pit under them. The hole +may have filled up with leaves and dried wood material, but all the +earth was cleaned out by digging a cellar at least three feet deep. This +gave ventilation and kept our things from mildewing." + +"Why don't we all dig foundations, then, and finish it so much the +sooner?" asked Julie. + +"You'll find it isn't the easiest work to stoop over with a pick or +spade and move earth that is filled with heavy stones. Your backs will +ache in a short time, and you'll grow tired of the task. Then I propose +exchanging those weary ones for two fresh diggers," explained the +Captain. "Turn and turn about keeps one from feeling any monotony in the +work." + +"All right--send Ruth and Joan off for the first haul of logs," replied +Julie, resignedly. + +"But I'd rather dig, Julie, and let you two go for wood," declared Ruth. + +"Ha, ha, ha! You're so contradictory! That's just what I hoped you'd +say! 'Cause I'd lots rather drive Hepsy down the hill and hitch her up +to the logs she's got to haul!" exclaimed Julie, exultantly. + +Ruth said nothing but took the spade and started for the newly staked +out cellar of the hut. Joan scowled and followed, but she wanted to join +Julie in hauling the logs. Betty understood and ran up to exchange work +with her. + +"I'd be a poor scout if I didn't dig alongside Ruth when it's my job!" +returned Joan, when Betty said she would exchange. + +"But we all will have to dig and take turns, so what difference will it +make, Joan dear, if I dig now or later?" argued Betty. + +"Don't you really care whether you work with Ruth or Julie?" asked Joan, +skeptically, because she liked to be with Julie. + +"It's all the same to me, as long as we build the house," returned +Betty, taking the pick and thrusting a hook into Joan's willing hands. + +"What's this for?" wondered she. + +"Verny says we have to use it to move the timber." + +"Great! Well, as long as you don't mind, Betty, I'll run away and find +Julie." + +"I can't budge a spadeful of this hard ground, Betty," complained Ruth, +as her companion joined her. + +"Oh, not in that way, Ruth. You'll have to remove all the roots and +weeds first, and that will help break up the hardened soil, you know; +'cause the brush-roots run down real deep, you see." + +"But I just hate weeding, Betty; can't I dig it up without doing that +extra work?" + +"You tried just now and said it was awfully hard! I am going to weed +mine first, and then dig it up." + +So saying, wise Betty weeded a patch and then used the pick with which +to break up the ground. This done, she took the spade and, to Ruth's +great surprise, the loosened earth came up readily. The energetic young +scout had made good progress in this work before Mrs. Vernon came over +to inspect the task. + +Ruth raised no further objections when she saw how easy the digging was +for Betty; so she weeded, too, and followed her chum's example. Soon she +found the work was not nearly as hard as she had thought it would be. +But that is because she had not stopped to complain or think how hard it +was _going_ to be--she forgot all this in watching and working as Betty +did. + +Julie and Joan followed Mrs. Vernon as she led Hepsy down the slope to +the spot where the cut timbers were piled up. Here she showed the girls +how to attach the chain and tackle to a log, and then to hook the chain +to Hepsy's harness. + +The strong horse willingly started up the hill and dragged the long log +up to the site where the hut was to be. One girl drove Hepsy carefully +to avoid ruts and snags which might catch the log and thus yank Hepsy up +suddenly and perhaps injure her. The other girl had to follow in the +wake of the log to see that it did not roll or twist out of the pathway, +causing a ruthless tearing at bushes and flowers along the way. + +The two girls who were digging found it quite tiresome to lean over so +constantly. When they stood erect to stretch their back muscles, their +bones felt as if they would crack. Ruth complained of her aches long +before the Captain joined them. + +Then Mrs. Vernon said: "Ah! I think I was wise in telling you girls to +take turns about. Now I will signal for the two timber-jacks to exchange +work with you." + +When the two girls hauling timber responded to the call, they seemed +right glad to exchange labor with the excavators. + +"You'll find this digging a pit is simply awful, girls!" exclaimed Ruth, +pretending she could not straighten her backbone. + +"It can't be a patch on the job we've been doing!" cried Joan, looking +at her hands with pity in her eyes. + +"That's right! When you've had to steer or roll a log a mile long, +you'll have something to say about hard work!" added Julie. + +"One would think, after hearing you girls, that you were too soft and +delicate to proceed further in your scout tests," said Mrs. Vernon +seriously. That stopped all complaints instantly. + +But Ruth could not help adding: "Girl scouts never work like this in +camp--I'm sure of it." + +"Girl scouts would never call _this_ hard work! They'd laugh at any one +for hinting at such a thing. And you'll do the same thing before the +summer's over," said Mrs. Vernon. + +"Ah well! Let's prepare for the end of the summer, girls," sighed Julie, +ludicrously. + +"Come on, Ruth--take the reins from Julie and let's start," said Betty, +taking the hook and starting down the road. + +"By the time you two girls get back here, Betty, we'll show you how you +should dig a cellar," retorted Julie. "Why, you only managed to dig up a +square yard in all this time. You should have had half of the pit +finished." + +Betty and Ruth smiled at each other and nodded their heads wisely, then +ran off to help Hepsy with the logs. Mrs. Vernon smiled also as she saw +that each couple would soon learn that nothing is easy until one learns +how to do it right. Then, when that time comes, it generally happens +that one is forced to go higher to a new task. And so on, eternally, for +this is progress and growth. + +By the time the horn sounded for another change of work, both diggers +and haulers were glad to exchange back again. Mrs. Vernon was busy about +dinner, for she said such hard labor deserved hearty meals. And the +girls agreed absolutely with her on that statement. + +"I say! I'll never find fault with your digging again, Betsy," said +Julie meekly, as she displayed about eighteen inches square of dug-out +cellar, and a row of water-blisters on her hand. + +Betty laughed at her sister, but the work continued until the cellar was +dug deep enough and a mass of timbers was waiting to be used. As they +stood admiring their morning's work, Betty said: + +"I think Hepsy is the best scout of all." + +"Why?" asked the other girls. + +"Just see how she worked! She hauled and hauled, and never asked to +exchange for an easier job. And all the time she worked she never +complained once of an aching back or tired muscles. Yet I am sure she +wanted to kick mightily now and then." + +A roar of laughter greeted her last words, and Betty guilelessly asked: +"_Now_ what have I said--what is the matter with you girls?" + +The call to dinner quickly changed the current of their thoughts, +however, and once seated about the stone table, they fell to with a will +never manifested for plain cookery at home. + +"We ought to be able to lay the floor logs and get the corner posts up +this afternoon," suggested Joan. + +"I was going to propose a hike downhill in the opposite direction from +the one we took yesterday," said the Captain. "Then, when we return, a +good swim will refresh us all for supper." + +"Oh, yes, we've worked enough for one day," said Ruth. + +When the scouts were ready to start for the hike, Mrs. Vernon showed +them a note-book. "I'm going to have you take down notes on the flowers, +trees, or birds we find on these hikes. This will prove very desirable +practice when you are admitted as a Troop." + +They started off, while Hepsy stood leisurely nosing at her dinner of +oats. This reminded Julie of the funny saying by Betty just before +dinner, and she now repeated it to the Captain. + +"I meant, you know, Verny, that Hepsy must have had stiff joints from +all that hauling yet she never kicked once to straighten out the kinks," +explained Betty, when Julie finished. + +"I doubt whether Hepsy felt as tired as you think she did. You must +remember that her spine is almost parallel with the ground over which +she has to pull her loads, and having four legs on which to balance +herself, makes it easier than only having two. The chain and tackle also +simplified the work for Hepsy, but we can't say as much of the hauling +an Indian Squaw has to do. + +"Why, the poor squaws do all the lifting and moving of their camps, +through forests, over rough land, and even carrying their papooses in +the bargain. They, too, drag their burdens in a sort of 'cradle' that is +hitched to their waists by means of two leather traces." + +"Oh, the poor creatures!" exclaimed ever-ready, sympathetic Betty. + +"I'm thankful I'm not an Indian female!" declared Julie, with such +earnestness that the others laughed. + +After the usual scout reading from the Handbook the next morning, the +girls hurried to work because they were anxious to see their hut built +and finished. The ardor of accomplishment was beginning to fill their +souls. + +That day the cross-beams of the floor were laid and securely fastened at +the corners. Then the other logs were sawed and notched for the +corner-posts. It was impossible to split the timber for rafters, so the +Captain advised the use of smaller tree-trunks for this purpose. + +"What shall we do to keep out the rain or wild animals?" asked Ruth, +seeing that no windows had been provided for the old hut. + +"We can hang up water-proof canvas in the windows if it rains, but I +have an idea for a door that I want to work on to-morrow," replied the +Captain. + +The carpentry now went steadily on, and without friction, as each one +was anxious to see a finished hut. They were tremendously interested in +their work, too, and that always makes a task easy. + +Mrs. Vernon superintended everything, and demonstrated a wonderful +knowledge of woodcraft. Then, whenever the carpenters were cheerfully +working without her help, she turned to her own plans. These had +occasioned curious comment from the four girls, because they could not +see what could be built with a lot of short boards which had been taken +from the boxes. + +"You'll see when I'm through," replied the Captain to all their +questions. + +The scouts worked so industriously that the new side walls were +completed, and they were eager to begin work on the roof. The hut was +much longer than the old one, but its width was the same, as it used the +end wall of the old hut for one side of its own. + +The meeting of the two front walls of the huts, however, had been a +problem. The scouts could not figure out how to nail any boards or logs +to a corner post already used for that purpose. But Julie thought out a +scheme. + +"We'll leave that meeting place in front, for the door. Then we'll use a +post for the other side of our door, and begin _there_ with the wall." + +This was hailed as a fine idea, so they tried it. But the door-lintel +was not as secure as it might be, and the girls dodged in and out to +avoid having it come down upon their heads should it topple. They had no +doubt but that it _would_ fall in sooner or later. + +"We're all ready for a roof, Verny, and don't know where to find any +wood for rafters or ridgepole," said Joan, when the Captain walked over +to pass judgment upon the structure. + +"That's a dangerous looking lintel, girls." + +"Best we could do with what we had," replied Ruth. + +"The material is all right, but the construction is careless. Now I have +finished my door, but I wouldn't dare swing it from that frame," +continued the Captain. + +"Oh, were you building a door of those boards?" asked the girls. + +"Yes, and I feel quite proud of it, too. Come and see it." + +The door was made of boards all the same lengths and thickness but of +different widths. So Mrs. Vernon had grouped them to have all the wide +boards at top and bottom of the door, and the others graduating in +widths until a narrow center one was reached. This made a pretty effect. + +They were all securely fastened to a frame made of rough planks, but +this frame would be on the inside so it would not be seen. "We can hang +a drapery, or some vines on this back to hide the unsightly frame," said +the Captain. + +Heavy leather hinges were secured to the back edge of the door, and a +latch and handle made of some sheet iron, were bent and cut to fit. + +"How did you ever do that without a blacksmith?" asked Joan. + +"I played my own blacksmith while you were on your hike this morning. I +heated an old piece of wagon-tire and hammered it flat, then heated it +red-hot and cut it with tools I found in the box." + +"All right, Verny! You shall take the prize this time," Julie commended +heartily. + +"But that doesn't give us a roof or rafters," said Ruth. + +"I have them all ready for you. I remembered them to-day when I +inspected your work," said Mrs. Vernon, leading the way down to the +buckboard. + +"Help me lift the seats off," ordered the Captain. + +This was done, and the curious girls then saw Mrs. Vernon pry out some +small wooden wedges and lo! a board came from the floor of the +buckboard. But stay! It was not _from_ the floor, but one of the extra +boards that had been laid down to form a double flooring. + +Several boards were thus removed, and then it was found that the +original floor of the buckboard was as good as ever. + +"Why did you have another floor laid?" asked Julie. + +"Jim suggested that we might need a few boards for see-saws, or some +other fun, so he fitted these down over the real bottom of the +buckboard. I forgot about them until I found your need of just such +boards for your roof." + +"They're not very thick or heavy," said Joan, doubtfully. + +"You don't want them heavy for a roof. The lighter the better, as long +as they are steady and secure." + +The boards were carried up to the new hut, and found to be several +inches too long for the roof. + +"That's an error on the right side, if there can be such a 'bull,'" said +Mrs. Vernon. "For now you can have overhanging eaves instead of having +the roof come flush with the sides." + +"We haven't half enough of these boards for a roof, if we propose +covering it with tar-paper as we did the old hut," said Julie. + +"We only need enough to form bases for us to nail the laths to. You will +find a large bundle of laths in the material Jim sent out by the Freedom +delivery-wagon. The laths are easy to nail down and then the paper goes +over that, you know." + +So the roof was finally completed, but it was not as neat and exact as +the work on the old roof, so Mrs. Vernon wondered! The week had gone by +and the next day would be Sunday, but the scouts grumbled at the forced +vacation. + +"Dear me! I was sure we would be through building and ready to play by +this time," complained Joan. + +"I think you have accomplished wonders this week. I thought it would +take us two weeks, at least, to build this new hut," said Mrs. Vernon. + +"If we hadn't had such glorious weather perhaps it might have taken us +that long," said Betty. "But the wood was all dry, and we had no delays +in any way." + +"I think the door is the best-looking thing about the whole place," said +Julie, with head on one side, admiring the craftsman's work. + +"That commendation makes me yearn to try other ideas," laughed the +Captain. + +"Maybe you are thinking of building a cobblestone chimney in our house," +laughed Julie. + +"Why didn't we think of it in time! We could have had one as easy as +anything!" exclaimed Mrs. Vernon. + +"Are you joking?" asked the girls. + +"No, but now we must see where we could have it. I am afraid we will +have to lean it up in the corner against the stone-wall at the back of +the hut." + +The girls laughed at this, for now they were sure Mrs. Vernon was only +fooling them. + + + + +CHAPTER EIGHT + +SUNDAY VISITORS + + +Sunday morning was so fine that the scouts declared it was too bad they +couldn't finish the hut, as they felt so full of energy. Mrs. Vernon +laughed, and said: "Bottle it up for Monday." + +"But there isn't anything we can do on a day like this," said Ruth, +plaintively. + +"Oh, yes, there is. Girl scouts can hike, visit, or do any of the +recreations suitable for Sunday. It does not say that we must sit down +and pull long faces," replied Joan. + +"Well, what would you do, Verny?" Ruth asked of the Captain. + +"First of all I would eat my breakfast and hasten to clear away all +signs of it from camp." + +"Second the motion!" laughed Julie. + +"Oh, pshaw! Of course we will do that, but _you_ know what I mean--after +breakfast," Ruth retorted. + +"If we want something quiet to do, we might sketch that signboard on a +sheet of paper. I brought heavy paper and pencils. But should we want to +go for a long walk, we can do the designing any time. Then there is our +Scout Handbook to read--I really want you to become familiar with the +rules and customs of the scouts," said the Captain, seriously. + +"Suppose we have you read first of all, then go for a walk, and then if +we are tired we can sit down and plan that sign," suggested Julie. + +So immediately after the breakfast things were cleared away, the group +sat down beside the waterfall and Mrs. Vernon read. + +"On page 9 of the Handbook you will find this important information--it +follows directly after the tenth law of Girl Scouts: + +"'Self-Improvement' + +"'A Great Law of Life.' + +"'One of the most fundamental laws of life is that, in the natural +course of things, the influence of women over men is vastly greater than +that of men over one another. + +"'This is what gives to girls and women a peculiar power and +responsibility, for no Girl Scout or other honorable woman--whether young +or old--could use her influence as a woman excepting to strengthen the +characters and to support the honor of the men and boys with whom she +comes in contact. + +"'This great law is nothing to make a girl feel proud or superior to +men; but, on the contrary, the understanding of it should make her +humble and watchful to be faithful to her trust. + +"'Be prepared, therefore, to do a true woman's full duty to her men by +never allowing the desire for admiration to rule your actions, words, or +thoughts. Our country needs women who are prepared. + +"'Prepared for what? + +"'To do their duty.'" + +Mrs. Vernon paused here and looked at the girls. "I did not read the +full text on that article, because I want you each to buy a Handbook and +study it yourself. I find there are so many fine thoughts expressed in +this book that I doubt whether it is wise of me to read them aloud to +you while your minds are filled with the novelty of camp-life. It may +not have the lasting impression it should." + +"What comes next, Verny--anything about what scouts do on Sunday?" +inquired Joan. + +The Captain smiled as it was evident that the girls were more concerned +in doing what they were told scouts might do on Sundays, than they were +in hearing about the ideals and aspirations of the scout order. + +"I now have to turn back to page four, where it says: 'It is not meant +that Girl Scouts should play or work on Sunday, but that they may take +walks where they can carry on a study of plants and animals.' This is +all it says regarding Sunday occupation. So I suppose the organizers +deemed it wisest to leave it to the discretion of the Captains and +scouts in each individual group," commented Mrs. Vernon. + +"If that is all the book declares we have to do, then we are at liberty +to obey the rule and yet have lots of ways of passing the day," said +Joan. + +"I should say that reading rules and lessons from the Handbook was +considered work," hinted Ruth. + +"Then we won't have any more of that kind of work," laughed the Captain, +closing the book emphatically. + +"Good gracious, Ruth! Reading isn't work--particularly if the reading +matter is wholesome as Girl Scout lessons must be. I should as soon say +that listening to the preacher at church is not considered Sunday +business, just because he lectures on certain interesting subjects +connected with the Scriptures," argued Julie. + +"Oh, really, you make a 'mountain out of a mole-hill,' Julie, every time +I open my mouth," retorted Ruth, impatiently. + +But the Captain interrupted this conversation before it gathered any +added criticism, by saying: "I want to make a note for a bit of work to +be attended to first thing in the morning, and then we will start for a +nice walk. + +"I find there are a great many wide crevices between the logs of the +hut, where rain and insects can enter; especially is this so at the back +wall where the timbers rest against the rocky side of the cliff. + +"To obviate this discrepancy in building with uneven logs, we can fill +in the chinks with clay. When that hardens it will act like a solid +cement between the logs. + +"I prowled about yesterday and found a place down on the bank of the +stream, where the clay was of the kind we need to use. We will bring +some of it up to camp to-morrow, and after mixing it with water and +sand, fill in the cracks in the walls. As it is now, should there be a +heavy rain that would wash the water down over the cliff, the floods +will pour in through the chinks of the log wall that is built against +the rocks and run over the floor of your house." + +"We'll attend to that first thing, as you say, Verny; but let's hurry +up, now, and get started for our walk," Joan said. + +After they had been walking for an hour or more, trying to name the +various birds they saw, or tell about the peculiarities of woodland +plants they found, Mrs. Vernon thought they had better start back for +camp. + +"It is only half an hour to our usual dinner-hour, and it will take us +that long to reach camp. Before we have our Sunday dinner cooked it will +be an hour later than our usual time on week-days." + +"At least we will be fashionable, then," laughed Julie. "Every one has +dinner an hour later on Sundays--that's why the men always complain." + +"It isn't because of style, Julie, but you know the men-folks never +_will_ get up on Sunday mornings, and that sets back all the work. 'Liza +says she's going to strike altogether about cooking Sunday dinners +unless every one will get up just as they do on week-days," explained +Betty, conscientiously. + +Her long harangue was greeted with appreciative laughter, but Betty +looked from one to the other questioningly. Julie ran over and gave her +a hug, and cried: "Her was a dear little lamb, so her was!" + +They were quite near camp when Joan happened to remember that she had +forgotten to place the water-cress in the pan of water to keep it fresh. + +"Too late to cry over it now," said Julie. "It will be so wilted that +we'll have to throw it away." + +"That leaves us without a salad as we had expected," Ruth complained. + +"Why didn't _you_ put it in water, then! You manage to find fault with +everything that goes wrong, but I notice that you seldom do anything +yourself!" snapped Joan. + +"Girls! I hear people talking--the sound comes from our camp-grounds!" +exclaimed Mrs. Vernon, stopping to hold up a hand for silence. + +Every one stopped short and listened. Sure enough--there was a mingling +of many voices. + +"Some one from Freedom using our camp?" wondered Ruth. + +"More likely a regiment of visitors!" said Joan. + +"That's just about it! All our families and relatives unto the third and +fourth generation thereof," laughed Julie. + +"Perhaps they came for dinner!" gasped Mrs. Vernon, her sense of +hospitality having a chill when she thought of the dinner for five only. + +"If they didn't bring their own dinners, they'll have to sit and watch +us eat ours," declared Ruth. + +The hikers hastened to reach camp after this, and the first glance +caused them to catch hold of each other for support. There, in +possession of their sacred precincts, was such a crowd of family and +friends that it seemed there could be little room for the real owners. + +"Did you ever! I think they might, at least, have asked if they would be +welcome!" cried Ruth, with annoyance. + +"They must have missed us a lot," laughed Julie. + +The visitors now spied the scouts, and John gave a shout. "Hello! Did we +surprise you? This was my idea, girls!" + +"I thought so! It's just like you," retorted Julie. + +But every one was glad to see every one else, even if the surprise party +was a genuine one for the campers. Hand-shakings and family embraces +took at least ten minutes before hosts and guests began to think of +other things. + +"Had you only sent word, we might have prepared dinner," began Mrs. +Vernon in apology. + +"Oh, we took care of all that," laughed Eliza, who was in charge of the +camp-fire, with John, and Joan's brothers, to help. + +This attracted the Captain's eyes to her stove. There, on the stone-oven +stood several large kettles, and others hung on the pole over the fire. + +The sight was such a relief that Mrs. Vernon's knees weakened and she +sat down on the table-rock to collect herself. The visitors all laughed +at her expression, and the girl scouts brightened suddenly. + +"Well, you certainly showed some sense!" exclaimed Joan. + +Every one laughed again. And Betty said in excuse: "You see we ran low +for dinners this week 'cause we used so much time in building our house. +Did you see it?" + +A loud chorus of approval and admiration came from the relatives who +felt a great pride in the achievements of their girls. But the mothers +looked anxiously at the daughters when they heard Betty speak of +scarcity in the larder. Still the girl scouts showed no symptoms of +starvation. They looked fine and must have added a pound each to their +weight. + +"I rather thought such would be the case, with your camp so far from a +store, so we brought a stock of food for this week," said Mrs. Bentley. + +"Now that is great, mother, because we can take that much more time in +building a stable for Hepsy," cried Ruth, with real gratitude shining in +her eyes. + +"Hepsy! Have you got that old nag here?" laughed John. + +"What did you bring her for?" wondered May. + +"To do the chores in camp," retorted Julie, laughingly. + +"What would we have done without her?" sighed Joan, as she remembered +the hauling of the logs. + +Then the girls explained how they constructed the hut and what part +Hepsy played in the work. They enlarged on the picnics and drives they +were going to have, with Hepsy to furnish the motive power. + +The boys listened to the first part of the talk, but not being one of +the party that expected to have the fine outings, they lost interest and +ran off to see if dinner was ready. + +John came racing back, crying aloud so all could hear: "'Liza says +you're all to sit down on the grass and hold your plates while's she +passes the soup-kettle and serves you!" + +"Where are the dishes?" asked the girls of Mrs. Vernon, as John spoke. + +"They must have brought them. I see May and your father over there, +carrying a wash-basket," whispered Mrs. Vernon. + +So it was. And as each visitor was handed a soup-plate, the advice was +given out at the same time: "You've got to use the same plate and spoon +for every other course, so don't look for clean dishes hereafter." + +The boys helped Eliza serve the soup, and when all were engaged in +eating, one of the visitors remarked: "We saw quantities of wild +strawberries down by the mountain-road as we walked by." + +"Whereabouts? We'll pick them to-morrow for dinner," said Joan, eagerly. + +The locality was carefully described, and the girls noted it for future +investigation. There was so much laughing and talking after this that +many of the young people forgot what they had for dinner. However, Eliza +had provided enough for all, and the scouts were relieved of any +responsibility thereby. + +"We're not going to spend the afternoon," May said to the scouts after +dinner, "we just thought to surprise you and have dinner, then start for +home again." + +Mrs. Allison added, as May finished speaking, "Yes, and we mothers felt +sure you would be homesick after one week of camping. But I think we +were the only ones feeling lonely. You seem to have had plenty to do to +keep you from wanting to come back." + +"Don't worry about our feeling forlorn or homesick, mother. If we can +break away from here when September comes, we'll be satisfied," replied +Joan. + +Then Mr. Lee stood up on a stump and shouted: "Folks, it's about time to +start back to the conventional ways of living. But before we go we ought +to thank our hostesses for this good time. I only wish I was a girl +scout with a summer in camp before me!" + +Every one clapped and, at a signal, gave three cheers for the Captain +and her scouts. Then dishes were collected in the big basket, kettles +stacked up in the hamper, and the visitors started down the road. + +Eliza drew Mrs. Vernon aside and whispered: "You'll find a lot of stuff +I brought for cookin' this week. We got a peck of onions from a farmer, +so I measured out half for youse. I found I could spare a large measure +of pertaters, too, and you'll find them with th' onions. + +"I made a cake fer Sunday's supper fer you-all, and the jar of cookies I +promised every week. Seein' as how there ain't no way fer a butcher to +reach you, I packed up the roast lamb left from yesterday, and a slice +of steak ready to be fried." + +"Oh, Eliza! what a wonderful fairy you are! Now we will have enough meat +and bones to last a week. I won't waste a morsel!" Mrs. Vernon promised. + +The scouts had accompanied their visitors down the road, so Mrs. Vernon +now walked with Eliza, a short distance behind the crowd. As they went, +the maid laughingly explained: + +"That was why I insisted on servin' the dinner. Mis' Bentley and Mis' +Allison wanted to help, but I knew they wouldn't be careful of +left-overs like I would. And glad I am I did! + +"Why do you know, Mis' Vernon, there's enough salad dressin' left in a +bowl in the store-room hut to last a week. An' soup, too, fer supper +to-night fer all of you. Sandwitches--my! you kin eat sandwitches for +three days' runnin'. Every speck of good cake what wasn't teched, I put +carefully in the tin cracker-box, and many a snack the girls kin have +between meals by that cake." + +"Eliza, I will tell the girls all you just told me, and I know they will +be delighted. _I_ will thank you now, for them, as they will be busy +saying good-by to every one after we join them." + +"That's all right, Mis' Vernon. Don't bother about thanks, 'cause it is +my bis'ness to look after them girls' meals, anyway." + +But Mrs. Vernon thought how few maids of the present day thought as +Eliza did. Would it not be to their own interests to consider their +"business" a little more and thus win the gratitude and appreciation of +the family? + +The visitors had come out in large jitneys hired for the afternoon, and +when every one was crowded in and the two heavy autos were about to +start, Mrs. Vernon exclaimed: + +"The next time you visit us, it will be at our invitation and expense. +We will cook the dinner for the next picnic!" + +And Julie shouted in addition to the invitation: "Yes, but we'll only +invite you in installments--not such a crowd at one time." + + + + +CHAPTER NINE + +THE CABINET MAKERS + + +When the last cloud of dust told the scout girls that their friends had +disappeared down the road, they turned to the Captain. Julie evidently +had an idea she wished to express. + +"Now that we have time, let's find that strawberry field and gather some +for supper. It is allowable on Sunday, isn't it?" + +"If it's for use and not for pleasure, it is right," said the Captain. + +"Well, one can't exactly say it is for use, as one can do without +berries; but they will taste mighty good with 'Liza's cake, you know," +laughed Joan. + +"And we can honestly say they are not for pleasure," added Betty. + +"They are for gustatory pleasures," teased Mrs. Vernon. + +"Girls! Seeing our Captain is so particular, suppose we exempt her from +any obligation she fears we might incur by picking berries on Sunday. I +say, we will gather the fruit on our own responsibility but she shall +not eat of that forbidden fruit, either," declared Julie, but at this +point she was interrupted by Mrs. Vernon. + +"Oh, no, indeed! As your guardian and Captain, I cannot have you eat +berries on Sunday unless I, too, participate!" + +With this form of banter they passed the time until the clearing in the +woods was found where the berries grew in thick profusion. + +"Oh, my! what a lot of them!" exclaimed the girls, as they jumped the +deep ditch and fell to picking the luscious fruit. + +"U-mm! Verny, you never tasted anything so delicious!" called Julie to +the Captain who was seeking a safe spot to cross to the berry-patch. + +After a silent time during which every one seemed hard at work, Mrs. +Vernon stood up and called out: "How many quarts have you ready for +supper, girls?" + +Julie also stood up and laughed: "I am not sure how many quarts I can +hold, but there is still room for some more." + +"We haven't any other holder to put the fruit in--that's why I am eating +mine," said Ruth, in self-defense. + +"You'll not be able to say that in another few minutes. Now begin to +pick and save the berries until I come again," said the Captain, going +over to a clump of white birches. + +"I know what: she's going to strip some bark and make cornucopias for us +to use," explained Joan, as she saw Mrs. Vernon tear strips from the +trees. + +And that is just what she did. Each girl was given a deep cornucopia and +soon the holders were full of berries. As each one had eaten plentifully +of the fruit, as well, they were ready to start up the road again. + +"Girls, we can gather berries to eat every day and still have plenty to +can," said the Captain, as they neared the camp. + +"To can! how could we can any out here in the woods?" + +"I'll show you. To-morrow when the man comes from Freedom for our +Tuesday order, I will tell him to bring us a box of fruit jars. Then we +will experiment on the berries. Wild fruit always is much sweeter than +the cultivated kind." + +"I've been wondering what we can give our visitors for a dinner, should +we try to cook for them without asking for supplies from home?" ventured +Betty, who had been rather silent during the walk to camp. + +"I believe we can find enough good things right in the woods to give +them, without falling back upon any store-food at all," replied Mrs. +Vernon. + +The girls looked amazed, and Ruth said laughingly: "Then they'll have to +eat grass!" + +"You wait and see! When I explain my menu you will be gratified, I +think," said the Captain. + +It was found that Eliza had left enough soup in a pan so that, with +heating, it was sufficient for supper. That, with the cake and berries, +quite satisfied the girls. Then seated about the embers of the +night-fire, they planned for work on the morrow. + +Monday morning, as soon as the usual work was finished, the campers +began to mix the clay cement for the walls. Filling up the crevices kept +them busy till noon, and then they were eager to get through with the +dinner and start on something new. + +"Now that your new abode is finished, I wonder how you would like to +fill it with furniture," suggested Mrs. Vernon. + +"Furniture! We haven't any here, and I doubt if our folks can spare +anything they might have," Joan replied. + +"I meant for you to make it," responded the Captain. + +"Make it--what of, boxes like those in the magazine?" said Julie, +laughingly. + +"You _almost_ guessed my plan! If you come with me, girls, I'll show you +what I mean." + +Amazed but curious, the scouts followed Mrs. Vernon to the place where +various boxes and barrels still waited to be used. These were examined +and sorted by the Captain, then each girl was given one to carry up to +the plateau beside the camp-ground. + +"Seems to me I remember reading about that Box Furniture, once," said +Joan, dropping her burden upon the ground. + +"We'll see if we can remember well enough to apply it now," replied the +Captain. "First I'll take this barrel. I'll saw it halfway through the +center, like this." + +Mrs. Vernon then sawed and sawed until half the staves, where she had +carefully drawn a pencil-line about the center of them, fell from one +side and left the other halves attached to one head end. + +"See it now!" exclaimed she, standing the barrel on end. "That half +where the staves are left will be the curved back of my easy-chair." + +The barrel-head which she had removed carefully from the end, that now +was the top back of the chair, was secured upon the sawed staves to the +center of the barrel and fastened to the back to make a seat. Then the +remaining hoops were fastened securely to hold the bottom from +spreading. + +"Now girls, if we had material to cushion it and pad the back, don't you +think it would be comfortable?" said Mrs. Vernon. + +The girls laughed appreciatively, and declared it was fine! Then Julie +had an inspiration. + +"Verny, I've got just the upholstery goods for the cushions!" + +The captain smiled for she wondered if this scout had thought of the +same material she had planned to use later. + +"What is it?" demanded the other girls. + +"We'll take the burlap bag that came with Hepsy's oats, die it with some +vegetable or wood dye, and stuff it with excelsior that came packed +about the pans." + +"Oh, Julie! How did you ever think of it?" cried Betty, admiringly. + +"Just what I would have said, had you not found it out first!" declared +Mrs. Vernon. + +"But I don't know where to find any dyes," admitted the scout. + +"I'll tell you of some later. Now I wonder if you girls want to use the +large barrel and copy my chair. Yours will be larger, however, as my +chair was only a half-barrel size, you know." + +Being only too anxious to copy Verny's chair, the four girls began work +with a will. They took turns in sawing through the staves, even as they +had been advised to do in building the hut, and this spared their +muscles feeling lame or tired from the movement of the arm while sawing +the hard wood. + +"I'll leave you now to finish the chair, while I hunt along the mountain +trail to find certain dye materials," said the Captain, as the work on +the chair progressed finely. + +But the barrel-chair was finished before Mrs. Vernon returned. "I +couldn't find a thing that would do. I hunted most thoroughly, too. You +see, it is too early for walnuts--if they were ripe we could stain the +wood and burlaps a fine brown. Then I looked for different wild plants +that will dye things, but there were none." + +"Verny, Eliza colors our Easter eggs with onion peel. I see you have a +lot of onions in the store-room, but I am not sure they will color +burlap," said Betty. + +"Just the thing, Betty! How wonderful of you to remember it. We will +boil the skins until the water is a deep brown-orange and then we will +try it on the burlap." + +The onions had to be peeled, and this was not a pleasant task, as eyes +began to weep and the girls had to sniffle as they skinned the onions, +but they were determined to finish their upholstery work as long as they +had started it. + +The onion peels were placed over a fire to simmer slowly and the girls +then went to work on the excelsior filling for the cushions. Meantime, +Mrs. Vernon cut the burlap the required sizes to fit the seats of the +chairs, and also cut oval panels for the backs. + +Well, the onion peel dyed the material a soft ochre color, and was tried +on the barrel-wood too. But it failed to stain that. The cushions were +tacked down with small tacks, and the chairs looked most inviting to the +manufacturers. + +[Illustration: _The cushions were tacked down with small tacks_] + +Each scout took a turn in trying the chairs, and each pronounced them +most luxurious, but Mrs. Vernon withheld such high praise as "luxury," +saying instead "They're hard as rocks!" + +"_Now_ what can we build?" asked Ruth, showing intense interest in this +form of occupation. + +Mrs. Vernon laughed. "Do you want to begin something else?" + +"Might as well, Verny. The hut has to be furnished now, as long as you +have launched us along that line," Julie replied, laughingly. + +"A table is easy to build, but you have to cut down the material for the +legs." + +"Where do table-legs grow--we'll cut them down," returned Joan, +comically. + +"Wherever you find small birch-trees growing thickly together, you can +cut one out. Never chop down a tree that stands alone, as it will mean +shelter and shade in time to come. But a small tree can always be +spared, if there are several growing in a group. The others will fare +better for the thinning out." + +"How many shall we cut?" now asked Betty. + +"Bring four, each one about two inches in diameter. We will use the +thickest end of each trunk for legs, the middle sections for +chair-backs, and the smallest ends for arms." + +Provided with the ax, hatchet, and woodsman knife, the scouts started on +their quest. After they had gone, Mrs. Vernon detached one side of a +packing-case and removed any nails left in the wood. As this section of +the case had reinforced pieces along the outer edges, it would be a +strong table-top. + +The rest of the day was used in building the table, and a queer looking +object was the result. It was a cross between a stool and a four-legged +pedestal. It was rather wobbly, too, as Ruth had sawed one leg shorter +than those made by her three scout companions. + +"It might tip over, Ruth, if a visitor leans upon it," said Mrs. Vernon. + +"We'll keep a stone under that leg. It won't joggle if it's boosted up," +explained Ruth. + +"But the stone may slip out, or should one wish to move the table about, +the stone will have to be carried about too." + +"Goodness me, Verny! What can I do? I can't stretch it!" cried Ruth, +distractedly. + +Every one laughed, but the Captain said: "No, it won't stretch, but +can't one of you scouts suggest a remedy?" + +When they realized that they all were called upon to share the +responsibility of the tilting table, they puckered their foreheads and +put on their thinking-caps. + +"I know! We'll tack a little end of the wood to the bottom of the leg," +called Joan, excitedly. + +Ruth cast a scornful look at Joan, as much as to say: "I'd like to see +any one sticking a block under that leg!" + +"Verny, we might take the leg off and saw a new one," suggested Betty. + +"We could, and I suppose that would be the only correct way to do it, +but I am thinking of another and easier way," replied the Captain. + +"Oh! I guess I know! How will it do to saw all three legs off so they +will be the same length as Ruth's short one?" exclaimed Julie, slapping +her knee. + +Mrs. Vernon smiled for that was what she wanted the scouts to discover. +At the same time, she was deeply interested in the fact that Julie +always seemed to catch her thoughts and express them exactly as she +might have done. This showed her that Julie was very mental, and was +open to every good and helpful suggestion from thought-waves. + +That evening the Captain said: "It feels as if we might have rain soon. +I hope it doesn't come before Wednesday, as I am conscious of neglecting +an important work." + +"What is it?" cried four anxious voices. + +"Hepsy's shed. You see we were going to build her stable as soon as we +completed the house, but we began our furniture instead. Hepsy had +enjoyed the fresh air and fine pasturage on the plateau this last week, +but she dislikes the rain." + +"Oh, dear! I forgot all about her shed," cried Betty. + +"So did we. If she only had complained now and then! But she went about +her business so quietly!" sighed Joan. + +"Verny, if it rains we must invite Hepsy into our hut! If we neglected +to build her shed because of our fine furniture, then she must be +admitted to the palace itself!" said Ruth, decidedly. + +"That's what we will, Verny! Hepsy won't hurt the hut." + +And the Captain secretly exulted to find that Ruth was fast forgetting +self in feeling responsibility for others--even a horse; while the other +scouts thought nothing of their work unless it was put to some good use. + +But it did not rain that night, nor in the morning, although the sky was +gray and overcast. Hepsy had a shed all built before the first drops +fell late that afternoon; there were several liberal ventilation +crevices between the logs of the sidewalls, however. + +The floor of the shed had been laid _a la corduroy_ style--as so many +boggy roads are built upon in the west. The logs in this case were +placed side by side in a bed of clay, and when the girls pressed down +firmly upon the flooring, the clay oozed up between the joints and +hardened there. In a few days the floor would be as solid as a rock and +could be washed off with broom and water. + +Hepsy had more than enough dry leaves for a bedding that first night, as +the scouts thought she might take cold if she slept on the damp floor. +Mrs. Vernon smiled, but said nothing as she knew the heap of leaves +would keep Hepsy from cutting the soft clay with her hoofs. When the +flooring was hard and dry nothing could hurt it. + +Supper that night was rather a gloomy affair as everything was wet, and +the fire would not burn. So they gathered in the hut and ate cold food. +This started a discussion on fireplaces. + +"You said maybe there was a chance of building a chimney," ventured +Joan. + +"Yes, but we have been doing so much, I forgot about it," confessed the +Captain. + +"A fireplace would feel great on a night like this," said Julie. + +"Verny, if clay will harden in chinks of the walls, and make a solid +flooring, why won't it hold stones together in a chimney?" now asked +Ruth, eagerly. + +"It will, if we can find stones that will fit properly. I wouldn't +attempt to do the mason work with round cobble-stones such as are used +in most chimneys in bungalow houses." + +"Did you mean it when you said a chimney might be built if we leaned it +against the rocky wall back of the rear wall of the hut?" asked Joan. + +"No, I was only fooling when I spoke of leaning it--because a chimney has +to be most accurately constructed or it will smoke one out of the +place." + +"Let's build the chimney to-morrow!" begged Ruth, eagerly. + +"Oh, my dears! We haven't done anything but build--build--build since +we've been here. There are so many other things I want you to do that a +chimney can wait." + +"If we agree to do what other things you want us to, why can't we use +the forty-five minutes of recreation that is ours each day to build the +chimney?" persisted Ruth. + +Mrs. Vernon laughed. But the eager faces of the girls showed her they +were in earnest. Besides, what difference did it make in the end whether +she was teaching them to build a stone chimney or how to mend a pair of +stockings? If it was true work and done with the right motive back of +it, it was progressive. + +So she finally said: "All right, you may have two hours a day for +chimney work, and the rest we will devote to my pursuits." + +"Hurrah! we ought to finish the chimney in three days!" exclaimed Julie. + +Thus the second week passed quickly away. The little stone chimney was +finished and presented a very artistic addition to the room. But it +became so much smaller as it rose higher, that at the top it was only +large enough for a tiny opening for the escape of smoke. Unfortunately, +this caused the fireplace to smoke dreadfully when a fire was started, +but once the bed of embers was well started, an additional bit of wood +judiciously used did not cause every one to choke and run from the room. + +In one of the hikes, the scouts had found a wild grapevine, but it had +been severed from the root, and hung from the tree-trunk without leaves +or fruit. It was more than an inch thick, so Mrs. Vernon had the girls +carefully cut it down and carry it back to camp. + +"The graceful curves of this twisted vine will make the prettiest chair +imaginable, with back, arms and legs entwined, and holding up the seat +of boards. Smaller bits of the gnarled vine will make flower-brackets, +rustic hanging-baskets, and also a cord by which to suspend the +signboard of Dandelion Camp," remarked the Captain. + +"If we only had a Turkish rug for the floor, our hut would look +wonderful!" sighed Joan, admiring the latest additions. + +"Why cry for the moon when you can have the sun?" laughed Mrs. Vernon. + +"What do you mean? Did you bring a rug?" asked Joan, quickly. + +"Oh, we forgot that crex mat, didn't we? Do you suppose it is still down +in the bushes?" asked Betty, anxiously. + +"I quite forgot it myself, girls. But that was not what I meant just +now. The moment Joan mentioned a rug, I thought of something I read +about in the Handbook. We ought to weave a mat of grass or willows for +that palace." + +"If we only could! It would be so in keeping," said Betty, softly, that +her voice would not interrupt the others who were loudly acclaiming this +idea from the Captain. + +"I wish to goodness Sunday were a week away so we could finish up all +the fine plans we have started," sighed Ruth. + +"Well, Ruth, only _our_ folks are coming out this Sunday, you know, and +we needn't mind them much. If it wasn't that we needed 'Liza's cake and +bread and other things, we could have postponed the call for a week," +said Betty, condolingly. + +As usual, Betty's candor made them laugh, and Mrs. Vernon said: "Yes, I +fear our invitation had an awfully big string to it this week." + + + + +CHAPTER TEN + +A FOURTH OF JULY OUTING + + +Saturday night the scouts and Mrs. Vernon planned the dinner for the +next day. + +"We'll use some of those onions, and cut potatoes into dice to add to +them; then I'll take a small can of tomatoes, some rice and a bit of +bacon, and make a good chowder of the whole. If we only had a few of the +little fish Joan caught the other day, they would give it a fine +flavor," suggested the Captain. + +"You said we might open a jar of our strawberry preserve, Verny," +reminded Julie. + +"Yes, but not for a course; it is too precious for anything but +dessert." + +"After the chowder, what can we have?" asked Ruth. + +"We'll boil that artichoke root we dug up this morning. When that is +seasoned it tastes just like salsify. If Eliza doesn't bring any meat, +we can run along the mountain-path and cut one of the beefsteak +mushrooms I showed you yesterday. I doubt if your folks will be able to +tell the difference between it and a tenderloin steak," the Captain +said, chuckling. + +"My, won't they be surprised when they see all we have learned in two +weeks!" exclaimed Betty, proudly. + +"I hope it doesn't rain to-morrow," ventured Julie. + +"Yes, 'cause we've got to have Eliza's supplies!" added her twin sister. + +"Can you think of anything else that's novel, Verny, for dinner?" asked +Joan. + +"We can cut enough dandelion leaves in the morning to have a salad"; +Mrs. Vernon glanced doubtfully at Ruth as she spoke. + +Ruth caught the look and laughed: "Are you afraid I am going to boil +over because you mentioned dandelions?" + +"Well, I didn't know how you might take it?" + +"I'll confess; I'd just as soon call the camp 'dandelion' as anything +else, for now I appreciate what that digging did for us." + +"I'm so glad, Ruthy; now I can paint that sign. Do you know girls why I +refused to hang out the sign you wanted? It was because we were not +unanimous in the selection of a name. As Ruth's objection is removed I +will have the sign ready for next Sunday when the Allisons and Bentleys +visit us." + +"Did you save that fine ash board you selected the very first day we +came here?" asked Ruth. + +"Yes, and to-morrow I'll show it to you--ready to burn." + +"Burn?" came from four girls. + +"Yes; I am going to etch the name 'Dandelion Camp' in the wood with a +red-hot poker, and sketch the dandelions about the name in pyrography, +also. Then we can tint the flowers and leaves. You haven't any idea how +soft and beautiful the burnt tones blend with yellow and green paints." + +"It sounds fascinating--I wish I could do it," said Joan. + +"You each may practice and when you can handle the iron well enough, you +might try to do little things like book-ends or wall-brackets." + +"We got as far on the bill-of-fare as dandelion salad, Verny, and then +switched off on something new--as usual," laughed Julie. + +"That was the end of my menu, as far as I could provide any," returned +the Captain. + +Sunday morning it was decided to go for the beefsteak mushrooms and cook +them for dinner, even if Eliza brought meat. In that case, they would +keep the meat for dinners the following days and give the visitors a +treat by having tenderloin steak (?). + +Ruth proved her statement that she had outgrown her dislike of +dandelions by offering to cut enough plants for the salad. When she +returned to camp she had a fine mess of young leaves, and after washing +them clean, left them in cold water until wanted. + +Joan and Julie had offered to get up early and go for berries. Mrs. +Vernon was dubious about berry-picking being in order for scouts on +Sunday, when there was enough dessert already on hand. + +"But why not? It is wholesome study of nature's own fruit, you know," +argued Joan. + +"Verny, we really must have a dessert for those who do not like +preserves, you know. Otherwise father will eat the whole jar of our +strawberry preserves," added Julie. + +So the two girls prevailed over the Captain's mild scruples and hurried +down the road to the strawberry field. Before the Lee family arrived, +everything was done and ready for their reception. + +Eliza, as anticipated, had smuggled a host of good things into the +surrey, and when Mr. Lee and May were listening to all that the scouts +had accomplished during the week, she transferred the larder hidden in +the harness box of the surrey to the camp-larder in the old hut. + +As they sat down to dinner, John began showing symptoms of disapproval +of his soup (chowder, the scouts called it), and carefully placed his +dish upon the rock before him. + +"The chowder smells delicious, girls," said May, as the aroma rose to +her nose. + +"It's just as good as it smells, too," said Julie. + +"Is every one served now, Jule?" called Joan, who was waitress for the +day. + +"Yes, and all anxious to begin--hurry and sit down," Julie replied. + +Joan took her plate and sat down nearest the board from which she had to +serve the dinner. John waited smiling knowingly as he sat and watched +the others. + +Mr. Lee was the first to take a spoonful of chowder. He frowned for a +moment, then took a second taste. His mouth puckered and he looked +questioningly at Eliza as if to ask her what was wrong with it. + +May had already taken her spoonful and immediately cried: "For goodness +sake! Who cooked this chowder?" + +"Verny--why?" hastily asked the girls. + +"Why? Well just taste it!" + +Every one had had a good mouthful by this time and every one looked at +the Captain reproachfully. + +"Really! I'm sure I didn't salt this chowder as heavily as this! I +tasted it just before you arrived and it was delicious," exclaimed Mrs. +Vernon in self-justification. + +Joan now looked dreadfully concerned. She tasted the soup and then made +a wry face. But she was not going to have any one falsely accused, so +she spoke up: + +"Verny, you know when you told me to salt something-or-other, I thought +you meant chowder; so I put in as much as I felt it needed. Maybe I +misunderstood you." + +"Oh, Joan! I called to you and said _not_ to salt the chowder because I +saw you seasoning everything you could find!" + +Joan looked so woe-begone that every one laughed, and Betty said +regretfully: "It's too bad, Joan, 'cause the chowder was cheap so it was +to be the filler, you know. Now we won't have enough dinner without +eating our preserves." + +That made every one scream with merriment, and the salty soup was passed +by without further reproach. While waiting for the steaks (?) John +cleared his throat as a signal, and said: + +"You won't see _me_ here again this summer." + +"Why not?" queried his sisters. + +"'Cause I'm going to camp on Wednesday--Daddy fixed it with the Master at +our gym." + +"Going to wash dishes?" teased Julie, winking at Eliza. + +"Nope! But I'm going to keep the grounds clean. I have to pick up papers +and see that nothing is littered around. Every time I leave trash about, +I get fined, so I'll have to be awake." + +"What splendid practice that will be for you, Johnny. When you come back +home, you ought to have the habit so strong that Eliza won't have to run +after you at every step," declared Julie. + +"I know John will make a fine scout for that work," added Betty. + +Being a regular boy, John wouldn't thank Betty for her kind words but he +mentally decided that she was a bear! + +The beefsteak mushrooms were a great success and no one could tell what +they were eating. Boiled potatoes, artichokes, dandelion salad with +Eliza's French dressing, and a gravy of browned flour, made a fine +dinner to go with the steak. Then followed the berries and generous +slices of fresh layer cake brought from home. When dinner was over, John +frowned and said: "Is this all we get?" + +"All! my goodness, isn't it enough?" demanded Julie. + +"Not for Sunday's dinner. I bet we'll have a regular feast at _our_ +camp, all right!" + +"You couldn't have such cake if you baked for ages!" retorted Julie. + +"Cake--pooh! Fellers don't want cake. We want man's dinners," bragged the +boy. + +"I noticed you ate every crumb, just the same!" + +"That's 'cause I am hungry and had to." + +"Seein' es how yuh despise my cake, I'll see you don't have to eat none +of it whiles you are at camp," said Eliza, at this point of the +altercation between brother and sister. + +John gasped, for he had already boasted to his boy-chums who were going +to camp with him that _he_ could have cakes and lots of goodies sent to +him every week! + +That afternoon the visitors were escorted about the woods; every +beautiful nook and dell was duly admired, and when it came time for +good-bys both sides felt that they had had a fine visit. + +"We'll look forward to coming again _when_ it is our turn," observed Mr. +Lee, as he climbed into the surrey. + +"We'll be looking as anxiously for you as you will for us," Betty +replied. + +May grinned, for she understood why they would be welcomed. But Ruth +said hurriedly: "S-sh! My mother's coming next and she won't let your +family outdo her in bringing goodies. May, do tell her all you brought +to-day." + +Every one laughed at that frank confidence, and the Lees drove away +feeling happy and proud of the way their girls were improving under the +scout life. + +As they trudged back up the hill, Joan said: "Is any one expected for +the Fourth?" + +"Not that I know of--I forgot the Fourth comes this week," Mrs. Vernon +replied. + +"What can we do, Verny? We haven't any fire-works," said Betty. + +"We'll have to think out a suitable plan with which to celebrate the +National Birthday." + +That evening about the camp-fire, it was discussed and finally voted +upon to go for a long outing on the Fourth. + +"But where? We don't want to go down into civilization, you know," said +Ruth. + +"Can't we pack up a dinner and go away off somewhere?" suggested Joan. + +"We can drive Hepsy and ride in the buckboard," added Julie. + +"Hepsy hasn't had much exercise lately, and she's getting too lazy; it +will do her good to thin down somewhat," laughingly said Mrs. Vernon. + +"Verny, did you ever hear of Bluebeard's Cave, 'way back on this +mountain?" asked Julie, glancing slyly at her companions. + +"I have, but how did you hear of it?" + +"Now you've got to tell her!" exclaimed Betty, while Joan and Ruth tried +to hush her. + +"What does this mean--what is there to tell, scouts?" asked Mrs. Vernon, +seriously. + +"Oh, it isn't anything--much. Only a little joke we had on you a long +time ago," began Joan, stammeringly. + +"Better tell me all about it and end it," advised Mrs. Vernon, not a +little surprised, for she wondered if the girls had ever tried to find +the cave, which she knew to be dangerous without a grown person or a +lantern to guide them. + +"Do you remember the day we built the roof on the hut?" asked Julie, +giggling. + +"Yes, it was the neatest work you ever did--before or since." + +"But we didn't do it!" exclaimed Ruth, also giggling. + +"You didn't! Then who did!" gasped the Captain, amazed. + +The girls laughed merrily. This was just the sort of a surprise they had +looked for. They never thought of the danger in the cave that had +worried the Captain, so there was no reason why they should not laugh +and enjoy the joke. + +Mrs. Vernon saw immediately that there was no ground for her fear, so +she managed to laugh too. "What is the joke, girls?" + +"You had no sooner gone, that day, when a young woodsman came across the +plateau. He lives way back on the last crest," began Joan, eagerly, but +Julie interpolated with: "In winter he traps fur-bearing animals and +sells the pelts. He was out hunting that day. He had a gun in his hands +and a loaded revolver in his belt." + +"He asked us if we weren't afraid to camp here alone," added Betty. + +"And we laughed at him. We told him you were always with us, so we were +not alone." + +"He then said, we ought to have a big dog to keep away tramps, but we +said he was the first stranger we ever saw about. Then we showed him our +hut and the roof we had to make. But he laughed." + +"Yes, he laughed, because he said we were doing it wrong. Then he leaned +the gun against a tree and showed us how to roof the place properly," +said Ruth. + +"He told us always to place a gun with the barrel aiming up or down. +Never to lean it sideways or lay it on the ground. He told us how many +hunters are accidentally killed through carelessness in handling their +firearms," explained Betty. + +"He said he wanted to see you and tell you something, so he waited +around, but finally he had to go. We made each other promise not to tell +you that day as we wanted you to think we did the fine roof," concluded +Julie, laughing merrily. + +"Do you know what he wanted to see me for?" asked Mrs. Vernon, finding +an entirely different cause for concern, since she heard this story. + +"Nothing, I guess, unless he wanted to get orders for a fur coat next +winter," said Joan, smiling as if to invite a laugh at her wit. + +"Oh, no, Joan. He didn't look like that at all," said Betty, +reprovingly. + +"I think he wanted to tell Verny where there might be dangerous places +in the mountains, 'cause he warned us not to stray away alone at any +time; but we don't need him for that, 'cause we don't wander off, like +he does," added Julie. + +"And he told you about Bluebeard's Cave, eh? What did he say about it?" + +"We asked him if there were any wonderful places in this mountain that +we could visit some day. He told us of a place known as 'Bluebeard's +Cave' that was about twelve miles away, but he said we ought to make a +day's trip of it, 'cause it was so fine," explained Joan. + +"We'll consider going there some day, but I do wish this young man had +waited to talk with me," murmured the Captain. + +The days preceding the Fourth, the scouts completed a rustic book-shelf, +several original ornaments such as no one could possibly name, and +having woven a small grass rug, they felt that the hut was better than +any king's castle. + +The morning of the Fourth was cloudless and the scouts were up earlier +than usual. It had been decided upon, before going to bed the night +before, that the trip to Bluebeard's Cave would be an interesting outing +if the party got away in time to have a full day for the outing. + +Hepsy was feeling most frisky because she had had so little exercise the +past week; two of the girls led her to the buckboard and hitched her +securely, while the other two slid the adjustable rear seat into the +grooves meant for it along the sides of the vehicle. As they did so, +Joan noticed the edge of one groove seemed splintered. + +Mrs. Vernon and the scouts had packed the hamper with a good luncheon, +and now the Captain placed the basket in front of the three girls who +took possession of the back seat. The other scout sat on the front seat +beside the driver. + +Hepsy jogged along at her own sweet will, and all the chirruping and +switching of the reins failed to bring forth one added bit of speed. + +"I think Hepsy's awful mean to go so slow! We'll _never_ get there at +this rate," complained Ruth. + +"And after the royal way we have treated her, too! Why, one'd think the +old nag was tired to death!" added Joan. + +"I wish we had tied a feed bag to her nose--then she'd show some speed," +laughed Julie. + +"Maybe the climb is too steep for her. I know I wouldn't want to pull +five folks and a wagon up this grade," said Betty. + +"Oh, pshaw! If Hepsy thinks this is steep what will she do when we come +to the last mountain climb," asked Mrs. Vernon, exasperated with urging +the horse onwards. + +Julie laughed as she said, "She'll let the buckboard run backwards on +that hill." + +"Serve her right if we pull her over on her haunches and drag her down +with us," added Joan. + +With such complaints and banter, the scouts reached a steep ascent. +Hepsy brought the party to the foot of the hill and then stopped. All +the urging and switching failed to make her move a foot. + +"Girls, you'll have to get out and walk up--Hepsy used to play this trick +on us long ago, but she has forgotten it during the last few years; or +perhaps, she hadn't the occasion to use it until to-day," laughed Mrs. +Vernon. + +The scouts joined in the laugh, but jumped out to see if Hepsy would +start. The wise old horse turned her head, and finding several of her +passengers were out of the buckboard, continued on up the grade. + +When they came to the level again, the horse would stop long enough to +allow the passengers to get back on the seat. But they had to jump out +again when Hepsy reached the next grade. + +This amused the scouts tremendously; they laughed and enjoyed the way +the wise old animal balked about pulling them up the hills. But Mrs. +Vernon had an idea. + +"Girls, the next grade we come to, you three jump out and wait for Hepsy +to start on her way, then instantly climb up on the tailboard and sit +there. We'll see if she minds the extra weight, or if she is just +whimsical." + +So Hepsy halted as usual when she came to the next grade and the scouts +did as the Captain suggested. They sat on the back of the buckboard +floor, swinging their feet and laughing wildly at the way the horse +jogged on up the hill, believing that they were walking. + +Having reached the top, Hepsy waited, as was her custom, for the girls +to climb in, but they merely crept over the back of the seat and then +shouted: "Gid'dap!" + +Perhaps it was this pulling and scrambling that moved the seat from the +splintered groove, or perhaps it had not been securely slid into place +when the two girls adjusted it. No one knew it had worked its way out of +the slot and now was merely sitting on top of the side-rails; but the +combined weight of the three girls held it firmly while the buckboard +ran over level ground. + +So elated were the scouts over the success of their hoax that they +determined to repeat the trick at the next ascent. They sang and shouted +with exuberant spirits, so that Mrs. Vernon had to hold her ears with +both hands, while Betty drove. + +But Hepsy became annoyed at such unseemly hilarity, and switched her +tail impatiently several times. Still the scouts kept on laughing and +shouting, so Hepsy expressed her irritation in starting to run. + +The added speed only made the scouts laugh and shout louder, and Hepsy +ran faster. As this was exactly what they all had wanted for an hour +past, the girlish voices rang merrily over the hills and came back in +mad echoes. + +Now Hepsy determined she would not stand for such nonsense, but there +was the steepest ascent of all just ahead. It was the last, but longest, +on the mountainside. + +Hepsy's run turned into a gallop that rocked the vehicle from side to +side, so that Betty could not control the animal. Mrs. Vernon hastily +took the reins and tried to soothe the horse, but it seemed as if Hepsy +said: "No, you laughed at the way I was fooled, so now I will have my +turn!" + +The three girls on the rear seat had to cling to each other to avoid +being rolled out of the buckboard; still they never dreamed that much of +the swaying was due to the seat being free from the clutch of the +grooves. + +Just ahead, Mrs. Vernon saw a huge flat bowlder which would prove an +awful jolt unless Hepsy could be guided so as to avoid it. The Captain +tugged with all her strength on the left rein, but the stubborn horse +kept straight on. + +Suddenly the front wheel struck the rock and the vehicle went up on one +side and down on the other. With the mighty lurch, the seat toppled +over, and the three occupants were shot into the bushes and grass +growing beside the woodland path. The hamper rolled off afterward and +stood upside down in the road. + +Once over the obstacle, however, the buckboard righted itself again, and +Hepsy kept galloping on as if her life depended upon it. All the +shouting and yanking at the reins, that the Captain was capable of, had +no effect on the animal. + +She climbed the ascent in a galloping pace, and never stopped until the +pathway ended in front of the Cave. Then she stood heaving and breathing +as if every gasp would be her last. + +Mrs. Vernon and Betty jumped and looked with fear and trembling at what +had happened to the three scouts so unceremoniously tipped into the +woods. + +At the foot of the steep climb, the three girls were seen struggling to +carry the hamper up to the Cave. But they were laughing so they could +not lift the heavy basket. + +The Captain made a megaphone of her hands and shouted: "Never mind! +Leave the hamper. We can have dinner down there." + +Thankfully then, the scouts placed the hamper in the ferns beside the +road, and climbed up to the height where the others stood. + +"I never saw such an old fraud in my life!" exclaimed Mrs. Vernon, when +the girls came within hearing of her voice. + +"Are you all right, girls?" asked Betty, anxiously. + +"Yes, but weak from laughing," shouted Joan. + +"Oh, if I ever get a chance to pay Hepsy back!" threatened Ruth, +angrily. + +"Verny? I'd give my hat if we could only have had a movie taken of this +whole episode," added Julie, still giggling. + +"I shall never accuse Hepsy of being a silly beast again," said Mrs. +Vernon, once she was satisfied there were no bruises or other injuries +to the girls. + + + + +CHAPTER ELEVEN + +IN BLUEBEARD'S CAVE + + +The buckboard was drawn out of the path and left beside the cave; then +Hepsy was unhitched and tethered to a tree with enough rope to allow her +to graze. But she kept turning her head to look quizzically at the +scouts, as much as to say: + +"Huh! you thought you had played a trick on me, but I managed to turn +the tables, after all!" + +"Verny, Hepsy's got a wicked gleam in her eyes, just as if she dumped us +out on purpose," laughed Julie, slapping the horse on the shoulder. + +Mrs. Vernon was too busy unpacking a pasteboard box to reply, so the +scouts stood about her asking questions about the package. + +"I brought a number of thick candles and a box of matches. Each one of +you girls must carry a candle, while I go first and carry the electric +flashlight," explained Mrs. Vernon. + +"How exciting!" cried Joan, trying to light her candle. + +"Just like explorers in an unknown jungle," added Julie. + +"Caves, I should say, Jule," corrected Ruth, laughingly. + +"Well, are we all ready?" now asked the Captain, seeing that each scout +had the candle lighted. + +"All ready for the great adventure," laughed Julie. + +In the first lap of the exploration nothing unusual occurred as the +footpath ran over smooth stone and sand, while the vaulted ceiling and +sidewalls were far enough away to make the cave seem really larger than +it was. + +"It doesn't make one feel very spooky," said Ruth. + +"Let's wait until we get in where the water drips and the queer +formations hang from the roof. That is where the hunter said the +weirdness of the place impressed you," explained Julie. + +They continued deeper into the mountainside, and the air felt cooler, +while the domed tunnel grew perceptibly smaller. The girls were silent +now, being very careful to follow closely behind the Captain. + +"I think it is quite spooky enough for me," whispered Betty, taking hold +of Mrs. Vernon's skirt. + +"If you feel this way, now, what will you do when we get away in!" +laughed Julie. + +The laugh echoed madly and hurled its sounds back again at the scouts, +and the entire party stopped suddenly with fright. + +"Oh! It was only an echo of Julie's laugh," sighed the Captain, in +relief. + +"But what a horrible maniac's cry it was!" gasped Joan. + +Betty was shivering with nervousness, when Julie again laughed, to hear +the echoes come back. + +"_Please_ don't do that!" cried Ruth, closing her ears, and at the same +time dropping the candle. + +Its light was extinguished, and the candle must have rolled into some +crevice, for it could not be found, even though the flashlight and other +candles were used to hunt for it. + +"You'll have to creep close beside me," said Julie, linking Ruth's arm +through hers. + +The cave now narrowed down so that they had to stoop to go on. About +fifty feet further, the tunnel forked. Two separate tubes ran at +diagonal lines with each other. + +"Which shall we take first?" asked Joan, comparing the two openings. + +"'My mother told me to take this one,'" counted Julie, her finger +pointing to each tunnel alternating on each word she spoke. It was the +right-hand opening that was on the last count. + +Mrs. Vernon laughed. "Well, we will go this way and see why your 'mother +told you to take this one.'" + +The scouts laughed, too, but the echoes failed to ring back as +repeatedly as in the front tunnel. + +"That means we are near the end of this tube," said Joan. + +"I'm glad of it! I don't like to be away in here," admitted Betty. + +"The roof is coming down to bump our heads, Verny," said Julie, who was +now leading. + +"Then we must soon retrace our steps and take the other tube, as this +was the short one that leads nowhere. The other must be the tube that +leads to the stalactite cave," said Mrs. Vernon. + +The scouts proceeded a few feet further but the aperture was becoming +too small to follow comfortably, and the Captain said: + +"Well, we may as well turn around, girls." + +As she spoke a low moan seemed to come from the ground, and the girls +huddled close to the Captain. + +"What was it, Verny?" whispered Julie, fearfully. + +Mrs. Vernon gravely turned her flashlight over the walls and ceiling of +the rocky tunnel, then moved it slowly over the ground about them. + +Just when the scouts began to feel courageous again, thinking the sound +was some other form of hallucination in the cave, the light fell upon a +form doubled up against the side of the rocky wall. + +The scouts saw it about the same time the Captain did, and four +high-pitched, excited young voices screamed fearfully, causing the +tunnel behind them to echo with ear-splitting yells of terror. Even Mrs. +Vernon shivered at the uncanny sight and sounds. + +Betty and Ruth had hidden their faces in the Captain's skirt, as if this +would defend them from danger. But Julie and Joan stood their ground +beside the Captain, trying to peer in advance of their position to see +what the form could be. + +"Is he drunk?" whispered Joan. + +"Maybe he is murdered," ventured Julie, causing the others to shiver +again. + +"No--he moaned, so he is not dead. I must find out what is the matter," +replied the Captain, bracing herself for the unpleasant task. + +"Oh, Verny! Please don't!" wailed Betty. + +"He may be hoaxing us like Hepsy did--better call to him and tell him we +haven't a jewel or a cent with us," cried Ruth. + +But the form remained inanimate. Not another sound was heard other than +the cries and talking of the scouts. + +Mrs. Vernon went over slowly, keeping the electric light directly upon +the form. The two other girls held their candles so that the footpath +showed distinctly, as they walked beside the Captain. Ruth and Betty +clung to each other where they had been left standing. + +"Here! Get up!" ordered Mrs. Vernon, pushing the body gently with her +foot. + +But there was no sound or motion from the form. + +The coat had been removed, but the undergarments looked like good ones, +so Mrs. Vernon stooped down the better to see. The right arm was so bent +upwards that it covered the face, and it seemed as if the man was +sleeping that way. + +"Wake up! Do you hear me?" called the Captain, again. + +The fearful quiet was the only effect of the second demand, so then Mrs. +Vernon carefully removed the arm from the face. + +"Oh!" shrieked Julie and Joan, falling back suddenly, and even the +Captain cried with horror. + +"Help! Help!" screamed Ruth, not sure of what was happening to her +friends. + +But the movement of the arm must have caused an instance of +consciousness in the man, as he made another faint sound like a sigh or +a moan. + +"Girls, something has happened to this man, and we have to use our +scout-sense to try and carry him out to the air," said Mrs. Vernon, +turning to the girls. + +"Oh, dear me! I'm afraid to go any nearer. He may die if we move him," +said Joan, fearfully. + +"He'll surely die if left here alone. It may be days or even weeks +before any party again visits this Cave," said Mrs. Vernon, +emphatically. + +"How terrible! We just can't let him die, then," admitted Julie. + +"Do we have to help you?" wailed Ruth, from the rear. + +"Betty and you will have to carry the lights, while we three try to +carry him," answered the Captain. + +"If only we had a blanket!" sighed Julie. + +"It would have been so easy to make a stretcher, then," added Joan. + +"We'll have to contrive one from my skirt, girls. I have a full skirt +on, and the pleats at the belt can quickly be ripped out." + +Even as she spoke, Mrs. Vernon slipped off the plaid skirt and began +pulling at the belt. But it was well-sewed and would not give way. + +"Here, let me chew open some of the stitches," said Joan. + +"No, no! I have an idea--let me burn the threads with the candle-flame," +called Julie. + +"Good! Now touch it right there," said the Captain, as she held the belt +over the flame. + +In a few moments, the scorched and smoking skirt belt gave way to the +strength of the pull Mrs. Vernon used on it, and once the stitching +began, it easily ripped across the entire width. + +"That scorching also reminds me, girls! I've heard said that smoking +wool will revive a fainting person. We will try it as soon as we have +him out of this smothering place," said the Captain. + +An impromptu stretcher was then contrived of the skirt, and the three +bearers lifted the unconscious man upon it. They managed to carry the +form over to the spot where Betty and Ruth held the lights, but the +moment Ruth saw the gash on the head, and the blood trickling from it, +she screamed and clung to Betty. + +"Don't, Ruth--don't hang on to me like that!" wailed Betty. "I'm going to +faint, if you don't let go of me!" + +"Betty Lee! You'd better not!" cried Julie, desperately. + +"We haven't time to hold you up and try to revive you," added Joan. + +"Children, start ahead and show us the way, or we'll all be taken to +Court to testify why we let this man die," ordered the Captain, hoping +by such awe-inspiring words to make Betty and Ruth see the necessity of +self-control. + +Ruth managed to take the extra candle from Betty's shaking hand, and +say: "Come on, Betty, we'll both be in jail for murder if we don't." + +As this was Ruth's interpretation of Court, and it seemed to have the +desired effect, Mrs. Vernon thought best not to correct her. The two +frightened girls led the way with the lights and the three bearers of +the still unconscious form followed. + +Finally they reached the open, and the man was placed upon the grass +near the Cave entrance. "If he doesn't regain his senses in a few +moments, we will have to try that burnt wool," said Mrs. Vernon, +watching the patient very closely, while the scouts bathed his head with +the water they had brought in a bottle. + +But the fresh air seemed to have the hoped-for effect, for the man +heaved a deep sigh and slowly opened his eyes. At first he merely stared +right up at the green foliage of the trees, but as his strength came +back, he tried to see who was bathing his forehead. + +"Do you feel better, now?" inquired Mrs. Vernon, softly. + +The man tried to speak but couldn't, so Julie whispered: "Maybe he's +been in there for days, and needs food." + +"Some of you girls run and bring the hamper up," said Mrs. Vernon, but +the patient had heard. + +"No--all right," he managed to gasp. + +After what seemed an eternity to the scouts, the man had survived far +enough to sit up and lean against the front seat of the buckboard which +the girls had removed and carried over. + +"I fear you have had a bad accident," said the Captain. "Do you know +what happened to you in the Cave? Maybe you fell from a shelf of rock." + +"No--tramps did it." + +The girls cried out, but the Captain gave them a severe look that +quieted them at once. Then she held the cup of water for the man to sip, +and he freshened up visibly. + +"Girls, all four of you go for the hamper, as we must eat our dinner up +here. You can take turns in carrying it, you know," said the Captain. + +The scouts preferred to hover about and hear about the tramps, but Mrs. +Vernon's word was law, so they started down the hill. On the way, Ruth +said, complainingly: + +"We ought to hitch that lazy old horse to the buckboard and make her +pull the load up the hill." + +"She'd balk halfway up, Ruth, and make us pull _her_ up the rest of the +way," retorted Julie, laughingly. + +Mrs. Vernon fanned the cut and bruised face, and wished the man could +tell who he was. As if in answer to her thoughts, he whispered: "Did you +find my card-case in the coat pocket?" + +"No, the tramps who maltreated you so, stole everything." + +The man was not yet aware that he was in his shirt-sleeves, but now he +glanced at himself and frowned. + +"I beg your pardon, but you see my appearance is unavoidable," murmured +he, while a flush rose to his pale face. + +"Oh, don't think of form just now--let us help you back to a normal state +as soon as possible," replied Mrs. Vernon, earnestly. + +"I am a stranger in these parts, having left the train that goes to New +York, because I heard there were some marvelous caves of stalactite +formation in this mountain. I was told to find a young hunter on top of +this crest who would guide me," whispered he. + +"But I must have missed my way, as I found myself at the Cave itself, +before I even found the trail that goes to the hunter's cabin. I had a +grip which I left outside, and taking my flashlight out of it, I started +in alone." The speaker rested a few moments, then continued: "As I +reached the branch where the two tunnels fork, I heard voices. So I +hailed, thinking it might be the hunter escorting a party through the +Cave. Then suddenly the voices were silenced. + +"That should have warned me that all was not right, but I hurried on, +hoping to meet some one. Instead I suddenly was struck directly in the +face with a sharp rock. The blow staggered me, but I leaned against the +wall, until two hard-looking villains crept along the tunnel thinking I +was unconscious. + +"One of them had on stripes, so I judged they were escaped convicts. I +fought them off, but the blows from a cudgel and the loss of blood from +the gash made by the rock, weakened me so that I remember no more until +I opened my eyes and found you bending over me." + +"How horrible! But how grateful we are that we visited the Caves to-day. +What day was it that you went in there?" + +"Let me think: I left the train at the Junction on the evening of July +third, and stopped at a country inn for the night. Early on the Fourth I +climbed the mountains, and visited the Cave. What day is it now?" + +"Why this is the Fourth still! You must have been attacked but a short +time before we found you. It is now noon," exclaimed Mrs. Vernon, +showing her dread of lurking rascals by calling to the girls to hasten +up the hill. + +"Thank heavens! Then we may catch them before they get out of the +country," said the man. + +"My name is Mrs. Vernon, and I am camping in these woods with my girl +scouts. But I should dread having them go about alone after this." + +"My name is Mr. Gilroy, and I certainly feel greatly obliged to your +scouts and to you, Madame, for your aid." + +"If only we were not so far from camp, or such a long ride to Freedom. +You could have medical attention there, and notify the police of this +assault." + +"My dear Madame! I, too, have been an enthusiastic camper and can help +myself better than the physicians can. Give me a few hours' rest, and I +will be as well as ever," said Mr. Gilroy. + +The scouts now came puffing up with the hamper, registering many threats +against Hepsy for her untimely trick. As they came over and stood beside +the Captain, she introduced them to Mr. Gilroy. They were delighted to +find him so far recovered, and they said so in girlish words and +expressions. + +The scouts displayed as hearty an appetite as if nothing unusual had +happened, but Mrs. Vernon was too concerned over the news of some tramps +being at large to enjoy her dinner; she put two and two together and +decided that this was what the young hunter wished to warn her about. + +Mr. Gilroy seemed to like the eager attendance on him shown by the +girls, but he ate sparingly of all the many goodies they urged upon him. + +When the dinner was over, Mrs. Vernon said: "We must leave the hamper +hidden somewhere, girls, and call back for it another day. The back seat +we must leave here, also." + +"Why?" asked the scouts, wonderingly. + +"Because we must contrive some sort of couch on the floor of the +buckboard for Mr. Gilroy; you girls will sit on either side, or at the +back of the buckboard. I can manage to crowd in one extra scout on the +front seat. As Ruth is the slenderest one, I think it had better be she +and Betty for the front seat, while Joan and Julie mount guard over +their patient." + +The girls seemed to think the plan a good one, so the hamper and extra +seat were soon hidden inside the Cave. + + + + +CHAPTER TWELVE + +AN UNPLEASANT SURPRISE + + +When dinner was cleared away, Mrs. Vernon and the scouts gathered young +spruce tips from the trees growing so profusely near the Cave. These +were woven into a soft springy mattress on the floor of the buckboard, +by placing a row of tips where the head would be. The next row of tips +was so placed that the stems ran under the soft resisting tops of the +former row. So on, row after row was woven, until the floor of the +vehicle was covered. + +Mr. Gilroy was then helped up and partly carried over to the spruce-bed. +He had been preparing for this ordeal, and managed to get up on the +buckboard, but then he sank back in a half-faint. The scouts were at +hand, however, with water and a paper fan. + +The return trip took more than two hours, and when the trail was +followed that led direct to the camp Hepsy jogged along without urging +and without balking. + +Joan and Julie sat on either side of their patient, with their feet +dangling from the rear. Mrs. Vernon drove Hepsy very carefully, and the +animal seemed to sense that she must step circumspectly. Not a bowlder +or rut did she cause the vehicle to encounter. + +"For which we are duly grateful to tricky old Hepsy," declared Julie, as +they neared the camp. + +The scouts entertained Mr. Gilroy on this ride down the mountainside, so +that he smiled and almost forgot he was a patient. In fact, the scouts +forgot he was a stranger, so pleasant was this middle-aged man of +forty-five, with his fine face and gray hair. + +On the last hundred yards to the Camp, Hepsy pricked up her ears. + +"She smells oats for supper, and a good bed," laughed Joan. + +"I'm awfully glad we had Hepsy with us to bring back this couch for Mr. +Gilroy," said Betty. + +"Yes, and we're all glad there is such a nice hut ready to receive Mr. +Gilroy. All we will have to do will be to carry the spruce tips from +here to the cabin and make the bed," added Julie. + +Then they told Mr. Gilroy all about the hut and the rugs and the +wonderful furniture, that had taken more than two weeks to build. They +were still laughing over the perfect work done on the roof by the young +hunter, when Hepsy pulled the vehicle up on the plateau near the huts +and stopped. + +"Our camp is under those pines, right beside the tumbling waters," +explained Ruth, pointing out the spot to the tired-looking eyes of the +man. + +"Well, I've enjoyed the ride, dear young ladies, but I am greatly +relieved to be here," sighed Mr. Gilroy. + +"Verny, can't you make Hepsy bring the buckboard over to the hut so Mr. +Gilroy won't have to walk?" said Joan. + +"I was just going to suggest it. I will lead her by the head, so she +won't balk, but you girls remain seated and see that our guest does not +roll off." + +Ruth and Betty followed behind, and the Captain led the horse carefully +over the grass until the camp was reached. All that was now necessary +was for the man to wait until the spruce bed was removed from the wagon +to the hut. + +"You girls run and make room in the hut so we can lay the bed on the +floor. Move the furniture against the walls," said the Captain. + +Julie and Joan, being foremost, ran over to begin the work while Mrs. +Vernon unhitched Hepsy to take her to the shed. Ruth and Betty were +about to push the buckboard under the trees when a heart-rending cry +came from the hut. + +The Captain thought instantly of the tramps, and held her heart as she +ran to help. Ruth and Betty left the wagon where it was and started +after Mrs. Vernon. Even Mr. Gilroy, forgetting his weakness, slid from +the buckboard and crept along in wake of the others. + +"Oh, Verny! Our lovely, lovely hut! Oh, oh!" wailed Joan. + +"Everything ruined! Who could have done it!" cried Julie, stamping her +foot furiously. + +When the others crowded about the door, they beheld a scene indeed! Mr. +Gilroy sank upon the grapevine seat just outside the door, and panted +forth: + +"Those rascally vandals! They did it!" + +"Oh, oh! everything gone or broken! But why did they do it? It won't +help them any!" wailed Ruth. + +The table and chairs had disappeared completely, and bits of grapevine +and ends of boards scattered everywhere, testified to the cataclysm that +struck the inside of the hut. The pictures were torn from the walls, and +the flowers were tossed, with their holders, into the grass near the +hut. The willow and grass mats were in strips, some of them showing +where the demons had tried to set fire to them, but they were too green +to burn readily. + +Suddenly Mrs. Vernon gasped and said: "The annex, girls!" + +She feared that the tramps might be hidden there. But the girls thought +she meant the food-stock, so they ran pell-mell out of the new hut into +the old one, Mrs. Vernon trying to hold them back. + +The scouts found the food-stuff had been taken, too. This was too much +for them! They fairly screamed with rage. Mrs. Vernon had all she could +do to calm their hysterical anger. + +"I'll kill them if I get sight of them!" screamed Ruth, with clenched +hands, jumping up and down. + +"Oh, if we only had that hunter's gun!" added Joan. + +"And shoot each other--no thank you!" declared Julie, in so +matter-of-fact a tone that it did more to stop the howling than anything +else. Even Mr. Gilroy felt like smiling, in spite of the troubles these +innocent scouts had had thrust upon them. + +"Verny, don't you suppose those poor convicts have gone without food for +so long that they had to take ours!" ventured Betty, kindly. + +"Oh, oh! how _can_ you pity them, Betty Lee!" cried Joan. + +"Betty, if you don't swear to avenge this outrage, I'll spank you good +and hard--so there!" threatened Julie, her eyes gleaming dangerously as +she leaned towards poor Betty. + +"I can't swear, Julie, but I am sorry for two terribly wicked men who +don't know better than to hurt Mr. Gilroy and then ruin our lovely home. +The food I s'pose they needed," explained Betty, with more spirit than +she had ever expressed in her life. + +The scouts were so amazed at Betty's self-defense that unconsciously +they pardoned her charity towards the vagabonds. + +"Besides, Verny, they couldn't have carried the boxes very far, you +know, when it took Hepsy and all of _us_ to carry them in," added Betty. + +"And the furniture was awfully heavy, too," said Ruth. + +"And too clumsy for them to handle well," Betty added, but she had best +have left that unsaid, as Julie's wrath exploded. + +"How can you call the furniture clumsy? They were just as handsome as +anything I ever saw!" + +But no one abetted this statement, so she modified her words. "Well, not +_very_ clumsy--only heavy, maybe." + +Mr. Gilroy had been thinking very quickly during this conversation, and +now he called to the Captain. They all ran over to him to see if he was +all right. + +"Oh, yes, I feel all right; but I was wondering if you can find it +possible to have Hepsy drive on down to that village you mention?" + +"To Freedom? What for?" asked Julie, surprised. + +"Because I have a theory about this vandalism, and the sooner the police +hear of it, the better for the safety of all," replied Mr. Gilroy. + +"Do you think you can stand the extra journey?" now asked Mrs. Vernon. + +"I feel so strong and improved since I see what the rascals did here +that I really will be better off if we go to the village than if I +remained here chafing against the delay of catching them." + +Mrs. Vernon knew that an unsettled mental condition was worse than +actual healthy fatigue, so she agreed to drive on down to Freedom. "But +it will be too late for us to return to-night!" + +"Oh, you must not think of it! In fact, you must not camp here again +until the convicts are taken," hastily replied Mr. Gilroy. + +"I suppose we can find a good farm-house where we can board for a time," +suggested Mrs. Vernon. + +"We'll ask the grocery man who comes up for our orders," added Julie. + +By the time Hepsy was hitched again to the buckboard, the scouts had +packed some things in suitcases to take with them. Mr. Gilroy refused to +recline on the spruce bed again, so he sat up between the two girls. + +Hepsy was inclined to balk when she found she was wanted to drive down +to Freedom; but Mrs. Vernon was most emphatic with a persuasive hickory +stick, so that Hepsy decided that "discretion was the better part of +stubbornness." + +Once warmed up to the going, Hepsy kept on traveling at a great rate, so +that the village of Freedom was seen in less than an hour's time after +leaving the camp. While Mrs. Vernon asked the keeper of the general +store about hotel accommodations for all, Mr. Gilroy went to the +telephone and called up the police station at Junction. + +The scouts had not heard the first part of his conversation, as they +were interested in hearing about rooms for the night, but when the +store-keeper held up a hand for silence, they heard Mr. Gilroy say +excitedly: + +"Is that so! Well, I really believe I can get them for you. My name is +Chester Gilroy, and my home is in New York State, but the young ladies +are Girl Scouts. The Captain's name is Mrs. Vernon, of Elmertown--the +other side of this ridge, you know. And the scouts are Juliette and +Elizabeth Lee, Ruth Bentley and Joan Allison." + +The scouts exchanged glances with Mrs. Vernon, but they had no clue to +the conversation at the other end of the wire. + +"What's that?" asked Mr. Gilroy. "Oh--yes! They lost all their +food-stuff, furniture, and other things from camp, so they are compelled +to stay at Freedom until the rascals are caught." + +After saying "good-by" Mr. Gilroy hung up the receiver and came over to +the group waiting to hear what was to be done. + +The excitement and tiresome trip, followed by the sudden relaxation and +satisfaction he experienced now, caused the man's head to whirl, so that +he dropped into a wooden chair for a time. + +As he sat there recovering himself, he quickly planned. Then he looked +up at the store-keeper. + +"Mr. Grocer, I can show you an express order on a bank at Junction from +my home bank in New York State. I want you to take it--not to cash, but +just to prove to you that I mean business." + +The scouts looked perplexed, and the store-keeper said: "What sort of +business do you want to transact?" + +"I want you to act as a constable for me--or get a real one, if there is +one, at once. Then I want you to collect as large a posse of men as you +can, and begin and search that mountainside thoroughly. Begin at an +outside circle and narrow down as you reach the camp-huts. We've got to +get those escaped convicts and hand them over to the police before we +can feel safe." The canny grocer shook his head dubiously. + +"If the men of Freedom round up and land two dangerous criminals, think +of the story the newspapers will tell about it. Why, Freedom will be on +the map in big headlines!" Mr. Gilroy was beguiling. + +When Mr. Gilroy concluded, the store-keeper said: "How much do yuh +kalkerlate on spendin', mister?" + +"How many men can you get to go on this quest?" Mr. Gilroy countered. + +"Wall--there air loungers hangin' about th' post office, in that store +over thar, an' there be young fellers what'll want to chase the convicts +fer fun, an' others what will do it fer the dollars. I kin raise 'bout +forty er fifty, I rickon." + +"Fine work! I'll pay them $2 for every half-day they are out, with extra +money for meals and night work. But the bosses will get double the +money. I'll pay you a dollar for every man you sign up." + +"Signed up--what fer?" asked the suspicious grocer. + +"To contract to hunt these criminals. You see, we've got to do the thing +business-like, and once they start out they might work a whole day or +two, and be entitled to honest pay. But others who never moved may come +in at pay-time and claim money for nothing. I've got to have the +signatures of my men so that I know who I am paying, see?" + +The old grocer felt satisfied with the explanation, and said: "I know +the constabule pritty well, and he'll 'tend to the posse if I divide +even. He knows the best men to send on a job like this. I'll be +satisfied with half, if I get my picksher in a New York news-paper. I +allers wanted to do that afore I die!" + +Mrs. Vernon could not refrain from smiling at such a desire and ideal, +but the scouts laughed outright. Mr. Gilroy said: "Youth laughs because +it does not believe in death." + +"When do ye want 'em to start?" queried the grocer eagerly. + +"As soon as you can possibly get them off. Those convicts may escape +from the mountainside in another twenty-four hours." + +"I'll git Lem on the telerphone now, and start him off. He's our +constabule, ye know, and a lively one, tew." + +Soon after this, Lemuel Saunders called to see Mr. Gilroy. "Ef yuh will +step over to my office, I've got a line o' men waitin' to sign up." + +The scouts wanted to watch the rest of this exciting plan, so Mrs. +Vernon accompanied them to the constable's room behind the Post-Office +General Store. + +Mr. Gilroy hastily wrote upon a sheet of fool's-cap paper, then handed +it to Mr. Saunders to be signed by the applicants. A long line filed in, +and, signing, went out again. To each man one dollar was paid in advance +for a meal, and advice given as to taking guns, clubs and other weapons +with them. + +The spirit of adventure, added to a good financial return, had attracted +every one in the village, so that wives and mothers had packed up hearty +lunches, and seen to it that the hunters were provided with firearms or +cudgels for defense. + +Scarcely a man or grown boy could be found in town who had not agreed to +go out and hunt the felons for Mr. Gilroy. Before sundown that evening +the village was left without a man in it. But here and there on the +great mountainside twinkling lights could be seen, as the posse moved +carefully upwards towards the camp. + +The following morning found Mr. Gilroy feeling rested and eager to +follow the villagers in their search for the outlaws. But the doctor who +had sewed up the gash in his head advised the patient to rest all that +day. + +The girls made a great fuss over their sick guest--or at least they +insisted upon calling him sick in spite of his protests to the +contrary--and promised the physician that they would take every +precaution to keep Mr. Gilroy quiet. + +But they had no idea of how their promise was to be tested. They were +soon to know, however. + +On the first train that stopped at Freedom came the Chief of Police and +a number of his officers from Junction, to capture the two escaped +convicts. They went straight to Mr. Gilroy to learn all the facts from +him, and having taken down his statement they spoke of securing horses, +or a car, to take them up the mountainside. + +"I hired all the horses and vehicles to be had in Freedom," explained +Mr. Gilroy, "but I will gladly turn over the auto to you, providing you +take me with you on this trip." + +"Why! You can't leave this porch, Mr. Gilroy," exclaimed Julie. + +"The doctor said we were to keep you very quiet," added Joan. + +"But that was more than an hour ago; I am quite recovered now, my +dears," laughed Mr. Gilroy. + +"That makes no difference with us--we were ordered to see that you kept +quiet," declared Ruth. + +"I can keep just as quiet while riding in the car with the Chief as if I +sat on this chair," argued Mr. Gilroy. + +"Impossible! The excitement of the chase will give you a fever," said +Julie, emphatically. + +"Why, they are two poor convicts who are most likely in chains by this +time. Our posse has captured them long before this, and all I have to do +is to pay off my men," explained the stubborn patient. + +"Well, you'll find they are not quite tame, or as easy to secure, as you +fancy," ventured the Chief. "One of those rascals is a member of that +gang that tried to bomb New York City recently. And the other one is a +leader of a group of 'Reds' that the secret police rounded up lately. +Both, being aliens, were kept in jail until they could be deported. But +they managed to make their escape." + +"How did you get the orders to capture them?" asked Mr. Gilroy. + +"Why, the Police Chiefs all over the country were sent secret +communications with descriptions and photographs of the fellows; just +the other day, a young man who lives with his granny on this mountain, +said he had seen two evil-looking tramps somewhat resembling the +pictures. So we quickly planned to start a round-up when we heard from +you. Then last night I got a message over the wire that two suspects +were trailed as far as Junction or its vicinity, and we were to look +carefully to see if any disguised strangers were hanging about our +town." + +"Well, well! This is certainly interesting, but now I am more determined +than ever to go with you when you start. Are we waiting for anything?" +said Mr. Gilroy. + +"Nothing except the consent of your nurses," laughed the Chief. + +The four girls looked obdurate, and Mr. Gilroy began to smile, then he +turned to the Chief. + +"You feel reasonably sure that I will be taking no risks in accompanying +you back to the campsite?" + +"Oh, certainly! Those two outlaws will never hang about a spot where so +many people are liable to stop." + +"Well, then, is there any objection to my four nurses going with me to +see that I keep quiet to-day?" + +"Oh, Mr. Gilroy! How splendid that will be!" cried Julie, + +"Oh, yes! Do let us go, Chief!" exclaimed Joan, eagerly. + +But at this moment Mrs. Vernon came out on the piazza. She overheard the +last words and instantly shook her head in disapproval. + +"But why not, Verny? The Chief says the ground is perfectly safe about +our camp!" pleaded Julie. + +"Why, not a mother in the land would ever allow her girls to join the +Scout Organization if they thought I was a sample of a Captain--the very +idea! to let you girls run right into such a hotbed of danger!" Mrs. +Vernon glanced scornfully at Mr. Gilroy as if to dare him to say another +word. + +But he smiled in return and said: "Just step inside for a moment, Mrs. +Vernon,--I have a word to speak to you." + +Wonderingly, the Captain followed him indoors, and whatever he whispered +must have had a wonderful power, for a radical change took place in Mrs. +Vernon's opinions before she joined the girls again. + +"Mr. Gilroy has convinced me that it is to our _advantage_ to go back to +the huts, but still I refuse to go unless the Chief can assure me that +we will not be anywhere near those outlaws, or run any risk by returning +to camp," said she. + +"As far as that is concerned, I told Mr. Gilroy that the two rascals +were too experienced to stay near the camp, but were most likely over +the mountain by this time, making tracks for some out-of-the-way place +where they could hide again for a few days." + +"Maybe they will go back to Bluebeard's Cave, now that they got our food +and other necessities," suggested Joan. + +"I only hope they do," laughed the Chief. "For in that case we will +smoke them out with sulphur." + +After many misgivings as to the wisdom of this trip, and fearing the +condemnation of all the parents of the girls, as well as the disapproval +of the Girl Scouts Organization should they ever hear of the escapade, +Mrs. Vernon followed her charges to the car. + +By the time the police and the scout party arrived at the campsite, the +village posse were far past that spot and were beating the woods up on +the mountainside. The Chief went carefully over every visible sign of +the destruction in the camp, but shook his head smilingly after he had +concluded his investigation. + +"I don't believe the rascals stole the furniture, you know, Mr. Gilroy, +as it would hamper them too much in their get-away and it would be of no +earthly value to any one but these scouts. Neither do I believe that +they carried off much food. Only enough to last them for the present. +But they doubtless made a cache of it somewhere, believing that the +scouts would be too timid ever to return to this camp, and then they +could take up their quarters here. If they were left unmolested, they +could move back the furniture and food later." + +"That's what I thought, too," agreed Mr. Gilroy. "And by depriving the +girls of food and camp-beds, they were sure of driving them away from +here at once." + +"Exactly. Now, I should propose to the scouts that they thrash the +bushes near here to see if the villagers have not passed over the hidden +stores or pieces of furniture. Of course they ought to have beaten the +woods too well to miss anything, but one never can tell as, in their +zeal, they are hunting _men_, not food," said the Chief. + +"We will search if you are quite sure it is safe for us to do so. If the +hunters who sought first missed the chairs or table, why couldn't they +pass over a recumbent form of a man?" said Mrs. Vernon. + +"Oh, I do not think the tables or chairs are left standing intact. And +the food-stuffs will not be in boxes, either; but small installments of +it probably will be found here and there under the leaves, in hollows, +or hidden under roots of trees." + +"Well, Chief, you leave two of your best men here with us for +protection, and then go as far as you like over the mountain-top," +agreed Mr. Gilroy. + +So two big fighting men were detailed to remain behind with the +camp-party, and the rest of the police started in different directions +to hunt out the desperadoes. + +After the police were out of sight, Joan said: "I wish we could find our +food-stuff and furniture before a rain-storm comes." + +Mrs. Vernon laughed. "If the grapevine could withstand the snows and +rains of many years before we found it, now that it is turned into +furniture for us it will surely not suffer from a slight storm." + +"Well, _I_ am not thinking of storms, but of hunger. Let's go to work +and hunt, then we can stay on in camp--if we find the food," said Julie. + +So in short order every one was beating the bushes and leaves as if in +search of diamonds. The policemen had given the girls a "safety zone" in +which to work, while they themselves wandered further afield. + +Not long after they began seeking, Mrs. Vernon found a cooking-pot under +a bush. Then Joan found some groceries. In all sorts of out-of-the-way +holes and nooks, well-covered from curious eyes, different articles were +found, but the greater part of the food-stuff was still to be regained, +when the Captain told her girls to rest for a short time and eat some of +the crackers Ruth had found. + +A dish-pan of water was brought from the spring and the scouts sat down +to eat and drink, while reviewing the thrilling adventures of the past +two days. + +"I still must say that I am dubious about the reception this present +undertaking will receive, when it is known that I am so weak-minded as +to give in to four coaxing girls and Mr. Gilroy, who has a wonderful +plan for you girls to win a lot of money--but in a manner that is +ninety-nine chances against one to its success." + +"Oh, Verny! Do tell us what it is!" exclaimed Julie. + +"Is that what he whispered to you that made you change your mind?" asked +Ruth. + +"Yes, I was foolish enough to believe that it was possible, but now that +I am here I see that it is not! I wish to goodness we were back safe at +Freedom!" + + + + +CHAPTER THIRTEEN + +THE CAPTURE + + +A pleased signal from the detective now caused the happy scouts to race +down the trail as if a wild grizzly was after them. Joan and Julie +reached him first, and there they saw the nice little cache of +food-stock that every man in Freedom had passed by while thrashing the +bushes for the fugitives. + +"Of all things! How did they get the time to do it so neatly?" asked +Mrs. Vernon, seeing the logs and leaves and stones scattered over the +boxes and tins of camp-food. + +"They are experienced wanderers, I suppose, and most likely often had to +hide their firearms and food from the secret police in Europe," returned +the detective, beginning to drag out the packages and boxes. + +"I can't understand how those men from Freedom, beating over this very +ground, should pass by such a clue to the rascals. You see they can't +live very long without food, so here we have them, while they may still +be at large on the mountains," continued the policeman. + +The girls were only too glad to carry their campstock back to the small +hut and there left it in the custody of Mr. Gilroy, while they sought +still further for blankets or bedding. + +The Chief soon came down the trail and stopped at the camp long enough +to hear about the recovery of the stolen food. Then, hearing that the +detective was still out hunting for the bedding, he left the scouts to +cook some supper. + +As they worked to settle the camp again, Mr. Gilroy sat in the sun +thinking. Suddenly he exclaimed, "I have it!" + +"What?" cried four voices as they ran over to see if he had caught the +vandals with his idea. + +"The true story of this entire plot. Now, it is this way: + +"Those blackguards saw your party drive Hepsy up the trail going to the +Cave. Maybe they hid and heard you talk about the place. And they knew +that if you explored the Caves you must find me and doubtless would +endeavor to help me. + +"They counted on that work taking you much longer than it actually +did--for they know nothing about scouts and how they have to understand +'First Aid.' But they raced down the trail as fast as they could go, +hoping to get away from this region before their new atrocity was +published. + +"Then they reached your camp and found the food-stuff and the other +things. To prevent you from remaining at camp again it would be +necessary to deprive you of food and furniture. So they carried +everything off and hid it in the bushes where you wouldn't find it so +easily. The food they covered, for that they wanted for themselves, in +case they had to hide for a long time. + +"They figured that it would take you some time to carry me down the +hillside, and much longer to go on to Freedom. By that time they could +be miles away over the mountain-top. + +"But you upset most of their calculations by unexpectedly appearing on +the scene with me, and then going right on down the trail. If we had +passed a night here, or even delayed a few hours until darkness fell, +perhaps we would never again have seen the day." + +"Oh! You make me shiver, Mr. Gilroy," exclaimed Ruth. + +"Don't shiver over a theory, Ruth! That's all it is, for Mr. Gilroy said +so before he told his story," laughed Julie. + +"Julie, you're right! Mr. Gilroy ought to have more sense than to +theorize in such a fear-inspiring way," added Joan, trying to be jocular +but feeling creepy. + +"I beg your pardon, scouts--I am at fault, I see," said Mr. Gilroy, +politely. + +"I say, don't let's waste time theorizing and scolding each other, but +do let us see that a nice supper is ready for the police when they come +up the hill," said Betty. + +"As usual, our Welfare Member is right," laughed Mrs. Vernon, patting +Betty on the head. + +But the two detectives failed to come back, and Mr. Gilroy began +worrying about them. He thought it foolish for two men to go away like +that, while the rascals were still at large. + +Then Mrs. Vernon expressed an opinion. "Mr. Gilroy, I will make a motion +that you be made to go to bed in the old hut. The spruce tips are made +up in there, and you have had a wearing day. We should feel guilty if we +had to telegraph a death notice to your friends in New York State." + +"I second the motion!" exclaimed Julie. + +"Motion made and seconded that our friend Mr. Gilroy be made to go to +bed at once--without his supper," laughed Joan. + +"Don't take a vote, scouts--I promise to be good!" cried Mr. Gilroy, +holding up a hand in protest of the unanimous vote about to follow. + +"Then say 'nighty-night' and go at once," added the Captain. + +"I suppose I must even though the sun has not yet set, but what is one +poor man to do with five domineering scouts about him?" sighed he, in +mock obedience. + +Having given their guest some supper and then shown him to his room and +seen that the candle was safely stuck in an empty bottle, the scouts +said good-night and returned to the fire, where the Captain still sat +thinking. + +"Girls, I want you all to sit in the new hut with me, if you don't +mind," whispered Mrs. Vernon. + +"Why--are you frightened, Verny?" asked Julie, while the others looked +apprehensively about. + +"I feel that it is all so open out here, and the two detectives never +came back. In the hut we will have log walls, at least." + +"Come on--hurry up, girls," cried Ruth, running over towards the door. + +"If only we had some revolvers," said Julie. + +"If only I had had more sense than to give in to your coaxing! I might +have known this was no place for us," snapped Mrs. Vernon, angry with +herself. + +When the campers were seated upon the boards they had placed across the +damaged seats, Betty asked timidly: + +"Verny, are we going to bed to-night?" + +"You scouts will, but I will sit up all night." + +"Then we shall too, Verny. Not that we want to disobey you, but you must +not ask us to do anything you would not do yourself," said Julie. + +"But you will grow drowsy later on, girls, and I want you to have as +much rest as possible," explained Mrs. Vernon. + +"I'm sleepy now, Verny; if I only had a pillow I could be off in +dreamland in a moment," confessed Betty. + +"Here--lean your head against my shoulder, Betsy," said Julie, placing an +arm about her sister. + +But the dreams suddenly disappeared when a stealthy creeping of +footsteps seemed to come from the doorway of the old hut. Every one +gazed spell-bound at the open door, and Mrs. Vernon could just summon +courage enough to say quite loudly: + +"Is that you, Chief? Mr. Gilroy is in the small hut!" + +She knew the sound of her voice would break the spell of fear that held +them all. Then Mr. Gilroy's voice came back: + +"S-sh! It is me--myself!" + +"What's the matter?" anxiously whispered five voices. + +The very actions of Mr. Gilroy now filled the scouts with fear, for he +leaned over and in such a low whisper as to be hardly distinguishable, +said: "Some one's behind the wall of this hut." + +It was well that at this moment a muffled curse sounded from the wall at +the back of the hut, where it was built up to meet the rocky ledge of +the mountainside. The scouts instantly felt their courage revive when +they knew where to look for the danger. + +A hoarse whisper was now plainly heard through the chinks of the wall +where the clay had been plastered in. + +"Agh! now you must mek a noise aut get us pinched in agin!" The voice +was gutteral and spoke with a strong foreign accent. + +"But dis foot is crusht allreatty. I can't stant it anudder minute. I'm +better off in jail dan widdout a foot!" + +Mr. Gilroy now placed his mouth close to Julie's ear and whispered: "You +and Joan take the flashlight and creep out of here as noiselessly as +possible. Run for your lives down the trail and give the signal the +police determined upon. Here is a whistle. Blow it three times with but +a moment's interval between--then, if it is not answered, blow again. +Keep this up until you get an answer." + +"Supposing the two policemen are not down that trail?" asked Julie, as +softly as could be. + +"They will be--because now we know they are not killed. We have the two +fugitives in behind that wall, and I want to keep them there until the +police get here," said Mr. Gilroy. + +Julie and Joan then crept away, and Mrs. Vernon heard Mr. Gilroy's voice +close at her ear explaining where they went. + +"You see, the convicts cannot get out of there without our seeing them. +In that case I will use my automatic revolver," added Mr. Gilroy. + +"Oh! I didn't know you had one," sighed the Captain in great relief. + +"Yes, and I was about to say that you and the two girls had better creep +out and get under the heap of spruce tips that is piled in the old hut, +while I sit here and guard the wall," Mr. Gilroy returned. + +Ruth and Betty refused to leave him, however, so the four sat and waited +in the darkness. + +After a long interval of absolute silence, a shrill whistle was heard +down the trail. Then a voice behind the wall said: "D'ye t'ink enny +one's got a clue?" + +"Try to see thu dat crack in de wall--see ef yuh kin see any light in dat +room?" + +"Not a flicker--black as pitch out dere." + +"Dat shows dey's gone, 'cause no woman'll sit in de dark widda coupla o' +convicks loose in de woods," harshly laughed one. + +"I wisht you'se coul' help lift me foot outen dis hole what's eatin' me +heart out," groaned the man who evidently had injured his foot. + +"S-she! Dere goes dat whistle agin. Mebbe dem cops is comin' back dis +way." + +"Ef dey come back, it's ours fer keepin' mum agin. We cain't git away, +yuh know, wid my foot lame. An' dey'll never tink of lookin' behin' dis +wall fer us ef we kin shet up an' stan' it." + +"No, but we woulden' have t'ought of it ourself ef it hadn't ben fer dat +crookit chimbly. It war so easy to climb dat an' slide down here behin' +de wall," chuckled the other one. + +Mr. Gilroy gently touched the scouts to keep silence, and all four +listened with nerves a-tension. + +"Wisht we onny hed a gun--den we coul' put up a fight ef any one gits on +to dis hidin' place," said one of the voices, after a silence that had +followed another shrill whistle in the woods. + +"Dem cops is havin' fun widda whistle. But dey kin whistle fer all we +care." A chuckle expressed the satisfaction the man felt. + +Then an answering signal whistled close to the hut, and one of the +prisoners said to his pal: "Gee! Dey's closer'n I t'ought. Keep mum, +now, en don't groan enny when dey's in hearin'." + +Another whistle from the trail echoed to the hut, and Mr. Gilroy got up +and ran out. He met two of the returning policemen just outside, and +drew them away so that he could tell them of the discovery without being +overheard by the convicts; for he had learned how the slightest sound +echoed in the forest silences. + +The men quickly planned how they could catch the convicts, but how +should they force them out from behind the wall of the hut? + +"We'll have to chop down the log wall," said one. + +"It will take all night and before we get it down our men may have crept +out and escaped," said the other. + +"We'll have to wait for the Chief and his companion to join us, so that +two of us can sit on the roof and guard the hole where these men crept +through to get in back there," said Mr. Gilroy. + +A dancing flashlight seen through the forest trees along the lower trail +now told the three anxious men that the girls had found the Chief and +his men and were returning. + +Soon the Chief was in an earnest conference with his men and Mr. Gilroy, +while the two scouts crept in to whisper a plan to the Captain. + + + + +CHAPTER FOURTEEN + +THE REWARD FOR COURAGE + + +While the Chief drew his men away from the hut so they might talk and +plan without danger of being heard by the convicts, Julie and Joan +whispered their plan to the admiring Captain. + +"We'll start a blazing fire in the chimney, because everything is laid +ready for one, and soon the smoke will choke up the hut and fill the +empty place back of the wall, just as it always did when we had a fire +for fun," said Julie. + +"Wasn't it lucky that we built the chimney as we did! If it was straight +and correct, it wouldn't smoke, and then that hollow place behind the +wall would never fill with smoke," whispered Betty, excitedly. + +"S-sh! For goodness sake don't whisper so loud--they'll hear us and know +what we are planning to do!" warned Joan, placing her hand over Betty's +mouth. + +"But we won't hint to those rascals that we are only smoking them out--we +will pretend we are going to burn down the hut," now announced Julie, +highly pleased with her plan. + +"How?" asked Betty. + +"This way--now listen and keep your wits about you--all of you, and reply +wisely," whispered Julie, going over to the fireplace to speak so the +men behind the wall could plainly hear her. + +"Scouts, the Chief and his men are outside loading their guns to open a +fight on these two men hidden behind this wall, but that means there +will be an awful fight. Now, I have a much better plan; I am going to +pour gasoline all over this wall and then light it. It won't take long +to burn these logs down; but it will give these convicts a chance to +give themselves up." + +Julie paused a moment, then called out loudly: + +"Say, you two fugitives! Come out from there quietly and we won't drive +you forth." + +But not a sound was heard from behind the wall. After a few moments, +Julie added: "All right! We'll have to burn down the hut. I'm sorry, but +we've got to get you, or give up camping here." + +The scouts were intensely interested in this farce, but Julie meant +business. She turned to the Captain and said: "Make the scouts leave the +hut before I pour this gasoline all over the log wall. If they remain +here with lighted candles, the fumes of the gasoline will cause an +explosion." + +Julie grinned at the girls and placed a finger on her lips as a signal +for absolute silence; then she continued: + +"That's right, Captain; now you take that can of gasoline that stands by +the door, and pour it all over those logs while I soak these--then run +outside. I will wait, and the moment you are out I will throw a lighted +taper at the wall. Instantly the flames will eat up the bark and begin +to burn through. By that time those two men will be glad to crawl out +and give themselves up." + +Julie pointed at a pail of water that stood by the door, so the Captain +picked it up. Then the scout began arranging the paper and kindlings in +the fireplace. These she lit with a match, and when she found they were +beginning to burn, she called out: + +"Now! Let us throw the gasoline all over the wall! Ready!" + +As Julie gave the word, Mrs. Vernon tossed the water over as much wall +surface as possible, then ran from the hut. The smoke now began to pour +from the fireplace and filled the room. The scouts had to remain outside +to keep from choking. Julie was the last to leave, but she smiled with +satisfaction when she saw the dense smoke quickly filling the hut. Then +she closed the door. + +"Have you enough wood on the fire to last this trick out?" asked Mrs. +Vernon, anxiously. + +"Piles of it! That's why it is smoking so furiously," replied Julie. + +"Only a tiny spiral of smoke can be seen coming from the top of the +chimney, so most of it must be escaping from the fireplace into the +room," announced Joan. + +Suddenly the scouts heard some one back of the hut wall cough. Then +another louder cough. Soon two were coughing and strangling desperately, +and the Captain patted Julie on the back approvingly. + +Then a gutteral voice tried to be heard: "Vee gif up--onny safe us from +dis fire!" + +Julie held Betty, who was going to shout back that they would be saved. +No one replied to the cry, and the two voices shrieked and screamed, +"Help! Help--dis house iss on fire--vee burn to dedt!" + +Julie was about to answer, when the Chief and Mr. Gilroy ran up. The +latter caught Mrs. Vernon's look, but the former cried excitedly: "How +did the hut catch fire?" + +He seemed terribly upset about it and wanted to know if the convicts had +set fire to the logs. Mrs. Vernon began to explain, while Julie +scrambled up on the roof of Hepsy's shed and carefully made her way +along the framework until she reached the chimney, where she held fast +and called down to the men behind the wall. + +"Come out and give yourselves up, or roast where you are." + +When the Chief heard the scout's command, he smiled and ordered his men +up on the roof to help. Then he followed Julie, and stood beside her +with cocked revolver aiming at the rocky wall. The other policemen +climbed up, too, and the Chief said to Julie: + +"You'd better get down and join your friends now. We can handle the +rascals better if you are out of the way." + +"But you won't have to use revolvers, 'cause they are unarmed," said +Julie, anxiously. + +"How do you know that?" + +"We heard them whispering. Besides, one man has a crushed foot, and we +scouts don't believe in hurting _anything_ that is helpless--even a +convict who has made lots of trouble for us." + +"All right, little girl; I'll put my gun away, but we ought to have +_one_ to show, so the rascals won't try to overpower us." + +"I guess they are so full of smoke and fear that they won't be able to +fight. Cowards always give up easy, you know," said Julie, creeping down +from the roof of the hut, back to Hepsy's shed. + +As Julie had said, the two convicts crawled up from behind the wall, +looking the sorriest mortals ever one saw. Their eyes were red and +watery from the smoke so that they could hardly see, and they coughed +every other second. One limped most painfully, and had to be helped by +his pal. Then, just as they stood up on the roof to hold up their hands +in defeat, the other one broke through the tar paper roof and stuck fast +between the rafters. + +"Oh, there goes our roof!" cried Betty plaintively. + +"Never mind, Betty dear! You can hire men to put on fifty roofs now, +with the reward you scouts will get," exclaimed Mr. Gilroy. + +"Reward! What reward?" asked five amazed voices. + +Mr. Gilroy laughed delightedly. "The Chief told me that one reason his +men and all the men in Freedom were so eager to hunt these convicts, was +the hope of the cash reward offered. The State has offered $500 a head +for the capture, dead or alive, of these outlaws and aliens. You scouts +have captured the men!" + +"W-h-y! I can't believe it! How did we do it?" exclaimed Betty. + +"Oh--Julie caught them, didn't she?" cried Joan. + +"Not alone, Jo. You all helped, and the Captain poured the gasoline, you +know, and took the risk of being blown to bits!" laughed Julie, +excitedly, as she twisted her fingers nervously. + +"When the Chief told me of the rewards, I said: 'Then the girls ought to +have it, no matter who _catches_ the convicts, for they apprehended them +and turned in the news of their whereabouts.'" + +"Oh, but we didn't, Mr. Gilroy. You did that yourself," Ruth corrected +the gentleman. + +"I only took the blows from the prisoners--you did the rest. But I never +dreamed that you would capture them, too. I might have known that girl +scouts are capable of doing anything." + +The moment handcuffs were on the convicts, they were placed in custody +of the officer. Then the Chief blew his signal so the hunters on the +mountainside would know the men were taken. + +He congratulated Julie and her friends on having won the much coveted +reward, and then said to Mrs. Vernon: "I suppose you will hear from the +Government offices in a few days. Meantime, I will need the names and +addresses of the members of Dandelion Camp, to enter the report on my +records." + +The scattered men who had been hunting through the forests now straggled +into camp, all eager to hear by whom and how the convicts had been +caught. When they learned that a few girls did the work, they looked +disgusted. + +But one of the officers laughed heartily as he said: "Why didn't we +think of that hiding-place!" + +"Wall, I kin say I'm glad th' gals got it! They lost all the camp +ferniture and grub, an' has to go home now!" added Lem Saunders, the +constable. + +"Oh, we forgot to tell you! The food and some furniture was found hidden +down the trail in the bushes," exclaimed Joan. + +"But ye haint be agoin' to stay out here any more, air yeh?" asked +Lemuel, wondering at such a risk. + +"Of course! We are safer now than we were before we went to Bluebeard's +Cave, you know," laughed Julie. + +"Now we know where those convicts will be, but for two weeks past they +were at large and we never knew it. _That_ was when there was cause to +fear for us--being in a lonesome camp," added Mrs. Vernon. + +"Yeh," agreed Lemuel. "But what one don't know never hurts one, ye +know!" + +"That reminds me!" exclaimed the Captain, holding up a hand for +attention. "Do any of you men know a young hunter and trapper from up +the mountain?" + +"D'ye mean Ole Granny Dunstan's boy?" asked Lemuel. + +"I only know he lives up the mountain somewhere, and makes his living +through selling pelts. I don't even know his name," said Mrs. Vernon. + +"That's him! Ole Granny Dunstan's son," returned Lemuel. + +"Is he with you to-night?" continued the Captain. + +"Nah! He's gone to Washerton most ten days ago. They writ him a note +sayin' they was holdin' a French paper fer him," explained a young man +who was standing on the outer line of the posse. + +"He fit so hard in France, yeh know, that th' Frenchys done sent him a +fine paper tellin' folks about him. I've hear'n said folks over thar +nicknamed him an 'ace,'" said another man. + +"Then he must have been an aviator!" exclaimed Mrs. Vernon. + +"Yeh! he can fly in one of them machines--but we don't keep any in +Freedom, so we never seed him ride one," said Lemuel. + +"Well, gentlemen, I thank you for this information. But should you see +him when he returns from Washington, tell him we want him to stop in and +see us--at Dandelion Camp." + +The Chief had ordered his men to accompany the convicts to the village, +so Mr. Gilroy offered the car to them. He was going to stay at camp with +the scouts, he said. + +"But we left our suitcases at the hotel, and Hepsy is at the stable in +Freedom!" declared the Captain. + +"We'll all have to go back, then, and come up in the morning," added +Julie. + +So the convicts were tied to horses and two of the officers whose mounts +had been chosen for this need sat in the car with the scouts. But they +didn't mind being crowded when the two policemen began telling stories +of the narrow escapes they had had in the past while catching criminals. + +As the cavalcade entered Freedom, Mrs. Vernon said: "After all those +blood-curdling stories, I doubt if my scouts will sleep." + +It was past midnight when the hunting party returned to Freedom, and +only goodness knows what time it was when all the hunters had finished +telling the citizens how the convicts were captured by a few girl +scouts. + +Long after the scouts had retired Mrs. Vernon heard them whispering to +each other. Finally she called out: + +"Why don't you girls go to sleep?" + +"We can't, Verny; we're thinking of that reward," said Joan. + +"And we've spent most of it already!" laughed Julie. + +"You'll have plenty of time to plan about it, girls, for the +Government--like most large bodies--moves very slowly. It may be next +summer before you get the check," said the Captain. + +"Never mind; it will be ready for the Adirondacks, then." + + + + +CHAPTER FIFTEEN + +A FURNITURE SHOWER + + +News of the raid on Dandelion Camp traveled swiftly, so that the head of +police in Elmertown heard of the posse and the reward offered to capture +the convicts. + +He was going down the street after hearing the story and, meeting Mr. +Allison, stopped him. + +"I suppose the scouts came home this afternoon," he said. + +"The scouts! Why, no--why should they?" asked Mr. Allison. + +"Is it possible that you have not heard?" + +"Heard--heard what? Has anything terrible happened?" cried the frightened +father. + +Now, the policeman knew that no one in Elmertown had heard the story, +but he liked to create an effect, so he explained carefully, "Why, two +convicts got away from State's prison and were hiding on that mountain +where your girls are camping." + +"Good heavens! What happened?" + +"Nothing more than their camp was broken up. All the food-stuff and +furniture are gone. The men stole everything and what they could not +carry away, they broke to bits." + +"Why--how awful! Where were the scouts when this happened?" asked Mr. +Allison, trembling with apprehension. + +"Oh, it seems they went to Bluebeard's Cave to celebrate the Fourth, and +there they found an unconscious man who had been beaten almost to death +by the rascals who, after robbing him, took him way back in the Cave and +left him there. But the scouts discovered him, and saved his life." + +"Well, now! that is something like it," said the father proudly. + +"But it didn't spare their camp. When they got back they found +everything gone, so they kept right on to Freedom and are staying at +Mrs. Munson's hotel." + +"Why there--they should have come home," said Mr. Allison. + +"They couldn't, I s'pose. You see, they would have to be on hand to +swear to warrants and everything. We police do things up according to +law, you know." + +"Maybe they'll be home to-day," ventured Mr. Allison. + +"Like as not. Well, so long!" + +Mr. Allison thanked the officer and hurried to his office. He rang up +the Bentley's house and found Ruth's father at home. + +"Say, Bentley, I just met the cop on our beat and he tells me the scouts +had an awful time! Two escaped prisoners were hiding on the mountains, +and smashed up the camp. Every bit of food and all the furniture broken +to bits. The girls saved a man that the outlaws had beaten to a jelly." + +"Good heavens! Were any of the scouts hurt in the fight?" + +"No, but I guess they were pretty well frightened,--eh?" + +"I should say so! What are we going to do about it--go out and bring them +home?" said Mr. Bentley. + +"Oh, the cop told me they were now at a hotel in Freedom, as they had to +be on hand to testify to certain things. I suppose they will be home +to-morrow." + +"Let me hear from you if you hear anything new, will you?" asked Mr. +Bentley. + +"Yes, and you do the same," replied Mr. Allison. + +Hardly had both men hung up the receivers before the telephone bell at +the Lee house tinkled. May answered the call. Two men were trying to get +her. One said to the other: "Get off of this wire--it's busy." + +Then the other replied: "I called the number first--I heard you come +in----Now get off, I have to tell this party a very important story." + +"Ho! that sounds like Allison's voice--is it you?" + +"Yes,--is this Bentley?" asked the other voice. + +"Ha, ha, ha! I was just going to tell the Lees about the robbers and the +camp. But you can tell them, if you like." + +"All right--hang up and I'll tell them," said Mr. Bentley. + +Now, May had heard this conversation and when the men spoke of robbers +and camp she trembled with fear. By the time Mr. Bentley had told his +story, she was so weak that she had to sit down. Finally she managed to +get in a word, so she asked: + +"But where are the girls? Did anything happen to them?" + +"Oh, they are all right! They're stopping at the Freedom Hotel until the +police can get all their testimony." + +"Thank goodness. The furniture can quickly be replaced, but the girls' +lives cannot. Now we will have to plan to refurnish their huts," said +May. + +"Refurnish--why! Won't you insist upon their coming home now?" asked Mr. +Bentley. + +"Why should they come home now, just after they cleared the pests out of +their vicinity? Of course not!" + +"Well, I suppose you are right in one way. But Allison and I expected +they would come home to-morrow." + +"Poor girls! They were having such a wonderful time in camp, too! I +guess I will get Mrs. Vernon's sister to take me to Freedom in the +morning to see if there is anything we can do." + +"May, I think that is a fine idea. And when you see them give them our +love and say that we will do anything they say. If they plan to go on +with the camp--all right and well. We will stock them up again." + +"All right, Mr. Bentley, I'll call you up when I get back and tell you +all they say. Meantime, let Mr. Allison know that I intend running out +to see them, will you?" + +"Yes, I'll call him up at once, May. Good-by." + +So it happened that Mrs. Vernon's sister-in-law and May went to Freedom +in the automobile the day following the Fourth, but found the town +almost deserted. Mrs. Munson told them how the scouts led the way up the +mountainside when the police arrived, and they weren't expected back +that day. + +After sitting around and waiting until afternoon, May and Mrs. Vernon's +sister decided to go back. But they left notes with Mrs. Munson for the +scouts, as soon as they should return. + +That evening May telephoned the Bentleys. After telling the little she +knew about the case, she asked them to come over and discuss a plan she +had thought of. Then the Allisons were asked to run over and meet the +others in planning a relief-party for the scouts. + +That evening the whole plan was approved and worked out. May said that +the sister-in-law had promised to send the factory truck to the house on +Saturday at noon, so they need not worry about transporting the +donations to the camp. As that was the only hitch in the entire plan, +once it was removed every one was delighted. + +That Saturday morning the local papers were full of the story of how a +few girl scouts found and captured two desperate outlaws. The story was +so highly embellished that several of the conservative parents in the +town thought it was dreadful to allow girls to go off in the woods +without a dog or a big brother. What the big brother would have done +that the scouts didn't accomplish is hard to say. + +But most of the girls who had been so anxious to be scouts and spend the +summer in camp, now gnashed their teeth in envy. Here were four girls +who had to dig dandelions to earn the money to go away on, now having +the most wonderful time! They had their names in the paper, and every +one said what brave scouts they were! And, most of all, they were going +to have ONE THOUSAND DOLLARS from the Government as a reward. "Oh, why +did we have to sit at home all summer while these scouts were getting +all the fun?" they wailed. + +The three families of the Dandelion Camp Scouts felt very proud of their +girls when they read the account in the papers, and they felt all the +more eager to go to camp with the donations of furniture, and show the +girls how much they appreciated their courage and cleverness in +capturing the rascals. + +At one o'clock on Saturday the driver pulled his truck up in front of +the Lee homestead. Just inside the picket fence stood two cane-seated +chairs. The fact that hind-legs were missing was not apparent to a +casual observer, but that is why they had been in the loft for several +years. + +The moment the truck was seen to stop, May and her father ran from the +house, carrying paper bundles piled high in their arms. Eliza followed +with a brass banquet lamp minus a globe. Handing this to the driver, she +hurried back for odds and ends of dishes and pans. May made a second +trip for some pictures in broken frames--also a washtub and old tools +that had been found in the loft. + +The second stop was made at the Bentley's house. Their donation +consisted of a table with three legs; a small wash-stand bureau with +bottomless drawers; an old-fashioned towel-rack and a rocker with a very +lame back; in fact, the back might be called crippled and helpless. But +then they added a goodly stock of groceries. + +At the Allison's house the driver took on a kitchen table with one +drop-leaf gone and the other hanging by one hinge. A small family +album-stand from the parlor of long ago. An old hair-cloth sofa with +broken springs and the filling most gone; a straw mattress and a spiral +spring that had not been used for years, so the Allisons thought it +might as well go to the camp as to be left in the attic. Foodstuff was +the last but not least of this donation. + +When the truck reached the Vernons' house, where the sister-in-law was +waiting, many cumbersome and heavy items were added to the collection. +By this time the jitney party had been picked up one after another, and +now all arrived at the Vernons' house for the last passenger. + +The truck and jitney then started for Dandelion Camp, the happy givers +picturing how delighted the scouts would be to receive the shower of +furniture. + +At Freedom the surprise party found their girls had gone back to camp, +and the injured man with them. Lemuel Saunders was such a personage in +the public eye since the man-hunt on the mountain that he could be seen +strutting up and down Main Street, telling people all about the Great +Deed. Thus it was that the families from Elmertown heard the tale +first-hand--with all its trimmings. + +As the truck started up the trail for the camp Mr. Bentley turned to Mr. +Lee and Mr. Allison and said: "According to Lemuel, he did the whole +trick. If our girls played so little a part in the capture, why should +they have had the reward?" + +But further conversation was rendered impossible by the deep ruts worn +in the trail by the many wagons that had recently traveled the road. +People from Freedom and other villages nearby wanted to see the girl +scouts who had shown so much sense as to trap two convicts. + +Finally the truck halted, and the jitney traveled on a few hundred feet +in advance before it, too, had to stop. Each member of the party then +took a piece of furniture and, carrying the load, started for camp. + +The scouts were busy trying to put their camp in order again, when Mrs. +Vernon called out, "Some one's coming up the trail." + +Ruth ran out to see who it could be, and then exclaimed: "Why, it's +Daddy! He's carrying an old table." + +A few yards behind Mr. Bentley came Mr. Allison with the legless chairs. +And then followed the chauffeur, staggering under a canopy of the +husk-mattress. A line of visitors came behind him, each burdened with +some piece of old furniture. + +The scouts stood speechless at the top of the slope, but gradually the +truth about this "moving brigade" dawned upon Mrs. Vernon. She turned +instantly to the girls, and said: "Be very grateful, for your people +have gone to a great deal of trouble to refurnish your camp." + +Mr. Bentley was only too thankful to drop his burden when he reached the +scouts; Ruth caught hold of his hand, laughing merrily as she said: "Oh, +can you ever stand up straight again, Daddy?" + +"I doubt it," returned he, holding the small of his back. + +Then the others came up and deposited their donations beside the +kitchen-table. As each one sighed and wiped streaming faces, the scouts +declared they were the finest families on earth. + +"You certainly are very self-sacrificing to bring all this furniture to +camp," added Mrs. Vernon. + +"We would have been cold-blooded folks if we hadn't, after hearing how +all the rustic furniture was destroyed," said May. + +"But we got it all back!" exclaimed Julie, joyously. + +"Got it back! I thought those rascals smashed it up," said Mr. Allison. + +"No--they just hid it behind bushes and trees; only the grass mats and +little ornaments were broken up," explained Joan. + +"Dear me! Do you mean to say that we brought this load of odds and ends +all this way for nothing?" cried Mrs. Bentley. + +"Of course not! Now we can entertain company over-night, you see. With +that mattress and spring we can have two people," declared Julie, +looking at her companions for credit of this idea. + +"That's so! And we can furnish a regular bedroom with the chairs and +table--and banquet lamp," added Joan. + +"But we will have to pin a notice on those chairs so no one will use +them," ventured Betty, doubtfully, looking at the legless objects. + +Every one laughed, and Ruth added: "We'll build new legs on to them." + +"You'll have to build another hut to hold the furniture," now said Mr. +Gilroy. + +This attracted all attention to the stranger, and Mrs. Vernon suddenly +flushed crimson, and said: "Oh! What a poor scout hostess I make. I +quite forgot to introduce our guest, Mr. Gilroy." Then the usual +ceremony took place, midst the laughter of every one, for Mrs. Vernon +was considered to be very particular about social customs. + +"Now that all this furniture is here, what shall we do with it?" asked +Joan. + +"It won't stand dew and weather like our rustic pieces, you know," added +Ruth. + +"If you scouts will help move the 'shower,' we might pile it back of +Hepsy's shed and cover it with a canvas until you have built a hotel," +laughed May. + +So, with merriment and strenuous labor, the furniture was neatly stacked +up beside the shed until it could be better arranged. + +Then every one sat down to listen to the story of the capture of the +convicts. As all the scouts wished to tell the tale at the same time so +that no one understood, the visitors quickly voted that Mrs. Vernon be +the speaker. This was acceptable to the girls, and the Captain began. + +She was a good story-teller, and the scenes were graphically described +until she reached the part where the Chief stood on the roof of the hut, +commanding the fugitives to come out. To make the recital more +impressive, the Captain threw out her arm, which was supposed to hold +the revolver, when quite unexpectedly the chair she sat in collapsed, +and she found herself on the grass. + +For a second every one held his or her breath, then laughed heartily at +Mrs. Vernon's surprised expression. Julie jumped up from the stump where +she had been sitting and ran over to explain. + +"Oh, I am so sorry, Verny! I forgot to tell you that the fore leg of +this rustic seat was loose. I tied it on with string to make it look +right, but I didn't think any one would use it." + +"Good gracious, Jule! Did you think our camp wanted ornamental +furniture?" demanded Joan, thinking thereby to give a strong hint to the +friends who showered useless articles upon them that day. + +This statement caused rather a silence in the visitors, until May said: +"I hope you won't find much trouble in repairing the pieces _we_ brought +for you." + +"Oh, we will make some sort of use of them," replied Julie, frankly, as +sisters will. "We can pull the old stuffing out of that sofa, you know, +and use it for bedding for Hepsy, when we run short of dried leaves or +grass." + +Every eye turned to look at the old sofa, and Mr. Gilroy had great +difficulty in keeping his face straight. Finally the erstwhile owner of +the sofa said: "Horses don't like hair for bedding." + +Julie retorted: "Because it makes them dream of what all the tails and +manes come to when they die!" + +This caused a laugh, and Joan added: "Anyway, a horse in camp--'specially +a scout horse--can't be choosers about bedding. They are glad to get what +is to be had." + +Mr. Lee laughingly replied to this: "I'm glad I'm not a scout horse." + +Mrs. Vernon now turned to her sister-in-law and said: "I'm curious to +hear what donations you found to bring out?" + +"Oh, Pete told me there was a loft full of furniture over the old +stables. So I rummaged and found all I could manage." + +"That reminds me, Mrs. Ormsby! We have not added your gifts to these +because we could not carry them up the slope. They were too heavy," +explained Mr. Lee. + +"My goodness me! More stuff?" exclaimed Ruth. + +"Yes, but I think you will be pleased with my donations," said Mrs. +Ormsby, apologetically. "I heard how you had to manage with this poor +camp-fire, so I brought a kitchen stove that was stored in the loft. I +also----" but the lady got no further at that time. + +The scouts laughed so that some of them doubled over and rocked back and +forth. Even Mrs. Vernon had to laugh at her relative's pity. + +"Oh, oh! This is the funniest thing I ever heard!" said she. "Why, my +dear Kate, don't you know that half the sport of camping is trying to do +without modern equipment? Every camper tries to use wood-material only +for home, furniture and outfit. What would the founders of the girls' +scouts say if they heard we cooked our camp meals on a kitchen range in +the woods!" + +"Do you really mean that you do not want it?" asked Mrs. Ormsby. + +"Of course not! We have a fine fireplace and oven, so the stove and +stove-pipe may as well go back on the truck." + +"Maybe you will scorn the walnut bed I brought as a great surprise? I +heard there was a spring and mattress, so I had the bed brought from the +loft and moved here on the truck with the other things. But it is so +massive and heavy, no one could carry the head and foot boards up the +hill. We thought Hepsy could do that," explained Mrs. Ormsby, dubiously +to be sure, after the reception her other gift had received. + +Mrs. Vernon now laughed as heartily as the scouts had done just before +this. "Oh! That awful bedstead that always took an acre lot to hold it! +Where could we put it up? Our huts will never hold one section of it." + +"I have a brilliant idea, Mrs. Vernon," now said Mr. Gilroy. "Suppose we +put up the bed down there in some secluded nook and then with the spring +and mattress I can have a wonderful suite of my own for a few nights." + +"There! I knew that bed would prove useful!" declared Mrs. Ormsby, +sending a look of thanks to Mr. Gilroy. + +"Maybe Mr. Gilroy would like the stove, too, to dry out the dampness +from the ground where he camps," suggested Julie. + +Every one laughed excepting Betty; she took the idea as literal, and +said: "That might be a good plan for us--to use it in front of the +fireplace. You see, we can't burn wood there 'cause it smokes so, but +the stove-pipe can be run right up the flues so all the smoke from the +stove will manage to get up where it ought to go." + +Another shout of laughter greeted this original proposition, and Mrs. +Vernon finally gasped: "If the stove goes in the hut, we will have to +stay out!" + +"Then I suppose the stove has to go back?" Mrs. Ormsby wanted to know. + +"We can sell it in Freedom, I have no doubt, and put the proceeds in the +bank for the Adirondack Camp," replied Mrs. Vernon. + +"Oh, say, Verny! That's what we can do with all this furniture, can't +we?" cried Julie, eagerly. + +But her vivacious suggestion seemed to meet with another strange +silence. Finally Mrs. Vernon broke the embarrassment by saying: "We +ought to get dinner, as it is long past the hour." + +And Mr. Lee said: "I suppose the food-stock we brought to replenish the +larder will be scorned." + +"Oh, no indeed, Daddy! We _need_ things to eat!" said Betty. + +As they all sat in a circle on the grass, eating and laughing, Eliza +made a bold suggestion. + +"Now, I sez we folks seem to be foolish over some things. One of 'em is, +we hoard ole furniture and odds and ends that even a Dandelion laughs +at! We pays rent fer jes' sech useless trash that we never wants to use +agin. Every house-cleanin' time we moves and cleans the rubbish what +collects moths, an' finally, affer years of savin', we throws it out." + +She paused to see what effect this statement had on her audience, and +seeing it was politely received, she took another huge bite from the +sandwich she held, and, while chewing vigorously, concluded her speech. + +"Now, this is what I sez: 'Let's go home and clear out all the rubbage +that clutters our attics, an' give it to the poor, or sell it to a +rummitch sale such as I hears tell of in Elmertown.'" + +"I second that valuable motion!" laughed Mr. Lee. + +And the men voted unanimously on the plan, but the ladies were not so +easily persuaded. Mrs. Ormsby quickly added: "All opposed to the motion, +say 'Nay.'" + +But the scouts and Mrs. Vernon shouted hilariously to drown opposition. +There were two or three faint "nays," so the motion was carried, and the +men declared that they would see to it that it was fulfilled. + + + + +CHAPTER SIXTEEN + +A VISIT TO GRANNY DUNSTAN'S CABIN + + +Mr. Gilroy's "suite of rooms" was put in order by the men before they +went back to Elmertown, and not only the walnut bed helped furnish the +chamber, but several other pieces of furniture were carried back from +the stack beside the shed, and placed to add a look of comfort to the +"room." + +When all was done and the visitors were ready to leave, the scouts +declared they would accompany their relatives down the slope and pass +judgment on the "suite" to be occupied by their guest. + +"It may be healthy to sleep out under the trees like this, but I prefer +a plaster ceiling," laughed Mr. Lee, waving his hand at the open woods +that was to be Mr. Gilroy's chamber. + +"That's because you never tried Nature's ceiling. Once you sleep out in +the open, you will never want to try indoors again," replied Mr. Gilroy. + +"I'd better not try it, then. I have to remain at home and see that some +one provides the 'pot-boiler,'" returned Mr. Lee. + +The visitors climbed into the jitney and said good-by, and the scouts +turned to go up the hill again, when Mrs. Vernon remarked: "Now that you +have a boarder to look after, you must pay more attention to your +cookery. Mr. Gilroy must not regret having accepted our invitation to +camp with us for a few days." + +"But our invitation had 'a string' to it, Verny," added Julie +laughingly. + +"That's true--I said I would take 'pot luck' and teach the scouts many +camping tricks to boot!" declared Mr. Gilroy. + +Sunday morning at breakfast Mrs. Vernon said she was very anxious to +meet young Dunstan, for he might have met her son in the Aviation +Service. Then she had to tell Mr. Gilroy about it. + +"I thought I would like to drive down to Freedom later in the day, Mrs. +Vernon, and see if there was any mail for me. It was to be forwarded +from Junction, you know. If you would care to go and ask about Dunstan, +we might make a little party of it," suggested Mr. Gilroy. + +"Yes, Verny, let's!" exclaimed the scouts. + +"I am willing, as there seems little else one can do," added Mrs. +Vernon. + +So Hepsy was hitched to the buckboard and the campers climbed in. As +they started down the trail, Ruth remarked: "We ought to be thankful the +posse found our hamper and seat in the Cave, and brought it back to +camp." + +"Yes, or we'd have to ride on the floor of the buckboard," added Joan. + +"We'd have more room there than on this seat," retorted Julie, who was +clinging to the iron rail. + +"We can take turns walking if we are too crowded," suggested Mr. Gilroy, +who shared the back seat with two scouts. + +"We'll have to do that, anyway, when Hepsy comes to a hill," laughed +Mrs. Vernon. + +So with light banter the party rode to Freedom; there they were received +like heroes, for every inhabitant of Freedom had clipped the papers and +saved the items that mentioned the capture of the convicts. While Mr. +Gilroy went with Lemuel to get his letters, Mrs. Vernon asked if young +Dunstan had been heard from. + +"Not yet, but sometimes he takes the Crest Trail to hum. In that case, +he nary comes nigh Freedom," replied an old native. + +"Where does the Crest Trail start?" asked Mrs. Vernon. + +"Wall, that's the way Mr. Gilroy went from Junction. It runs along the +top affer one gits halfway up from Junction." + +As this description was not very accurate, the Captain decided to trust +to Mr. Gilroy's ability to lead them there. So she made a proposition to +Mr. Gilroy. The girls did not hear what it was, so they knew nothing of +the outing planned for the morrow. + +"I think it will be fine, Captain, and I will see the man who has charge +of the stable," returned Mr. Gilroy, in a low voice. + +Soon after this Mr. Gilroy went down the main street and turned in at +the livery stable. He was not gone long, however, and when he returned, +he nodded satisfactorily to Mrs. Vernon. + +That night Mrs. Vernon said to the scouts: "You must all go to bed +early, as we have a jaunt planned for you to-morrow. Breakfast must be +out of the way quite early, as we hope to start from camp about eight +o'clock." + +"Where are we going, Verny?" asked Ruth. + +"I heard Verny asking about Dunstan's Cabin, and I bet she plans for us +to walk there," quickly added Julie. + +Mrs. Vernon smiled at this added proof of Julie's mental alertness, but +she shook her head as she said: "Not a walk, but a ride." + +"A drive, you mean," corrected Joan. + +"No--just what I said. There will be horses from Freedom brought to camp +before eight to-morrow, if it is clear," explained Mrs. Vernon. + +"Good gracious! I haven't any habit!" exclaimed Ruth. + +"We will ride in the bloomers we wear at camp," said the Captain. + +"I never knew there were enough saddles in Freedom for all of us," +laughed Julie. + +"That is what I went to find out," said Mr. Gilroy. "The man, Mark, who +has charge of the stable, told me he could hire some from the farmers +round about. He is going to bring up the horses in the morning and take +them back in the evening." + +"What will he do meantime, to kill time here?" asked Joan. + +"He said he would make some bird-boxes for you, and nail them up in +various trees, so you can entice the birds to nest here." + +But the scouts had not yet studied bird-life, so they were not aware +that the nesting period was past. They delighted in the news that they +were to have bird-houses, however. + +When Mr. Gilroy took up his flashlight to go down to his "Royal Suite," +as the scouts called the walnut bedstead, Joan said: "Shall we escort +you down the trail?" + +"Oh, no! I can find the bed, all right. It is such a huge affair that I +would have to be blind not to see it in the dark." + +The scouts were soon in bed after this, and honestly tried to go to +sleep, but the new adventure planned for the morrow kept them awake. +After telling each other what they would wear and how well they could +ride horses, one after the other quieted down, and, last of all, Mrs. +Vernon was able to sleep. + +It was past eight when Mark was seen coming up the trail leading a line +of horses, saddled and ready to ride. Stopping at the Royal Suite, he +waited for Mr. Gilroy to get upon the largest horse. Then they continued +to the camp. + +The girls had breakfast out of the way, and were anxiously waiting for +the horses, so Mark had quite an audience as he rode up on the plateau. + +The scouts seldom had opportunity to ride a horse when at home, and now +they commented on the different animals. Julie instantly said: "I choose +the brown one--he is so shiny." + +"Seems to me they look awfully tall," whispered Betty. + +"They be the usual size, miss," said Mark, who overheard. + +"Maybe they won't seem so high when we get up," added Joan. + +Mrs. Vernon laughed. "That is always the first thought of an amateur +rider--how high up the saddle seems!" + +Mr. Gilroy assisted the Captain to mount, then he helped the girls up. +Mark had an extra horse, and now he said: "I brung my own hoss ez I +figgered I'd best lead the way as fur as Crest Trail. After that it's +easy going and you can't miss Dunstan's Cabin." + +"All right, Mark--lead on," said Mr. Gilroy. + +"As the hosses is all safe fer ridin', the scouts needen' fear 'em. They +ain't colts ner air they skittish," said Mark. + +Mr. Gilroy smiled, for he surmised as much. The mounts, in fact, seemed +aged enough to be pensioned for the rest of their lives. + +As Mark led the way up the trail, he described Granny Dunstan and her +abode. "She's most a hunerd years old, an' she's allus lived in that +cabin. This boy is her great-gran'son, but his folks lives in a town +some forty mile away. He come to stop wid' Granny when she got so old, +an' he likes the woods life." + +"But he enlisted, you say, to fight the Germans," said Mrs. Vernon, +eagerly. + +"Yeh! He keeps up to th' times, an' hes books and papers up thar. When +the _Lusertani_ was sunk he got reel mad, an' come down to Freedom an' +wanted to git a crowd of young uns up to go and shoot the Huns. But they +diden' want to go so fur from hum. Then he got his dander up an' says: +'I'll jine myself, then. You'll hear of me some day!' And off he goes. +Some folks said he oughter have stayed wid his Granny, so a few of us +druv up to ask her about it. Golly! she mos' made us deef with her +shoutin' at our bein' slackers, cuz she said her boy was the onny true +Yank in Freedom! + +"She made us feel mighty small when she shouts out: 'Yuh call yer town +Freedom! Bah--it ain't nothin' but a handful of cowards. It oughter be +called "Slack town."' We got away pritty soon affer that, an' folks +ain't so anxious to visit Granny as onct they was." + +This explanation gave the scout party a good idea of the old woman they +were about to visit, and Mrs. Vernon said: + +"Do you think we should have told her we wanted to call?" + +"Oh, no! she don't mind strangers. She goes about her chores jes th' +same ez ef no one was there," said Mark. + +The seven horses padded softly up the grassy trail, and when they +reached the cross-trail near the top of the mountain Mark reined in his +mount. + +"Now, yeh foller that trail to the crest an' then turn t' th' left. +Foller the road clear on till yeh come to the Cabin." + +Mark waited and watched until the last horse had disappeared on top of +the mountain, then he rode back to camp to wait. The scouts continued on +the trail, passing noisy streams that ran madly over rocks or fell over +cliffs. The birds and flowers were many-hued and beautiful, so that +every step of the way was enjoyable. Mr. Gilroy rode in front, and the +Captain at the rear of the line. + +After a ride of about three miles along the Crest, Mr. Gilroy stopped +his horse and looked at a tiny cabin half-hidden under vines and giant +trees. It sat back from the trail about twenty feet, and might have been +passed by unless one was looking for it. + +"Isn't that lovely?" Joan said. + +"Yes, in summer; but think how dreadful it would be in winter," added +Julie. + +"She doesn't live here all winter, does she?" asked Ruth. + +"Yes; Mark says she won't leave the place, although her +granddaughter--the aviator's mother, you know--begged her to move down to +her home," explained Mrs. Vernon. + +"The roof's as green as the grass," now said Betty. + +"It's moss on the old shingles," said Mrs. Vernon. + +"Mark told me that folks at Freedom say the old lady has a heap of money +hidden away in this old cabin, and no one knows where except her +great-grandson, who will be the heir," said Mr. Gilroy. + +"But that is all conjecture, Mr. Gilroy, as no one has ever heard a word +about it from Granny or her boy," added Mrs. Vernon. + +"I think it is idle gossip, for how could the old dame make the gold up +here? It would take all she could earn with her herbs to pay for her +living," admitted Mr. Gilroy. + +"Does she sell herbs?" asked the scouts, eagerly. + +"Mark said she is the greatest Nature physician ever found around here. +If the medical men can't cure a sickness, they send for Granny Dunstan, +and she gives the patients a drink of simples and they recover quickly. + +"She used to sell these remedies all over the countryside, but of late +years she doesn't come down to the towns like she used to. Her boy sells +his pelts instead, so that is why the people said she had gold enough." + +"I'm glad you told us this, Mr. Gilroy," said Mrs. Vernon, "as I should +like the scouts to learn from the aged woman how she gathers and +prepares the tea and balms." + +The riders dismounted and tied their horses to trees, then followed Mr. +Gilroy across the grass to the cabin. The door stood open but not a +sound was heard from within. + +"Just look at this construction!" cried Julie. "She's used stones, logs +and everything in the walls." + +"And the growing trees were used for corner-posts of the house," added +Mrs. Vernon, examining the odd structure. + +Mr. Gilroy rapped politely on the door, but no one replied. Again he +rapped louder, and a shrill bark sounded from a distance back in the +woods. + +"I guess she's out in her garden," said Mr. Gilroy. + +"I heard a funny grunt from the little shed at the back of this room," +whispered Julie. + +"Let's go around the corner of the cabin and see if she is back there," +suggested Mrs. Vernon. + +So they followed Mr. Gilroy, and all had to laugh when they found the +grunt came from a sow with a litter of little pigs. She was queen of the +shed that leaned against the cabin, so the scouts watched her with +interest for a time, then turned to follow after Mr. Gilroy and the +Captain. + +But the sow grunted excitedly when the little ones ran after the +visitors. They thought there would be something to eat, and having never +seen strangers before they knew no fear of them. The angry grunting of +the old mother hog made the dog bark again from the woodland, and soon +after a bent-over form could be seen coming from the woods. + +A hound bounded before her, barking shrilly at the trespassers, until +the old woman shouted: "Be quiet, Bill!" + +Instantly the dog dropped behind his mistress, and Mr. Gilroy lifted his +hat as he greeted the aged dame. + +Mrs. Vernon went forward also, and said: "We came to see you, Mrs. +Dunstan; I heard your boy was an aviator in France, and I felt an +interest in meeting and talking with you and him. My boy was one, too, +but he was shot down." + +This was an opportune introduction, as nothing melted the old lady's +scorn and indifference to visitors like the interest one took in +aviation. + +"Now, this be a real treat! Them folks at Freedom won't dare to come and +see me since we went to war!" declared the centenarian in a strong +voice. + +Granny Dunstan squinted keenly at the visitors to make sure they were +truthful, and, finding they seemed earnest, she led the way to the +cabin. + +"I rickon we better sit outside; the cabin's too small to hold more'n +three of us," announced Granny, as she turned to address her visitors. + +Her criss-crossed wrinkled face seemed to roll up with that grin, +showing shrivelled toothless gums. Yet the aged face was attractive, +with a subtle kind of wholesomeness seldom seen in old people. Mrs. +Vernon said, later, that it must be the result of living alone with +Nature and her children for so many years. + +"You said you had a boy what was aviator in France?" questioned Granny, +the moment the scouts had seated themselves. + +"Yes, and when I heard your boy had been over, I was anxious to meet you +both," said Mrs. Vernon. + +"Wall, my boy's got a cross from France, an' now he's ben sent for to go +to Washin'ton and meet some big folks what's here visitin' from France. +I tell you, John's a right smart soljer!" + +The proud old dame wagged her head briskly as she gazed from one to the +other of her hearers. Then she suddenly changed the conversation. + +"Yeh hed a long, long ride from Freedom, didn't yeh?" + +Mrs. Vernon explained that they were camping and had only traveled from +the plateau that morning. + +"Oh, ye'es must be the gals John tole me about one day--he said thar war +some tramps loose on the hill and he wisht yuh knew it so yuh could keep +a dog to warn 'em off. In fack, he wuz agoin' to git yuh one, but he had +to leave so quick-like." + +Granny was very entertaining, and before the scouts left, she had shown +them many of her preparations, witch-hazel being one of her remedies. +She treated them to drinks of birch-beer, and gave them vials of +winter-green flavoring, and peppermint oil, to be used in candy-making. + +"I'd like to bring my girls up again, Granny, to have them learn more of +your art of chemistry. The proof that you have found the secret of +living long and well is evident in your strength and power to enjoy life +as you do," said Mrs. Vernon, as they said good-by. + +"An' I'll tell John about you havin' a boy over thar, an' he'll be sure +to come and see yuh," said the old lady. + +"I'll be so happy to become acquainted with him. Who knows, but he may +have known my son and can tell me something of his life there. We have +never been able to learn much," said Mrs. Vernon, pathetically. + +Granny Dunstan placed a bony hand gently on her visitor's arm and looked +volumes with her bright little eyes. Then and there, age, position, and +all earthly claims disappeared, and the scouts were given a wonderful +sight in beholding a perfect spiritual communion between two entirely +different humans. + +On the ride back to camp, Mr. Gilroy said: "Well, I wouldn't have missed +that visit for anything." + +"If 'imitation is the sincerest flattery' then we are flattering Granny +Dunstan, for we are going there again to learn the things she knows," +said Mrs. Vernon. + +The scouts found that Mark had erected several bird-houses, and as they +stood watching him line up his horses again, to lead them back to +Freedom, they plied him with questions about Granny Dunstan. + +"Mark, does she keep all those pigs for meat in winter?" asked Ruth. + +"No, she fatten's 'em en sells 'em fer groceries en' other needs. Her +pork fetches more'n enny other round th' country." + +"How do you account for that, Mark?" asked Mrs. Vernon. + +"Cuz it is such sweet and clean meat. Them pigs fatten up on acorns and +nuts. And that makes the finest tastin' flesh, yuh know." + +After Mark left camp, the girls still talked of the old lady and her +wonderful knowledge of woodcraft. Mr. Gilroy and Mrs. Vernon stood at a +short distance, conversing in low tones. Finally they came over and +joined the scouts. + +Mr. Gilroy said: "I want to thank you scouts for all you have done for +me, not only in saving my life, but in entertaining me later." + +Julie looked anxiously up at him and said, "You sound just as if you +were going to leave." + +Mrs. Vernon and he laughed: "To tell the truth, I am." + +"There--I knew it! It's that old walnut bed!" cried Ruth. + +"Oh, no," laughed Mr. Gilroy. "It is because I must keep important +appointments at home. You see, I merely got off at Junction when I heard +of the Cave, and here I've been ever since." + +"You had as good a time here, as elsewhere, haven't you?" demanded +Julie. + +"Better than I've had in years, but now I must go on. But I want to make +a proposition to which your Captain agrees. + +"Next summer, as soon as school closes, I want you girls to visit my +place in the Adirondacks. The reward of money you will receive will pay +all expenses for fares and outfits, and I will try to be as fine a host +as you were hostesses. Will you?" + +"You said you were from New York?" argued Joan. + +"So I am--when I am at home. But I spend most of the year in my +Adirondack camp. You see, I am an ardent Boy Scout admirer, and every +summer I have a crowd of boys camp in the mountains with me. As I have +several thousand acres there, we won't interfere with you girls. In +fact, I have just been telling your Captain that I am going to write to +Headquarters and offer my place to the Girl Scouts for any number of +camps they may see fit to start. I can make it very comfortable for +them, as my workmen have cut good roads through the woods and many +trails are worn over the surrounding mountains. If you'll agree to +establish a flourishing Troop by next spring, I will agree to give you +the time of your life." + +When Mr. Gilroy finished, the scouts were too delighted to speak for a +time. Then Julie sprang forward, and threw her arms about his waist. She +hugged him so unexpectedly, but withal so tightly, that he gasped for +breath. Every one laughed, as it expressed their sentiments exactly. + + + + +CHAPTER SEVENTEEN + +NEW MEMBERS + + +"Well, our friend is off! Now what can we do?" wailed Ruth, as the +scouts sat disconsolately about the fire. + +"I wish we could camp in the Adirondacks this summer! We still have +August, you know," said Joan. + +"Mr. Gilroy particularly mentioned _next_ season, and besides, you have +to become a registered Troop, before you can accept his invitation," +hinted Mrs. Vernon. + +"I should think we ought to hurry up and begin, then," suggested Julie. + +"How can we? Those girls in Elmertown will all be away for their +vacations, and how can we find them?" grumbled Ruth. + +"Mr. Gilroy said he had given orders in Freedom that any time we wanted +to take a trip about the country, we were to have the automobile he +rented that day for the hunt. He said that this would be his present to +you this summer because he would not be here personally to take you +about," said Mrs. Vernon. + +"What did you say--did you refuse or accept?" asked Ruth. + +"At first I said I didn't think he ought to pay for the drives, but he +silenced me with a look, and said: 'I have already paid for ten drives +in advance--so they must be used up.'" + +"Hurrah! Then we can go for one to-morrow, can't we?" cried Joan. + +"I have been planning where to go if we take a drive to-morrow," +answered Mrs. Vernon. + +"Why can't we go to Elmertown, first of all, and find out about the new +members. I don't want to postpone that until it is too late to teach +them anything. You see, we must get on in scoutdom, so we can visit Mr. +Gilroy's place next year," said Julie. + +"That's what I wanted to suggest, Julie--that we drive home and find out +about new members," responded Mrs. Vernon. + +So the grocer's order-man was told that afternoon to have the chauffeur +bring his car up to the crossing of the trail with the woodland road the +next morning, where his passengers would be waiting for him. + +The following day was fair, so the scouts hurried with the camp-work and +then ran down the trail to wait for the car. They were soon on the road +to Elmertown, enjoying the smooth running of the car over the fine road; +after the rough mountain trails, and Hepsy's uncertain going, it was a +luxury. + +Many stops were made in Elmertown, but of all the girls' homes visited +only five were available to join the scouts. Many were away on visits, +and a few were not allowed to consider joining a camp where escaped +convicts were caught behind the walls! + +This last excuse caused such merriment from the scouts that severe +mothers wondered what there could be to laugh at in dangers such as they +ran while camping in the woods. + +The five girls who were so eager to join the scouts, had the willing +consent and co-operation from their mothers. So Mrs. Vernon felt it was +much better to take girls whose parents appreciated the benefit of the +scout work, rather than to have girls whose mothers were waiting to +criticise or discourage their children in the undertaking. + +When the five had been finally decided upon, the Captain notified them +that the car would call for them that day week, and they were to be +ready to return to camp. + +"It will take you a week to prepare, girls, for you must write to New +York and secure a handbook for each, and not only read it, but study the +first rules in the book. We have been doing that since we went to camp, +so now you will have to catch up," said Mrs. Vernon. + +"And rest assured we will give you some awful initiation tests before +you become full-fledged members!" threatened Julie. + +The scouts and the "would-bes" laughed at this, for they knew the tests +would be funny ones that would amuse every one. + +"Only pack sensible things, girls. Middy blouses, a pair of khaki +bloomers and a pair of blue serge ones. You'll need a serge dress, too, +and a heavy sweater. If you have a light-weight sweater, also, so much +the better," advised Mrs. Vernon. + +The elated scouts-to-be eagerly promised everything, and then watched +the car drive away. But they felt no envy or regret for they would be +traveling the same road a week hence. + +"Verny, maybe we ought to be glad we've got all the extra furniture +now," ventured Betty, as they climbed the familiar trail and passed by +the Royal Suite. + +"That's so, Verny. We can let the new members furnish their hut with the +stuff," said Joan. + +"Only they haven't any hut," Ruth added. + +"They will have to build one, like we did, to pass a test in carpentry," +remarked Julie. + +"I think Betty's suggestion better than the one Ruth made last +night--that we chop up the furniture for kindlings," now spoke the +Captain. + +"Well, I didn't really mean that, you know! I only said it when I had to +go and collect damp wood for the fire," admitted Ruth. + +That evening as the scouts sat about the camp-fire, Mrs. Vernon +remarked: "I wonder if you girls realize how much you have already +improved in this one month of camp-life?" + +They then began to compare notes. + +"Julie isn't nearly as impulsive as she used to be," said Betty. + +"But she still has enough left to find fault with," laughed the Captain. + +"And Betty isn't so preachy as she was when we weeded dandelions on your +lawn," commented Ruth. + +"Betty is beginning to have more confidence, too," added Julie, gazing +at her twin in a speculative way. + +"What about me--how have I improved?" eagerly asked Joan, looking from +one to the other of her companions. + +"You--oh, Joan, you are hopeless!" laughed Julie, whereupon Joan fell +upon her and they had a rough-and-tumble time on the grass. + +"Thus endeth every serious lesson I try to teach," laughed Mrs. Vernon, +when the contestants came back to the fire. + +"I say, scouts: can any one see the improvement in Verny?" now called +Julie, in rebuttal of the Captain's last words. + +But the girls refused to testify, and then a new subject was introduced. +"I am sure I heard thunder just then." + +"I thought I saw a flash a little time ago," added Joan. + +"Maybe we had better get our things in under cover, then, and be ready +to go to bed if it rains," suggested the Captain. + +Consequently a mad scurrying took place and the scouts were cozily +housed when the rain came down. + +The next morning Mrs. Vernon said: "I have been waiting for spare time +to give you scouts a few lessons in first aid, but now that we expect +new members in the Patrol, it may be just as well to wait for them. Many +can learn as easily as a few individuals." + +"Still, that need not keep us from having a few tests," replied Joan, +who looked for some fun in this practice. + +"True; and if you have a little lesson now, you ought to be able to help +the new members when they come in," added Mrs. Vernon. + +"All right--let's begin," said Julie. + +"My first question will be: What would you do for first-aid in case of +accident?" + +Julie giggled: "I'd take mighty good care not to have one! I call that +genuine first-aid." + +The others laughed, and Mrs. Vernon said: "You are right of course, +Julie, but that is not what I mean. Because there are many people who +meet with accidents, who need aid at once. And there are nine-tenths of +the people who know nothing about rendering help properly. However, +during the last ten years, due a great deal to scout work, I believe, +the schools are taking up this work and teaching children just what to +do." + +"We never had it in our school," said Betty. + +"Maybe the town is too small to pay an instructor, but all city schools +teach first-aid, I'm sure," replied the Captain. "Now, girls, let us be +serious in this lesson. + +"Drop your skirts and practice in your bloomers, as you can move about +easier that way." + +The scouts did as they were told, and then Mrs. Vernon said: "We'll try +Betty first, as she is the lightest of you girls. + +"Now let us pretend Betty went in swimming and was taken suddenly with +cramps. She sank. One of you saw her disappear and called on the others +for help. You ran to the water's edge and saw some one swim to shore +with her; no one but you scouts knew how to revive her, so you went +right to work to save her life. + +"Now, Betty, stretch out on the grass just as you would if you had been +dragged in from the water in an unconscious state," advised Mrs. Vernon, +helping Betty to repose as she should. + +The three scouts watching, giggled as this sort of work was fun. When +Betty was in the right position, Mrs. Vernon called: + +"Now scouts, loosen her clothing as quick as possible--because every +second counts with her life. + +"If she has on corsets, unhook them immediately that respiration may not +be retarded. If she has on a skirt with tight belt, or other +close-fitting garments that prevents circulation, undo them at once, or +even cut it open if it can be accomplished in no other way. Now she +ought to breathe. Tell me, can she draw her breath easily?" + +"Can she! She's breathing so hard that I'm afraid she'll explode unless +she has a chance to laugh!" retorted Julie. + +The scouts all laughed, but Mrs. Vernon remained serious, as she knew it +would never do to give Julie encouragement. + +"Now then, empty her lungs of water by laying her, breast downwards, and +holding her up by the middle. Julie and Joan do that." + +Betty was very ticklish, and the moment Julie took hold of her sides, +she squirmed and giggled. Julie tried to be severe. + +"Teacher, this drowned scout won't let me get a good grip on her side. I +fear she will have to expire unless she rolls over at once." + +Even Mrs. Vernon had to laugh at Julie, and Betty said: "Well, I'll roll +over, if you'll make Julie stop tickling me." + +Obliging little Betty then rolled over face downwards, but in a second +she was up on her feet, squealing and shaking herself. Every one was +surprised, and Julie said aggrievedly: + +"Now what's the matter?" + +"Oh, I saw a nasty fat spider running in the grass right under my nose! +I wish some one else would drown for me, Verny." + +The girls laughed, and Julie added: "It's bad enough to have you get +cramps and drown without inviting us to follow suit!" + +"Here, Betty, get down in this short grass where there will be no plump +little spiders," advised the Captain. + +Betty complied, and then the two aids again took their places beside +her. + +"Now we will begin again. Take Betty by the middle, girls, and allow her +head to hang down for a few moments to take the water out of her lungs." + +This lesson was done well, then Mrs. Vernon said: + +"Now turn the patient face downward on her breast and give artificial +respiration." + +"Explain, Verny--that long word is too much for me," said Julie. + +"You press the lower ribs down and forward towards the head, then +release. Repeat this action twelve times to every minute." + +Now Julie and Joan worked with a will, and Betty found herself revived +far enough to object to their energetic treatment. She had had five +respirations administered, and her first-aids were giving the sixth, +when Betty kicked out with her heels and tripped Joan over upon her +face. + +"My! This dead one came to mighty quick, Verny. We must be powerful good +treaters," laughed Julie. + +"Scouts, I am sure Betty is well along the road to recovery, so we can +go on to the next lesson," laughed Mrs. Vernon. + +"The next thing to do, is to place heated bottles of water at Betty's +feet, and rub her arms and legs briskly, but be sure to always rub +towards the heart," said the Captain. + +"Must I have more treatment?" asked Betty, plaintively. + +"Sure! You're not all alive yet," laughed Ruth. + +Julie and Joan began rubbing as they had been told, but Betty suddenly +sat up and said: "Last night you said I was becoming more +self-confident! All right, now I am so confident that you two girls are +each going to get a big kick, that you'd better get out of my +way--quick!" + +"Scouts, don't give up," called Mrs. Vernon, laughingly. "Betty is doing +fine, so you must not stop such treatment." + +"Then you come here and take my place," said Joan, who dodged the kick +too often for comfort's sake. + +"But she must be put in a warm bed, and give her hot drinks, you know. +With plenty of fresh air, I trust she will be as well as ever," said +Mrs. Vernon. + +But Betty had managed to kick both her nurses and that ended the lesson. + + + + +CHAPTER EIGHTEEN + +THE SCOUTS MEET JOHN DUNSTAN + + +The following day while the scouts were washing the dinner dishes, a +young man came across the plateau. He was dressed in nice clothes and +wore a straw sailor hat. As he neared the camp, he lifted his hat and +smiled. + +"Why--it's the hunter!" cried Julie, dropping the dish-mop and drying her +hands on her apron. + +"So it is--where is Verny!" added Joan. + +"Didn't you know me, ladies?" asked the visitor. + +"You looked so different the other day in your hunting clothes," said +Julie, smiling graciously. + +Ruth and Betty had gone to find the Captain, and now they came back with +her. + +"This is John Dunstan, Verny," said Betty, simply. + +The young man was invited to sit down with them, and being a genuine son +of Nature, he felt quite at ease anywhere, so he began to chat with Mrs. +Vernon. + +[Illustration: _He sat down and began to chat with Mrs. Vernon_] + +"Granny told me about the scouts calling on her," said he, showing how +much he appreciated the visit. + +"Yes, and we are going again, as we enjoyed our first one so much," said +the Captain. + +"She says you had a son in the aviation field 'over there,'" continued +John. + +"Yes, and I do so want to talk with you about that; but first, let me +ask you if you knew of those convicts being at large in the woods the +last time you were here to help the scouts finish the roof?" + +"That was why I wanted to see you," said John. "I had reason to +_believe_ that two tramps were somewhere about this mountain, and I +feared they might start for the village. If they did, they would come +across this camp, and I didn't like to think they might annoy the +scouts." + +"You didn't know they were convicts, then?" said Julie. + +"If I had, do you suppose I would have allowed you girls to win the +honor of catching them? I would have taken them myself." + +"How could you--all alone?" said Joan. + +"The same way I rounded up five Huns when they shot down my plane on +their side of the battle-line. I managed to get them, too, and marched +them across No Man's Land at night, and brought them in prisoners to our +Captain." + +"Oh, oh! tell us all about it?" entreated the girls. + +"Some other time, scouts, but now I want to answer this lady's +questions," said John, laughingly. + +"Only tell us this much--is that what you got the medal for?" begged +Julie. + +"That, and one other trick I turned," said John, without any sign of +self-importance. + +"My boy enlisted before the United States entered the war," began Mrs. +Vernon. "Because we had no air service, he entered the Royal Flying +Corps in Canada. He was with them until we declared war on Germany, then +he wanted to fight under his own Flag. It was in his first battle as an +American Flyer that he was shot down." + +"I was with the Royal Flying Corps, too, at first. But I didn't get your +name, Captain, so I really do not know the name of your son," said John. + +"Oh, don't you know my name--it is Vernon; and my boy's name was Myles +Vernon. He was a Lieutenant in the Lafayette Escadrille." + +"Why--Mrs. Vernon! Myles and I were flying and fighting together when he +was shot down! That is the very battle I was just telling of, when I +bluffed the Germans into such fear that they gave up and marched across +to the American lines as my prisoners." + +"Oh, oh, really! How happy I am to find some one who saw him at the +last. Do tell me all you know, my boy, for we had very little +information to console us." + +John then told how bravely Myles fought and how he had shot down three +planes of the enemy before they got him. + +"I saw his plane burst into flames but he managed to get into his +parachute and cut loose. Then as he dropped nearer the earth, a machine +gun riddled the parachute and he fell. + +"I know he met death instantaneously, for I fell very near the same +place, and saw his body immediately afterwards. I was handed the +personal effects he had with him, and had charge of them while I spoke +to the interpreter who took down the name and address. Then I had to +give them over to their authorities. + +"Mrs. Vernon, I saw the Germans place his body on a bier and carry it +away to a house removed from the line of battle. And some weeks later, I +visited the lovely little farm where he is buried. It is cared for by a +mother who lost three sons for France, and now she takes the greatest +joy in caring for the flowers she has planted on American Boys' graves. + +"I can tell you of many valiant battles Myles Vernon fought, before he +was killed in that one. I saw several of these fights myself, and my +friends told me of others--when they heard Myles was gone." + +"Oh, I am so happy to hear this. I feel as if you are the direct answer +to prayers. Long have I desired to hear about my boy from some one who +knew the facts!" cried Mrs. Vernon, with eyes streaming. + +"But were you not injured when your plane fell that day?" asked Julie, +eagerly. + +"By some strange freak, the wings caught in a giant tree and stuck +there. The upper branches were broken and hung down from the impact, but +the lower boughs and trunk stood up firmly beneath the terrific jar. I +was so shaken up that they thought my neck was broken, and I pretended +to be a great deal worse than I was, because I believed I could find a +way to escape. + +"They left me with the doctor and a few nurses, and when it was learned +that I was partly recovered I had to help them. It was the freedom +accorded any one who assists in looking after the sick prisoners that +opened a way for my escape." + +The scouts were so anxious to hear all about his experiences that he +entertained them the greater part of the afternoon. When he finally +stood up to go home, he was begged to come again very soon. + +"I will tell Granny that you expect to come up and call on her again?" +said he, shaking hands with Mrs. Vernon. + +"Yes, but be sure and come down to see us soon, won't you?" said she. + +John left, and Mrs. Vernon excused herself for a time. She went in the +old hut, and Julie leaned over to whisper: "Now she'll go and cry +herself to pieces!" + +"No, Julie, I think she is going to pray out her thanks to God for His +mercy in sending her such glorious news of her boy," returned Betty, +gently. + +And Betty was right. For when the Captain returned to the scouts, her +face was shining with a radiance that seldom was seen on her face. + +"Girls, where shall we have the new members build their hut?" asked she, +as if nothing had ever caused her to think of aught but the scouts and +their work. + +"Why not move Hepsy's shed along and have them use that site for their +house?" suggested Joan. + +After much planning and arguing, it was decided that the new members +could choose their own site and choice of building. "They may prefer to +live in a tent--for all we know," said Ruth. + +The four scouts worked hard all that week to present as fine a camp as +could be found to the new members, and when the five girls drove up in +the car to taste the joys of a scout camp, they were duly impressed with +the order and neatness of everything about the camp. + +How these nine girls formed a Troop of splendid Girl Scouts, how they +won badges for prowess in many tests and trials, and how they were the +envy of all the school-girls in Elmertown, is too long a tale to tell +here. + +But this much can be said: The reward for the $1000 was paid over to the +scouts, and the Captain placed it in the Bank of Freedom, to the account +of "Girls of Dandelion Patrol." That was the beginning of their savings +to pay expenses of a Camp in the Adirondacks the following season. + +And how they finally went to the much-longed-for camp where Mr. Gilroy +welcomed them for a whole summer's visit, is told in the second volume +of the Girl Scouts Mountain series, called "Dandelion Troop in the +Adirondacks." + + + + +_This Isn't All!_ + +Would you like to know what became of the good friends you have made in +this book? + +Would you like to read other stories continuing their adventures and +experiences, or other books quite as entertaining by the same author? + +On the _reverse side_ of the wrapper which comes with this book, you +will find a wonderful list of stories which you can buy at the same +store where you got this book. + +_Don't throw away the Wrapper_ + +_Use it as a handy catalog of the books you want some day to have. But +in case you do mislay it, write to the Publishers for a complete +catalog._ + + + + +GIRL SCOUTS SERIES + +By LILLIAN ELIZABETH ROY + +Author of the "Polly Brewster Books" + +Handsomely Bound. Colored Wrappers. Illustrated Each Volume Complete in +Itself. + +Here is a series that holds the same position for girls that the Tom +Slade and Roy Blakeley books hold for boys. They are delightful stories +of Girl Scout camp life amid beautiful surroundings and are filled with +stirring adventures. + +GIRL SCOUTS AT DANDELION CAMP + +This is a story which centers around the making and the enjoying of a +mountain camp, spiced with the fun of a lively troop of Girl Scouts. The +charm of living in the woods, of learning woodcraft of all sorts, of +adventuring into the unknown, combine to make a busy and an exciting +summer for the girls. + +GIRL SCOUTS IN THE ADIRONDACKS + +New scenery, new problems of camping, association with a neighboring +camp of Boy Scouts, and a long canoe trip with them through the Fulton +Chain, all in the setting of the marvelous Adirondacks, bring to the +girls enlargement of horizon, new development, and new joys. + +GIRL SCOUTS IN THE ROCKIES + +On horseback from Denver through Estes Park as far as the Continental +Divide, climbing peaks, riding wild trails, canoeing through canyons, +shooting rapids, encountering a landslide, a summer blizzard, a sand +storm, wild animals, and forest fires, the girls pack the days full with +unforgettable experiences. + +GIRL SCOUTS IN ARIZONA AND NEW MEXICO + +The Girl Scouts visit the mountains and deserts of Arizona and New +Mexico. They travel over the old Santa Fe Trail, cross the Painted +Desert, and visit the Grand Canyon. Their exciting adventures form a +most interesting story. + +GROSSET & DUNLAP, PUBLISHERS, NEW YORK + + + + +THE LILIAN GARIS BOOKS + +Attractively Bound. Illustrated. Individual Colored Wrappers. Every +Volume Complete in Itself. + +Lilian Garis is one of the writers who always wrote. She expressed +herself in verse from early school days and it was then predicted that +Lilian Mack would one day become a writer. Justifying this sentiment, +while still at high school, she took charge of the woman's page for a +city paper and her work there attracted such favorable attention that +she left school to take entire charge of woman's work for the largest +daily in an important Eastern city. + +Mrs. Garis turned to girls' books directly after her marriage, and of +these she has written many. She believes in girls, studies them and +depicts them with pen both skilled and sympathetic. + + GLORIA: A GIRL AND HER DAD + GLORIA AT BOARDING SCHOOL + JOAN: JUST GIRL + JOAN'S GARDEN OF ADVENTURE + CONNIE LORING'S AMBITION + CONNIE LORING'S DILEMMA + +GROSSET & DUNLAP, PUBLISHERS, NEW YORK + + + + +AMY BELL MARLOWE'S BOOKS FOR GIRLS + +Charming, Fresh and Original Stories + +Illustrated. Wrappers printed in colors with individual design for each +story + +Miss Marlowe's books for girls are somewhat of the type of Miss Alcott +and also Mrs. Meade; but all are thoroughly up-to-date and wholly +American in scene and action. Good, clean absorbing tales that all girls +thoroughly enjoy. + +THE OLDEST OF FOUR; Or, Natalie's Way Out. + +A sweet story of the struggles of a live girl to keep a family from +want. + +THE GIRLS AT HILLCREST FARM; Or, The Secret of the Rocks. + +Relating the trials of two girls who take boarders on an old farm. + +A LITTLE MISS NOBODY; Or, With the Girls of Pinewood Hall. + +Tells of a school girl who was literally a nobody until she solved the +mystery of her identity. + +THE GIRL FROM SUNSET RANCH; Or, Alone in a Great City. + +A ranch girl comes to New York to meet relatives she has never seen. Her +adventures make unusually good reading. + +WYN'S CAMPING DAYS; Or, The Outing of the GO-AHEAD CLUB. + +A tale of happy days on the water and under canvas, with a touch of +mystery and considerable excitement. + +FRANCES OF THE RANGES; Or, The Old Ranchman's Treasure. + +A vivid picture of life on the great cattle ranges of the West. + +THE GIRLS OF RIVERCLIFF SCHOOL; Or, Beth Baldwin's Resolve. + +This is one of the most entertaining stories centering about a girls' +school that has ever been written. + +WHEN ORIOLE CAME TO HARBOR LIGHT. + +The story of a young girl, cast up by the sea, and rescued by an old +lighthouse keeper. + +WHEN ORIOLE TRAVELED WESTWARD. + +Oriole visits the family of a rich ranchman and enjoys herself +immensely. + +GROSSET & DUNLAP, PUBLISHERS, NEW YORK + + + + +THE BLYTHE GIRLS BOOKS + +By LAURA LEE HOPE + +Individual Colored Wrappers + +Text Illustrations by THELMA GOOCH + +Every Volume Complete in Itself + +The Blythe girls, three in number, were left alone in New York City. +Helen, who went in for art and music, kept the little flat uptown, while +Margy just out of a business school, obtained a position as a private +secretary and Rose, plain-spoken and business-like, took what she called +a "job" in a department store. + +THE BLYTHE GIRLS: HELEN, MARGY AND ROSE; Or, Facing the Great World. + +A fascinating tale of real happenings in the great metropolis. + +THE BLYTHE GIRLS: MARGY'S QUEER INHERITANCE; Or, The Worth of a Name. + +The girls had a peculiar old aunt and when she died she left an unusual +inheritance. This tale continues the struggle of all the girls for +existence. + +THE BLYTHE GIRLS: ROSE'S GREAT PROBLEM; Or, Face to Face With a Crisis. + +Rose still at work in the big department store, is one day faced with +the greatest problem of her life. A tale of mystery as well as exciting +girlish happenings. + +THE BLYTHE GIRLS: HELEN'S STRANGE BOARDER; Or, The Girl From Bronx Park. + +Helen, out sketching, goes to the assistance of a strange girl, whose +real identity is a puzzle to all the Blythe girls. Who the girl really +was comes as a tremendous surprise. + +THE BLYTHE GIRLS: THREE ON A VACATION; Or, The Mystery at Peach Farm. + +The girls close their flat and go to the country for two weeks--and fall +in with all sorts of curious and exciting happenings. How they came to +the assistance of Joe Morris, and solved a queer mystery, is well +related. + +GROSSET & DUNLAP, PUBLISHERS, NEW YORK + + + + +THE POLLY BREWSTER SERIES + +By LILLIAN ELIZABETH ROY + +Durably Bound. Illustrated. Colored Wrappers. Every Volume Complete in +Itself. + +A delightful series for girls in which they will follow Polly and +Eleanor through many interesting adventures and enjoyable trips. + +POLLY OF PEBBLY PIT + +Tells about a Rocky Mountain ranch girl and her many adventures. + +POLLY AND ELEANOR + +Eleanor Maynard visits Polly at the Ranch and they have lively times. + +POLLY IN NEW YORK + +Polly and Eleanor visit New York and have a number of very interesting +experiences. + +POLLY AND HER FRIENDS ABROAD + +The girls go abroad and spend most of their time with other American +travelers. + +POLLY'S BUSINESS VENTURE + +Polly and Eleanor take up interior decorating. They attend sales of +antiques and incidentally fall in love. + +POLLY'S SOUTHERN CRUISE + +A hurricane and cloud-burst threatens to swamp the vessel in which Polly +and her friends take this trip. + +POLLY IN SOUTH AMERICA + +Polly and her friends land at many funny old towns and have several +exciting adventures not altogether pleasant. + +GROSSET & DUNLAP, PUBLISHERS, NEW YORK + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Girl Scouts at Dandelion Camp, by +Lillian Elizabeth Roy + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK GIRL SCOUTS AT DANDELION CAMP *** + +***** This file should be named 37800.txt or 37800.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/3/7/8/0/37800/ + +Produced by Roger Frank and the Online Distributed +Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This book was +produced from images made available by the HathiTrust +Digital Library.) + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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