*This legend, given in various ways by different tribes of the Icelandic and Alaskan Indians, each with its own variations, but all with one thread of similarity woven through the tales—was partly interpreted and grouped by the author into the legend that appears in this book. It is said to date back thousands of years before Abraham and our Bible. Acknowledgments for original texts and tales are due the Smithsonian Institute.
*This legend, given in various ways by different tribes of the Icelandic and Alaskan Indians, each with its own variations, but all with one thread of similarity woven through the tales—was partly interpreted and grouped by the author into the legend that appears in this book. It is said to date back thousands of years before Abraham and our Bible. Acknowledgments for original texts and tales are due the Smithsonian Institute.
Back to Contents
A fewdays after the girl scouts' visit to Grey Fox Camp, they were agreeably surprised by having the boys visit them. Mr. Gilroy was with them, and as each boy carried an ax and a woodman's knife, the girls knew they came to work.
"We decided to cut a shorter trail over the crest, and as to-day is so cool, we thought it would be a fine time for work," explained Alec, the leader in the boys' camp.
"One day's as good as another! We're ready to help any time," replied Julie, as leader of the Girl Scouts' Troop.
"Why didn't you let us know, then we might have blazed the trail up our side of the mountain, and you boys would have worked from your side. When we met on top, we might have celebrated with a feast," ventured Mrs. Vernon.
So the girls ran for axes and knives, and all began work together, back of Dandelion Camp. They cut and chopped, and blazed a fine trail up past Silver Falls, where the doe had called to her mate the first night the girls were at Camp, andso on to the top of the mountain. But it took the greater part of that morning to go as far as they did.
"We'd better stop here, and go back to see how the trail seems," suggested Mr. Gilroy.
"Why not finish the job, now that we're on top?" asked Alec.
"Because you boys can easily blaze from here on to your camp, and I am beginning to worry lest my dinner is burning," laughed Mr. Gilroy.
"Yourdinner! Where's the Indian cook?" asked Alec.
"He's cooking for fifteen! I have invited guests coming to dine at the bungalow this evening," returned Mr. Gilroy, meaningly.
"Oh, hurrah! Isn't that fine? Now we won't have to wash any supper-dishes!" exclaimed Ruth, who still disliked doing dishes.
The girls laughed, for they understood, but Alec said, "Why talk about a supper so distant! I'd rather plan about something to eat this minute."
"So would we all. I guess we are nearly starved," said Ned.
"Why not stop work and cook a few steaks?" suggested Bob.
"You boys have done all the talking about something to eat, but the girls said nothing. Maybe they are not hungry!" ventured Mr. Gilroy.
"Hungry! We're tooweakto speak," sighed Julie, rubbing the spot under her belt.
"I can eat reindeer moss without its being cooked," said Amy.
"That settles it! Cook we must, but what?" declared Joan.
"Well, some of us will hunt up the mushrooms; some must gather bracken, some, the lichen; and Gilly can hunt up the coffee beans,aliasroots and acorns," said Alec.
"What willyoube doing, meantime?" retorted Mr. Gilroy.
"Oh, I'll just remove that package of flour from your pocket and use this strip of bacon that I lifted from Dandelion larder; and when the steaks come back, I'll have bread and fat ready over a fine fire."
"Bacon! When did you manage to steal that?" demanded the Captain, amazed.
The boys laughed, for Alec's clever sleight-of-hand was an endless source of fun for them.
"Don't all hunt together. Divide your strength and see that results come back with you," advised Alec, rolling up his sleeves preparatory to starting his fire.
"I can't fish like the other boys, so I'll go with the girls who are going for the beefsteaks," said Dick.
"All right. And where will you go, Captain?" asked Alec.
"If Gilly is sent for coffee, I shall hunt for tea. I do not care for his brand of coffee, but Idoknowwhere to find the ingredients for a nice fragrant cup of tea."
A laugh circled the group, and Mr. Gilroy said, "All right. Now see to it that you don't ask for a drop of my coffee, hereafter."
So they separated, some of the scouts going with Mrs. Vernon; Bob and Ned going for trout; Hester and Amy with Mr. Gilroy; and Julie, Joan and Judith with Dick, for mushrooms.
After breaking a way through a dense jungle, the latter four scouts came out to a small clearing, but they had not seen any mushrooms.
"What a fine baseball diamond this clearing would make!" said Julie, as they looked around.
"And there are some chestnut stumps—on the far side of the clearing!" exclaimed Dick, crossing to the spot.
But they found no mushrooms on the stumps, much to their chagrin. "There'll be other trees about here, where we're sure to find what we need," said Dick, eagerly.
So into the woods they plunged, winding about here and there, but not finding what they sought. None of them thought to blaze a trail as they wandered, consequently had no means of telling how far or in what direction they had gone before Dick found a few small mushrooms.
"Only enough for a few of us. We need more than these," he remarked.
"There's sure to be more where these are. Let's keep on hunting," urged Julie.
So they kept on winding through the underbrush, but with no good results. Finally Dick found a plant that he believed to be a wild potato.
"No, it is not. It hasn't the leaves or blossom of the Indian potato," declared Joan.
"That may be, but when it grows old it dries up, you know," argued Dick, beginning to dig at the root.
The girls wandered about seeking for signs of more mushrooms, but could find none. Then Dick stood up and stretched his back-muscles.
"My that was tough digging when you have no tool. And it wasn't a potato after all."
"Well, we've been gone a long time now. Suppose we go back with what we have," said Joan.
"Yes; even if we can't fill up on steaks to-day, let us eat more of the greens," added Judith.
So they turned to go back to camp. They climbed over the boulders similar to those over which they had already climbed, over similar fallen timber, and finally came to a stream.
"I don't remember a brook when we came," remarked Julie.
"Neither do I," added Judith.
"All places look alike when you're hunting anything. We may have crossed a bog or a brook and never have noticed it," said Dick.
"Oh, I would have noticed it! I wouldn't be such a poor scout as not to know where I was going," returned Julie, defensively.
"Now, Dick, I'm sure there was no bog where we came through, but here's one right ahead of us," called Joan, who was a few paces ahead.
"No, there was no bog!" affirmed Julie.
"Did you bring a compass?" now asked Dick.
"No, we never thought of being lost," murmured Julie.
"We're not lost, just strayed a bit," Dick assured them.
"'Lost, Strayed or Stolen'—it's all the same if we have to miss our dinner," sighed Joan.
They managed to cross the boggy spot and then trailed to a place that Dick claimed was the clearing. But it turned out to be a little fen made by a tiny spring.
"What we should have done was to leave our marks as we came through—broken twigs, or trampled grass, or some such signs," said Julie.
"But we didn't, and now is no time to talk of it!" Dick said impatiently, for he began to realize that they really were lost.
"We can begin right now, however, and then not keep circling around without recognizing that we were there before!" snapped Julie.
So the girls began, then and there, to leave theirsigns as they followed after Dick, who really knew not where he was leading.
"Had we better separate and go in different directions to hunt the camp?" asked Dick finally.
"Mercy, no! Better be lost together than get lost each one alone!" exclaimed Joan.
"Sort of 'United we stand,' etc.," chuckled Julie, in spite of her concern over not finding the way.
They kept on forcing a way through the thick bush and resting now and then when they found a little clearing; but finally Judith cried: "You'll have to go without me! I'm so weak from hunger I can't walk another step."
"Girls, suppose we stop and cook the steaks?" asked Dick.
"I say so, too," agreed Julie.
So they cleared a little space in the woods and with two rubbing-sticks soon produced fire. While two of the girls were doing this, Dick washed the mushrooms in the little spring they had seen, and then sliced them with his knife.
"We haven't any salt or bacon, but they'll taste good to starved wanderers," said Dick, holding one over the fire to cook.
Each girl spiked one on a sharpened stick and held it out to broil. When the mushrooms were cooked they each ate until they felt better. Then Dick made a suggestion.
"Making this fire gave me an idea. Why notmake 'two smokes' for signals. If Alec or any one else is looking for us, they can see them."
"Why didn't we think of that before! Fine idea, Dick," said Joan.
"What will 'two smokes' mean?" asked Judith.
"Means 'we are lost,' come find us," said Dick, busy with two heaps of firewood.
"But you can't signal here under these trees, Dick! We've got to find an open place where the smoke can rise up above the tree-tops, you know," advised Julie.
Dick realized he had been caught napping by a girl, and he didn't like it very much but he could not show his annoyance, for Julie was right. So he stood up and said: "I'll shout as loud as possible,—maybe they will hear us." So he shouted until he was hoarse.
"In this dense forest, where the trees break every sound, the smoke signal is as good as any other. Let us find a clearing," suggested Julie.
So they sought again, and soon found an open spot where the sky was visible without any obstructing tree-branches overhead.
"Why, this looks like the same clearing that I said would make a fine baseball diamond," declared Julie.
"So it does! And here is a broken twig where we went out," said Joan.
Page 98"We are lost, come find us"Page 98
"Then we can't be many miles from home," laughed Julie, her spirits rising again at the slightest encouragement.
They made two smokes, however, and waited to watch the thin spirals rise above the trees, side by side, until they dispersed in the blue ether far overhead. But no sound came in answer to the signals.
"Maybe no one remembered the smoke idea," ventured Judith.
"And they'd have to be in the open, or climb a tree, to see it," asserted Joan.
"Maybe they made signals, too, and are waiting for us to answer them. Did you bring a rifle, Dick?" said Julie.
"No, none of us did. But I can climb one of these trees and see if the others made any smokes."
"Choose that towering pine,—you ought to be able to see everything from that high top," advised Julie.
So Dick climbed the tall pine, but after he had reached the top he saw nothing that might lead him to find the other campers. He shouted and whistled as shrilly as he could from the lofty perch, but no answering sound came to his ears, so he slid down again.
"See anything at all, Dick?" asked Julie, the moment he came down.
"A great sea of waving green tops, one wave back of the other, without a break," said he.
"Well, what now? Shall we keep on hunting forthe way back from this clearing, or just sit and let them find us?" asked Joan, despondently.
"You know they say a flock of ducks will always fly towards water. Now, I saw some ducks flying in one direction when I sat up in that tree," remarked Dick.
"Then youdidsee something other than waves of green! Why didn't you say so!" snapped Julie, impatient with his poor scouting sense.
"I thought they might be flying down towards Little Moose Lake, where Dandelion Camp is, and we want to find our party," said Dick, in justification.
"Anything to get out of this tangle. We'd just as lief wind up at Dandelion Camp as elsewhere," said Joan.
"All right then, follow me and we will go in the direction the birds flew," said Dick, and he started down hill.
Down and down they tramped, chopping away smaller obstructions, until they were stopped by a wide fen that belted the section. Advance was impossible, for every time one tried to step upon the ooze the foot would begin to sink in.
"Oh, how awful!" wailed Judith, ready to cry.
"How can we cross? If only we could find a fallen tree that happened to fall right across," sighed Joan.
"If only we had a drink of cold water I'd bethankful," declared Julie, mopping her warm face.
"That's the easiest part of the whole trouble," quickly said Dick.
"What do you mean? I wouldn't drink that slimy liquid for anything," said Julie, frowning at the water.
"Now, just wait a second and you'll see what I can do with that water!" bragged Dick, glad to redeem his reputation as a scout.
With hands and a stick he quickly dug a hole to the depth of the marsh. Then he squinted carefully at his well, then at the marsh, and back again. The girls watched him curiously.
"Guess I can go a few inches deeper,—the well has to be about six inches below the surface of the nearby pool, you know."
He dug deeper and soon the well began filling with muddy water. "There, now I've got it!" said Dick.
"Do you expect us to drinkthat!" scorned Joan.
"No, but wait." Dick hurriedly baled out the well until it was almost emptied. Then he allowed it to fill again.
He baled it out a second time, and permitted it to fill again. The third time the water was almost clear, so he baled once more, and this time the water filtered in as clear as crystal.
He stooped, drank from it, and said: "It's cold and pure!"
Then the girls drank, and found it most refreshing to their parched tongues and throats.
"Well, I never knew that before! We've learned two things by being lost with Dick as guide," said Julie frankly, and Dick was delighted to hear such nice things about himself.
"Shall we try to circle this fen and get across, or go back again?" now asked Dick.
"It's hard to tell just what is best to do," murmured Julie, puckering her brow in thought.
Suddenly two shots echoed down the mountainside, and after an interval of six seconds a third shot rang out.
"There! Alec's seen our smoke. His signal means 'Where are you?' What shall we do?" cried Dick, excitedly.
"How can we answer them?" wondered the girls.
"We'll have to back-trail to our clearing. That's where the shots sounded from," said Dick.
"Dear me, if only we had waited there, they would have found us," complained Judith.
"But we didn't, so the next best thing to do is to get back as soon as we can, or they'll go away again," declared Julie.
They climbed, scrambled and tumbled up the rugged slope, keeping as far as they could to the rough trail they had made in coming down. When they thought they were near the clearing, they shouted with all their lung-power, and the welcomesound of answering calls soon greeted their ears.
"Oh, Dick, give that cat-call again so they will know we're on our way," asked Julie, anxiously.
So Dick gave his ear-splitting whistle by placing his fingers between his lips and blowing through the crevices. In less than ten seconds afterwards, two shots sounded in quick succession.
"That means they've heard us and are waiting," cried Dick. "Come this way,—that echo is misleading."
So the girls followed their young guide, and soon they broke through the fringe of great trees into the clearing where the rest of the party stood. Alec gave them no time to explain. He was angry, and no mistaking it!
"Dick, can you tell me of any concession made to you that allows you to start two fires and then go away and leave them to work their will in these forests? If we had not found the fires you left, what might have resulted to this area of mountain land?"
The girls and Dick stood amazed, for they had forgotten all about the fires started as smoke signals.
"When I broke through the underbrush into this clearing, the fires were blazing away like fury. They had encroached upon all the brush and handy leaves, and were eating a way to the timber-line. In half an hour more those samelittlefires would be raging over the crest and destroying acres and acres offorest-trees, to say nothing of causing the work all the farmers and forest-rangers would have in trying to control it. Just because a brainless scoutforgothis duty!" The scorn in Alec's last words was cutting.
Dick began to apologize, but Alec held up a hand. "No apology will answer for such a thing." Then he turned to Ned and said: "Put Dick down for penance at camp."
"We ought to be punished as well as Dick," said Julie. "We never remembered the fires, either."
"That's up to your Captain,—I am merely doing my duty tomyTroop," returned Alec.
"Had anything to eat?" asked Anne, who always felt sorry for any one who was hungry.
"We ate the mushrooms we found," meekly replied Joan.
"Then come back and eat what we left for you. We had fish and greens and biscuit," said Hester.
While they were munching the cold food, Alec questioned them further. "Why didn't you use what scout-sense you had? You know you could have found the way you came through those woods by looking for broken cobwebs across the bushes; by overturned stones with the damp under side showing; or by broken twigs and crushed blades of grass; and last, but hardest, you might have looked to see where leaves on trees and bushes were turnedawry from your brushing against them. They do not right themselves immediately, you know."
"We never heard of that before," admitted Julie.
"But Dick has, even though he has forgotten it," said Alec. "He had to learn it from the Manual—what he would do in case of being lost in a forest."
"But even if you knew nothing about that, you all knew it would simplify things for us if you were to blaze a way to guide us the way you went. You could easily have broken twigs and left them hanging, or piled little heaps of stones along the trail you took."
"Oh, for goodness sake! Let up on us now, and wait untilyouare lost, will you?" cried Julie, placing her palms over her ears.
"Yes, it's so easy to tell the other feller what to do!" was all the retort Dick made.
"Well, children, after all I have my inning!" declared Mr. Gilroy, chuckling.
"What's that?" demanded every one.
"I wanted you to come home and dine with me, but no! you must stop to cook in the woods. Now you'll all be glad enough to hurry home and come to my party. And the dinner won't be slighted, either, from so much overeating up here!"
Back to Contents
Atbreakfast the day following the "Lost Scouts'" adventure, Mrs. Vernon remarked: "Girls, yesterday's experience taught me an important thing, and that is, we need a set of rules for camp, so that every member of Dandelion Troop will have her proper share of work and duty to perform.
"We have been keeping house in a haphazard way, with no responsibility attached to any one but Julie and me. Now, each day there must be some sort of regulations and punishments, if duties are neglected. The fire yesterday showed me that that system was good."
"Your idea is all right, Verny, but what will the rules cover, and why have punishments?" asked Julie.
"Because every day will probably bring new problems to us, so that set rules will not do, but each day must have added rules. If these rules are not obeyed, the scout who is negligent ought to be made to pay for her lack of obedience."
"Have you formulated any plan to begin with?" asked Joan.
"I thought that Julie, as Scout Leader, could consult with me about that. Although I think we ought to select a new orderly for each day, to see that the other scouts do what is required of them. If we begin with Ruth, Betty next day, and so on through the new membership, one each day, it brings us to the eighth day. Of course Julie, Joan and I will not be orderlies. But the Leader and Corporal are over the Orderly, and the Captain over all of you."
"What do you expect the Orderly to do, Verny?" asked Joan.
"She will read the rules for the day immediately after breakfast. Every scout must take turns in being cook for camp one day. One must be wood-gatherer, one must see that food supplies are on hand, some must do the fishing, and so on through the entire housekeeping list. This trains every one alike, and no partiality will be shown one who is a fine cook or one who is an awful one!"
The girls laughed, and the Captain continued: "Then, we don't expect one to do all the heavy work while another goes free, and by partitioning the work and control each one does her bit. In case of any gross negligence or breaking of rules, the Officer of the Day, the Corporal and the Leader will decide the punishment. Should need arise, the whole Troop may act as a jury to judge the matter."
After the Captain had finished speaking, the scouts sat down and compiled a set of Camp Rules,and Ruth was asked to print them neatly on cardboard, because Ruth was the artistic scout of the group.
This business disposed of, Julie said: "Now what shall we do to-day, girls?"
"But you haven't chosen an Orderly for the Day!" called Judith.
"Oh, that's so! Well, it lies between Ruth and Amy, as they are the more experienced scouts, to act the first day."
"Don't choose me. I've got my work cut out already, if you expect these rules nicely printed," declared Ruth.
"All right, then; it's Amy. No partiality meant, girls," Julie reminded them.
"More like 'malice aforethought,'" giggled Joan.
"Why? Isn't it an honor to be the Orderly?" demanded Julie.
"It mayseemlike an honor, but when it is thoroughly investigated it turns out to be just plain old hard work!"
"Sure, Julie! Don't you see, all the other scouts go scot free for the day, while the Orderly has to see that everything is done properly and then take the blame if nothing is right," laughed Judith.
"Well, Amy is able to carry the burden, and it is only for a day; then another one has to do it," said the Captain.
When the weighty business of selecting rules anddeciding on a recreation for the day was over, Mrs. Vernon said, "Which did you decide to do first, hike or swim?"
"Is Mr. Gilroy coming over to visit us to-day?" asked Ruth.
"He invited himself to supper to-night, but I doubt if we see him before that time. Why?" answered the Captain.
"Because if he was coming, he would hike with us, and we'd rather wait for him, and swim first. But it doesn't matter now."
"We'll go for the hike first, and when we get back a fine, cool swim will feel good," suggested the Orderly for the day.
"Verny, do you know of any places one might choose for an objective on a hike?" asked Joan.
"Yes, Mr. Gilroy gave me a county map that shows every good trail within twenty miles of here. I'll get it and we'll look it over." So saying, the Captain went to her tent for the paper.
They all sat about Mrs. Vernon as she studied the map and read aloud of various trails that sounded interesting. At last she said: "Here's one that seems inviting. It is named 'River Bend,' and the trail winds along one of the streams that is an outlet of our lake. The description says the blazes are old but distinct, and no one can miss the may. Shall we try that trail?"
"Where does it end?" questioned Hester.
"How long is it to anywhere?" asked Anne.
"It's seven miles, and forks when one reaches the hut of an Indian canoe-builder. One fork runs to River Bend village, and the other to a ravine that is said to be most picturesque."
"We'll take that trail and decide which place we prefer to see, the village or the ravine, after we have hiked a while," said the Orderly.
"Why not take a little flour and fat and catch some fish at noon, and sup while on the trail?" asked Julie.
"Why not carry our dinner stuff and have aregularmeal while we are about it," said Anne, who could not forego a dinner.
The other scouts laughed, and Mrs. Vernon replied, "All right, it sounds inviting."
So each scout carried a tin cup and platter, while the Orderly saw to it that each one carried part of the dinner material. It fell to the Captain's lot to carry the frying-pan, and to Anne to carry the two-quart pail; the others had the flour, bacon, potatoes, etc.
River Bend trail led down to the end of the lake, where the stream started. It wound in and out, as it followed the uneven edges of Little Moose Lake, running over mossy knolls, through rivulets, past waterfalls, and around impassable obstructions. Thus the detouring added greatly to the distance the map had vouched for.
The scouts had paper and pencils in case they wished to sketch anything interesting, but most of the paper was used in writing notes along the way, to be entered later in their records. They had gone about two miles when Julie stopped short and held up a warning hand.
"Verny, listen! I heard a baby crying pitifully over in those high bushes."
"Mercy me! Do you suppose there can be any gypsies here?" cried Amy, the timid.
"Gypsies—nothing! But how could a baby get in that jungle?" retorted Joan.
Then they distinctly heard the plaintive wail, as of a very young child in fear and distress. Even Mrs. Vernon turned pale at the picture that presented itself to her thought.
"Girls, we've got to investigate this. It doesn't seem plausible that any one would bring a kidnapped child to this wilderness to lose it, but one can never tell!" declared Julie.
"It's a baby, that we know, so it's up to us to save it," added Ruth.
"The poor little dear!" wept Betty, the tender-hearted.
So the scouts began cutting a way through the almost impenetrable growth that divided the trail from the place whence came the cries. But as they went deeper in the jungle and got nearer the spot they were aiming for, the cries ceased.
"Dear, dear! I hope the little thing isn't past aid?" murmured the Captain, anxiously.
That urged the scouts to greater endeavor, and finally Julie broke into a tiny clearing of about three feet across, and saw a little grey rabbit, which had been caught in an old mesh-wire trap set by some one long before and forgotten.
"Oh, you poor little creature!" cried Julie, falling upon her knees to rescue the soft little thing.
"Is it alive, Jule?" asked a chorus of anxious voices.
"Yes, but it is awfully afraid of me. I can't do anything for it."
"Maybe it will bite you—do be careful, Jule!" called Amy, deliciously thrilled at this fearful risk her friend was taking.
"Bite!" scorned Julie. "It's starved, and too weak to even nibble."
"Wait, Julie! Let me throw my hat over it so it won't see what we are doing. Then it won't feel so frightened. Remember the 'Boulder' we all saw, and when it moved we had a panic? Well, our sense of sight was all that caused that fear. It is the same now—what the rabbit doesn't see it won't fear," explained Mrs. Vernon.
While it was hidden under the broad-brimmed scout hat, the rabbit was not aware of the willing rescuers, and soon Julie had the snare open, and Mrs. Vernon held the little creature in her hat.
"Shall we let it go now?" asked some of the girls.
"It may have an injured leg where the trap caught it. I think we will carry it home and feed it well, and then if it is all right, it can run away. It is sure to be caught by some larger animal if it is unable to jump or run," said the Captain.
"This will make a dandy story to write down in our record book, Verny, won't it?" asked Ruth, eagerly.
"Yes, but it will also show how inexperienced we are in wildwood sounds,—to mistake the rabbit's cry for a child's wail."
"But itdidsound exactly like a baby, there's no denying that!" exclaimed Julie, frowning as she realized how they all were caught napping.
"This reminds me of a story Alec told us yesterday when we were waiting at the campfire for you lost scouts," said Hester. "He and his Troop went on a three days' hike in the country last year, and at night they found an old abandoned barn where they decided to sleep. The floor was in good condition, with a bit of hay piled up in one corner. But the loft overhead was in such bad condition that in many places the flooring was broken down completely. As there was no ladder or stairway to reach it, the boys concluded there was no use in examining it—no one would be up there!
"So they stretched out on the hay and were soonsound asleep. But some time after that—no one knew how long they had been asleep—Ned nudged Alec and whispered: 'Some one's in the loft!'
"Alec sat up and listened. Sure enough, he could hear a man snoring as distinctly as he could hear Dick breathe.
"So he roused the other scouts, and they very quietly crept over to the side where they could get a grip on the joists to help themselves up. Each scout had armed himself in some way. One had an old pitchfork with but one prong. Another had a rake handle, one found the curved handle of a feed-grinder, and so on.
"When they got to the shaky, decayed floor above, the snoring had stopped, so they knew the tramp was aware of their approach. They had to be awfully careful, too, so as not to fall through any of the broken places in the floor. But they each had their lanterns, and used them before they took a step. Alec went first, and threw the light back and forth to avoid a sudden surprise from the tramp.
"'There's something moving over on that pile of old burlap sacks!' whispered Alec, the instant he saw a creeping movement there.
"Several of the boys then jumped and began beating up the sacks violently. But as suddenly, a pair of wings flapped up in their faces with a whirring sound, and a barn-owl began to screechmadly as she rose and flew through a hole in the roof."
Hester laughed as she reached this part of the story, and all the scouts joined in. Julie, who had not heard it before, said:
"Thank goodness, we girls are not the only ones to be taken in, then!"
"Alec said there are lots of wild creatures that make sounds exactly like human beings. And that owl snored just like a man."
By this time they had regained the trail, and Mrs. Vernon tenderly adjusted the trembling rabbit. The hat so covered it that it could curl inside and not see a thing to cause it any fear, and thus it was carried along, to be cared for later on and then regain its freedom.
The scouts found many interesting subjects for discussion along the trail, until they reached a wide shallow stream that came down the steep mountainside and emptied into the river.
"It's not on the map, and it sure cuts off further progress," said the Captain.
"It's shallow—we can wade it," suggested Julie.
"Let us go upstream and find a narrow ford, or some rocks that we can cross on," added Mrs. Vernon.
They went up on the near side of the stream, but the banks became so rocky and impassable that they found it was useless to try to climb them. Thescenery was wild and wonderful, so several good pictures were taken of the tumbling waters and rocks, and then they all retraced their steps.
"Now, it's wade or go back," declared Joan.
"Stuff your stockings down in your boots and sling them about your necks by the strings," advised Julie.
This was done, and one after another the scouts waded through the stream, shouting, screaming if one slipped on a stone, laughing when one stepped in a hole and got wet to the waist, but having plenty of fun.
"How did bunny stand the voyage?" called Julie, the moment the Captain stepped up on the bank.
"Bunny is curled up fast asleep, I guess," said she.
"I wish it was noon. Did any one hear the twelve o'clock whistle blow?" laughed Joan.
"Why—are you hungry?" questioned Anne.
"Aren't you?" retorted the Orderly.
"Sure! I always am," laughed Anne, frankly.
"Then why not say it is dinner-time, Verny?" asked Ruth.
"You must be hungry, too!" declared Judith.
"I bet we all are, if Verny will take the count," asserted Hester.
"Well, we may as well stop here beside this stream and eat, as to go on and fare worse," admitted the Captain.
"Some one's got to fish," said Judith.
"Why not all fish and the sooner catch what is needed?" advised Mrs. Vernon. So this suggestion was followed out.
Four goodly sized fish rewarded the combined efforts of the fishermen that time, and then two scouts were detailed to clean them, while two went to build a fire. Others were tolled off to attend to other work, and in half an hour a savory meal was ready.
When all signs of cooking and eating were cleaned away, Mrs. Vernon took the bunny again and said they had best go on.
"Outdoor cooking and eating always makes me feel fine. I can walk a hundred miles now, and feel it no more than if it were a trifle," said Julie, taking a deep breath.
"All the same, we haven't gone five miles yet, according to Verny's map, and there is still that walk home, so don't brag too much, Julie," advised Betty, seriously.
"We haven't voted yet whether we want to go on to the village or to the ravine," now said Ruth.
"I'd like to visit the old Indian canoe-maker, and have a chat with him," said Joan.
"His time is money, so he will charge us for chatting," returned Julie, grinning.
"I think Joan's idea of visiting the Indian a goodone, girls; why not go there instead of to either of the other places?"
The Captain's suggestion was agreed upon, and the scouts turned in at the willow-arched walk that led to the Indian's hut. A wide brook ran under the willows, and here they saw several canoes waiting to be used. The pathway that ran alongside the brook was littered with rubbish of all kinds,—the accumulation of years of slovenly housekeeping and lazy carpenter work out of doors.
But it was evident that the Indian was neither slovenly nor lazy when it pertained to making canoes. Every canoe there was a splendid example of workmanship. When the scouts reached the door, the owner came out to see them.
"Morn'," said he, bowing seriously to his visitors.
"Are you Mike, the Indian?" asked Mrs. Vernon, after acknowledging the salutation.
"Me Mike—wan'da canoe?"
"No, we came to visit you. We are friends of Mr. Gilroy's," explained the Captain.
"Huh! Mees'er Gilloy use Mike's canoes."
"So he told us. He says they are the finest anywhere," said Julie, ingratiatingly.
"Bedder buy one," came from the Indian.
"Verny, we mightrentanother one—we only have two in the lake, you know, and we all prefer canoes to boats," whispered Joan.
"We can't afford any added expense," replied Mrs. Vernon.
But Mike understood the meaning of that whisper, so he wisely said: "Come see fine canoes."
He led the way to his shop on the banks of the little stream and displayed the various methods of his trade. The girls found it all very instructive and interesting. Then he said:
"Mike take canoe to lake fer leddy—no charge."
"What do you mean by that?" wondered Julie.
"Mike give fine canoe—one week try; leddy not like, Mike come take him home. No pay."
"But we don't want any more canoes. We have two now," asserted Mrs. Vernon.
Mike shrugged his shoulders silently.
"How much you rent canoe for?" asked Julie, believing the Indian could comprehend better if she used bad English.
"Mike no rent his canoe—sell him cheap."
"We can't afford to buy one, but we might rent it if you make a low price," bargained Julie.
Mike shook his head decidedly. "No rent—onny buy."
"Come, girls! We must start on, now that we've had our visit," said the Captain, turning to go.
The scouts reluctantly turned also, but Mike saw their faces, and also knew that the lady was boss. So he seemed to reconsider.
"Mike got good fren' by Mees'er Gilloy. Mebbefren's of him be fren's of Mike. How much you give for rent canoe?"
Every one turned suddenly at that hope held forth.
"What do you ask?" countered Mrs. Vernon.
"Got money now to pay?" asked Mike, cutely.
Julie exclaimed, "Certainly!" But the Captain saw through the shrewd bargainer, and said: "We'll have Mr. Gilroy do this business for us."
Now Mike had no idea of losing these customers, nor of having to deal with a good business man like Mr. Gilroy, so he said guilelessly: "Solly dese gals no paddle home in dis canoe."
Several of the scouts instantly wished to do so, but the Captain said: "Corporal, see that your Troop does not fall for this enticing snare."
The scouts laughed when they comprehended Mike's intentions, and Mrs. Vernon courageously walked away. But Mike followed.
"Canoe rent for four dollah week."
"What! that's sixteen a month! I guess not!" cried Julie.
"Fren's of Mees'er Gilloy get him fer tree dollah week."
"No sir-ee!" retorted Julie. "Mike, I'll pay you two dollah week—or six dollah mont—or feefteen dollah season. What you take?"
All the scouts laughed, but Mike frowned. "Me tak feefteen dollah now to Augus' furst," said he.
Every one hushed to get every word of this bargaining.
"We want him in Augus', too. Him worth feefteen dollah, no more, till September ten," declared Julie, slapping her palms together to emphasize her words.
Mike sighed audibly. "All light. But Mike no carry him an' lose day. Gals mus' tak now an' pay down."
Then every one turned to every one else, and word ran round: "Who's got any money?"
"I've got three dollars—that's all," said Mrs. Vernon.
"Mike, we got tree dollahs only. Come to camp and get rest," said Julie.
"You tak him along?" asked Mike, anxiously.
"Are you 'fraid to trust us?" countered Julie.
"Oh, no! Mike no wan' trouble carry him so far, da's all."
So the three dollars was paid down, balance to be paid when Mike called for it; canoe to be taken along with no added work expected of Mike.
Mike launched the canoe in the stream that passed his shop, and several of the girls squatted in the bottom. But it proved overweighted for such a shallow stream, and two had to get out again. Julie and Joan then paddled it safely to the deeper river, where Amy and Judith, being lightest of the scouts, got in and sat in the bottom.
Mrs. Vernon and the rest of the Troop stood watching eagerly while the two girls paddled silently and swiftly up the river to the place where the tumbling stream joined River Bend. Here they halted to allow their other friends to catch up with them.
Julie and Joan were complimented upon their prowess, and when Ruth and Betty exchanged places with Amy and Judith, the canoe went on its way up the river, while the other scouts continued hiking back towards camp.
"It wouldn't take us long to reach home if we were all in canoes," said Anne.
"It would ifyouwere in one—you are so heavy!" laughed Hester.
A titter sounded from the girls, but Mrs. Vernon held up a hand for silence. "Was that thunder I heard from over the mountain?"
"No, that was only Julie's paddle echoing down the stream," giggled Judith. But a louder rumble told the Captain she was right in her surmise.
"Dear me! I hope we won't be caught in another thunder-storm," said she, holding the bunny closer to her side.
But in answer to her fear, a sudden flash and a nearer peal of thunder warned them all to seek shelter if possible.
"If it rains we're bound to be soaked!" sighed Anne.
"You big silly! Did any of us think water was dry?" asked Hester, scornfully.
"I do wish those girls hadn't left us in the canoe! If it rains they may upset," worried the Captain.
"They didn't leaveusin the canoe, Captain. And we are just as likely to meet with mishap as they," laughed Judith, to cheer every one up.
"Well, it's going to break mighty quick! See that inky cloud scudding across there?" exclaimed Amy, pointing at the sky.
"Verny, why not make a quick shelter to crawl under?" suggested Anne.
"Think you can do it?" answered the Captain.
"Hester's got the rubber cover that Mike gave us for the canoe when it is not in use, and we might stretch that between four trees," added Anne.
"That's so. Let's try it!" agreed Hester, eagerly.
Quickly, then, the scouts chopped down the scrub bush where four young trees were found for the corners, and then, while Anne and Hester secured the four corners of the cover, the other girls ditched around the spot so the rain would run off and not soak their camping place.
Anne and Hester completed their work before the others, and then hastily bunched a mass of chopped-down bushes all around the temporary tent to break the driving rain when it came. The spot thus enclosed was not large, but by huddling together they managed to keep dry.
"How nice it is to sit in a dry place and watch everything else gradually soak with the rain," ventured Amy, comfortably.
"No one would have dreamed that a shower would come up to-day, the weather was so perfect when we left camp," said Judith.
"Do any of you girls understand weather-lore?" asked Mrs. Vernon.
No one did, so the Captain continued: "If you study wind and cloud, wildwood creatures and other animals, you will find much to interest you in the weather.
"When rain is coming you will see the sheep turn their tails to windward, but if the day is to be fine the sheep will graze with faces to the wind.
"Cows always gather and huddle together at a sheltered end of the pasture lot when a storm is approaching. Cattle are restless and uneasy before a storm breaks. And cows will fling up their heels, or sheep will gambol as if to make the most of the sunshine just before a prolonged spell of bad weather. Pigs, too, will grunt loudly and cavort about uneasily in their pens, carrying bits of straw from their bedding in their mouths, before a heavy rainstorm.
"With wild creatures you will find partridges sitting in the fields when thunder is in the air. But the moment the storm blows over, the birds are alive with energy again. Rabbits and other night-feederscan be found out hunting on a sunny day, but that means there will be a wet night.
"Most of our birds in field and forest know when a storm is brewing, and they can be seen seeking for extra food to carry home, or, perhaps, devouring it quickly, storing it up against the time everything is soaked with the rain.
"Bees seldom fly far from the hive when rain is threatening; flies are annoying and sting sharply before rain, and many times they cling tenaciously to wall or furniture,—that is to keep flat to a surface, so their bodies will not become damp.
"A large ring can be found to encircle the moon the night preceding a rainstorm. Should the storm be two or three days off, the ring is wider and you will find fainter shadows inside the main circle,—one for each day.
"Mountain moss is found to be soft and limp, and smoke generally beats downward when the East Wind presages rain. Callouses on the feet will ache painfully; spiders will be seen strengthening their webs against moisture-weight; morning-glories will close up tightly; mushrooms are found to be numerous; and there are a dozen other weather-signs that I forget now."
The scouts had listened with interest, for this was new to them, although Hester added: "I've heard the saying, 'Mackerel sky, twelve hours dry.'"
"Yes, and another one goes, 'Rain before seven, fine before eleven,'" said Judith.
"You will find in summer that heavy dews in the night mean fine weather the following day," added Mrs. Vernon. "Also any thunder-storm that comes with the wind soon passes away, but let it come against the wind, and it is apt to last."
"This one came with the wind and is blowing away already. See!" exclaimed Amy, eagerly.
"Yes, girls, now we can do as the Arabs—fold our tent and steal away," said Mrs. Vernon, rising carefully so as not to jar the bunny which had remained very quiet all this time.
"I wonder what the girls in the canoe did while the rain was falling," said Judith.
"Leave it to Julie to find a way. I'll say she landed them all on the bank and then turned the canoe upside down over their heads," laughed Hester.
When the canoeists arrived at camp, sometime after the hikers got there, they exchanged experiences. Hester's surmise turned out to be exactly right, and the girls in the canoe were as dry as those who sat under the rubber cover.
Back to Contents
"Gilly, do you know of any vegetable dye we can find in the woods to dye some burlap for decorations?" asked Julie one day.
"Yes, you can take the berries and leaves of red or staghorn sumac and boil them together to make a black dye, or ink. If you need ink in a hurry, you can take theGenus Coprinus, commonly known as the ink mushroom, and pluck it at the end of its first day. The spores are black, and the gills turn into a black fluid at the last. This produces a splendid writing ink, or will dye grass, quills, and other wildwood stuffs."
"Speaking of quills, Gilly—why can't we have chickens as the Grey Fox boys have?" asked Joan.
"What would you do if they got the gapes, and no one would feed them chopped onions?" laughed Mr. Gilroy.
"I'm not looking for trouble, but for pets to have about camp," retorted Joan.
"I'd hardly call a chicken a pet!" laughed Julie.
"Even so, Julie, it would cluck andappearto be friendly, even it wasn't."
"What you scouts need is a good frisky dog for a pet. You can have chickens, if you like, but they are a nuisance. They stray away to lay their eggs, and if they were kept cooped you'd have to spend valuable time making a suitable inclosure. But a dog will go hiking with you, guard you at night from elephants and other prowling animals of the jungle, and be a fine old pal to boot," said Mr. Gilroy.
"Oh, why didn't we think to bring Jippy," exclaimed Amy. Jip was a little poodle of about fifteen years and had had the rickets for the past five years, so he had to be carried about.
The moment the scouts saw that Amy was in earnest they fairly roared, and Judith finally said: "Oh, Amy's catching theingénuehabit from Betty! What shall we do with two of them on hand?"
"Had we but known of this dire need of a dog, we would have brought Towser—had he lived. He was only twenty-two this March, and had full use of his bark even though he had no teeth or eyesight. But, alas! alas! Towser is no more!" sighed Julie, rolling her eyes.
As Towser had been one of the "old settlers" in Elmertown, he was known to every man, woman and child there. Many a time, because he was stone-deaf and had not heard the blast from the horn, some one would have to rush out to rescue him from apassing automobile. So Julie's lament caused a new burst of merriment.
"Stop all fooling now, scouts, and listen to me," said Mr. Gilroy. "I mean a regular dog—an Irish terrier, or a bulldog, to chum with and be of some good to you. How'd you like it?"
"There ain't no sech critter in camp," retorted Julie.
"But I know where to get one! His name is Jake, and he is very fond of the ladies, I'm told."
"His name sounds dreadfully rakish, Gilly," teased Joan.
"If Jacob is as faithful as his name would imply, we'd like to meet him," added Mrs. Vernon, smiling.
"You shall. He lives at the farm where my overseer is, and the next time Mr. Benson is due here, I'll see that Jake accompanies him. If both sides are mutually attracted, the dog shall stay to give you scouts something to do," declared Mr. Gilroy.
"What kind of a dog is he, Gilly?" asked Betty, eagerly.
"He is a prize Airedale. But he is so clever that he tries to run everything on the farm, consequently Mr. Benson always has to separate Jake from the other dogs in the neighborhood."
For the next two days the scouts were kept busy constructing a fine kennel for Jake to live in whenhe joined their camp. Everything imaginable was done to add to the comfort and luxury of this "dog's life"; and the third day they started for the bungalow to be introduced to Jake, who was expected to arrive that morning.
It was a warm, drowsy day, and the wildwood creatures seemed to be keeping quiet. Even the bees hummed less noisily over the flowers they were robbing of nectar. The girls strolled slowly along the pathway, stopping now and then to watch a bird or examine a flower. They were just passing the bend where the tumbling brook could be plainly seen from the trail when, suddenly, Julie held up a warning hand for quiet.
Every one stopped short and waited. She pointed silently across the bushes in the direction of a long fallen tree that lay on the bank of the stream. The scouts looked, but saw nothing to cause this interest. Then she whispered warily, "I saw a big creature creeping along that log!"
"Really!"
"What did it look like? Which way did it go?" were questions hoarsely whispered.
"It crawled on that log and suddenly disappeared. Maybe it jumped into the water when it saw us. I am thinking it was a beaver," returned Julie.
"Oh, how wonderful! If we could only see it at work," cried some of the scouts.
"How big was it, Julie?" now asked Mrs. Vernon.
"It went so fast that I couldn't see well, but I should say it was about as big as a very large cat,—maybe larger if we were closer," said Julie.
"Dear me, if we didn't have to go for Jake we might sit and wait for it to appear again. If it is a beaver, I'd love to watch it build a dam," sighed Ruth.
"I hope Jake won't want to chase it, on our way back," Betty worried, as the thought struck her.
"We'll hold Jake on a leash. And if he doesn't make a fuss we might creep over and watch for the animal's appearance again," added Julie.
"Then the sooner we go and get Jake, the sooner we'll be back here," was the sensible remark of Joan.
The scouts now hurried along the trail and soon reached the bungalow, where a splendid Airedale was sleeping in the sunshine. He was stretched out full length right in the way where one would have to pass to go up the steps to the verandah.
"Oh, are you Jake?" called Julie quickly, when she saw the dog.
"Isn't he a beaut?" cried Joan, admiring the shapely form as it jumped up to growl at the visitors.
"Why, Jake, don't begin our relations with a growl! Don't you know we have to keep the peace all summer?" laughed Julie, snapping her fingers to the dog.
Mr. Gilroy heard voices and came out on theverandah. The moment he greeted the scouts familiarly, Jake wagged his stump of a tail and ran up to show his friendship for his master's friends.
The girls fussed over the dog immediately, and Mr. Gilroy smiled. "Well, what do you think of him, scouts? Is he homely enough to win your pity? You know it is said, 'Pity is akin to love.'"
"He's a regular peach, Gilly!" exclaimed Joan.
"Just what we need at camp," added Judith.
And in the next ten minutes the dog had won high favor with his future companions. Then the scouts told about the animal they believed to be a beaver, so they wanted to hurry back and watch.
"But hold to the leash if you go near the log. Jake is a born hunter," advised Mr. Benson.
"Oh, he is very obedient if you speak sternly to him," added Mr. Gilroy. "If he tugs or wants to run, just command in severe tones, 'To heel, Jake,' and he will obey like a lamb."
Jake wagged his tail as he watched Mr. Gilroy, and when the order was given, 'To heel, Jake,' he crept behind his master.
"Oh, the darling! Doesn't he mind splendidly!" cried several of the scouts.
"I'll come along pretty soon. Wait for me near the log where you saw the beaver. I'll finish up with Benson and then join you there," said Mr. Gilroy, as the scouts started down the trail again, leading Jake by the leash.
Every one was delighted with the meek and obedient dog, and the fussing was accepted by him as his due, but he paid no attention to the numerous pats and endearing names given him as they walked along. Then they reached the open space where the log bounded the edge of the running water. It was about a hundred yards from the trail and distinctly visible because the brook was lower than the footpath where the scouts stood.
"There it is! I saw it!" exclaimed Joan, excitedly.
At the same moment Jake also saw something doubtful moving swiftly out of sight back of the log. The girls ran over to the bushes to see the better, and Julie's hold on the leash relaxed unconsciously. In that same second, Jake took mean advantage of her inattention to him and darted away.
"Oh, oh! Come back here, Jake!" yelled Julie instantly.
But the dog stood upon a rock, his ears erect, his nose sniffing as he pointed it in the direction of the log. His tail trembled spasmodically and the hair along his spine stood up stiffly.
"I say, to heel, Jake. Come back, to heel!" shouted every scout in the group. But Jake was deaf to their calls.
Then the Captain called to him, but he bounded from the rock and managed to force his way throughthe bushes, the leash catching here and there on stumps, on sharp rocks, or on bushes.
"What shall we do? Now he'll kill the little beaver!" wailed Betty, wringing her hands.
"Some one run back and get Gilly!He'llmake him mind," ordered Julie.
"Who's Orderly for the Day? I want to wait and watch what he does," said Joan.
"Oh, pshaw! I'm Orderly, and I s'pose I've got to go," declared Judith, impatiently.
"I'll go for you, Judy, 'cause I can't bear to wait here and see Jake kill anything," said Betty, deeply distressed.
"All right, Judy,—let Betty go instead, if she likes," agreed the Corporal. So Betty ran swiftly away while the other scouts resumed their coaxings to draw Jake away from the log.
Julie now started to break away through the bush to get the dog, and several of the girls followed closely at her heels. When they reached the place where they had seen something move, they also saw tracks in the soft soil.
"It really is a wild animal," said Julie, excited at sight of the footprints.
"But what? Do you know?" asked Judith.
"No, but it must be a beaver—or a fox. I don't know which," confessed Julie.
But they couldn't get at Jake. He was racing excitedly up and down on the log, his nose closeto the strangely odorous scent, and all the commands and persuasions from the scouts failed to make the least impression on him. His nervous short yelps showed how keen he was to have a face-to-face bout with the animal.
Julie tried to step on the leash, but he dragged her foot so that she suddenly sat down violently on the ground. Then he nosed under the grass that hung over the brook, and finally swam over to the other side. There he stood and watched nervously, but the girls could not get him back again.
"Talk about his minding! Why, he's the cussedest dog I ever saw!" complained Julie, as she got up and shook her clothes free of the briars.
"There's no use standing in this baking sun to look at Jake standing on the other bank!" exclaimed Joan, angrily eying the disobedient dog.
"We'll go back to the shady trail and watch for Gilly," said Julie, starting back to join the Captain. But they kept calling to Jake as they retraced their steps.
When they got back to the slight elevation where Mrs. Vernon and Amy had waited, anxiously watching results, they saw Jake make a leap and swim quickly back across the brook to the log.
"He must have seen or heard something that time," whispered Hester.
"Yes, 'cause he's stretched out on that log nervouslywagging his tail with his eyes glued on something," admitted Amy.
Then they caught their breath. The scouts saw a movement in the green leaves at the end of the log and then—Jake was creeping stealthily across that log, as if he also saw what he wanted to pounce upon.
"Oh, oh! Jake's got it! He's jumped upon it!" screamed Julie, frantically.
"Why, it's a great big tomcat! They're fighting!" cried Hester, too excited to stand still, but jumping up and down.
"A cat! Gilly hasn't a cat that color!" declared Joan.
"Girls!" fairly hissed Julie. "I bet it's a wildcat—and it will kill Jake as sure as anything!"
"No, no! Oh, girls, I just saw it, too! It's a skunk! Run, run—for your lives!" cried Mrs. Vernon, turning to run up the trail towards the bungalow.
But several of the scouts would not desert the dog. He had carried the skunk off its feet with his unexpected leap upon it, and the two rolled and fought madly for supremacy. The leash, instead of tripping Jake, got tangled in the skunk's legs, and both animals rolled back and forth.
The enraged beast fired the deadly fluid to blind her antagonist, but it drenched the fallen tree only. Then Jake caught a grip on her throat and shookher head; still she was game and kept on struggling.
Again they rolled over together, the skunk trying to get to the brink of the water, where she would manage to roll them both in. But Jake understood that motive, too, and braced his feet against the stones in their way.
A second volley of the ill-smelling spray from the skunk struck at random, and then Jake gave her neck another sudden shake. This time it was effective, and the head suddenly hung limp. Jake had broken her neck, and was the victor!
He now took great pains to drag the trophy through the brush to present to his friends in the roadway. The leash caught several times and almost snapped his own neck, and the skunk was heavy, but he managed to drag it along.
When Julie saw his intent she screamed and warned the girls to flee! And in running up the trail they met Mr. Gilroy, who had been summoned by half-crazed Betty's crying, "Jake and the beaver are killing each other!"
Mr. Gilroy did not stop to hear what Julie tried to gasp, but he ran down and saw Jake bringing the skunk out into the pathway.
"To heel! to heel, Jake!" shouted Mr. Gilroy, holding his nose when the dog tried to jump upon him in the ecstasy of having achieved such a great deed.