Part 26 (1/2)

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 circ.u.mspectly. 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 p.r.i.c.ked 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 gra.s.s 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.