Part 37 (1/2)

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.