Part 34 (1/2)

”Yes, it's a clear morning and it doesn't take long for the snow to melt, once it gets started!” replied Polly.

”Have you enough ammunition to load again in case of need?” questioned Anne.

”Yes, I always look after that! But I was wondering what we can have for breakfast?”

”Ha! Leave that to the cook!” laughed Anne, going to the ledge and reaching up behind a crevice in the rocky wall. She brought forth one of the small fish spared from the night before.

”Good for you, Anne! If you could only dig up some sandwiches as readily!” laughed Polly.

”Maybe I can do that too, if you will look after the horses and burros!” said Anne, taking a small newspaper bundle from behind her spruce bed.

When opened, it showed that Anne had stolen some of the oats from the feed. This she rolled between two stones until it was crushed. Then she told Eleanor to pick out as many of the husks as possible.

”She's going to give us Rolled Oats, as I live!” laughed Eleanor.

Polly smiled for she was surprised to find Anne could prepare a feast in the wilderness; and soon the oatmeal was cooking beside the fish-pan.

”How can you girls enjoy that awful stuff without sugar or cream?”

asked Barbara, plaintively.

”We're eating ours without a grumble, but I notice, you are also eating yours and doing all the complaining!” retorted Eleanor.

”I have to eat it to keep from starving, still I can't enjoy it as you seem to, Nolla. I declare, you seem to be getting awfully common in your tastes.”

”Huh! Show me a selection of food for breakfast!” laughed Eleanor, smacking her lips over the last spoonful of oats.

”What shall we do about feeding the animals?” asked Eleanor, as they got up from the ground to pack up the pans and other stuff waiting to be taken back home.

”We'll stop at the first good Park and let them graze for an hour or two. Then a good drink from a stream will fix them all right!” said Polly, glancing at Noddy, who had come from her stall and stood looking sleepily at the girls.

”Doesn't Noddy look for all the world like a sleepy child who has to get up for school, but who hates to be disturbed!” laughed Anne, as Noddy's tousled head bobbed up and down while she sniffed the air redolent with oatmeal.

Satisfied that something was cooking for her breakfast, Noddy ran over and nozzled at the girls, who laughed and tried to push her cold nose away.

The other burros and horses came out then, and Polly said, ”It makes me feel selfish to eat their oats but then they can eat gra.s.s in the park and we can't!”

”Girls! Aren't you going to have another look at the gold-mine before you leave here?” asked Barbara.

”What for? It won't do us any good and only waste time,” replied Polly.

”Maybe you can find some more nuggets to carry back!” ventured Barbara.

”We have all we need to claim the rights of the mine, so why lug any more than we need?” returned Polly.

”Come on, Poll! Let's pack up and be going!” said Eleanor, decisively.

So, with the animals saddled and the panniers packed, the cave-dwellers started carefully along the ledge towards the slope.

It was an invigorating morning, and the sun with its rays was just topping the tips of the pines, when the girls rode forth to climb the slope.