Part 2 (1/2)
”Through the glen,” suggested Dorothy, ”there is such a pretty spot there where we can lunch.”
”Which spot?” asked Tavia, ”I thought this was all road with deep gutters at the side, running down to the river over the hill.”
”I am quite sure this is the road father took us out to picnic on,”
said Dorothy with some hesitation.
”Well, maybe,” said Tavia, ”but I think this is the old river road. It seems to me I have been out this way before, and never even found a place to gather wild flowers, all road and gutters, then a big bank to the river.”
”Let's try it anyhow,” decided Nat. ”It looks nice and shady.”
So the turn was made to the left, and presently another turn rounded, then another, until both Tavia and Dorothy lost all sense of the location.
”We will wind up somewhere,” declared Nat, when the girls protested they would be lost if the machine were not turned around, and brought back to the river road.
”This is such a tangle of a place,” insisted Dorothy, ”and we really might not meet a person to direct us.”
”Then we will keep right on, and run into the next state,” joked Nat, to whom being lost was fun, and having an adventure the best part of a ride.
For some time the Fire-Bird flew along, the beautiful August day adding a wonderful charm to the tender shade of the oaks that lined the road, and through which just enough suns.h.i.+ne peeped to temper the balmy shadows.
”I am hungry. It must be lunch time,” said Dorothy, as they reached a pretty spot, ”let's stop here and eat.”
”Let's,” agreed Nat, slowing up the machine.
”What do you suppose this road is for?” asked Ned, as neither the rumble of a wagon wheel nor any other sound broke the stillness that surrounded the party.
”For instance,” suggested Tavia.
”Or for maps,” said Ned.
”For automobile parties,” declared Dorothy.
”For yours truly,” finished Nat, stretching himself on the soft sod, that came down to the road as beautifully as if it had been made to order on a well-kept terrace.
The girls soon had the lunch cloth spread and the basket was then produced--or rather its contents were brought forth.
”Yum, yum,” exclaimed Nat, smacking his lips as Dorothy began placing the eatables on the cloth.
”Oh, but water,” sighed Tavia. ”We were to get some as we came in the woods. There is a fine spring there.”
”Two miles back,” announced Nat.
”But there must be one near here,” declared Tavia, ”for there are forget-me-nots in this gra.s.s.”
”Is that a sign of water?” asked Ned.
”Positive--sure sign,” replied Tavia. ”Let's hunt for the spring.”
”Too early,” answered Nat, ”against the game laws. Can't hunt for two whole months yet. Worse luck.”