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. The scenery 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