mphasize
her words.

Mike sighed audibly. "All light. But Mike no carry him an' lose day.
Gals mus' tak now an' pay down."

Then every one turned to every one else, and word ran round: "Who's got
any money?"

"I've got three dollars--that's all," said Mrs. Vernon.

"Mike, we got tree dollahs only. Come to camp and get rest," said Julie.

"You tak him along?" asked Mike, anxiously.

"Are you 'fraid to trust us?" countered Julie.

"Oh, no! Mike no wan' trouble carry him so far, da's all."

So the three dollars was paid down, balance to be paid when Mike called
for it; canoe to be taken along with no added work expected of Mike.

Mike launched the canoe in the stream that passed his shop, and several
of the girls squatted in the bottom. But it proved overweighted for such
a shallow stream, and two had to get out again. Julie and Joan then
paddled it safely to the deeper river, where Amy and Judith, being
lightest of the scouts, got in and sat in the bottom.

Mrs. Vernon and the rest of the Troop stood watching eagerly while the
two girls paddled silently and swiftly up the river to the place where
the tumbling stream joined River Bend. Here they halted to allow their
other friends to catch up with them.

Julie and Joan were complimented upon their prowess, and when Ruth and
Betty exchanged places with Amy and Judith, the canoe went on its way up
the river, while the other scouts continued hiking back towards camp.

"It wouldn't take us long to reach home if we were all in canoes," said
Anne.

"It would if _you_ were in one--you are so heavy!" laughed Hester.

A titter sounded from the girls, but Mrs. Vernon held up a hand for
silence. "Was that thunder I heard from over the mountain?"

"No, that was only Julie's paddle echoing down the stream," giggled
Judith. But a louder rumble told the Captain she was right in her
surmise.

"Dear me! I hope we won't be caught in another thunder-storm," said she,
holding the bunny closer to her side.

But in answer to her fear, a sudden flash and a nearer peal of thunder
warned them all to seek shelter if possible.

"If it rains we're bound to be soaked!" sighed Anne.

"You big silly! Did any of us think water was dry?" asked Hester,
scornfully.

"I do wish those girls hadn't left us in the canoe! If it rains they may
upset," worried the Captain.

"They didn't leave _us_ in the canoe, Captain. And we are just as likely
to meet with mishap as they," laughed Judi