d then you shall judge of their
flavor."

"Isn't it thrilling to think that man can go right into any wilderness
and, without carrying food, clothing, or shelter, live with what Nature
provides," remarked Judith.

"Yes, and without paying the outrageous prices charged at the present
time for actual necessities," replied the Captain.

The bread-twist was baked, and when the steaks were washed and sliced,
Mrs. Vernon dropped them into the hot fat tried out from the bacon.
Immediately the smell of frying steak made every scout smack her lips in
anticipation.

"If we weren't sure of such a fine dinner awaiting us, I would have had
a few of you girls gather young bracken for a fresh green vegetable to
eat with our steak. But we must not stop and enjoy too much by the
wayside," said the Captain.

There was a liberal slice of steak for each one and the girls pronounced
the taste of it delicious.

"And so tender, too! I never had such a juicy bit of meat," said
Hester.

Having refreshed themselves considerably, with the fun of finding the
mushrooms and cooking them, to say nothing of eating them, also, the
scouts continued the hike along the trail. Just as they reached the
crest of the mountain, Julie came suddenly upon a fawn, standing in the
shadow of a tree; it was watching these queer two-legged creatures.

It is hard to say which was most surprised, Julie or the deer, but the
fawn recovered first and bounded away through the forest.

"Oh, shucks! There we've gone and left that camera home again!" cried
Julie, stamping her foot angrily.

"Wouldn't that have made the most wonderful picture!" added Judith.

"No use crying now, but, for goodness sake! Julie, remember to bring it
next time," said Joan.

"Let _every one_ remember--the last thing to do when we start anywhere,
every one is to say to herself: 'Remember the _Maine_!' then we will
surely take the camera," giggled Julie.

The scouts now began descending the other side of the crest, and found a
better trail than on the side they came up. So, being able to go faster,
they soon reached a lovely camp-site, where the voices of several boys
announced that Grey Fox Camp was reached.

"We were just being sworn in as deputies to go out and hunt for strayed
or stolen scouts," called Mr. Gilroy, jocularly, as the girls picked
their way down from the great rocks that formed a wall back of the
camp-ground; then he introduced the two Troops to each other.

"You