ol-mates.

[Illustration: THE PANTHER WAS ABOUT TO LEAP UPON THE BEAVER.

_Polly and Eleanor._ _Page 94._]

CHAPTER VI

THE GIRLS ENTERTAIN GUESTS

During the absence of Polly and Eleanor from Pebbly Pit, that Saturday,
Mrs. Brewster made preparations for the entertainment of the young
visitors who were expected on the morrow. So many days that week had
been wasted in riding about the country that the pantry was almost bare.
Chickens were killed and dressed, pies baked, and other delectable
viands made ready for Sunday's dinner and tea.

No word had come from the scouting party on Grizzly Slide, but Mrs.
Brewster said she had no idea of hearing from them until they had
completed their investigations and returned home. Polly and Eleanor were
well tired out when they reached the house, after their visit to the
beavers, and made no demur when early bed was suggested to them.

Sunday was a glorious day and the girls bustled around rearranging the
living-room, and seeing that the hammock with its cushions and the
wicker porch chairs, were invitingly placed. Their own appearance had
been seriously discussed so that both girls felt suitably dressed when
the time came for the young surveyors to arrive.

Eleanor had loaned Polly one of her prettiest organdies, and had
arranged her really beautiful hair becomingly. Silk stockings now
encased Polly's shapely limbs, and her new low shoes looked twice as
well with the sheen of silk above them.

Eleanor wore a dress similar to the one Polly had on, and tried to
appear as like her as possible, so that no unfair advantage should arise
from appearances. Barbara smiled scornfully at what she considered
"childishness" in Eleanor. "Why should she want to have Polly look as
well as she could? And why bother, anyway, to dress up for a nobody like
Kenneth Evans? Of course, it would be all right for Jim Latimer--if he
were at home--but not in the wilderness. Chances were that the boys
would wear everyday working clothes." But all her "cold water" failed to
dampen the spirits of the girls.

The hour for the boys' expected appearance came and went but no sound
of horse-hoof was heard echoing from the rocky trail that led past the
Cliffs.

"Why! It is now eleven, and they were to be here at ten-thirty,"
remarked Eleanor, hearing the old clock strike the hour.

"Are you sure that that foolish-looking boy understood he was to tell
Jim about coming here Sunday?" asked Barb