e brightly. "But I'm wishing I might
lay violent hands on the rogue who took our belongings. Where is that
Mr. Sheriff for whom you sent to come and catch our friend of the green
goggles and the black whiskers, Mr. Grubb?"

"He'll be along in good time," replied the guide, stroking his own
whiskers while regarding with squinting eyes the progress of the supper
under the deft fingers of the Meadow-Brook Girls. "Here! Let me do
that. I reckon I can be finishing the supper while you young ladies
get ready. There's a barrel of rain water just back of the hut where
you can wash. You look as though you needed it--no offense intended."

A merry laugh greeted the words of Janus Grubb. The girls agreed that
they _did_ need it. Their clothing was not in very good condition,
either, but nothing could be done with the garments until they reached
a spot where they could change them for fresh apparel. The girls ran
out laughing, and a moment later were heard splashing in the rain
barrel. They came in with dripping faces to get their towels, then,
running out again, rubbed their faces until their cheeks glowed
underneath their tan. Tommy's freckles were now more pronounced than
ever, but her usually pale face wore a healthy look and her eyes were
bright and sparkling.

Supper was late that evening, nor was it a heavy supper when at last
they sat down on the benches in the "Shelter" with their cups and their
corn cakes beside them, but they were as happy a party of girls as if
sitting at a table laden with good things and sparkling with cut glass
and silver. There were health and good-fellowship here; and there also
was the pride of achievement, for these young girls had accomplished a
great deal during the time they had been living their out-of-door life.
They made merry over their scanty supper and finished with satisfied
appetites.

After supper Harriet asked the guide to prepare some torches, saying
she wished to look about to see if she could find anything. Janus said
there was no wood at hand fit for torches. No wood, no
lantern--nothing save the smoky old lamp in the "Shelter," and very
little oil in that. Janus said there had been a can of oil there a
week before that, but that some one must have carried it off, can and
all.

"I'll hold the light for you if you want to dig," he offered.

"Yes, please do that," urged Harriet. "I know where I wish to look.
If you will hold the light out there on the edge o