Jim and Molly were hardly satisfied at being limited to but one
batch of pan-cakes each, they were too eager to be on their way to
register a protest.

As soon as the sun had risen the South Mountains loomed up distinctly
to the west, the purple haze which had enveloped them the night
before being gone. Instead, the sun seemed to glint off the peaks
like burnished gold. However, as Old Sol rose higher, this effect was
gradually dissipated, and after a two hours' ride, during which the
progress was very slow on account of the condition of the roads, the
party found themselves in the foothills, with the mountains looming
close at hand.

A pretty sight lay before their eyes a short time later, when Gerald
stopped the machine half way up the side of one of the mountains,
and they gazed out over the valley, through which a silvery stream of
water flowed merrily toward the Potomac. Then, their eyes thoroughly
satiated, they began to look for a suitable place in which to make
their camp.

"Seems to me there's a desirable spot over there on that plateau,"
said Dorothy. "There are lots of fine shade trees, and we would have
an excellent view of the valley. And then, if I am not mistaken, that
path leading down the mountainside goes to yonder village, and it is
just as well to be in close proximity to what supplies we may need."

"That village is farther away than you think," said Jim.

"Well, we'll ride over and look at the plateau, anyway," said Gerald.

"Getting there is the next thing," said Molly.

The way did appear difficult. The road they were on wound up and
around the mountain, and it was only after a most diligent search
that Gerald and Jim discovered another road leading off in another
direction and finally crossing the plateau.

They reached their destination some time later, and found the
prospective camp-site even more satisfactory than they had expected.
A vote of the party was taken, and it was unanimously decided to
stay on this spot.

"It will soon be noon," said Aunt Betty, at once assuming charge of
arrangements. "So let's unload the things while the boys are fixing
the tents. If we have good luck we shall have our lunch in good Camp
Blank."

"Oh, not Blank," said Aurora, with becoming modesty. "Why not call it
Camp Calvert?"

"I think Camp Blank sounds very nice," Aunt Betty made reply.

"And I," said Dorothy. "Let's call it Camp Blank."

"No," said Gerald; "the Blanks have nothing to do wi