And, of course, it isn't like a ceremonial fire."

"No, but it's a real fire, and an important one. Look! We're
beginning to go down hill now. We'll be climbing again before we get
there, though."

"Let's hurry! I'm just crazy to get the fire started. Who is going to
make the light?"

"Why, you are, Dolly! You won the dish-washing race, so you've
certainly got the right to do that."

"I'll let you do it if you want to, Bessie. I don't care about the old
race."

"No. You earned the right. And I believe you can do it better than I
can, anyhow."

"It's just a trick, when you once know how. I used to think it was a
wonderful thing to do, but it's just as easy as threading a needle."

"That's another thing that isn't easy until you know just how to do it,
though."

"I guess that's so. I've seen boys try to do it, ever and ever so many
times, and they usually threw the needle and thread away two or three
times before they managed it."

"Are we to cook lunch as soon as we all get to the camping spot?"

"I don't think so. It would be too early, you see."

"I guess the fire will be made, though. Do you know what we are going
to have?"

"Potatoes. I saw those. And I believe we're going to have a ham, too.
And coffee, of course, and a lot of fruit for dessert."

"Well, the ham would take quite a long time to cook. I guess maybe
we'd have to start in cooking right away to get finished in time."

"The boys ought to be having just the same sort of meal that we do. Or
else it wouldn't be fair, because some things take longer to cook than
others, and you can't hurry them, either."

"Oh, I remember now that Miss Eleanor spoke about that. That's one of
the rules."

"I believe we're getting near, for the trail is rising pretty sharply
now," said Dolly.

"That's so. See how hilly it is getting to be. It's quite clear on
top of the peaks, I believe. I wonder if we'll be able to see them on
the other peak and if they'll be able to see us?"

"We'll see the smoke, anyhow. There's nearly half a mile between the
two peaks, Miss Eleanor said."

"Come on, let's hurry. I'll be dreadfully disappointed if they get
their fire started first."

"So will I."

Then the ascent grew so sharp that for a time they needed all their
breath for the climb before them. But the prospect of reaching their
destination prevented them from being weary; they were too excited by
this strange sort of race in which the