That silenced every one, and soon all four girls were at work again, removing the dead wood of the flooring. When this was done, Mrs. Vernon examined it carefully.
It isnt as bad as I thought it would be. The tangle of briars and brush, and the decayed outer layer of the beams, made it look as if it all must be removed.
Once they became interested in repairing the floor as it should be done, the girls wanted to continue and complete it, but the wise Captain called a halt, and said:
Twilight will soon creep up to compel us
to stop work; before that comes we want to have everything ready for the night.
So when darkness fell the camp was ready and waiting for it. A fine fire reflected light fitfully about its radius, and lanterns were lighted for use in case the campers wished to go about. Hepsy had been fed and bedded for the night, and the tent was in readiness for its tenants.
Supper had been prepared and disposed of, and the dishes washed and cleared away before darkness invited every one to sit down and listen to the Captains stories of girlhood days in this very spot. But she had rather a drowsy audience that night. Four girls were so tired out with healthy exercise and the mountain air that the fire gave them a feeling of peace and rest.
Not a demur was heard when Mrs. Vernon suggested bed, and the hard cots must have felt like a nest of feathers to the newly-fledged scouts, for soon every one was fast asleep.
CHAPTER SIX FIRST LESSONS IN SCOUT WORK
Oh! sniffed she, Vernys up and dressed and has something awfully good cooking for breakfast!
Um-m I should say she has! added Julie, running over to join Joan at the tent door.
What is it, Verny? called a chorus of girls, and as the Captain turned to reply she saw four tousled heads crowded out of the opening.
Cant tell secrets until youve washed and dressed! laughed Mrs. Vernon.
It was not long, therefore, before the hungry campers joined her about the fire and wanted to know what smelled so good. The Captain was adding a pinch of salt to the something in the pot, so she did not look up, but said hastily:
Will some one watch that toast it seems to be scorching.
Did you ever! Making toast on a stone! laughed Julie, trying to turn over the slices with a stick.
But the stones as hot as any stove-lid, commented Betty, as she saw the smoke rise from the crumbs that burned on the rock.
Is that cereal standing off on that other stone? now inquired Ruth.
Yes, but whod a thought a stone would ever be used for an oven? laughed Joan, stirring the cereal with a long spoon.
The oven wont retain heat long after the stone is removed from the embers. Better be ready to serve yourselves as soon as I say ready, said Mrs. Vernon, as she removed the pot that had given forth such appetizing odors from the fire, and stood it upon a heated rock.
Now all ready! laughed she, and every girl made a dash for the cereal.
Here let me dish it up and pass it along. The whole mess will be in the fire if we all struggle to be first, added Joan.
The cereal disappeared like snow in July, and then four eager girls were asking for the next course.
This food, fit for the gods, is composed of the leavings of supper last night. But you girls will never dream that it goes by a homely name, said Mrs. Vernon, as she ladled a goodly portion upon each plate which was thrust out under her nose.
What is it called? asked Ruth, tasting a bit that fell upon the edge of her plate.
It smells heavenly, Verny! sighed Julie, rolling her eyes skyward.
Every one laughed, for Julie always was extravagant in her language.
In boarding-houses the guests object every time it is served, but we have the great advantage over city boarders whose hash is made merely with chopped meat and eggs and milk! We have Natures appetizer to season our dish, so that it becomes nectar and ambrosia in this camp, explained the Captain, smilingly.
The hash went the way of the cereal, and the girls looked anxiously in the pot to see if there could be a second helping.
Oh, thanks to our lucky stars and Verny, she made a lot of it! called Julie, waving a spoon at her comrades.
But where is the toast? Verny the toast is gone! shouted Joan, gazing fearfully under the stones to see if it could have slipped from the oven-rock.
Ha! thats my secret! Eat the hash, girls, and I will tell you where the toast is.
It needed no second invitation to finish all signs of hash, then Ruth demanded to know where the toast was hidden.
The Captain ran over to Ruth and touched the spot where the stomach is located. Youve had your share of toast and it is in there! laughed Mrs. Vernon.
We havent! We only had hash! retorted Ruth, wonderingly.
The hash was made of toast and other things. I only had about
a spoonful of corned beef left from last night. But toast, when broken into bits, will taste so like meat that few people know the difference. Thats how I managed to cook a second helping.
As long as it was not wasted I dont care much whether I ate the toast in hash or had it with tea, said Julie.