Betty and Ruth smiled at each other and nodded their heads wisely, then ran off to help Hepsy with the logs. Mrs. Vernon smiled also as she saw that each couple would soon learn that nothing is easy until one learns how to do it right. Then, when that time comes, it generally happens that one is forced to go higher to a new task. And so on, eternally, for this is progress and growth.
By the time the horn sounded for another change of work, both diggers and haulers were glad to exchange back again. Mrs. Vernon was busy about dinner, for she said such hard labor deserved hearty meals. And the girls agreed absolutely with her on that statement.
I say! Ill never find fault with your digging again, Betsy, said Julie meekly, as she displayed about eighteen inches square of dug-out cellar, and a row of water-blisters on her hand.
Betty laughed at her sister, but the work continued until the cellar was dug deep enough and a mass of timbers was waiting to be used. As they stood admiring their mornings work, Betty said:
I think Hepsy is the best scout of all.
Why? asked the other girls.
Just see how she worked! She hauled and hauled, and never asked to exchange for an easier job. And all the time she worked she never complained once of an aching back or tired muscles. Yet I am sure she wanted to kick mightily now and then.
A roar of laughter greeted her last words, and Betty guilelessly asked: Now what have I said what is the matter with you girls?
The call to dinner quickly changed the current of their thoughts, however, and once seated about the stone table, they fell to with a will never manifested for plain cookery at home.
We ought to be able to lay the floor logs and get the corner posts up this afternoon, suggested Joan.
I was going to propose a hike downhill in the opposite direction from the one we took yesterday, said the Captain. Then, when we return, a good swim will refresh us all for supper.
Oh, yes, weve worked enough for one day, said Ruth.
When the scouts were ready to start for the hike, Mrs. Vernon showed them a note-book. Im going to have you take down notes on the flowers, trees, or birds we find on these hikes. This will prove very desirable practice when you are admitted as a Troop.
They started off, while Hepsy stood
leisurely nosing at her dinner of oats. This reminded Julie of the funny saying by Betty just before dinner, and she now repeated it to the Captain.
I meant, you know, Verny, that Hepsy must have had stiff joints from all that hauling yet she never kicked once to straighten out the kinks, explained Betty, when Julie finished.
I doubt whether Hepsy felt as tired as you think she did. You must remember that her spine is almost parallel with the ground over which she has to pull her loads, and having four legs on which to balance herself, makes it easier than only having two. The chain and tackle also simplified the work for Hepsy, but we cant say as much of the hauling an Indian Squaw has to do.
Why, the poor squaws do all the lifting and moving of their camps, through forests, over rough land, and even carrying their papooses in the bargain. They, too, drag their burdens in a sort of cradle that is hitched to their waists by means of two leather traces.
Oh, the poor creatures! exclaimed ever-ready, sympathetic Betty.
Im thankful Im not an Indian female! declared Julie, with such earnestness that the others laughed.
After the usual scout reading from the Handbook the next morning, the girls hurried to work because they were anxious to see their hut built and finished. The ardor of accomplishment was beginning to fill their souls.
That day the cross-beams of the floor were laid and securely fastened at the corners. Then the other logs were sawed and notched for the corner-posts. It was impossible to split the timber for rafters, so the Captain advised the use of smaller tree-trunks for this purpose.
What shall we do to keep out the rain or wild animals? asked Ruth, seeing that no windows had been provided for the old hut.
We can hang up water-proof canvas in the windows if it rains, but I have an idea for a door that I want to work on to-morrow, replied the Captain.
The carpentry now went steadily on, and without friction, as each one was anxious to see a finished hut. They were tremendously interested in their work, too, and that always makes a task easy.
Mrs. Vernon superintended everything, and demonstrated a wonderful knowledge of woodcraft. Then, whenever the carpenters were cheerfully working without her help, she turned to her own plans. These had occasioned curious comment from the four girls, because they could not see what could be built with a lot of short boards which had been taken from the boxes.
Youll see when Im through, replied the Captain to all their questions.
The scouts worked so industriously that the new side walls were completed, and they were eager to begin work on the roof. The hut was much longer than the old one, but its width was the same, as it used the end wall of the old hut for one side of its own.