“All right,” said Bessie.

But before it was time to make a start she sought out Miss Eleanor.

“I’m not really afraid, Wanaka,” she said, using the Indian name, since, here in the woods, it seemed natural to do it.  “But I thought I ought to ask you if you think it’s all right for me to go off with Dolly?  I suppose none of those people who were trying to get hold of me would do anything up here, would they?”

“Oh, I don’t think so, Bessie.  No, I think you’re just as safe anywhere in these woods as you would be right here in the camp.  There are a few guides around—­they have to be kept here to warn people who make camp and don’t put out their fires properly.  You see, my father and the rest of the people don’t mind letting nice people come here into their preserve to camp, but they’ve got to be careful about fire.

“You can imagine what would happen here if the woods caught fire; it would be dreadful.  Further on, the woods are only just beginning to grow up again.  They were all burned out a year or so ago, and they look horrid.  This preserve is so beautiful that we all want to keep it looking just as nice as possible.  But the guides would look after you; there’s nothing to be afraid of with them.

“And I don’t believe that you’d be at all likely to meet anyone else.  Suppose you take the trail that starts at the far end of the lake, and follow it straight over until you come to Little Bear Lake.  That’s a very pretty walk.  But don’t go off the preserve.  There’s a trail that leads over to Loon Pond, but you’d better not try that until we all go as a party.”

So, when the midday meal had been eaten, Bessie and Dolly started off, skirting the edge of the lake until they came to the beginning of the trail Miss Mercer had spoken of, which was marked by a birch bark sign on a tree.  There they left the lake, and plunged so quickly into thick woods that the water was soon out of sight.

“Isn’t this lovely?  Oh, I could walk miles and miles here and never get tired at all, I believe!” said Dolly.  “But I do sort of wish there was a hotel somewhere around.  They have dances, and parties, and all sorts of fun at those hotels.  And, Bessie, do you know I heard there was one near here, at a place called Loon Pond?”

“Is there?”

“Yes; I think it would be fun to go there some time.”

“Well, maybe we can, some time, Dolly.  When Miss Eleanor is along.  But we’d better not do it today.  You know she said we were to stick to the preserve.”

“Oh, bother; as if we could get into any mischief up here!  But I suppose there wouldn’t be any use in trying to persuade you; you always do just as you’re told.”

“Oh, I’d like to see the hotel, too, Dolly, but not today.  The woods are enough for me now.  And we can go there some other time, I’m sure.”

Dolly said nothing more just then, and for a time they walked along quietly.