The heaviest packs were soon loaded on the horses, after which Janus, leading one animal, went ahead to pilot them to the spot chosen for a temporary camp.  Nearly half an hour was consumed in finding their way there.  The night was dark and many obstacles in the shape of rocks and fallen trees and stumps were found in their path, and the guide’s call that they had arrived was the most welcome information the girls had received in all that eventful day’s journey.

“Here, Jim, unload these packs while I gather the wood for a fire, so that we can see what we are doing.”

“Fire!” scoffed Jim.  “Little fire you will see to-night, unless you have some matches.  I haven’t any.  It was a bad job when I took this contract.”

“Never mind expressing opinions.  I’m responsible for making a fire, and nobody is responsible for what’s happened to us on the way out here.  It is just one of those unforeseen disturbances that come to the best regulated families,” said Janus testily.

“I think I can find some wood for the fire,” suggested Harriet.  “I just stumbled over a dry stick.  Here it is.  Is there any birch bark here, Mr. Grubb?”

“No, but I’ll fire some leaves.  I’ve got plenty of matches,” he confided to Harriet.  “I didn’t tell Jim.  It isn’t necessary for these fellows to know too much, you know.”

“Just between ourselves,” chuckled Harriet under her breath.

“Sure.  I’ve got a daughter just your age, and she’s almost as good a campaigner as you are, though I reckon this night’s doings would have been too much for her.  You don’t find many such as you and your outfit.”  Having expressed his opinion, Janus proceeded to his work, and a moment later had a quantity of dry leaves ablaze.

“Now fetch on your wood.  Who says Jan Grubb can’t build a fire when there isn’t anything to build with?” he boasted.  “Easy.  Not so much at a time.  You’ll press it down to the ground so the draft can’t get under it, and then your nice little fire will go out.  We’ll build a roarer, then we can start a smaller one for cooking.”

“I won’t be sorry to eat a square meal,” chuckled Jane.

“Nor I,” agreed Margery, “I haven’t eaten a square meal for ages.”

“Be careful, girls.  Don’t stand so close to the fire.  You will burn your skirts,” warned Miss Elting.  “You will have holes in them almost before you realize it.”

Harriet had left that fire and was laying another.  She called to Jane to get the supper things ready for cooking.

“Margery, you and Hazel set the table.  If you can’t find a dry blanket, simply clear away a place on the ground.  We shan’t be so particular about our table this evening.”

“What about it?  Do we stay here all night, or are we to go on?” asked the guide.

“I think we had better make camp for the night,” decided Miss Elting.

“I reckon it would be a good idea.  I’ll make a line and dry out the stuff.  It’s pretty wet,” decided the guide.