The girl had placed some large, round stones in the fire, heating them to a point that caused them to sizzle when a drop of water came in contact with them.  Poking three of these heated stones from the fire Harriet rolled them in one of the gray army blankets.  She did the same with other blankets; then, passing from one to another, watched closely for the odor of burning cloth.  Only one blanket had to be opened to permit the stones to cool off a little.  For a full half hour these heated stones were permitted to remain in the blankets.  Then, upon unrolling, the blankets were found to be dry and warm and ready for use for the night.

“Well, I swum!” observed the guide, “you’ve taught me something.  Say, what do you young women need of a guide?  You know more about camping than any guide in the state.”

“Oh, we have plenty to learn,” answered Harriet brightly, busying herself in placing the blankets in the tent, Jane, in the meantime, being engaged in fitting the flap to the opening.  The other girls were standing about, sleepily rubbing their eyes, for it was now midnight, and they were weary both from the physical exertions of the day and night, as well as because of the many hours that had elapsed since they left their beds shortly after daylight.

“Is there anything more we can do for you?” risked Janus, with added respect.

“Nothing more, thank you,” returned Miss Elting.  “You two had better turn in now.  Good-night.”

Janus fixed the fire, then walked briskly away.  In their tent the girls had begun undressing before this.  Fortunately their kimonos had not been soaked, and after being warmed at the fire by Harriet the loose gowns felt decidedly comfortable.  No time was lost in rolling in their blankets, which had been spread on the ground.  For pillows inflated rubber bags were used.  No one complained of the hardness of their beds, the little company was too sleepy.  Silence soon settled over the camp, and the Meadow-Brook Girls slept peacefully.

Two hours had elapsed when they were awakened by a commotion somewhere outside.  The shrill neighs of the horses sounded the first alarm, followed by what seemed to be a fall, a whinny, then the rapid beating of hoofs.

Harriet struggled to get out of her blanket, in which she had wound herself tightly.  The tent was in darkness.  She decided that the campfire had gone out.  For a moment she had to think hard to recall where she was.  Before she had untangled herself, the others of the party were struggling to free themselves from their blankets.

“What is it?” cried Margery in terror.

“Stay where you are!  I don’t know.  Something is wrong out there,” answered Harriet, hurriedly pulling on her skirt.  “Dress yourselves.  We don’t know what—­oh, look out!”

Something struck the tent a terrific blow, followed by a series of snorts and squeals.  The tent began to waver.