It was not long afterward that the girls were sound asleep, not to be awakened until an hour after daylight.  When they emerged from their torn tent they were greeted by the welcome odors of breakfast, which the guide now had ready to serve.  After breakfast began the hard climb up the mountain, but the Meadow-Brook Girls approached it joyously.  It was worth while because they were accomplishing something.  Packs were made ready immediately after breakfast.  Fairly staggering under their burdens, the party set out up a very fair pack trail, a short cut to the Shelter, part way up the side of Mount Chocorua.

The Shelter was reached about the middle of the forenoon.  The girls dropped their burdens and threw themselves down, breathing hard, with flushed faces and bright eyes.  Even Margery seemed to be taking a real interest in life, though she had complained a little of the bump on her head, which was even more tender than it had been the previous night after she had been hit by the tent pole.

“No time to waste.  You young ladies get the luncheon ready while I am fixing the packs,” called the guide.  “We must reach the Sokoki Leap before night, or we shan’t have a good place to sleep.  I am going to leave a good part of the equipment here.  We will pick it up on our way down to-morrow afternoon.”

The girls dragged themselves to their feet and began preparing the light luncheon that they had decided upon.  It would not be wise to eat a heavy meal now, with the work of the afternoon before them.  In the meantime Mr. Grubb assorted their belongings into neat packs.  They were bacon, rice and flour, coffee and a little corn meal, together with seasonings and butter, with a small bag of sugar and a can of condensed milk.  One tin plate apiece and “one to grow on,” a spoon, a knife and a fork for each member of the party, one frying-pan, a coffee pot and a tin cup apiece, made up the bulk of their equipment.  In addition to this a belt-hatchet was worn by each member of the party, the guide carrying long, slender but strong ropes that would be needed if difficult climbs were attempted.  Janus ceased his labors long enough to drink a cup of coffee and eat some biscuit.  He told the girls to leave out enough bacon for the entire party for two meals, figuring for three thin slices apiece to the meal.  Margery demurred at being limited to three thin slices of bacon.  She declared she should perish of hunger.

After luncheon the girls repaired to the hut to make ready for their climb.

“Now, girls,” began Miss Elting, “before starting I wish to caution you that you must obey the guide.  He understands mountain-climbing.  I have done a little climbing but not enough to qualify as an expert.  And, remember, no pranks while we are climbing; a single slip might result seriously for all of us.  Which way do we go, Mr. Grubb?”

“Around back of the Shelter.  There is an easy trail leading up to the top, but that isn’t the way you want to go.  You want to climb.  You shall.  Have you your belts on?” He glanced over the girls critically.  “All right,” he added, “follow me.”