This was the signal for the boys to throw down their axes, for the girls to start the alcohol lamp over which to heat those same “hot dogs” and in a few minutes they were all eating ravenously sandwiches, crackers and cheese, the frankfurters, cakes and bananas, till not a crumb was left.
“If there is anything better than chopping down trees in winter to give one an absolutely insatiable appetite, lead me to it,” said Chet.
“We haven’t done any chopping,” returned Joanne, “but I was never so hungry in my life.”
“And look at the color you have,” said Winnie. “You were the palest thing ever when I first saw you. There’s nothing like scouting to set you up.”
“Don’t I know that?” replied Joanne brushing the crumbs from her lap.
“Time’s up!” cried Hal jumping to his feet; “we’ve got to get busy if we are to finish up in time to reach home before dark.”
“We can’t do that,” avowed Jimmy, “for we’re on the shortest days. If we get home by dinner time we’ll do.”
“But we’ll have to get started before dark; we don’t want to stay in these woods after sundown,” declared Miss Chesney.
“Go to it, boys,” cried Hal, and again the axes were at work.
The company was loth to leave the spot; there was always some specially fine piece of crowfoot, a particularly full branch of holly which attracted the eye of somebody, and which must not be left.