“Exactly. ‘So say we all of us,’” they chanted.
Having stowed away the last pack, seen to it that the provisions were safe and at the last moment going back for a water bucket, ’Lish at last gathered up his reins and off they started waving merry farewells and making the woods ring with a gay song which went something like this:
“When ’Lisha takes us ’way from camp
We use a bright blue wagon,
And each girl cries ‘What lovely roads!’
Though they’re not much to brag on.
Thanky ma’am.”
At the end of each stanza the girls rose to their feet and sat down again violently, crying in chorus, “Thanky ma’am!” Every now and then some one contributed a new verse which was sung lustily.
“It prevents our getting cramped from long sitting,” explained Bertha. “It is also good for our lungs and keeps up our spirits.”
Once in a while as they came to a steep hill some of the party would get out and walk, and when a wayside spring appeared there was a scramble to fill the tin cups.