The canoes were lined up at the same place on the shore, in readiness for them; but they were now upright and looked so inviting that the girls longed to get into them right away. Nearby on the ground was piled their miscellaneous equipment; and when the scouts saw what a quantity there was, they protested to their captain that, if they crowded so much stuff into the canoes, there would be no room for themselves.
“We can never get all that in!” cried Ethel. “It isn’t possible!”
“I thought we were to travel light,” remarked Ruth.
Miss Phillips exchanged amused glances with Michael, but she did not argue the point.
“Just wait till you watch Michael and me do the packing!” she said. “But remember, there are five canoes. Oh, that reminds me, you haven’t looked at the names on them yet!”
“That’s so!” cried Marjorie, running towards the canoes, and leaning down to examine them. “Did you get my letter in time?”
“Yes indeed! Now, each scout can find her own!”
“Here’s the Ariel!” cried Frieda, the first to discover hers. “I think that’s an awfully pretty name, Miss Phillips.”
“And here’s the Water-Witch!” announced Ruth. “You were satisfied with my choosing that name, weren’t you, Lil? I always admired witches; they seemed so clever, even if they were bad.”
“I’ve found the Sprite!” called Ethel. “Only, I wish it weren’t so close to the next canoe that I can hardly see the letters.”