To most of the girls, who were at the age when every new experience brings delight, the prospect was thrilling. From the time when the trip was announced until the hour of starting, they talked of little else.
“We aren’t allowed to take very much along with us, are we?” asked Alice, when the girls were collecting their necessary articles and wrapping them in their blankets and ponchos.
“No, for the poor pack-horses have plenty to carry as it is,” replied Marjorie. “Just think of the good time we are going to have, while they, poor things, have to do all the hard work!”
“I wonder how many pack-horses they will take,” remarked Alice.
“There will be six, Bob said,” answered Marjorie. “He is to be horse-wrangler, and Mr. Hilton and Art are going to help with the packing and putting up tents.”
“The Academy boys aren’t going, are they?” said Mae.
“No,” replied Marjorie again, for she had taken pains to find out all about the trip. “They want to save money, and they have been on some of the trips before we arrived. And the Judson girls aren’t going either.”
“Well, one thing good, we’re going to sleep in tents,” said Mae. “I made sure of that before I consented to go.”
“But we may freeze to death at night!” remarked Doris, who was the least enthusiastic of the scouts over the trip. “And suppose we are attacked by wild animals!”
“Oh, no one worries about that!” laughed Marjorie. “The men would take care of them, and it would only make a little excitement.”