Just then somebody did run up the steps and knocked on the door. A most welcome voice called, “What’s the matter, girls?” Patty unfastened the door in a jiffy and there were the councillor and one of the girls from the nearest cabin. They had heard the commotion and finally decided to come over. Patty told them, and the girls just stood aside and pointed at two stray cows that by this time were some little distance away, over where the bushes grow thickly at the top of the bank.
We all settled down then and went to sleep after a while, but we nearly collapsed with merriment the next morning going over it again,—the way the girls looked and what they said and how ridiculous it all was! One would remember one thing that was said and another something else, till Patty said that we might “use the occurrence” in a “stunt” if we chose. Maybe we shall, but there was another cow episode that was a little more wildly exciting, perhaps, when we were on a six point hike from North Bath, through the woods on the mainland opposite. One of the girls threw some sticks as they passed some cows, and the cows chased them. They were not “dumb driven cattle,” by any means! Even Virgie, who is used to cows, climbed a tree, and we have teased Isabel nearly to death for getting on a big rock and asking Virgie in anguished tones if cows could climb rocks. Virgie said, “Yes,” as she was climbing the tree, and Isabel did not know what to do; but the cows went past. They were fierce looking things, had long horns. Now you would have lassoed a few, wouldn’t you?
There is so much to tell that it would take volumes if I tried to write it. But when we get back to school we can have a good old visit and tell all we know and some that we don’t know, as usual. I do hope that you both will be there. You did not say a word about school in your letter. However, the ranch doings were of more interest to us all just now. All the girls send heaps of love to you both. We hope to see you at the opening of school.
Lovingly,
Betty.
CHAPTER XXI
A FIVE-POINT HIKE
“There goes the bell. Are you going, Hilary?”
“I don’t know, Frances. I’m awfully sleepy, and it is hot this afternoon.”
“Good breeze, though.”
“Do we get points for this hike?”