“Oh, my dear! Don’t mention dentist to me!” cried Mrs. Bonnell. “I have one that needs filling, and I’ve been putting it off as long as possible. But I really must go—some day.”
Again they approached the camp. This time they did not halt, but went boldly on, seeing a path that led into the midst of the circle of wagons and tents.
The wind must have changed, or else the noses of the dogs had become keener, for there arose a canine chorus of howls and barks of protest as the party of Camp Fire Girls came into view.
A black-haired and copper-visaged man, sprawling under a tree, sat up suddenly at the sound made by the brutes, and, quickly surveying the approaching party he called out in harsh tones:
“Quiet there, or I’ll stone you out of camp! Lie down!”
With muttered growls the dogs obeyed, slinking off to shady spots where flies would not so much trouble them.
“Shall we go on?” whispered Natalie, as they came to a halt.
“Of course,” declared Mrs. Bonnell. “That’s what we are here for. Keep your eyes open now, girls.”
Again they went on. The man under the tree had again stretched out on the grass, his slouch hat over his eyes. Several other men peered out from the interior of the wagons, or looked from between the flaps of tents. Some few, surrounding a squad of horses, did not even turn to look at the girls.
A woman with a dark, wrinkled face, and straggly gray hair, dressed in a red and yellow spotted dress, yet, withal clean as to person and raiment, came from a tent near the edge of the encampment—the tent nearest the path where the girls were walking.