"You look tired, Bessie; why don't you sit down and rest!"
"Well, that's not a bad idea, Dolly. I'm not used to so much walking lately."
"All right, sit down. I'm thirsty. I think I'll just run ahead and see if I can find a spring while you rest."
So Dolly ran ahead, and disappeared after a moment. Presently, when Bessie was rested, she started again, and soon overtook Dolly.
"We turn here," said Dolly. "See, here's another trail, and the signs show which one we're to take."
"That's funny," said Bessie, puzzled. "I thought we went to Little Bear in a perfectly straight line. Miss Eleanor didn't say anything about changing direction."
"Well, there's the sign, Bessie. If we keep straight on it says that we'll come to Loon Pond. We turn off to the right here to get to Little Bear."
"Well, I guess the sign must be right. But it certainly seems funny. I hope there isn't any mistake."
"Mistake! How can there be? Don't be silly, Bessie. There wouldn't be any chance of that. Come on."
So they turned off, and, as they followed the new trail, the trees began to grow thinner, presently. The whole character of the woods seemed to change, too. They passed numerous places where picnic parties had evidently eaten their meals, and had left blackened spots, and the remnants of their feasts.