Jane had pitched the tent just within the edge of the woods and had started a small cook-fire when the welcome “hoo-e-e-e” of the Meadow-Brook Girls first reached her ears. She ran out into the open waving her apron and shouting a welcome.
“There she is,” cried Margery.
“Dear old Jane!” exclaimed Hazel. “She has gotten everything ready for us and started a fire.”
“I propose three cheers for Jane McCarthy,” cried Harriet. The cheers were given in the shrillest tones of the Meadow-Brook Girls. Jane bowed in exaggerated fashion at this ovation.
“Have you seen the boys to-day, Jane?” was Harriet’s first question.
“Not a sign of them, the rascals,” replied Jane.
“I imagine that they are at Granite Spring, half a dozen miles back,” laughed Harriet.
“What makes you think so?” asked Hazel.
“Because, when I read Captain Baker’s fortune, I told him that our next camping place was to be not far from that place. He will make straight for Granite Spring, you see if he doesn’t.”
“Then I don’t think we’ll see the lads again this trip,” concluded Jane. “But, girls, you’ve got to get busy if you hope to win this contest. Three more days of hiking will bring you to Meadow-Brook. If the boys once get ahead of you, you can’t expect to catch up with them and win in that length of time.”