“What would you suggest, Miss Elting?” asked Harriet.
“Remember, that, if we take the route suggested by the Gipsy, we shall have to travel some of the roughest country in the state. Are you equal to the hike?”
“Yes!”
“We shall have to walk all night and a good part of the day to-morrow, and even then the boys may win the contest. Are you willing to try it?”
“Yes!”
“Then we will make our plans and get started. According to my calculations, it will be a twenty mile hike to Meadow-Brook by the way we propose to go. The boys will have a good ten miles further to travel if they go by way of the road. But having better going they will naturally travel much faster than we. Listen! We must travel light, with nothing in our packs except just sufficient food to carry us through. Jane, you will have to spend the night at the nearest farm house and come back for the tent and supplies in the morning. I hardly believe any one will disturb them over night. You must go at once or the people of the house will have retired. Go quietly.”
Ten minutes later Jane was on her way to the farm house in her car, undetected by the members of the Tramp Club.
“Now we will get ready at once. Let us be certain that none of the boys are watching. I would suggest that you girls lie down for an hour or so, while Harriet and myself get the packs together.”
Hazel obediently led the way into the tent, Margery and Tommy following.
“I can’t thleep. I’m too exthited,” protested Tommy. She and her companions did sleep however. They were allowed to rest for two hours. When they awakened Harriet informed them that the Tramp Club already had started. Half an hour later the girls themselves had taken the trail to Meadow-Brook.