The head tramp immediately sprang to Margery’s assistance. “Let me help you,” he insisted, taking Margery by the arm. Miss Elting stepped up on the other side of Margery, taking the latter’s free arm.
“Now, you will be all right, dear,” encouraged the guardian.
Harriet, in the meantime, was assisting Tommy along. The boys ahead began to sing. In this way the party followed the trail out to the field. The girls breathed sighs of relief as they emerged into the open.
Just then, out of the darkness, rushed a figure, throwing itself upon Tommy and Harriet.
“Oh, you dear girls!” cried Jane, flinging an arm about the neck of each. “I nearly cried my eyes out over you. But, when the boys started out to find you, I knew it would be all right. Everything is ready for you. Nice warm baths, and there will be a pot of hot coffee for you. I’ll whisk you to camp in short order.”
“Never mind the whisking,” spoke up the guardian. “Captain Baker has told us about your whisking him out here this evening.”
Jane threw back her head and laughed.
“How about going back? I’ll tell you what, boys. I’ll take the girls and one of you, then I’ll come back and get the rest.”
“No thank you, we will walk it,” answered the chief tramp promptly.
“Never,” insisted Jane. “You come with us, young man. I’ll be back here in half an hour for the rest of these brave boys.”