"Howdy," answered the rider, picking her way towards them from the trail.
"Julie!" cried the Overlanders, as Julie Thompson rode into the flickering light of the campfire.
"What is the matter? Has something gone wrong, Julie?" begged Grace, running forward, her companions following close at her heels.
"Ah reckons somethin' is goin' t' right smart," answered the girl, slowly dismounting.
Washington was summoned to take her horse, with directions to water and groom it, for the animal was wet with sweat.
"See here! Where did you come from to-day?" demanded Hippy.
"Ah come from home, an' Ah been er ridin' ever since sunup, Ah have. Ah'm sore an' Ah'm hungry, folks!"
Nora and Anne ran to prepare food and coffee for their guest, while Grace and Elfreda led her to the fire and made Julie sit down.
"Is anything seriously wrong at home?" begged Miss Briggs.
Julie shook her head.