“Ouch! I reckon we do—I do,” gulped Chunky.
CHAPTER XV
STRANGE EXPERIENCE
Within an hour the Overlanders were sufficiently dried out to permit them to go to bed with some comfort. Blankets had been warmed before the fire, and, even though the tents and the ground were damp, they found a large measure of comfort after they had tucked themselves in for the night. Two there were of the party, however, who were not wholly comfortable. One was Lieutenant Wingate, who ached all over, and the other was Stacy Brown, whose mouth was so sore that it hurt him to swallow, and he was restless all night.
The morning dawned bright and beautiful, with skies of the deepest blue, unmarred by drifting clouds. After a consultation, following breakfast, it was decided to leave the ponies and make their way on foot to the top of Electric Peak.
“Can we make it and back here the same day?” questioned Grace, glancing over at Jim Badger.
“If you don’t stay up there too long I reckon you might,” he replied.
“At least we must take sufficient food along to last us until to-morrow,” urged Grace.
“Yes. Don’t forget the eats. I can’t live without food,” reminded Stacy.
Tom suggested that Stacy remain at the camp with Badger.