“But our invitation had ‘a string’ to it, Verny,” added Julie laughingly.
“That’s true—I said I would take ‘pot luck’ and teach the scouts many camping tricks to boot!” declared Mr. Gilroy.
Sunday morning at breakfast Mrs. Vernon said she was very anxious to meet young Dunstan, for he might have met her son in the Aviation Service. Then she had to tell Mr. Gilroy about it.
“I thought I would like to drive down to Freedom later in the day, Mrs. Vernon, and see if there was any mail for me. It was to be forwarded from Junction, you know. If you would care to go and ask about Dunstan, we might make a little party of it,” suggested Mr. Gilroy.
“Yes, Verny, let’s!” exclaimed the scouts.
“I am willing, as there seems little else one can do,” added Mrs. Vernon.
So Hepsy was hitched to the buckboard and the campers climbed in. As they started down the trail, Ruth remarked: “We ought to be thankful the posse found our hamper and seat in the Cave, and brought it back to camp.”
“Yes, or we’d have to ride on the floor of the buckboard,” added Joan.
“We’d have more room there than on this seat,” retorted Julie, who was clinging to the iron rail.
“We can take turns walking if we are too crowded,” suggested Mr. Gilroy, who shared the back seat with two scouts.