The advance line of family members now came straggling up the road to watch their girls depart. Before the truck started, the other friends arrived, so there was quite a crowd to wish them good-by and good-luck as they climbed into the car and wildly waved hats and hands.
The ride seemed very short that morning, for so much had to be talked over, and the village of Freedom was reached before they could realize it. Then began the ascent up the woodroad to the plateau. Here the car halted, and the chauffeur assisted the driver of the truck in transferring the boxes and baggage to the buckboard Hepsy had brought thus far.
“We’ll have to stable Hepsy somewhere, girls,” suggested Julie, as she stood and watched the men work.
“Yes, we ought to make that our first concern, for Hepsy may not appreciate outdoor life as we do—especially if it rains.”
“We’ll build her a hut,” promised Ruth, eagerly.
“And let her sit out under a tree for the four weeks it will take us to erect it?” laughed Joan.
The girls were too eager to reach their campsite to wait any longer for the men to complete the baggage transfer, so they informed the Captain:
“We’ll take our suitcases and start up, Verny!”
Mrs. Vernon readily agreed to this, so they started off and were soon out of sight. Once they had reached the old cabin, Julie said:
“Let’s get out of these city clothes and get into our scout camp-uniforms.”