“Gilly, have you ever heard one of us complaining about your age,” asked Betty in such an earnest manner that every one had to double over in laughter. But Betty had meant what she said and she could not understand why they should laugh at her.
In a few more minutes the cavalcade started on the trail, and the note telling the Ranger where to find them had been left upon a stick which was stuck in a prominent place on the road.
CHAPTER FOUR
JULIE MAKES A CONQUEST
The scout party rode on and on along the Sky-line Trail, stopping frequently to gaze at the wonderful views to be had from this altitude. Reaching the place where another important trail crossed, Tally, for the second time in his experience as a Guide, decided upon the wrong trail as being the one to follow to reach Springer. But he was justified inasmuch as the trail he chose was the better one of the two from that point on. They had gone a long distance before any one questioned whether this could be the Old Santa Fé Trail. As no one could tell they kept on going, often turning their heads to see if Ranger Sanderson was in sight. At last the sun was setting and they must locate a camp-site for the night; then it was decided that, as long as Sanderson had had all afternoon in which to overtake them, but had not taken advantage of the time, they would decide upon the first best spot where spring water was to be found.
Not long afterward Tally’s keen eyesight detected an attractive pine-grove a short distance off the trail where he declared they would find water. How he knew this to be so was a wonder to the girls. But that is the way with these Indian Guides!
Sure enough! in riding to the grove the scouts saw the reflection of sunbeams sparkling on a body of water. Then as they entered the woods the lake was lost to view. They rode on a short distance farther and, suddenly emerging from the girdle of trees, they spied a small lake of about a mile in length.
“Goot camp, eh, Boss?” said Tally, nodding at the sheet of water.
“Yes, Tally, and we’re ready for supper,” said Mr. Gilroy.
“All right, Boss, but we no camp here,” returned Tally. At the point where the Guide had discovered the lake, reeds and grasses hugged the shore, and from the quiet water a faint mist upcurled like a transparent veil. Gradually this veil spread until silently it enveloped everything along the edge of the water.