“The airplanes must be equipped with radio or they couldn’t keep in touch with the station,” suggested Jessie, and Mr. Halsey smiled at her interest.
“Each plane is equipped with radio, Miss Norwood, and a very sensitive apparatus, at that,” he said. “They keep in constant touch with the fire-fighters and direct operations all through. They are, as I have said before, the eyes of the service.”
The young people spent another delightful half hour, studying the receiving apparatus, wandering through the interesting quarters of the men, and listening to Mr. Halsey’s talk. Then, knowing that they had a long tramp before them they said good-bye to Mr. Halsey, thanking him for his kindness to them and promising to visit the station again before they returned to New Melford.
Only a short distance from the station of the forest rangers they came upon an ideal spot to eat the lunch Phrosy had put up for them, and settled themselves comfortably for the feast.
When they had done full justice to the good things, they started on again at a slightly quickened pace. It was later than they had thought, and they were conscious of a queer eagerness to be at the lodge again.
They did not at first attribute this eagerness to the fact that the path they were on did not seem as familiar to them as it should, considering that they had so recently trod it on their way to the station.
It was only when the path became more and more indistinct, the foliage thicker and almost impenetrable that they recognized the truth. They were lost.
CHAPTER XV
LOST IN THE WOODS
“We certainly are the prize simpletons,” said Amy, in disgust, as she sank down upon a great rock and looked about her. “Imagine getting lost in the woods—and at our age, too!”
“I think we must have been going about in circles for the last hour,” said Nell, wearily. “This looks exactly like the spot we started from.”