Their path led past this tree only a few yards away.
The three of them paused.
Issuing from between the leaves came the note of an animal, or bird, wild and plaintive, yet unfamiliar.
In an instant Mary Gilchrist loaded her rifle, lifted it and fired.
The same instant Bettina gave a quick cry of warning. The next a small figure fell from the tree, limp and headlong as a wounded bird.
CHAPTER II
Half Moon Lake
Bettina had the little figure stretched out with the head sloping downward and was opening her first aid kit with trembling fingers when the others reached her.
Blood was staining the little girl’s Camp Fire dress and bright crimson sweater.
“Get me some water at once, I don’t believe the wound is serious. You can trust me, I am studying surgery.”
Bettina was gone for several moments.