Then she heard Peggy’s voice saying quietly, “You must walk, Tante; we are all going to get out of this.”
A few moments later, in the fresh air again, Polly was even more annoyed with her own weakness and failure as a Camp Fire guardian. But, of one thing was she determined; no more of this particular Indian festival did she wish her Camp Fire girls to see. Beautiful and symbolic as many of their customs, the Snake Festival, whatever its mystic origin, was not one for women to witness.
The Great Mass Wriggled and Curved
Yet Mrs. Burton feared the girls would oppose the return to camp.
The actual Snake dance did not take place till sundown.
Fortunately no one objected to going down to camp for food and rest, except Alice Ashton. Alice seemed perfectly calm and self-possessed. As she was making a study of Indian customs, she was aggrieved at being taken away in the midst of the most interesting part of the ceremony. However, she was too well brought up to do more than mildly object.
Then, as they made their way toward the nearest trail leading down the precipitous mesa, almost at the same instant several of the Camp Fire group missed Bettina.
CHAPTER XIX
Readjustments
“It is incredible, Bettina’s talent for disappearing,” Mrs. Burton said to Peggy in a low voice, torn between anxiety and anger.