Later, she and the remaining four girls watched the others wind their way along the trail below the mesa and disappear toward the northwest.
After lunch, when Polly had gone inside her tent to write her husband, and Alice and Ellen Dean were taking afternoon naps away from the heat of the early afternoon sun, Sally Ashton and Gerry Williams went down toward Cottonwood Creek together. They did not mention their going to any one, but it was cooler in the neighborhood of the creek.
CHAPTER X
The Ride
The three girls and Mr. Simpson were riding slowly across the Arizona sands toward the neighborhood of the Little Colorado River.
It was true they were only on an exploring expedition, for they had solemnly promised not to enter the region of the Painted Desert nor one of the Petrified Forests until the others could be with them, even if they should reach the borders.
They were really impatiently waiting to make these expeditions, because of their Camp Fire guardian. It was she who had suggested that they first learn something of the routine of their new camp life and more of the climate of outdoors Arizona, before attempting any strenuous sightseeing. The fact was—and the girls understood it—that Mrs. Burton was not yet strong enough to accompany them, and that she would be desolate at being left behind. For, in spite of all her travels and experience, she felt as much enthusiasm and excitement over their plans as any one of the Camp Fire girls.
Nevertheless, she was willing to agree that it might be a good scheme to find out something of the nature of the country they were to journey across, and how difficult the traveling might be. As Peggy, Vera and Bettina were really more accustomed to riding than the other girls, they were permitted to undertake the first short trip alone.
Their guide rode first, with Peggy next, Vera following and Bettina last. Their burros were more accustomed to moving in single file and, in most places the trail was so narrow, this was necessary.
Because the day was so brilliant, at first the glare of the sun was uncomfortable. They rode for several miles beyond the ranch before seeing anything except stretches of sand broken by an occasional mesa towering many feet above them, or else a tiny oasis in the midst of the sands. But beyond them, always in dim outline, were the cliffs bordering the smaller canyons of the Little Colorado.
With Vera between them, Bettina and Peggy found it difficult even to call out often to each other.