Sometime toward morning, Judy began to dream. A confusion of images flitted through her mind. She thought she was exploring a cave, that the White Witch had come alive and was advancing toward her in a menacing manner.
In her dream, she became aware of a horrible odor. The scent enveloped her, stifling her so that she could not breathe.
Awakening, Judy found herself battling the blankets which she had pulled up over her head. She laughed in relief. The White Witch was only a nightmare! There was no disagreeable odor—or was there?
Thrusting the covers aside, Judy sat up in bed. Fearfully, she sniffed the air. The odor had not been entirely in her dream! The air was chilly, filled with an acrid scent she could not identify immediately.
Then suddenly, Judy knew. She bolted out of bed, the cold chills racing down her spine. The tent was filled with smoke! The camp must be afire!
Chapter 17
SMOKE IN THE WOODS
THOROUGHLY alert now, Judy awakened her tent mates, warning them of the danger.
“What’s this?” mumbled Ardeth, drugged by sleep and unwilling to leave her comfortable cot.
“Get out of here fast, unless you want to be burned!” Judy said tersely, giving her a hard shake. “The forest is on fire!”