By this time, the camp was in confusion. Scouts were pouring out of their tents, milling about, chattering excitedly.
Unit leaders quickly gained control of the situation, ordering everyone to the main lodge assembly room.
Miss Lubell spoke tersely to the girls.
“Now there is no cause for alarm,” she advised everyone. “The fire is very close to our camp, and the wind is in this direction, but rangers are on their way here. I notified them by telephone. The fire already had been spotted from the observation tower.”
“Will we have to evacuate the camp?” inquired Miss Ward.
“That depends entirely upon whether or not the fire quickly can be brought under control,” the camp director replied. “So far, it is not wide-spread, but the head is moving in this direction.”
“Can’t we do anything until the rangers come?” Judy interposed.
“We can,” Miss Lubell said. “We can’t hope to fight the fire, but we can take steps to keep it under control. Each unit is to report to its leader and follow her orders. We’ll wet down the tents and the buildings to protect them from flying sparks. Then we’ll make a fire break by clearing a ditch ahead of the spreading flames!”
Pouring out of the assembly hall, the Beaver Patrol Scouts clustered about their unit leader and Miss Ward. Under direction, they carried buckets of water from the lake, dousing the walls of their tents thoroughly.
To be prepared for a quick evacuation, in the event one was ordered, they hastily tossed their belongings into suitcases.