Going outside, she discovered other losses. The supply of groceries had been ransacked. Bread was gone, several oranges and a tin of cold meat.
“That fellow was hungry,” Penny reflected. “Probably some shiftless person who isn’t willing to work for a living.”
Entering the tent again, she busied herself making the beds and repacking the suitcases. As she finished the task, she heard footsteps outside. Fearful that the thief had returned, she jerked open the canvas flap. It was her father who had arrived.
“Oh, Dad, I’m glad you’re back!” she exclaimed, rushing out to meet him. “We’ve been robbed!”
“What?”
Penny told him how she had frightened away the bearded stranger.
“That’s bad,” Mr. Parker said, frowning. “I didn’t suppose there was another camper within miles of us.”
“This man didn’t look like a camper, Dad. He wore dirty, mussed clothing and a beard of at least a week’s growth.”
“How old a fellow?”
“Why, he looked young to me. And he ran like a young person.”