get back," laughed Mr. Gilroy, causing the girls to giggle in chorus at
his ridiculous speech.
So on the morning mentioned, a merry crowd of girls and boys followed
the Captain and Mr. Gilroy to the boathouse on the lake. Yhon was
waiting with everything ready, but it was still dim and misty over the
water, as the daylight was not yet strong.
Jake instantly jumped into Yhon's canoe as if he knew it paid to be near
the larder. Mr. Gilroy arranged the party so that one lightweight member
was in each canoe with one of the heavier girls, and one of the boys. He
took charge of another canoe with two girls in it, while the Captain
managed still another one with two in it. Thus they started in a line,
Yhon leading.
As they moved noiselessly out from the shadow of the overhanging rocks
and foliage, the dew sparkled like silver drops on all the leaves; every
now and then a hungry fish would leap up to bite the paddles, and then
whisk its tail angrily as it flashed away again.
The newly awakened sun had not yet risen high enough to cast its rays
upon the lake, and the mountain that threw somber shadows over the face
of the lake, still hid the shining of the orb of day. The expectancy and
hush that always precedes the bursting forth of shining light,
enthralled all the wild creatures in the woods.
Yhon had been silently guiding his flock over the water, closely hugging
the shore all the way, when the high treble call of a young fawn echoed
far over the lake. It was so unexpected that the scouts were startled,
but the Indian called over his shoulder, "Li'l deer lose mammy--call her
back!"
Then, not twenty yards further on, Yhon stopped paddling, and pointed
with a long finger towards the shore. There stood the fawn on a rock
near the water's edge, its head held high as it gazed with consternation
at so many queer things floating on the lake.
Mrs. Vernon took a splendid picture of the deer, before a crashing of
branches and the rattle of pebbles announced that the doe was leaping to
the rescue of her little one. But she could not be seen, as she was wise
in woodlore and remained safely screened from men. Possibly she knew
that a human carried a death-dealing weapon when he sought her in the
forests.
The canoes passed through First Lake, then through Second Lake, and at
last through Third Lake--all of which were really one large continuous
sheet of water. Where Third Lake Creek emptied into the large body of
water, Yhon led the canoes close to shore. He knew that the best lake
trout were to be caught where the creek emptied, and here he proposed to
fish for the dinner supply.
"But we don't want dinner, yet, Yhon," called Mrs. Vernon.
"We eat on Cedar Islan' but him got no fish dere. Get my fish here,"
explained Yhon, as he jumped ashore.
All were glad of an opportunity to stretch their legs, and then they
tried their luck at fishing, also. After a time this became monotonous
for the active young ones, and they started up the Creek to adventure.
The Third Lake Creek came down over moss-covered rocks, which were held
in place by gnarled roots of giant trees. These ancient foresters stood
looking benignly down upon the placid waters of the lake, as if watching
the play of a little child.
Where the Creek swirled out to join Third Lake, the purplish circles
made there gradually lost their foaming haste and gently merged into the
wavelets of clear cold water.
As the scouts climbed up the rugged bank of the Creek, the towering
trees were not the only things that watched silently. Although the happy
young mortals were deaf and blind to the many alert curious eyes that
followed their movements, still those eyes were there, wondering at this
daring trespass over their domains. Some of these wildwood inhabitants
were furtively anxious, some hostile, but all were curious to follow the
movements of these queer creatures.
Finally the scouts could not penetrate further, and they retraced their
steps. Yhon had caught enough fish for the day's needs, and was ready to
continue the trip.
From Third Lake Creek he paddled across to the opposite shore and thence
through Fourth Lake. They stopped at Skensowane to purchase crackers,
candy, and other sweets, while Yhon took on a supply of staples.
Cedar Island was at the extreme upper end of Fourth Lake, and long
before the scouts saw the green knob standing plainly up from the water,
they were hungry enough to eat the grass on the island. So every one
assisted with the dinner to facilitate the eating of it.
Yhon was one of the best guides in the mountains, and his experience in
cooking was unsurpassed; hence the scouts enjoyed an exceptional dinner.
When all were ready to continue the trip, Yhon led across from Cedar
Island to Inlet, where there was a "carry" of a mile to reach Sixth
Lake.
"Phew! Carry the canoes a mile in the hot sun!" cried Bob.
"That's part of the fun in canoeing," remarked Mr. Gilroy, as they
disembarked and prepared to carry.
"I'm glad of the change," said Judith. "My knees are all out of joint
from sitting with them doubled under me."
Thereupon every one declared it a relief to walk and get the kinks out
of the leg-muscles. But after a mile in the heat, with canoe and outfit
to carry, every one was just as glad to get back and sit down in the
canoes.
The trip through Sixth and Seventh Lakes was wonderful. The grandeur of
the mountains and the marvelous greens of their verdure reflected in the
narrow lakes, made the water seem a dark emerald green as clear and
transparent as a perfect jewel.
Occasionally, faint shadows of birds flying overhead, or deer leaping on
the rocks on the banks were reflected in the water as the canoeists
silently paddled along, and such entrancing pictures seen in the placid
lake thrilled the scouts with delight.
Here and there, where a stream rushed down into the lake, the scouts
could look up through the wide rifts cleft between the forest-trees, and
the eye could follow up where falls tumbled over boulders; or to the
higher view, where the blue sky showed a tiny streak between the pines.
Once a flight of wild ducks suddenly rose from the lake, quacking
noisily. The boys called to Yhon to shoot, but he held up a warning hand
to show that this was no season for duck-hunting.
In nearing the upper end of Seventh Lake where the inlet empties into
it, Yhon called out, "Nudder carry--mile to Eight Lake."
But before they reached land, the Captain called for a halt. She wanted
to take a snapshot of the picture made by the inlet, seemingly in such a
hurry to reach the lake, yet making no noise nor showing any froth in
its haste. The Lake seemed to draw its shores close together to hug the
Inlet, just as a mother draws her babe to her bosom in love. In small
coves on either side of the Inlet were patches of green marsh grass and
cattails, the home of the wild ducks which rose to escape the coming of
the canoeists.
As the faint odorous whiff of marshgrass reached the nostrils of the
scouts, they wanted to paddle in and cut cattails, but Yhon said there
was no time then. "Plenty time on home trip."
Through Eighth Lake to Brown's Inlet Carry was a distance of about two
miles, and when they reached shore on Brown's Inlet, Yhon called out,
"Nudder carry--mile-half dis time to Brown Tract Inlet."
The command to carry began to sound tiresome to the scouts, and they
were glad to hear Mr. Gilroy say that this carry would be the last one,
as Brown's Tract Inlet brought them right to Racquette Lake where they
planned to camp for the night.
It was quite late when they reached the lower end of Racquette Lake,
because the progress had been slow and safe. Mr. Gilroy had not
telephoned for accommodations at any hotel, as they planned to camp at
night.
But the wind that came with the setting of the sun also threatened a
storm during the night, and Mr. Gilroy thought it best to find a place
near a large hotel, in case they had to seek shelter. So they paddled to
find a grove quite near one of the larger hotels. The scouts were eager
to land and get their camp ready before darkness handicapped them, so
when within a few yards of land, Hester turned to pull out her blankets.
The sudden motion overturned the canoe, and all three occupants went
headlong into the water. The frightened screams of the three scouts
caused consternation in the others, and many turned around quickly to
see what had happened behind them. Thus, two more canoe-loads were
unexpectedly emptied into the lake.
They were soon out on shore, but drenched and shivering from the cold
water. "Now, isn't that the worst thing that could happen to us, at
night!" sighed Mrs. Vernon.
"We'll have to stop at a hotel, now, and let the scouts get in bed while
their clothing dries," said Mr. Gilroy.
So the wet ones were advised to dance about to keep warm, while Alec and
Mr. Gilroy hurried over to the hotel to engage rooms. But they soon came
back with surprised looks.
"Not a corner to be had, and the manager called up other large places
along the shore only to get the same answer--no room. He said there was
a family boarding-house some distance along, where we might get in. The
woman, a Mrs. Dickens, was a nice landlady and might tuck us in
somewhere. Shall we try it?" said Mr. Gilroy.
"It is so dark now, and we haven't started supper or found a spot to
camp, so I think we had best try Mrs. Dickens," replied the Captain.
In chilly silence the entire party got back into its canoes and skirted
the shore until Mr. Gilroy called out to Yhon, "This must be the spot
where I was told to land. The house is back from the lake, a bit."
The canoeists had no difficulty in locating the boarding-house, but they
were too late for a hot dinner, although the cold supper served was very
good, especially to hungry young people.
"I haven't any rooms left in the main house," explained Mrs. Dickens,
"but I can give you several rooms in the annex. That used to be the
help's cottage, but I had it done over to rent this season."
"'Any port in a storm,' madam, and our 'storm' consists of several
soaking suits that have to be dried," returned Mr. Gilroy.
"The cottage has a small kitchen where you can quickly light a fire in
the stove and dry everything. I think you will be very comfortable
there," said Mrs. Dickens. So arrangements were made for the use of the
cottage for that night.
As they planned to start early in the morning again, the entire party
retired soon after supper. The wet clothing had been hung on lines about
the kitchen, where a servant had built a roaring fire. Although they had
to "double up" in bed, or sleep on the floor, they were too healthily
sleepy to mind such little things, and before ten o'clock every one was
asleep.
CHAPTER TWELVE
FIRST AID
Mrs. Vernon was a very light sleeper, consequently she was aroused a
short time after midnight by cries and calls for help. She sprang from
the bed and ran to a side window that opened towards the kitchen side of
the boarding-house. All she could see was a dull glare that filled the
kitchen windows. But she understood.
Instantly, she ran to Mr. Gilroy's room and knocked loudly while she
cried, "Get up--everybody--the boarding-house, next door, is on fire!"
In a moment Mr. Gilroy jumped up and shouted, "All right--we'll be out
in a jiffy!" Then Mrs. Vernon ran back to pull the girls out of bed and
have them dress as speedily as possible.
The clothing in the kitchen was dry, and soon the girls were dressing
and, at the same time, talking excitedly of the fire.
"I'm sorry Mrs. Dickens has had this misfortune, but as long as it
happens while we are here, we must try to earn a medal," said Mrs.
Vernon, as she breathlessly pulled a middy-blouse over her head.
"What can girls do?" asked Amy, eagerly.
"I don't know yet, but every little thing helps in a time like this.
Just obey orders from Mr. Gilroy or me, and follow the example Julie is
sure to give you," said Mrs. Vernon, glancing at the scout she
mentioned, because Julie might run unnecessary risks for herself, but if
she thought she was responsible for the other girls her zeal would be
tempered wisely.
"What do they give scouts a medal for, Verny?" now asked Judith, as she
twisted her long hair up in a tight coil on her head.
"If occasion arises for a scout to display great heroism, or if she
faces extreme danger in trying to save a life, she can have the bronze
medal--the highest award given. If she does a brave deed with
considerable danger to herself, she wins a silver cross. But no scout is
to run needless risk just to win a medal of any kind."
While the Captain spoke, the scouts finished their hurried dressing and
now followed her out to the lawn in front of the large house.
Here the scene was one of great confusion and panic. Men were hastily
moving articles of furniture and boarders' personal effects out of the
three-storied building. Smoke poured from all the rear windows, and the
roof seemed enveloped in heavy smoke-clouds.
"Isn't there any volunteer fire department?" called Julie, to every one
in general and no one in particular.
"Where is it?" asked Alec of a man standing next to him.
"We got a ring and hammer up yonder, and a hand-engine, but I hain't
hear'n no one strike the signal," said he.
"Come along, show me where it is," ordered Alec, catching hold of the
man's sleeve and pulling him away from the staring crowd.
Once the man had broken away from the mesmeric influence of the
fire-watchers, he ran quickly with Alec to the knoll where a metal hoop
and hammer were kept for the purpose of alarm in case of fire. Almost
before the two reached the spot, Alec caught the hammer and was striking
the metal at regular intervals. The man then offered to remain and send
the volunteer firemen to the place where they were needed, so Alec ran
back to help as best he could.
Meantime, the girl scouts realized there was much to do to help others,
and the Captain ordered every one to use the utmost presence of mind in
doing anything they were called upon to do.
Julie hastily whispered to Joan, "I'm going to run to the cottage and
get that coil of rope we brought from the canoe last night, we may need
it."
"I'll run with you, Julie, for we must tie wet towels over our mouths,
if we have to go inside there," added Joan.
Both girls raced to their room, and when they came out they were
provided with the rope, and the dripping towels were tied across their
nostrils and mouths. As they stood momentarily on the little porch of
the cottage to see where they might render the best service, the uproar
from the upper stories in the rear was awful.
"There may be some people trapped in their rooms up there!" exclaimed
Julie to her companion.
"We can climb up this rose-trellis quite easily, Jule, and get in at the
windows of the second story where the piazza roof gives us a foothold,"
hastily returned Joan.
In another moment both girls were quickly climbing up the strong
trellis, and as soon as they reached the tin roof they ran to the
window. Here they found a young mother sitting on the floor, rocking a
baby back and forth while she cried wildly with hysteria. The child was
held so tightly that it, too, was screaming.
While Julie uncoiled the rope, Joan ran to the washstand and dipped a
towel in the pitcher. But Julie called to her, "Bring the jug of water
here, we've got to break this hysteric spell!"
Joan carried the towel in one hand and the pitcher in the other, so
Julie caught the jug from her, and dashed the water in the woman's face.
The sudden choking and shock broke the spell. Then the towel was hastily
pinned over the lower part of her face and she was hurried to the door.
But the smoke and heat caused the girls to slam the door to again and
run to the window.
"Hey--down there!" yelled Julie, to a group of men on the flower-bed.
"Hold out a blanket while we drop the baby down."
"No--no!" screamed the mother, trying to get away from the grasp of
strong young Joan. "You'll kill it!"
"Give me the child, I'll carry it down the trellis," said Julie, but the
mother would not relax her grip on her baby.
"Where's that rope, Jo?" now asked Julie.
"Over by the window we went in at," cried Joan, having all she could do
to restrain the woman from throwing herself and babe down from the roof.
So in another moment, Julie had the rope tied to a window shutter, and
with the other end in hand was over by the woman.
"Here--stand still, will you, while we fix this and let you down to the
ground!" commanded she, and the woman instantly obeyed.
Then both girls lowered the two slowly over the edge of the roof, down
to where willing hands were raised to catch them. There was a wild
acclaim as mother and child were saved, but the two scouts were not
aware of it, as they were back inside the room again, taking their
precious rope with them. Before they could determine what to do next, a
queer form burst into the room.
"Where's the rope you've been using, girls?" demanded the voice of Alec.
But he was completely covered by his rubber sleeping-bag, in which he
had slit holes for his feet and arms.
Had it been any other time than such a moment, both girls must have
doubled over in merriment at his appearance.
"Here it is, Alec. Where did you come from?" cried both scouts in one
voice.
"Upstairs. I got up on the roof by climbing the water-spout, and in a
dormer-room up there I found an old crippled woman, crying for help, but
with no one to hear her until I climbed in from the scuttle-hole. A
little old-fashioned stairway runs from the third floor down into the
closet in this room. But I can't get her down those narrow stairs, and
the other stairway and halls are a mass of fire. I've got to lower her
from the roof, but I need help."
"We'll help!" eagerly offered both the girls. So, with the coil of rope,
they followed Alec through the smoke-filled room into the large dark
closet, and thus, up the scuttle-hole stairs that had been abandoned for
many years,--perhaps forgotten entirely, until this need.
In the front end of the third story there was not much smoke as yet, so
the three could see their way plainly. And in a small gable-room having
a small window high from the floor moaned an old woman of more than
seventy years. The moment she saw Alec return with two girls to help,
she stopped wailing and tried to be courageous.
"Now we may hurt you some when you are being moved, but you must bear
it, Gran'ma," said Alec, gently. The old lady smiled reassuringly.
"Children, anything is better than being roasted up in this little room.
Don't worry over hurting me but do whatever is necessary," quavered the
sweet old voice.
"Now, girls, I'm going to shinny up the scuttle-hole in the roof and
carry the rope with me. I'll tie it securely to the chimney on the roof
and let down the other end. Fasten this about Grandma's waist and we'll
try to lift her out that way. You two must help by holding her as much
as possible, and by boosting from below."
While Alec climbed up the wall-ladder and got out to the roof, Julie and
Joan made a roll of blankets and placed it about the old lady's form
under the arms. Then they looped the rope over this and secured it also
under her arms.
"All ready, Alec!" called Julie, holding her charge by one arm while
Joan held her by the other.
As Alec hauled, hand over hand on the rope, the two scouts beneath
lifted and then boosted the old lady until she was safely through the
opening in the roof. Then Alec leaned over and called to them:
"If you can manage to run down and get through that room again, escape
by way of the piazza-roof and send the firemen up from the outside with
their ladders. I'll wait on the front roof with Grandma."
So Julie and Joan rushed down the little attic-stairs, back through the
smoke-filled room which was now dreadfully hot from the fire, and out of
the other room window to the piazza roof. Once on the ground, a curious
mob tried to surround them to ask all sorts of foolish questions, but
Julie was equal to two mobs. With muscular arms and fists striking right
and left, she quickly forced a passage and made her way to the spot
where the Fire-Chief was ordering the men about.
"Mr. Chief, run a ladder up to the roof where you see that scout
standing. He's got an old crippled woman to save. Maybe the rope will
reach and maybe it won't, so use your own judgment," called Julie,
pointing up to where Alec could be dimly seen through the smoke.
"Hoist a ladder, boys! See that scout up on the roof with Mrs. Dickens'
mother?" shouted the Chief, anxiously watching the roof.
While every one stood and in breathless suspense watched the firemen run
up a long ladder and assist Alec in saving the poor helpless woman, Mrs.
Dickens came distractedly from the rear of the house and ran about
seeking for her mother. When she learned that it was her mother they
were trying to save, she fainted with fright. But the old lady was
safely brought to the ground, and a great fuss was made over Alec. Then
Mrs. Dickens was revived, and when she found her aged mother beside her
on the grass, she almost fainted again from joy and gratitude.
The house was doomed even before the firemen reached the scene, for it
was constructed, as so many summer boarding-houses are at seashore and
mountain resorts, of thin novelty-siding outside and oil-stained ceiling
boards inside; these act like kindling wood once they are ignited.
The crowd stood, now, and watched the flames lick up everything in
sight, but every one was thankful that no lives were lost. The scouts,
both girls and boys, had worked so faithfully that all the silver and
linen were saved, and the men had removed much of the best furniture in
the ground-floor rooms.
The sun, that morning, rose on a scene of confusion and pathos. Guests
who had been able to save most of their effects were assisting less
fortunate ones to dress in all kinds of apparel. Neighbors from nearby
cottages were caring for the homeless boarders, until order could be
brought out of the chaotic condition.
But the cottages were few, and the guests many, so some one must suggest
a plan to meet the immediate needs. It was Mr. Gilroy who thought of a
way.
"We all sympathize with Mrs. Dickens in her distress, but it might have
been worse, friends,--we all realize that,--and so we feel grateful that
no lives were lost. But here it is breakfast-time, and there are many
hungry mouths to fill, and I would suggest that you accept a scout
breakfast with us as soon as it is ready."
Every one responded to such a hearty invitation, and Mr. Gilroy added,
"Then we'll show you how to prepare a good meal with no stove or
kitchen, and with but few pots or pans."
The boys were sent out on the lake to get the fish; the girls were told
to knead the dough for scout-twists, and place them at the fire Mr.
Gilroy was building. To interest the weary boarders, Mr. Gilroy had
started his campfire with rubbing-sticks and had arranged the
bread-sticks upon which the dough was twined, to the best advantage for
all to watch while the twists baked.
Most of the dishes had been saved from the fire, and these were now used
for breakfast. Several large tablecloths had been spread out upon the
smooth grass, and plates set around on the squares of linen.
The fish had been cleaned by Yhon when caught, and now the boys returned
with a nice mess--enough for every one that morning. Mrs. Dickens kept
all her extra stock of food in the little loft of the cottage, and as
this annex was spared any damage by the fire, there was a supply of
cereals, flour, bacon, and other necessities for meals. With the thrift
of a good housekeeper, Mrs. Dickens had laid in a stock of purchases
when the Army Supply had been sold off at auction in the city. So Mrs.
Vernon found gallon cans of stewed prunes and other food-products on
hand.
In spite of all trouble and perplexities that morning, breakfast was a
cheerful meal. Prunes for fruit; hominy and other prepared cereals for a
second course; then fresh fish, fried in corn-meal jackets and browned
in bacon-fat, furnished a delicious third course with the hot
scout-bread. And all this was topped off with fragrant coffee.
Naturally, the conversation was about one thing--the fire and the
courage shown by the three scouts. The equally helpful work done by Mrs.
Vernon and the other scouts in caring for those who were rescued,
received but small notice. But they never as much as thought of it--with
Julie and Joan in a fair way to win a medal that would lift the entire
Troop to recognition at Headquarters in New York.