Early the next morning they were in their canoes again, ready to start off. This time Miss Phillips kept her map in view so that there could be no chance of a mistake; and she designated Frances Wright and Ethel Todd--the two oldest girls in the troop--to take the lead.
For the next few days they progressed steadily onward. Always on the water by nine o’clock, and pausing only an hour for lunch, they continued until four; then with the aid of the map, Miss Phillips watched for the best camping place.
All had gone well thus far; and by Saturday morning they were practically on schedule time.
“Have you ever been over this stream before, Captain?” asked Marjorie, as the canoes set off from the shore together.
“Well, then how did you know all about making the map, and the best sites for our camps, and----?”
The captain smiled. “Mr. Remington, the scoutmaster, took it once, and recommended it to me. It was he who made the maps for us.”
“It certainly is lovely,” observed Marjorie. “I couldn’t ask for a more beautiful trip.”
“And don’t forget what awaits at the other end,” put in Ruth, with a tone of joyous anticipation.
“Except for the water meet!” sighed Doris. “Do you know, Captain Phillips, the idea of our racing and doing all those stunts sort of scares me--before all those strange people, I mean. Do we all have to take part?”
“Oh, I wish you all would, though of course I wouldn’t absolutely insist,” replied Miss Phillips. “But really, nobody in Pansy troop need be afraid. Already I consider you really expert canoeists!”
“Thanks, Captain!” exclaimed Ethel Todd, well pleased at the compliment.
“But of course nobody stands a chance with Marj!” said Ruth, rather sulkily. “Because she has had so much experience.”
“Experience isn’t everything,” said Miss Phillips. “It’s deftness--a certain knack, which I can’t explain.”
The canoes were forced to go in single file now, for the stream had become very narrow. Miss Phillips and Frieda took the lead, the former watching cautiously for rapids; for it was somewhere near here, she thought, that a portage would be necessary. Ruth and Lily in the _Water-Witch_ were the last in the trail.
“I honestly don’t think it’s fair about Marj!” repeated the former, in discontent.