After breakfast began the hard climb
up the mountain, but the Meadow-Brook Girls approached it joyously. It
was worth while because they were accomplishing something. Packs were
made ready immediately after breakfast. Fairly staggering under their
burdens, the party set out up a very fair pack trail, a short cut to
the Shelter, part way up the side of Mount Chocorua.
The Shelter was reached about the middle of the forenoon. The girls
dropped their burdens and threw themselves down, breathing hard, with
flushed faces and bright eyes. Even Margery seemed to be taking a real
interest in life, though she had complained a little of the bump on her
head, which was even more tender than it had been the previous night
after she had been hit by the tent pole.
"No time to waste. You young ladies get the luncheon ready while I am
fixing the packs," called the guide. "We must reach the Sokoki Leap
before night, or we shan't have a good place to sleep. I am going to
leave a good part of the equipment here. We will pick it up on our way
down to-morrow afternoon."
The girls dragged themselves to their feet and began preparing the
light luncheon that they had decided upon.
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