Janus took up the other end after Miss Elting had carefully
helped Hazel upon the litter, which tilted dangerously.
"Be careful not to drop me," begged Hazel. "It's a shame I'm so
helpless that I have to be carried, though Mr. Grubb says it isn't far
to the camping spot."
"Pick your way carefully, bearers," urged Miss Elting.
"Wait! Let me get ahead of you," begged Tommy, scrambling forward. "I
don't like the lookth of that thing." Miss Elting and Jane followed
behind the litter, with which Harriet and Janus made good progress,
though Hazel had to do some clever balancing in order to keep the
affair right side up.
For nearly half an hour the two bearers bore their burden without
halting. It proved easier work than Harriet had expected, and perhaps
that fact gave her too great assurance. The way was growing steeper
and narrower, with sharp fragments of rock on the trail, and below
them, alongside, the tops of dwarfed mountain trees.
All at once Harriet stubbed her toe, plunging forward and tilting the
litter so that it turned turtle, like a cranky hammock. With a little
scream of alarm Hazel Holland pitched out headfirst and took a
graceful, curving dive into the top of a tree just below them.
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