Miss Elting's word was law with her
charges. Harriet and Jane submitted without further protest, but this
did not lessen their concern over the continued absence of the guide.
Of course, there was no more sleep in the camp that night. The party
sat down, always keeping out of the firelight, Harriet and Jane doing
guard duty, walking about the camp some little distance back. Harriet
had the rifle. The possession of this gave them a feeling of greater
security than otherwise would have been the case. She kept the rifle
in her hands during all the rest of the night.
Dawn found the girls pale after their long vigil following the exciting
incidents of the evening. But daylight served to bring back their
failing courage. Harriet put down the rifle at the first suggestion of
morning light. Jane gathered fresh fuel for the fire and a roaring
blaze warmed them up, for the morning on the mountain was very chill.
"Come, girls, get breakfast," directed Miss Elting. "We must eat.
Afterward we shall consider what is to be done. The situation demands
careful thought, then action. We cannot go far without our guide.
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