Blue Bonnet's Ranch Party

by Lillian Elizabeth Roy

  CHAPTER XI

  CAMPING BY THE BIG SPRING

  "OH, Blue Bonnet, do hurry!" cried Debby as Blue Bonnet galloped intocamp. "It's the most wonderful place,--we can't wait for you to seeit."

  Blue Bonnet slipped from the saddle and flung the reins to Miguel.

  "Show me everything!" she cried; and then not waiting to be shown,went from one tent to another in her usual whirlwind fashion.

  "Our sleeping-tent," said Kitty; they were all trooping after thelate-comer, chattering busily and explaining the most obviousarrangements. "That one's for you and the Senora; this one is thedining-room--see the table and benches Alec and Knight made! Thekitchen is under that awning. Isn't that the darlingest stove?"

  "And the little creek right handy!"

  By the time she had completed her survey, Blue Bonnet was moreenthusiastic than any one else. How she loved camping out!

  The spot the boys had chosen for them was a beautiful one. Under twogiant live-oaks whose branches interlaced overhead in a leafy canopy,the sleeping-tents were pitched, between them stretching an awningthat formed both a dining-room and a lounging-place by day. The sitehad been used as a camping-ground before and still retained manyconveniences installed by former campers; the underbrush had all beencut away, and the ground packed hard and level. For the kitchen, acanvas stretched between the camp-wagon and a convenient sycamoreserved as sufficient protection from sun and arboreal insects. Thelittle sheet-iron stove, set up on a flat boulder, boasted an elbow inits pipe that could be adjusted to suit the direction of the wind.

  A thread of a creek, tumbling down the hillside, ran not ten yardsfrom the wagon, and at one point a tiny wooden trough had beeninserted, giving the effect of a spout where kettles could be quicklyfilled. Alec and Knight had labored diligently to have all attractiveas well as convenient, and really deserved great praise for thecompleteness of all details.

  "Everything is perfect!" Blue Bonnet declared. "But we must have thebuckboard seats in the--er--living-room. Uncle Cliff sent all three sothat we could use them as easy chairs,--especially for Grandmo--why,where is she?"

  "Here, dear," Mrs. Clyde came up with a tin dipper in her hand. "I'vebeen having a drink,--such a drink, Blue Bonnet!" She held out thedripping cup and Blue Bonnet drank from it thirstily.

  As she finished she met the Senora's eyes over the brim. "Oh,Grandmother, I ought to have done that--for you!" She shook her head."I wonder if I'll ever think in time?"

  Mrs. Clyde smiled and pushed the hair back from the girl's hot brow."Where is Carita?"

  "She rode on to tell her mother we had arrived. She'll be over later."Blue Bonnet glanced around the group. Every one looked warm, dusty,tired. And there was supper to get and beds to make! "What shall we dofirst, Grandmother?" Her manner was not exactly eager.

  "First, we must all wash and brush up, for we are invited out todinner!" Mrs. Clyde departed to suit the action to the words.

  "Invited out--?" Blue Bonnet gazed at the girls incredulously.

  "The boys of Camp Judson, represented by Knight, have invited us overthere--"

  "And we didn't waste any time in accepting!"

  "Wasn't it thoughtful of them?" Blue Bonnet beamed on every one. "Nowaren't you glad we brought the pinoche?"

  "Let's go and dress," Debby urged.

  "Dress?" echoed Blue Bonnet. "What are you going to wear--your pinkpanne velvet or your yellow chiffon?"

  "Why, Blue Bonnet," said Sarah, "you know we haven't any clothes withus but these!"

  Blue Bonnet groaned. "Then why is that worldly-minded Debby talkingabout dressing for dinner?"

  "I meant wash and comb our hair," Debby protested.

  "Where's the wash-basin, Blue Bonnet? I saw you with it when we werepacking," said Sarah.

  Blue Bonnet clapped a hand to her brow. "I think I put it in with thefrying-pan."

  "Are you sure it isn't in the bread-box?" Kitty asked.

  "I wouldn't be sure it isn't." Blue Bonnet began a hasty search in thecamp-wagon. Box after box was rummaged through, utensil after utensilpicked up hopefully, only to disappoint when brought to the surface.

  "There's no help for it," declared Debby, "we'll have to go and washin the creek."

  "Why, there may be campers below," said Sarah in a shocked tone, "andthey wouldn't like to--"

  "You needn't draw a diagram, Sarah," interrupted Blue Bonnet. "A wordto the wise, you know. I'll polish off with cold cream." And shevanished.

  Sarah, armed with towel and soap emerged from her tent a few minuteslater and made her way through the willows to the creek. Blue Bonnetspying her called tauntingly: "Campers below!"

  "I'm only going to wet one corner," Sarah went on calmly.

  "Which corner--northeast or southwest?"

  "Of the towel, of course." Then a minute later she called, "Girls,come quick!"

  There was an immediate stampede to the creek.

  "What is it--lions?" asked Amanda.

  Sarah pointed without speaking. There, bending over an old tree-stump,admirably fashioned for a wash-stand, was the Senora calmly washingherself--in the basin.

  "I found it here all ready for us," she explained. "And see--here's anail on this little tree ready for a mirror, and branches just made tohang towels on."

  "Alec and Knight haven't left a thing for me to see to," remarked BlueBonnet. "I'm going to stop worrying."

  "Oh, you were worrying, were you?" asked Kitty. "We'll know thesymptoms next time."

  The washing-up that ensued was very animated, if not thorough. Takingturns at the basin the girls, wincing under the cold water, "polishedoff" the top layer of dust; brushed ruffled locks and retied ribbons;dabbed talcum on noses and straightened creased middies. They werejust putting on the finishing touches when the sound of cow-bells,rung lustily and long, came from the direction of the other Camp.

  "That must be the dinner-bell," said Blue Bonnet. "I hope they won'texpect us to have dainty appetites just because we're girls!"

  A moment later Alec and Knight appeared to escort them in state.Midway they were met by Mr. and Mrs. Judson,--the latter with twosmall boys tugging at her skirts, and a third not far in the rear; astate of things that was later found to be invariably the casewhenever Mrs. Judson ventured forth.

  Blue Bonnet decided that she was going to like the whole Judsonfamily. She liked the Reverend Mr. Judson with his delicate face andkind, nearsighted eyes. She liked him particularly because he lookedso unministerial in his soft shirt and blue overalls. She liked Mrs.Judson, with her sweet, tired face looking out from a cavernoussun-bonnet. Mrs. Clyde's discerning eye read in the patient worn facea history of privation and self-denial; and surmised that theenthusiasm of the missionary was paid for most dearly by thisuncomplaining partner.

  It was to the tiniest toddler that Blue Bonnet was drawn most of all;she adored babies, and this chubby two-year-old was irresistible. Sheheld out her arms to little Joe, but, to her surprise, he held offshyly. He scanned the row of ingratiating faces slowly, and not untilhis eyes rested on the kindly round countenance of Sarah did he showany response.

  "Pitty lady!" he cried, holding out his arms and making a charge ather.

  Sarah's face flushed pink with surprise and pleasure; and then with arush she gathered Joe in a close hug. She had not realized until thenhow she had missed the little clinging arms at home.

  "He spurns you, Blue Bonnet!" gasped Kitty.

  "I reckon he can tell who has had experience with babies," Blue Bonnetremarked. The glance she gave Sarah was almost envious. "Well, pittylady," she said at length, "you might leave a few kisses for somebodyelse!"

  But Joe was chary and clung tightly to the lady of his choice; whilethe other girls secretly marvelled at any one's preferring Sarah toBlue Bonnet.

  Carita made up for her brother's lack of appreciation; running to meetthe girls, she drew Blue Bonnet's arm through her own and gave it anaffectionate squeeze every few minutes.

  "I hope the other girls won
't mind if I monopolize you a little bit,"she whispered; "they've had you so long and I'm to have such a shorttime."

  This sort of incense no one could have been proof against; and BlueBonnet was presently glowing.

  "Welcome to Camp Judson!" said Knight proudly, as they neared a secondgrove of trees.

  "Oh, how lovely!" Every one came to a standstill while they took inthe pretty scene.

  A model camp was Camp Judson. On a high flat knoll to the right was along row of tiny white tents placed with military precision at regularspaces from each other, and each surrounded by a narrow trench. Amongthe trees gleamed other tents, and occasionally a gay quilt hung toair. Under one huge oak was the dining-room with a red-white-and-blueawning for a roof. Here were two long tables made of smooth boardslaid on barrels, with rude benches running their entire length. Theywere guiltless of cloth and spread with tin dishes, for simplicity wasa law as well as a necessity in this Camp. But a rustic basket ofgraceful ferns adorned one table, and the sun, hanging low in the sky,threw a pattern of quivering light and shade on the bare boards.

  The girls had rather dreaded having to meet a dozen boys all at once.But they found the ordeal not half so bad as they had expected. Theyoungest boys were already gathered about the smaller table awaitingthe signal to be seated; while the second table was reserved for theJudsons and their guests. Standing beside it were three tall ladswearing towels pinned about them for aprons.

  "Smith, Brown and Jones--the three props of the world!" explainedKnight, with a wave of his hand; and the girls acknowledged theintroduction without knowing which was which. "Keep your eye on thewaiters, ladies and gentlemen," Knight continued, "and report allincivilities to the management. There's a fine for every cup of cocoathey spill down anybody's neck, and another for every spider theydon't see first!"

  Everybody stood beside the benches for a moment while Dr. Judson saida simple grace. Blue Bonnet noticed that even the smallest boy therebent his head at once, without even so much as a nudge from hisneighbor. There was a second of absolute quiet after the pleasantvoice finished the short invocation; then a shoving of benches, arattle of dishes; and the meal progressed amid peals of laughter andan incessant clucking as of chickens at feeding-time.

  "Talk about chattering girls!" Blue Bonnet challenged Alec with anamused glance. She found herself seated between him and Knight, anarrangement that suited all three admirably; while Carita smiled ather across the narrow table. Some of the older boys were beside Kitty,Debby and Amanda, and all three girls seemed to be well entertained.Sarah, with a small Judson on either side of her, was occupied chieflyin alternately kissing and feeding the youthful pair. Steaming_frijoles_ in a huge earthen bowl; bass from the Spring, fried withslices of bacon; baked potatoes, cocoa and doughnuts formed the menu,which the hearty appetites of all transformed into a banquet; and noone felt compelled to refuse a second or third helping from motives ofpoliteness.

  "Where's the Spring?" Blue Bonnet asked suddenly. "The only creekI've seen is about as wide as my hand."

  "Just a short walk from camp," Knight replied. "I'm saving that toshow you in the morning."

  There fell a moment of silence.

  "Did I hear you sigh?" Alec was looking at Blue Bonnet inastonishment. She had never looked happier or prettier in her life;sun and wind had painted a rose-blush on her cheeks; the blue eyeswere positively luminous. Yet he had distinctly heard her sigh.

  She nodded. "I had to. I'm just too full for utterance--no, no!--I'lltake another doughnut! I didn't mean that literally. But I'm full ofcontent,--I'd like to purr."

  Alec laughed. "It's the best fun I've ever had. I believe I must bepart Indian, and this is the only time I've ever been able to obey'the call of the wild.' It makes me sorry for all the misguided folkthat spend all their lives in houses."

  "Look at Grandmother," Blue Bonnet whispered. "Who would ever havethought that a Colonial Dame would look so natural eating beans with atin spoon? I wish Uncle Cliff could have come, he's a born camper."

  "Why didn't Mr. Terry come to dinner?" Knight asked.

  "Uncle Joe!" Blue Bonnet's spoon dropped with a clatter. She hadn'teven thought of Uncle Joe! "Mrs. Judson," she stammered, "will youplease excuse me? I'll be right back." Hardly waiting for Mrs.Judson's surprised "Certainly," she sprang lightly over the bench andvanished through the trees.

  The We are Sevens, used to Blue Bonnet's methods, went onunconcernedly with their dessert; but the Judsons looked mildlyamazed.

  Blue Bonnet found Uncle Joe smoking contentedly before a cosy gypsyfire on which a coffee-pot was steaming. She burst upon himbreathlessly.

  "Uncle Joe--I forgot,--you're invited out to dinner!"

  He smiled at her over his pipe. "I ain't got a dinner-coat, Honey."

  "But, Uncle Joe--it was horrid of me I know--"

  "No uncomplimentary remarks, please," he interrupted; then seeing thatshe was really distressed he went on seriously: "Don't you worry aboutUncle Joe, Blue Bonnet. He's used to looking out for Number One. I hadto help Miguel hobble the horses, and that's a job that won't wait forany man. Now I've got tortillas and bacon and coffee, and I'm thatcomfortable I wouldn't stir for a whole company of Texas Rangers!"

  As she reluctantly departed Uncle Joe looked after the slim figurewith quiet delight. "Same old Blue Bonnet. Boston folks can't get anyhigh-toned notions into that little head!"

  As Blue Bonnet slipped back into her place, she found an animateddiscussion in progress.

  "We're trying to decide on a name for our camp," Debby explained.

  "We've run through Ashe, Clyde, Trent and the rest, but they'retoo--exclusive," said Kitty. "We want one that will includeeverybody."

  "Why not 'Camp We are Seven?'" asked Knight.

  "Too clumsy," declared Blue Bonnet.

  "Use initials then," urged Knight.

  "Camp W. A. S.--sounds rather like a has-been," remarked thebright-faced boy beside Kitty.

  Blue Bonnet flashed him an appreciative smile. "That would never dofor a crowd as--ahem--up-to-date as we try to be!"

  "Let's have something beautiful," said Kitty.

  "And romantic," added Debby.

  "If you want something typical of this country," Dr. Judson spoke up,"--there's an expressive phrase often used hereabouts. Those of youwho know the habits of the 'greasers' don't need to be told why theircountry is called the 'land of _poco tiempo_.' It means literally'little time'--but with the Mexicans it usually means 'after a while'or even 'by and by.' 'Always put off till to-morrow what should bedone to-day' is their version of our old motto."

  "That just suits me!" cried Blue Bonnet.

  "I love Spanish names," exclaimed Kitty.

  _Poco Tiempo_ the camp was straightway christened; and, as they laterproved, its inmates had no difficulty in living up to the name.