"And we can't be too particular," agreed Mrs. Maguire.

The embers of the camp fire kindled in the night were blown into flame,
and soon a genial blaze was leaping upward under the big trees. The
refugees gathered about it and ate the scanty meal, drinking several cups
of coffee.

"That will keep us up, and help to ward off fevers which may lurk in
these swamps," said Paul.

The girls had freshened themselves by washing at the side of the brook
which flowed from the spring, and then having arranged their hair, with
the aid of their side combs, and a pocket mirror Alice carried, they
looked, as Paul said, "as sweet as magnolia blossoms."

"Oh, magnolias!" cried Ruth. "If we could only find our _Magnolia_--the
steamer!"

"Oh, we'll find her," said Russ, easily--more easily than he felt.

"We look like wrecks beside the girls," declared Paul, as he ran his hand
over his unshaven chin.

"Don't you dare desert us to look for a barber!" commanded Ruth. "To be
left alone in these woods--ugh!" and she shuddered as she looked about.
Certainly it was very lonely.

"It isn't as bad as last night, though," said Alice. "I feel quite at
home, now. I wonder what became of that animal you shot, Russ? I'd like
to see what it was."