"How interesting! Then that means this trail was made twenty years
ago!" said Barbara.
"Maybe twenty times twenty years ago, for all we know. Nobody really
knows how old this trail is, for it was used by the Indians as far back
as the oldest trappers and hunters know and have heard tell from their
fathers and grandfathers!" replied Polly, swinging into the saddle and
telling Noddy to proceed.
The little burro obediently went into the seemingly impassable thicket,
the other horses following. After they had traveled for ten or fifteen
yards, the undergrowth thinned until they were going on pine-needle-
covered ground as soft as moss. The silent forest with its sentinel
pines, spreading a canopy overhead, seemed like another world from the
bright glare of the one left behind that morning.
The trees were so tall and majestic, with great fragrant green tops
that scarcely allowed a sunbeam to penetrate to the pale green twilight
underneath, that a solemn peace pervaded the minds of the young
adventurers. The singing of birds, or the crackling of dry twigs, as
wild creatures sprang over them, were the only sounds heard.
No shrubs or vegetation obstructed this impressive place, so the girls
rode on in silence, until the trail ascended again. Near the confines
of this forest, Polly suddenly reined in Noddy and held out a warning
hand. Right across their pathway sped a young deer. It paused by the
side of a sheltering pine-trunk, with head erect and fore-foot poised
gracefully, gazing steadily at the strange creatures who dared intrude
upon those sacred precincts!
It as suddenly vanished again, and the girls breathed deeply.
Pages:
131
132
133
134
135
136
137
138
139
140
141
142
143
144
145
146
147
148
149
150
151
152
153
154
155