Both girls ducked instinctively, but the decayed pine that was
broken off above ground fell over the edge of the cliff just in front
of them and obstructed the way so that progress was impossible.
Eleanor quaked and cried, "Oh, let's go back, Polly!"
But Polly laughed. "Glory be, our fire-wood came to us halfway."
At her cheerful words, Eleanor braced up again.
Polly jumped from Noddy's back and started to hew at the soft decayed
wood. It was easy to chop and would furnish a flaring fire, even though
it would burn rapidly and need constant replenishing.
"Nolla, this is the second miracle to-day! Had we hunted the mountain
over, no better wood could have been found for just our need. Yonder on
that other pine, when this is out of our way, awaits our bedding."
"What funny bedding!"
"Just you wait and see."
When enough wood was chopped to clear a way on the ledge, Polly showed
Eleanor how to make bundles of it. These were tied by means of the rope
to Noddy's harness and carefully dragged back to the cave. Several
trips had to be made before both burros had brought the firewood to the
growing pile in the cave.
When Polly spoke of cutting balsam for beds, Anne offered to help, as
she was so cold.
"And leave me here alone?" cried Barbara.
"Why don't you come with us?" asked Eleanor.
"I'm dead! I can't do another thing!"
"Then stay here and cheer the burros," said Eleanor.
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