The city was just beginning to stir itself as the big car rolled through the main streets and out into the suburbs beyond.

Soon the city limits were pa.s.sed, and the great country highway, so enticing to Baltimore automobilists, lay before them.

Straight toward the west Gerald drove the car, the miles being reeled off at a good rate of speed--all, in fact, that Aunt Betty would allow.

"I'm no speed maniac," she told Gerald, in response to his query as to whether she cared to ride as fast as a railroad train. "I'm well satisfied at the present pace. I feel that it is as fast as we can go in perfect safety, and I have no desire to endanger the lives of the young ladies under my charge. This is not a limited, anyway, but just a slow train through Maryland."

"I'll bear that in mind," the boy returned, smiling.

Some miles further on the country grew rolling and hilly. Patches of dense timber were penetrated, and finally the machine shot out onto a broad plain which stretched away for many leagues toward the west.

The sun was well up now, but the party had hardly felt its warmth.

The big automobile, moving along at a fair rate of speed, created enough breeze to keep the occupants at a comfortable temperature.

Dorothy and Molly, thoroughly awake now, and in no way missing the sleep they had lost, kept up an incessant chatter, Aurora and Aunt Betty occasionally chiming in.

"I've never thought to ask, but what sort of sleeping quarters are we to have at the camp?" asked Molly.

"Goodness me! I hadn't thought of that," said Aunt Betty. "Gerald, did you provide sleeping quarters for the lady guests?"

"Yes, ma'am; there are several portable tent tops packed in the rear compartment."

"Tent tops! Indeed, it seems to me we'll need some tent _sides_, too, if we are to sleep with any peace of mind."

This caused a general laugh.

"I've provided for that, too," said Gerald. "Don't worry. It was impossible to carry poles and stakes, however, so Jim and I will show our woodcraft by cutting them in the mountains where we camp."

"I imagine we'll think of several things we've forgotten before we've been long at our destination," said Aurora.

Dorothy uttered a startled exclamation.

"My goodness! How you startled me," said Aunt Betty. "What's wrong?"

"I've forgotten something already."

"Now our troubles begin." Mrs. Calvert heaved a long sigh of resignation. "Well, what is it?"

"My curling irons."

"Pouff! I might have known you were starting a joke. You'll be lucky to have a comb and brush, young lady, let alone curling irons, and as for a mirror, I'm blessed if I believe we thought to bring one."

"I have one," smiled Aurora. "It will do for all. We can take turns each morning combing our hair."

"A fine idea," said Jim. "Every morning, I'll delegate myself as a sort of camp marshal to see that each of you has a turn at the mirror. So when you hear me call, 'Hey, Molly; you're next!' you want to bestir yourself."

Ephraim, who had been silent most of the time since the car left the city, now burst into a loud guffaw.

"Lordy, but I didn't imagine dis was gwine tuh be sich er ceremonious occasion. I done lef' mah curlin' irons tuh home, but maybe yo'-all will take pity on er pooh colored gem'man en allow him tuh comb his curly locks in front ob yo' solitary gla.s.s."

"Of course, we will, Ephy," said Aurora--"especially after all that fine language. You shall have your turn--I'll see to that."

It was eight o'clock when Gerald stopped the car in front of a small village inn. The community was just bestirring itself, and the inhabitants gazed long and curiously at the party.

Addressing a middle-aged man who sat on the front steps of the hostelry, smoking a pipe, Gerald said:

"How about breakfast for seven?"

"Reckon we can accommodate you," was the reply, in a low drawl--"that is, if you ain't too particular what you eat."

"Needn't worry about that. We're hungry--that's all. Some fresh milk and eggs, some crisp slices of fried bacon, a cup of coffee, and a few things of a similar nature will be more than sufficient."

"You've just hit off my bill o' fare to a T," the man responded, grinning. "Come in and make yourselves at home, while I go tell Martha there's some extry mouths to feed."

The members of the little camping party needed no urging, for the early morning ride had given them large appet.i.tes, which they were anxious to satiate.

Soon the Ajax was standing silent in front of the building, while its occupants were grouped in the little parlor of the hotel, waiting the welcome call to breakfast.

"There's a picture of George Washington," said Jim, as his glance roamed about the room. "Wonder if there's a village hotel in any part of the original thirteen states, which hasn't a picture of our immortal ancestor?"

"Probably not," smiled Gerald. "Thomas Jefferson seems also to be a favorite. See, there he is, peeking at you from behind the what-not."

"And there's Robert E. Lee, bless his heart," cried Dorothy, to whom the southern hero's name was the occasion for no little amount of reverence--thoughts that had been instilled in her mind by Aunt Betty, loyal southerner that she was.

The hotel proprietor appeared on the scene a few moments later with the cheery remark:

"You all can come into the dinin'-room now."

He led the way through the hall and into a small, though comfortable, room, where the landlady had already begun to serve the breakfast.

Their appet.i.tes sharpened by the ride, everyone did ample justice to the things which were put before them. Even Aunt Betty, usually a light eater, consumed three eggs, two gla.s.ses of milk and a plate of fried bacon, topping them off with a cup of strong coffee.

"Whatever has come over you?" cried Dorothy in delight. "I never knew you to eat so much for breakfast, auntie, dear."

"I just wanted it," was Aunt Betty's response, "and, wanting it, I see no reason why I should not have it. I have no intention of denying myself what sustenance I require."

"Then never talk to me again about being an invalid!" cried the girl.

"When I came back to Bellvieu I was led to believe that you were fast failing in health. But, as yet, I have seen no indication that you are not as hale and hearty as the best of us."

"I feel some better--that I will freely admit."

"And at the end of our camping trip you are going to feel better still. Who knows? You may take on ten or twelve pounds in weight."

This from Jim.

"Well, let us hope not. I am carrying now all the flesh I am able to put up with."

Breakfast over at last, the party lost no time in re-embarking, and soon the big Ajax, given a new lease on life by reason of a sharp turn of the crank in front, was again speeding on its way.

The car proved itself an excellent traveler. The roads were rough in many places, yet not once during the day did any trouble arise either from mechanism or tires.