She paid so much attention to the ax that she scarcely looked where the blow might fall, consequently the blade came down almost on a vertical line with the tree-trunk. It glanced off and sank into the soft soil beside the tree, with Ruth holding fast to the handle. So unexpected was this aim and the downward continuation of the ax until it sank into the ground, that Ruth was fairly pulled over and fell upon her face in the vines and bushes.

"You mean old thing! You can stick there as long as you like--I'll never put a finger on you again!" cried the ax-scout, as she got up and felt of the scratches on her face.

"What's the matter, Ruth?" called Mrs. Vernon, seeing the girl slowly returning to camp without the ax.

"That tool is too heavy for me to use. Have you a hatchet or something else to cut with?"

"The ax is the only thing that ought to be used on a small tree; the saw is for thicker trunks, but you can't manage it, either, if you can't handle the ax."

"Well, what else is there I can do instead of chopping down forests?"

asked Ruth, trying to cover her shortcomings with a laugh.

"Did you bring back the ax? It's a very good one, you know."

"I thought perhaps one of the other girls would want to change work soon, so I left it by the tree."

"If one of the others should feel like quitting the work they were given to complete first, then they can take the ax from its place in the tool-chest. Better bring it to me now, Ruth."

As no other alternative was open, she went back to the tree and kicked viciously at the ax. But the blade was still securely embedded in the ground and that made the handle as resistant as an upright post. So all Ruth got for her kick was a suddenly turned toe that felt lame for days afterwards.

"Oh, o-oh! _how_ I hate camping! I'm going home and tell every one I know what a horrid thing this Girl Scout business is! All hard work and--everything! No fun, no rest--just lame backs and broken bones!" Ruth fairly screamed to herself as she sat down and removed the sneaker from the foot that had tried to crack the ax-handle of hickory.

The Captain heard the crying and hurried over to inquire into the cause of it. Ruth was weeping by this time, so sorry did she feel for herself, and her ill-treatment.

"What ever has happened, Ruth, in this perfectly safe spot?"

"O-ooh! I must have stubbed my toe! Oooo-h, I'm afraid it's broken!"

wailed the girl.

Mrs. Vernon saw the ax with its head deep in the ground but she did not dream how Ruth had "stubbed" her toe. She sat down and wiggled the injured member tenderly, then said:

"Oh, no, it's not broken, only hurt by the collision. It will be all right in a little while," the Captain replied cheerfully.

But Ruth did not want cheerfulness--she wanted to be told she had to remain as quiet as possible and have others wait on her.

"Pick up the ax and I'll help you walk over--you can lean upon my arm if you think your toe will feel easier," suggested Mrs. Vernon.

"I don't believe I can walk," breathed Ruth, fearfully.

"Oh, yes, you can. The foot is all right, it is only the toe that feels lame for a short time--just as it would have done at home if you ran into a piece of furniture."

Reaching camp again, Ruth was about to drop the ax on the gra.s.s, when the Captain said: "The tool-chest is over on the buckboard, Ruth."

The girl clinched her teeth in anger, but the ax was taken to its right place and left in the box whence she had taken it.

One after another of the girls looked up and felt surprised to find Ruth sitting on a box holding her foot. Then Julie called out:

"Good gracious! Ruth done chopping that tree so soon?"

"No, she and the ax had an argument," laughed Mrs. Vernon.

Ruth glanced at the Captain out of the corners of her eyes, and wondered: "Did she see me kick that old thing?"

"Oh! Well, then, come over and get busy here again," said Joan, beckoning to Ruth.

"That won't make your toe hurt, Ruth. You can remain in one spot and weed," added Mrs. Vernon.

Not having any other excuse at the moment, Ruth limped to the hut and slowly began the old work, but she rebelled inwardly.

After an hour's hard work the clearing was done, and the girls threw themselves down to rest. The Captain was ready for this recess.

"I made a jugful of lemonade, girls, and it is as cold as if we had ice water in it. Just taste!"

"Oh, glory! Just what I was wishing for," sighed Julie.

The others quickly agreed with that exclamation, and tested the drink.

The mingled sounds of approval made the Captain smile. After a short rest, Joan said:

"What next? I'm ready to start work again."

"Dear me! Haven't we done enough for this afternoon? I want to enjoy a _little_ bit of the time here," complained Ruth.

"I'm having a fine time! I like this sort of thing," said Joan.

"You can do exactly as you like, girls; if you want to do any more work on the hut, well and good; if you prefer to rest or do anything else, there is no one to stop you. But it is plain to be seen that the hut cannot be repaired completely this afternoon, eh?" said Mrs. Vernon, with a smile.

"I should say not! If we finish it by to-morrow night we will be clever workers," replied Julie.

"I'm going back to work on it, anyway," came from Betty.

"You always were the easy mark for every one," Ruth said scornfully, tossing her head.

Betty flushed, but Julie defended her. "She isn't an easy mark at all!

But she may be too sympathetic for hard-hearted or lazy folks who always play on her generosity!"

"I don't believe the scout handbook says that members of the scout organization must criticize or say unpleasant things to others,"

commented Mrs. Vernon.

That silenced every one, and soon all four girls were at work again, removing the dead wood of the flooring. When this was done, Mrs. Vernon examined it carefully.

"It isn't as bad as I thought it would be. The tangle of briars and brush, and the decayed outer layer of the beams, made it look as if it all must be removed."

Once they became interested in repairing the floor as it should be done, the girls wanted to continue and complete it, but the wise Captain called a halt, and said:

"Twilight will soon creep up to compel us to stop work; before that comes we want to have everything ready for the night."

So when darkness fell the camp was ready and waiting for it. A fine fire reflected light fitfully about its radius, and lanterns were lighted for use in case the campers wished to go about. Hepsy had been fed and bedded for the night, and the tent was in readiness for its tenants.