Page:Boy scouts in the White Mountains; the story of a long hike (IA boyscoutsinwhite00eato).pdf/213

 "We aren't up to the top yet," said Mr. Rogers. "Somebody must be coming down."

"Hello, yourself!" yelled Peanut, at the top of his lungs.

There was a sharp toot on the bugle, and as the Scouts moved forward up the trail, they presently saw dim figures above them, moving down. A moment later and the parties met. The newcomers were five men, with packs and poles. One of them had a bugle slung from his shoulder.

"Is Miss Alice Brown in your party?" they called as soon as they came in sight.

"Here I am," the girl said. "What is it?"

She had gone white again, and hung on Rob's arm.

"We're looking for you, that's all," said the five men, as the parties met. "Is your companion here?"

"I'm here—we're both here, thanks to these boys and their leader," the man replied. "How did you know we were coming up?"

"How did we know?" said the man with the bugle. "Miss Brown's parents have been spending $7,333,641.45 telephoning to the summit to find out if you had arrived. As soon as we got word that the lower ridges had cleared, we started down to look for you."

"Oh, poor mamma!" cried the girl.