Page:Ruth Fielding at Silver Ranch.djvu/104

94 Fox. "It's no fun scrambling over these rocks. Ouch! Now I've torn my stocking."

"Aw, come on!" said Jane Ann. "You're a regular wet blanket, you are."

"There's no sense in working so hard for nothing," snapped The Fox.

"What did you start out for, Mary?" demanded Madge. "You might have remained at the camp with Heavy."

"And she had sense."

"It's too bad you haven't a little, then," observed Jane Ann, rudely.

Ruth and Helen, who really enjoyed the climb, looked down from the heights and beckoned their comrades on.

"Hurry up, Slow Pokes!" cried Ruth. "We shall certainly beat you to the top."

"And much good may that do you!" grumbled Mary Cox. "What a silly thing to do, anyway."

"I do wish you'd go back, if you want to, Mary," declared Madge, wearily.

"She's as cross as two sticks," ejaculated Jane Ann.

"Well, why shouldn't I be cross?' demanded The Fox, quite ready to quarrel. "This place is as dull as ditch-water. I wish I hadn't come West at all. I'm sure, I've had no fun."

"Well, you've made enough trouble, if you