show which one we're to take."

"That's funny," said Bessie, puzzled. "I thought we went to Little Bear
in a perfectly straight line. Miss Eleanor didn't say anything about
changing direction."

"Well, there's the sign, Bessie. If we keep straight on it says that
we'll come to Loon Pond. We turn off to the right here to get to Little
Bear."

"Well, I guess the sign must be right. But it certainly seems funny. I
hope there isn't any mistake."

"Mistake! How can there be? Don't be silly, Bessie. There wouldn't be
any chance of that. Come on."

So they turned off, and, as they followed the new trail, the trees began
to grow thinner, presently. The whole character of the woods seemed to
change, too. They passed numerous places where picnic parties had
evidently eaten their meals, and had left blackened spots, and the
remnants of their feasts.

"It seems to me some of the people who've been here have been very
careless, Dolly," said Bessie, "Look, there's a place where a fire
started. It didn't get very far, but it burnt over quite a little bit of
ground before it was put out."

The trail began to dip sharply, too, and before long they were walking
in what was almost open country. Stumps of trees were all about, and
evidently wood-cutters had been at work.