oss the river at Poughkeepsie and
drive along the west shore as far as possible. Then we can pitch camp
at any good place we find," replied the Captain.

They had not gone much farther before Ruth called: "It looks as if the
rear tire on Verny's car was flat!"

The Captain slowed up, and every one tried to see the tire. "That's what
it is, all right, Captain!" ejaculated Jim, impatiently.

"Dear me! That means another delay!" sighed several girls.

The car had to be jacked up and Jim went to work to mend the puncture in
the tube, then pumped and pumped until the tire was properly inflated
once more.

As the tourists climbed into their respective seats in the automobiles,
Joan said: "Well, Captain, this wasn't such a bad day after all--in
spite of being a Friday."

"I'm thankful for it, too," sighed Betty, fervently.

The cars made good time after that and passed over the ferry at
Poughkeepsie, to travel northward on the road that ran along the west
shore. They pitched camp in some woods and soon had a fire started to
heat the canned soup they had brought. When all else was ready, the
Captain banged upon a tin pan to call the scouts to dine.

"Um! That tomato soup smells good!" exclaimed Joan, sniffing audibly,
as she saw the contents of the pan that stood over the fire.

"Will you serve it, Jo--you are nearest the pan?" said Mrs. Vernon,
passing the basket that held the tin cups.

"Here! Everybody hold up a mug to fill, while I come around with the
pan!" ordered Joan, taking hold of the pan-handle that had been over the
fire a long time.

"Oo-oouch!" cried the girl, whipping her hand up and down as she danced
wildly about.

"You didn't spill the soup, I hope!" exclaimed Anne, with deep concern.

"What difference would that make--a little cheap soup? But my hand--oh,
it's got a trail blazed clean across the palm!" wailed Joan, showing her
red-skinned hand to sympathizing friends.

"Poor old scout! We have to learn all kinds of blazing, I suppose,"
murmured Julie.

"And the soup _is_ all safe--Jo never dropped the pan!" declared Anne,
with gratification in her tones.

"Here, Miss Jo," said Jim, who had gone for a bottle kept in the kit.
"Pour this olive oil all over the hand and the smart will soon stop."

He hurried to give the bottle to Joan but his toe caught in a bramble
and tripped him. The bottle flew from his hand and struck the root where
Joan sat. The glass shattered and the oil ran out the g