she's suited, and I am, too."

Jean hastily gathered together a few cooking utensils, and a few
minutes later the four set forth, carrying the provisions and wearing
proudly in their bonnets the sprig of pine, the insignia of the Clan.
The sky was downcast and the woods seemed dark and gloomy as they
made their way toward the waterfall.

"What'll we do if it rains?" cried Sandy. "It's no such fine
thing just sitting still in a cave."

"I've a plan in my head," said the Chief. "Wait and see."

As they reached the fall, Alan sent Sandy and Jock to gather
wood, while Jean guarded the basket at the foot of the rock and
he himself darted up the secret stairway with the rope. From the
top he let down the rope and Jean fastened it through the handles
of the basket. Alan then drew it up, emptied the contents, and
sent back the basket for the wood which Sandy and Jock had by
that time collected.

They all worked as swiftly as possible, for the woods were
growing darker and darker every minute and they could now hear
the roll of thunder above the noise of the waterfall. They had
gathered and sent up six basketfuls, when the rain came splashing
down in earnest, and the Clan scrambled up the secret stair and
into the cave for shelter. Alan had piled the wood in the cave as
fast as he had pulled it up, and there was now a fine pile of dry
fuel.

"Sandy, you build the fire," commanded the Chief, seating himself
on the wood-pile.

"The rain will put it out," said Sandy.

"Make it in the cave," said Alan.

"Then the smoke will put us out," cried Jean.

"Try it and see," said Alan. "We can't have lunch without a fire,
for I've brought mealy puddings."

"Mealy puddings!" cried Sandy, licking his lips, and he went to
work with a will. Fortunately the wind blew from the east, so
they were not absolutely choked by the smoke, and soon the fire
was burning briskly; making a spot of flaming color against the
dark background of the cave. Jock ran to the fall and filled the
pan with water, and soon the mealy puddings were bobbing merrily
about in the boiling water, while the boys, snug and safe in the
shelter of the cave, watched the boughs of the pine trees swaying
in the wind and waited for Jean to tell them that dinner was
ready. She could cook but one thing at a time over the fire, but
it was not long before the feast was spread, and they fell to
with appetites that caused the food to disappear like dew before
the morning su