ally know it
to be an east wind," explained the Captain. "If I didn't know which
direction is north, I couldn't tell an east wind from a west wind. But I
can tell you how to determine which quarter the wind is from when it is
not blowing strong enough to feel it against you. There are several
simple ways: one is to watch the way smoke travels; another is to note
the movement of the treetops. But sometimes you have neither smoke nor
trees at hand; then the best method is to put your forefinger in your
mouth and moisten it, and hold it up in the air: the side which feels
coolest is the side the wind is blowing on. I've never known that way to
fail, in my own experience, even when there did not seem to be a breath
of air stirring."

All the girls who heard this description, immediately stuck their
fingers into their mouths and then held them in the air, to try it.

"Mine feels the same temperature all the way around," observed Ruth.

"Oh, that is because there is too much wind to-day," replied Miss
Phillips. "You can really tell better by that method when the wind is
just perceptible, than when it is strong."

They reached the trolley line, upon which they rode for several miles,
and then hiked the remaining distance. It was not yet three o'clock when
they arrived at the cabin.

"Hurray for the Girl Scouts!" shouted a familiar voice, and Dick
Roberts and Marjorie's brother Jack flung open the wooden door. Mr.
Remington, behind them, echoed a more dignified welcome.

"Did you bring the axe?" asked Marjorie.

The Scoutmaster pointed to a leather sheath, fastened to his belt.

"Here's my _Plumb_," he said; "it's the official Boy Scout axe. I always
carry it when we go into the woods."

"But, Captain Phillips," protested Doris, "you surely don't expect us to
wear those things in our belts, do you?"

"Not at teas and on shopping expeditions!" laughed Miss Phillips; and
the girls smiled at the idea of dainty Doris Sands decorated with such a
deadly weapon on her person. A bunch of violets seemed more appropriate
for her adornment.

Mr. Remington asked the girls to pay close attention while he explained
the general rules and precautions in the use of the axe. At intervals
during his talk, he called for demonstrations, first by Jack and then by
Dick, until all the important points had been emphasized.

"And now for volunteers!" he called, when his brief discourse was
finished.

Ruth Henry stepped forward bravely.