"It's pretty sharp," said Jack, handing the axe to her carefully.

Ruth picked it up, and lifted it boldly to her shoulder. Keeping her
eye on a certain spot in the log at which Mr. Remington directed her to
aim, she swung the axe too quickly. Her effort was good, but her grasp
not sufficiently tight; the tool slipped from her hand and fell swiftly
to the ground, missing her foot by only an inch or two.

"Ruth! Do be careful!" shrieked Doris. "Oh, I know we'll kill
ourselves!"

"No, you won't," said Mr. Remington, reassuringly. "Now, rest a minute,
and then try again."

This time, although she wielded the axe awkwardly, she managed to hit
her mark.

All that afternoon the Girl Scouts resolutely stuck to their task, until
their hands became sore and blistered, and their shoulders ached from
the exercise. Finally, Mr. Remington called to them to stop,
complimenting them upon their perseverance.

"But you will need a great deal more practice before you attempt to
build the shack and the fireplace," he concluded.

"I thought we would go out the next two Saturdays and practice what you
have taught us," said Miss Phillips; "and in the meantime, I will give
the rest of the Pioneer test. Then, the last Saturday in April, I will
bring all of the girls that have successfully passed the other
requirements, to try out in this."

"Very good," replied Mr. Remington. "The plan suits me. Let me know how
many girls you expect to have, and I'll bring the same number of boys,
and we'll make a picnic of it."

"And you girls all work hard!" said Jack, "for we want a big crowd. The
more the merrier!"

And, indeed, the Girl Scouts meant to work hard, for the passing of the
Pioneer test carried with it such a wonderful reward. Even the new
girls, who had all successfully passed their second-class tests by that
time, threw themselves wholeheartedly into the effort. The days flew
swiftly by; all too soon, it seemed to the girls who did not consider
themselves sufficiently prepared, the time for the announcement of those
eligible for the final test arrived. Of the twenty-four girls in the
troop, there were a number who had no expectation of being included
among the list, for one reason or another. Among this group were several
of the seniors, who expected to work during the summer, and, therefore,
did not try to pass the test; and several of the newer girls had found
the effort beyond them.

Miss Phillips felt, however, that she h