ad reason to be proud of the
number of candidates who had qualified thus far. She read the list at
the Scout meeting on the Friday evening preceeding the final hike and
picnic with the Boy Scouts.

"I wish that we might include everybody," she said; "but I realize that
would be impossible. However, I congratulate the following girls:

"Edith Evans, Helen Stewart, Frances Wright, Ethel Todd, Marian Guard,
Ada Mearns, Lily Andrews, Ruth Henry, Doris Sands, Marjorie Wilkinson,
Anna Cane, Evelyn Hopkins, Florence Evans, Alice Endicott, Mildred
Cavin.

"Of course," added Miss Phillips, "this does not mean that you will all
fifteen pass the Pioneer test. Indeed, the worst is yet to come. But the
final decision rests with Mr. Remington."

The following day was mild and warm, and the girls were all in the
highest spirits. Arriving at the cabin, fifteen Boy Scouts greeted them
noisily, asking them provoking questions about the shack they intended
to build, vainly endeavoring to catch them. But the girls were well
prepared, and more or less confident of success.

"I never saw such progress," commented Mr. Remington, as he set the
girls to work. "Why, with a hundred years' practice, they might turn out
to be as good as my boys!"

"Mr. Remington," said Ruth, as she paused for a moment after putting a
stick in position, "won't you please remove these troublesome insects?
They retard my progress!"

"Insects!" repeated the Scoutmaster; "do you mean ants?"

"No," laughed Ruth; "big insects! Boys!"

"All right! Suppose you boys all go and collect stones for the
fireplace, so that the girls can set to work at that as soon as they
finish their lean-tos!"

"And won't we get a minute to rest?" asked Ada, lazily. She was
beginning to be tired already.

"Rest!" exclaimed Mr. Remington; "you surely didn't come here for that!
But you can take it easy at supper, for the boys are going to prepare
the whole meal for you."

It was almost dark when the weary Girl Scouts gathered about the
fireplace where the supper was to be eaten. Never did a meal taste so
good, for the girls thought they had never been so tired or so hungry
before. They talked little, but they were quite content. The lean-tos
and the fireplace were all finished; they were now enjoying not only the
satisfaction of achievement, but the anticipation of their great reward:
the summer's canoe trip. No wonder they were happy!

"Can't you tell us who passed?" begged Ruth