The girls found to their dismay that the water was much colder than they had expected. Doris and Alice jumped in and out again in a flash, but the others decided to brave it a little longer, and get warmed up by the exercise of swimming. All five of the Academy boys, the Hiltons, and the Melvilles were among the party; but Kirk Smith and the Judson girls were absent. “I thought you said Kirk Smith liked swimming,” remarked Marjorie to Bob Hilton, after she began to feel a little more comfortable. “Why isn’t he in?” “Oh, he goes in every day, but never with the crowd. He prefers his own company.” “Well, I’m sure nobody’s grieving,” replied the girl. “Come, let’s start a game, Bob. We’ve got to do something to keep warm.” But none of the girls wanted to stay long, and in a few minutes they were all on their way back to their cabins. “That’s my first out-door bath this summer,” announced Doris, “and my last!” She shivered, and drew her poncho about her shoulders. “I don’t want to be as cold as that again!” “Oh, you’ll go in again!” laughed Bob. “We always force the girls to go in once in a while. If they refuse, we carry ’em in!” “Oh, but you surely wouldn’t be so cruel to me!” pleaded Doris, in a tone so serious that Bob burst out laughing. “And often when you’re riding, the horse has to go through pretty deep water,” he added, in the effort to tease her still further. “Of course you can tuck your feet up under you, but still you have to get wet!” “I see there is no help for me!” sighed the girl. “By the way,” asked Marjorie, “what time do we start this afternoon?” “Right after dinner!” replied the young man. The cars were ready at two o’clock, and the whole party got in. Marjorie was surprised to see that Kirk was going; she thought he would not care to accompany the crowd, since he was so exclusive. To her amazement, she saw him making for the car in which she and Lily and Daisy were already seated, with Bob Hilton at the wheel. But not caring for his society, she hastily called to Alice to come occupy the vacant seat. The long ride was interesting, if it was dangerous. The cars wound around narrow roads, up steep, rocky inclines, and beside precipices which made the girls giddy to contemplate. No one talked much, for the drivers were completely absorbed in their tasks, and the rest of the party were too much thrilled with the scenery to think of ordinary conversation. It was six o’clock when they finally drove into Crider, and saw everywhere the big posters announcing the Stampede. “This is quite a large place, isn’t it?” observed Marjorie, surprised at the number of houses in the streets through which they passed. “And those stores look rather prosperous,” added Alice. “Perhaps we can come over here before we go home and buy some presents for our families.”