Voice from the Cave

  CHAPTER 4 _NO CAMPING ALLOWED_

  Breakfast the next morning was a trying ordeal for Penny. Over the coffeecups Mr. Parker apologized to Mrs. Deline for what he termed hisdaughter's "inexcusable behavior."

  The widow responded graciously, quite in contrast to her attitude of theprevious night. Without saying much, she conveyed the impression thatPenny had been completely in the wrong, and was in fact, a spoiled childwho must be humored.

  The journey on to Sunset Beach was equally unpleasant. Mr. Parker andMrs. Deline seemed so absorbed in animated conversation, that theyscarcely spoke or noticed Penny. Wedged between the luggage and thecamping equipment, she indulged in self pity.

  "At least we'll get rid of Mrs. Deline when we reach Sunset Beach," shecheered herself.

  Presently the car rounded a wide curve in the road, and Penny caught herfirst glimpse of the seashore. Big waves were rolling in, washing anendless stretch of white sand.

  "Oh, isn't it beautiful!" she exclaimed, brightening. "I wish we werecamping right on the beach instead of in the State Forest."

  "I fear the authorities wouldn't permit that," Mr. Parker laughed. "Bythe way, Penny, is your heart really set on this camping trip?"

  Penny gave him a quick look. "Yes, it is, Dad," she said briefly. "Why doyou ask?"

  "Well, I was thinking that we'd be a lot more comfortable at one of thebig hotels. We'd be right on the beach and--"

  "Oh, I was just talking when I said I'd like to camp on the beach," Pennycut in. "I'd like the State Forest much better."

  "Then we'll go there just as we planned," Mr. Parker said, sighing. "Butyou know I never was cut out for a rough and tumble life, Penny. I'm farfrom sure I'll make a good camper."

  The car rolled on along the ocean road, presently entering the littlevillage of Sunset Beach. Normally a tourist center, the town now waspractically deserted, and the Parkers had chosen it because it was withineasy driving distance of Riverview. Nearly all of the fine hotels alongthe water front were closed. However, the Crystal Inn remained inoperation, and it was there that Mrs. Deline had engaged a suite.

  The car swung into the driveway and halted in front of the hotel. Anattendant did not come immediately so Mr. Parker himself unloaded thewidow's luggage. Mrs. Deline gave him a dazzling smile as she bade himgoodbye.

  "Oh, we'll not say goodbye just yet," Mr. Parker corrected. "Penny and Iwill camp only a short distance away. We'll run down to the beach often."

  "Do," urged Mrs. Deline. "I have no friends here and I'll be happy to seeyou."

  Mr. Parker carried the widow's luggage into the hotel. While he wasabsent, Penny moved up to the front seat. She tuned in a radio program,listening to it with growing impatience. Finally her father sauntered outof the hotel.

  "I nearly gave you up," Penny remarked pointedly.

  Mr. Parker slid behind the steering wheel and started the car. When theywere driving along the ocean front road he said quietly:

  "Penny, I can't imagine what has come over you lately. You're not in theleast like the little girl who was my pal and companion. Why have youbeen so unkind to Mrs. Deline?"

  "I just don't like her," Penny said flatly. "Furthermore, I distrusther."

  "You've acted very stupid and silly."

  "I'm sorry if you're ashamed of me," Penny replied glaring at her ownreflection in the car mirror. "At any rate, I saved the car for you."

  "That accusation was ridiculous, Penny. Mrs. Deline is a wealthy womanwho could buy herself a dozen cars in ordinary times. She merely gave into a sudden whim."

  "Just what do you know about Mrs. Deline, Dad?"

  "Not a great deal," Mr. Parker admitted. "I met her at the club. Sheserved as a special War correspondent in China, I believe. She hastraveled all over the world and speaks a half dozen languages."

  "I never heard of her until she came to Riverview," Penny said with asniff. "Nor did I ever see any of her writing in print. If you ask me,she's a phony."

  "Let's not discuss the subject further," Mr. Parker replied, losingpatience. "When you're older, I hope you'll learn to be more gracious andcharitable."

  Penny subsided into hurt silence. In all her life she could recall only afew occasions when her father had spoken so sternly to her. Close totears, she studied the tumbling surface of the ocean with concentratedinterest.

  In silence the Parkers drove through the village, stopping at a fillingstation to inquire the way to Rhett State Forest. Supplies were purchasedat one of the stores, and by that time it was noon. At Mr. Parker'ssuggestion they stopped at a roadside inn for lunch. After that theydrove on a half mile beyond the outskirts of Sunset Beach, past a talllighthouse to the end of the pavement.

  "We follow a dirt road for a quarter of a mile to Bradley Knoll," Mr.Parker said, consulting directions he had jotted down on an envelope.

  "A mud road, you mean," Penny corrected, peering ahead at the narrow,twisting highway. "It really rained here last night."

  The car had no chains. Not without misgiving, Mr. Parker drove off thepavement onto the slippery road. The car wallowed about and at timesskidded dangerously.

  "Once we reach the State park we'll have gravel roads," Penny said,studying a map.

  "_If_ we get there," Mr. Parker corrected.

  Barely had he spoken than the car went out of control. It took a longskid, turned crosswise in the road, and then the rear wheels slipped intoa deep ditch. Opening the car door, Penny saw that the car was boggeddown to the hub caps.

  Mr. Parker tried without success to pull out of the ditch. Alighting, heinspected the rear wheels which had spun deeper and deeper into the mud.

  "Not a chance to get out of here without help," he said crossly. "I'llhave to find someone to give us a hand."

  Farther down the road stood a weatherbeaten farmhouse. Penny offered togo there to summon help, but her father insisted upon doing it himself.He presently returned with a farmer and a small tractor. Afterconsiderable difficulty the car was pulled out of the ditch.

  "How much do I owe you?" Mr. Parker asked the man.

  "Ten dollars."

  The amount seemed far too high for the service rendered, but Mr. Parkerpaid it without comment. His shoes were caked with mud, and so were thetrouser legs of his suit. Only by an effort of will did he keep histemper under control.

  "Figurin' on camping in the Rhett Forest?" the farmer asked Mr. Parker.

  "That's right. Is it much farther?"

  "Only a little piece down the road. You'll strike gravel at the nextcorner. You can make it if you're careful. I don't calculate you'll havemuch fun camping in the Park though."

  "Why not?" asked Penny.

  "We've had a lot o' rain lately. The mosquitoes are bitin' somethingfierce. And the ground's mighty damp."

  "We have a floor to our tent," Penny said optimistically. "I thinkcamping will be fun. I've always wanted to try it."

  The farmer started the tractor. "Then don't let me discourage you," heshrugged. "So long."

  Mr. Parker rejoined Penny in the car. "Why not call this whole thingoff?" he suggested. "We could go to the hotel and--"

  "No, Dad! You promised me!"

  "All right, Penny, if that's the way you feel, but I know we're askingfor punishment."

  By careful driving the Parkers reached the gravel road without mishap. Atthe entrance to the Rhett Park area they were stopped by a pleasant,middle-aged forest ranger who took down the license number of the car.

  "Be careful about your camp fire," he instructed. "Only last week severalacres of timber were destroyed at Alton. We're not certain whether it wasstarted by a camper or was a case of sabotage. In any case, one can't betoo careful."

  "We will be," promised Mr. Parker.

  "Camp only in the designated sites," the ranger added. "I'll be aroundlater on to see how you're getting along."

  Once beyond the gateway arch, Penny's sagging spirits began
to revive.The road curled lazily between dense masses of timber fringed by artisticold-fashioned rail fences. Numerous signs pointed to trails that invitedexploration.

  "Oh, Dad, it's really nice here!" she cried. "We'll have a wonderfultime!"

  Presently the car came to an open space with picnic tables. There was apicturesque spot beside a rocky brook which looked just right for a campsite.

  "Let's pitch our tent here!" pleaded Penny. "You set it up while I cooksupper."

  Mr. Parker unloaded the car and went to work with a will hammering themetal stakes of the umbrella tent. Penny busied herself sorting pots andpans and trying to get the gasoline stove started. Despite her bestefforts she could not induce it to burn.

  In the meantime, Mr. Parker was having his own set of troubles. Three ofthe tent stakes were missing. Twice he put up the umbrella framework,only to have the entire structure collapse upon his head.

  "Penny, come here and help me!" he called. "I've had about enough ofthis!"

  Penny ran to her father's rescue, pulling the canvas from his head andshoulders. By working together they finally got the tent set up. Anotherhalf hour was required to put up the cots and make them.

  "Well, that job is done," Mr. Parker sighed, collapsing on one of thebeds. "Such a life!"

  "Dad, I hate to bother you," Penny apologized, "but I can't start thestove. Do you mind looking at it?"

  Grumbling a bit, Mr. Parker went to tinker with the stove. Three-quartersof an hour slipped away before he succeeded in coaxing a bright flame.

  "All this work has given me a big appetite for supper," he announced."What are we having, Penny?"

  "Steaks."

  "Sounds fine."

  "I forgot the salt though," Penny confessed, slapping the meat into afrying pan.

  The burner was too hot. While Penny had her back turned and was opening acan of beans, the steaks began to scorch. Mr. Parker tried to rescuethem. In his haste he seized the hot skillet handle and burned his hands.

  "Oh, Dad, I'm so sorry!" Penny sympathized. "I guess the steaks arepractically ruined too."

  "Anything else to eat?" the publisher asked, nursing his blistered hand.

  "Beans."

  "Beans!" Mr. Parker repeated with bitter emphasis. "Oh, well--dish themup."

  Penny was serving the food on tin plates when a car drove up and stopped.A ranger climbed out and walked over to the tent.

  "What's the idea, camping here?" he demanded. "Can't you read signs?"

  "We didn't see any sign," said Penny.

  The ranger pointed to one in plain sight tacked on the trunk of a tree.It read:

  "Restricted Area. No Camping Permitted."

  "You can't stay here," the ranger added. "You'll have to move on."

  Penny and her father gazed at each other in despair. After all the workthey had done, it didn't seem as though they could break camp.

  "Any objections if we stay here until morning?" Mr. Parker requested."We've had a pretty hard time of it getting established."

  The ranger looked sympathetic but unmoved.

  "Sorry," he said curtly. "Regulations are regulations. You may finishyour supper if you like, then you must move on. The regular camp site isa quarter of a mile farther up the road."