What a mess , and what are we to do with it all ? '' cried the girls , much amused at the result of the expedition . `` Can any of you make a hoe cake ? '' demanded Mark . `` No , indeed ! I can make caramels and cocoanut-cakes , '' said Ruth , proudly . `` I can make good toast and tea , '' added Alice . `` I ca n't cook anything , '' confessed Gwen , who was unusually accomplished in French , German , and music . `` Girls are n't worth much in the hour of need . Take hold , Tony , you are the chap for me . '' And Mark disrespectfully turned his back on the young ladies , who could only sit and watch the lads work . `` He ca n't do it without water , '' whispered Ruth . `` Or salt , '' answered Alice . `` Or a pan to bake it in , '' added Gwen ; and then all smiled at the dilemma they foresaw . But Tony was equal to the occasion , and calmly went on with his task , while Mark arranged the fire and Bob opened the pickles . First the new cook filled the pail with snow till enough was melted to wet the meal ; this mixture was stirred with a pine stick till thick enough , then spread on the board and set up before the bed of coals to brown . `` It never will bake in the world . '' `` He ca n't turn it , so it wo n't be done on both sides . '' `` Wo n't be fit to eat any way ! '' And with these dark hints the girls consoled themselves for their want of skill .
But the XXXXX did bake a nice brown , Tony did turn it neatly with his jack-knife and the stick , and when it was done cut it into bits , added jelly , and passed it round on an old atlas ; and every one said , -- `` It really does taste good ! ''
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