7 THE NIGHT HIKE

CHAPTER 7 THE NIGHT HIKE The hot, sweaty campers spent the afternoon resting in their hot, sweaty bunks. Finally, the sun set. "It feels hotter now than it was at noon," said Alexander. "If I sweat any more, I'll have to change my socks," said Leo. Rip shook his fist at the moon. "Come on, nature!" he shouted. "Cool off already!"

KNOCK-KNOCK! Ranger Harry stuck his nose in the cabin. "Move it, woodchucks! It's time for our hike under the stars!" Alexander, Rip, and Leo joined the girls outside. They all followed Ranger Harry up a trail surrounded by pine trees. They made their way up the mountain toward a small, calm lake. "Nikki," whispered Alexander. "Rip and I didn't hear any clinking sounds this afternoon. Did you?" "Nope," said Nikki. "Quiet as—Oh!" she pointed to a rack of canoes. "There's my canoe!" "Okay, otters," said Ranger Harry. "Here we are! Beautiful Lake Gloamy."

The lake was like a mirror. It reflected the moon, the trees, and the sweaty faces of six campers, ready to jump in. "So," said Anna. "Can we go swimming?" "You bet," said Ranger Harry. "Swimming is on tomorrow's schedule!" He blinked a few times. "Well, pluck my beard! We should have worn our swimsuits. We could have gone swimming tonight!" The campers' shoulders slumped.

Ranger Harry fanned himself with his hat. "Um, how about this?" he said. "Why don't we test our mapmaker?" Alexander's eyebrows shot up. "Huh?!" "We'll race back to camp—boys against girls," said Ranger Harry. "Girls, you take the trail we just hiked. And Alexander, use your map to find a shortcut. I'll meet you all at the cabins." "Super-lame!" said Nikki. "Why does it have to be boys versus girls?" "Camp Rule #114: Listen to your ranger. He's smart as a moose!" said Ranger Harry. "Ready... set scamper!" "He's clearly making these rules up as he goes," mumbled Nikki. She jogged after the other girls. "Last one there is a rotten pinecone!" shouted Rip.

Ranger Harry saluted the boys, and then headed down another trail. "Ohmygosh," said Leo. "We're alone! At night! In the middle of the woods!" "We're not alone," said Alexander. "We've got each other. Nothing will CLINK! "Uh-oh," said Leo, his voice shaking. "There's that weird noise again," whispered Rip. CLINK! "It sounds like marbles in a jar," said Alexander. CLINK! "And it's getting closer!" said Leo.