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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/17266-8.txt b/17266-8.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6f4e51c --- /dev/null +++ b/17266-8.txt @@ -0,0 +1,8115 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Banner Boy Scouts, by George A. Warren + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: The Banner Boy Scouts + Or, The Struggle for Leadership + +Author: George A. Warren + +Release Date: December 9, 2005 [EBook #17266] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE BANNER BOY SCOUTS *** + + + + +Produced by David Garcia, Mary Meehan and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net + + + + + + + + + + The Banner Boy Scouts + + Or The Struggle for Leadership + + By GEORGE A. WARREN + + + + +THE WORLD SYNDICATE PUBLISHING CO. +CLEVELAND, O. NEW YORK, N.Y. + +Copyright, MCMXII + +by CUPPLES & LEON COMPANY + +_Printed in the United States of America_ + + + + +CONTENTS + + +CHAPTER + + I A Meeting in the Barn + + II What it Means to be a Boy Scout + + III The Disappearing Coins + + IV The First Scout Leader + + V Checking a Coward + + VI A Strange Suggestion + + VII The Trap that Peleg Set + + VIII Turning the Tables + + IX "Well Done, My Boy!" + + X An Unexpected Offer + + XI Caught Napping + + XII The Rival Troops + + XIII "Fire!" + + XIV Jack's Chance + + XV The Honor Brand + + XVI The Fire Test + + XVII Clearing Skies + + XVIII Carlo Does His Turn + + XIX The Warning Over the Wire + + XX Such Glorious Luck + + XXI The Meeting + + XXII Scouting in Earnest + + XXIII The Red Car + + XXIV A Call for Help + + XXV A Camp in the Woods + + XXVI What Woodcraft Told + + XXVII Ted Finds Something + + XXVIII Forced to Tell + + XXIX The Capture + + XXX Found Out at Last + + XXXI Well Done, Stanhope Troop!--Conclusion + + + + +PREFACE + + +My Dear Boys: + +Knowing that ninety-nine lads out of every hundred love outdoor life +above all else, I have taken it upon myself to give you a series of +what I hope will prove to be clean, wide-awake, up-to-date stories, +founded upon a subject that is interesting our whole nation--the Boy +Scouts of America. You know what a hold this movement has taken upon +the rising generation of our broad land. There never was anything like +it before--there never may be again. + +At first many people made the mistake of believing that it was simply a +new military order, and that boys who joined were to be taught the duties +of soldiers, and learned how to fight. They know better now. It is really +the greatest movement for Peace ever started. Not only that, but the lads +who belong to this vast organization are taught how to be manly, self +reliant, brave, courteous, kindly and steadfast. + +When you examine the roster of the officers who have loaned their names +to help along the good cause you will find such honored signatures as +those of President William Howard Taft, ex-President Theodore Roosevelt, +and many others dear to the hearts of our boys. + +This glorious field opens up a very tempting opportunity for a series of +stirring stories concerning the fortunes of _real_ Boy Scouts, who have +gone into the movement heart and soul, with a desire to excel in all they +undertake; and at the same time enjoy themselves hugely. I only hope and +trust that you may be pleased with what you read in this book, about the +doings of the Red Fox Patrol, of Stanhope Troop, and that the story +will do you much good. + +Yours faithfully, + +George A. Warren. + + + + +THE BANNER BOY SCOUTS + + + + +CHAPTER I + +A MEETING IN THE BARN + + +"All here now, Paul!" + +"Call the roll, somebody, won't you?" + +"Keep quiet, fellows, please!" + +"Shall I strike a match, Paul?" + +"Not on your life, Bobolink. That crowd of Ted Slavin's is out, looking +for us. Somebody must have leaked, or else Ted was tipped off. We've got +to be mighty cautious, I tell you, if we want to give them the slip." + +"S-s-say, d-d-don't you k-k-know we've got a fi-fine b-b-barn on our +p-p-place, fellows?" + +"For goodness sake; won't somebody please pound Bluff Shipley on the +back, and make him bite his twisted tongue, so he can talk straight?" +cried a pleading voice. + +"Listen!" + +There must have been a streak of authority in the tone used by Paul +Morrison when he spoke this last word; every one of the other six boys +crouched there, craning his neck, and listening to catch the unusual +sound that had apparently reached the trained ears of their leader. + +The woods surrounded the boys on all sides, gloomy, and full of +mystifying noises. + +Yet Paul knew full well just what every one of the sounds meant. An owl +called mournfully to its mate from a hollow tree. Katydids and merry +crickets added their shrill music to the chorus of that late summer +night. Even a colony of tree frogs solemnly chanted their appeal for +"more rain." + +During the day just ended six fellows in the thriving town of Stanhope +had received urgent telephone calls from Paul, who was an only son of the +leading doctor in the place. + +And each boy had promised to meet him at the Three Oaks by the time the +clock in the church steeple had struck eight. + +It was even now booming out the hour. + +When the last stroke died away, the most impatient among the gathered +boys moved restlessly. + +"Follow me, fellows," said Paul, in a low, thrilling tone. + +"Where are we heading for?" queried one, who had as yet failed to express +his feelings in the matter. + +This was Wallace Carberry, the sober member of the pair known far +and wide as the Carberry Twins; his mate, William, being his exact +counterpart in every particular, when he chose to repress the +good-natured grin that usually marked his fate. + +"To the Shipley barn; single file; and silence is the watchword!" + +Paul Morrison had long enjoyed the confidence of his comrades in most +matters pertaining to outdoor sports. A healthy lad, both in mind and +body, he was never so happy as when studying the secrets of Nature in +wood and meadow; or in playing any of the various strenuous games to +which all boys with red blood in their veins are addicted. + +And when he sent out his mysterious request that some of his most +intimate friends meet him on this night, as he had a communication +of importance to put up to them, the greatest curiosity made itself +manifest. + +Paul never suggested ordinary things. More than once he had engineered +some game that brought honor and glory to the boys of Stanhope; and +remembering these satisfactory "stunts" of old, it was no wonder these +fellows had come to the place of meeting without a single exception. + +With Bluff Shipley close upon the heels of the leader, and Robert Oliver +Link, whose name had long since been corrupted into Bobolink, bringing +up the rear, the seven lads trailed through the woods, following some +path with which they were evidently more or less familiar. + +Several times Paul gave a recognized signal that caused every one of the +bunch to stop short, and turn his head on one side in the endeavor to +discover whether hostile footsteps could be heard in their rear. + +But although there were doubtless many rustling sounds, the boys laid +these to the bright-eyed little denizens of that strip of woodland. Too +often had they watched the chipmunks and red squirrels hunting for nuts +under the already falling leaves, not to know that the forest was peopled +with these harmless animals. + +After five minutes more there loomed up before them the dark outlines of +a huge barn that seemed rather out of place here on the border of the +woods. + +This belonged to the father of Bluff, who, being a prosperous tobacco +grower in this valley, used the place to cure the product of his broad +fields, after it had been harvested in the fall. + +Paul had been carrying some sort of package in his hand, and the boys for +some time amused themselves in guessing its nature. When he took off the +paper it stood revealed as a lantern, ready for lighting. + +"Show us the way inside, Bluff. Then we'll have a little light on the +subject," remarked the leader, with a last anxious searching look around; +as though he still entertained suspicions that their march to the old +barn might have been observed by some of the hostile Slavin crowd. + +Ted Slavin had long been known as the bully of Stanhope; for it seems +that there never yet existed a village or town without some big chap +exercising that privilege. He was a fighter, too, and able to hold his +own against the best. Besides, Ted had shown some of the qualities that +indicate a natural leader; though he held the allegiance of those who +trailed after him mostly through fear, rather than any respect for his +manly qualities. + +His leading crony for the past year had been Ward Kenwood, son of the +wealthy banker who was also a leading real estate owner in the place. +Once upon a time Ward would have scorned the thought of associating with +Slavin and his crowd; but an occasion had arisen whereby he had need of +a strong arm to even up a score, and once he found himself indebted to +Ted he kept on in the bully's company. + +His rivalry in many fields with Paul had much to do with his throwing his +fortunes in with the other fellows. And nothing pleased him more than to +be able to upset any calculations the latter entertained. That explained +why Paul was anxious to avoid a meeting with the Slavin crowd on this +particular night, when he was brimming over with a great idea. + +Once the boys had entered the barn, Bluff secured the door, after which +a match was quickly lighted. + +"Now, here we are, safe and sound, and not an enemy around. Suppose you +open up, Paul, and get this load off our minds," said Albert Cypher, who +seldom heard his own name among his friends, but was known far and wide +as Nuthin'. + +But what else could a lad expect who was so unfortunate as to find +himself afflicted with such a name as A. Cypher? + +"Yes, what's it all mean, Paul? You haven't even taken me in, you know, +and I'm as much in the dark as the next fellow," remarked Jack Stormways, +reproachfully; for being Paul's closest chum he might have expected to +share his confidence. + +"Wait a bit. We might as well make ourselves comfortable while we're +about it. I'll sit down on this box, and the rest of you gather around on +the floor. I've got a big proposition to make, and you want to listen +carefully." + +"T-t-take c-c-care of the lantern, f-f-fellows; my d-d-dad's w-w-wanting +this old barn f-f-for his t-t-tobacco crop, and he'd b-b-be some put out +if it b-b-burned just now!" came from Bluff. + +Finding perches on various low piles of waste left over after the +shipment of the last crop, the six lads gathered around Paul, eagerness +stamped on every beaming face. + +"Now, what's the idea that struck you this time, Paul?" demanded +Bobolink. + +"I'll tell you without any beating around the bush, fellows. The thought +came to me that Stanhope was away behind the times. Other towns not +nearly so big, have one or more troops of Boy Scouts. Why shouldn't we +get up one here?" and Paul waited to hear what the response would be. + +The six who sat in a ring looked at each other as though stunned by the +proposal. It was strange, indeed, that no one had up to this time taken +a lead in advancing such a thing. + +"Bully idea, Paul!" ejaculated Jack, slapping a hand on his knee +enthusiastically, as though it appealed to him most decidedly. + +"Well, I declare, to think that nobody ever mentioned such a grand +movement before. Count me in right from the start!" said Wallace +Carberry--sober Wallace, who usually measured his words as though they +were golden. + +"And me too," observed Bobolink. + +"Ditto for William!" called out the other Carberry Twin, grinning with +delight. + +"G-g-guess I'd make a bully good t-t-tenderfoot!" + +"That's the best thing you ever thought up, old chap," came from Nuthin'. + +"Hurrah! every county heard from, and not one contrary word. It looks +as if there might be something doing right soon around this region," +declared Paul, naturally pleased because his proposition had met with +such unanimous satisfaction. + +"Tell us more about it, please. I've read about the Boy Scouts; but my +mother would take a fit if she thought I was practicing to become a +soldier. You see, I had an older brother, who enlisted to go out with +some of the boys when we had our little fuss about Cuba and the +Philippines; and poor Frank died in camp of typhoid fever. I'll have a +hard time winning her over, and the dad, too," remarked Bobolink, sadly. + +"Well, that's where you make a big mistake, Bobolink. Over in England, +where the Boy Scout movement started, it has some connection with the +army, because there, you see, every fellow expects at some time to serve +his country as a soldier, or on board a naval vessel. But here in +America, the movement is one for peace." + +"Then what's all the doings about?" asked Nuthin', as if puzzled. + +"I know, and Paul is right about it," came from Wallace Carberry, always +quite a reader of newspapers and magazines. + +"Let him tell then. I'm for the game, no matter what it means," cried +Bobolink. + +"And I think Bluff knows something about it, for he said he would do for +the lowest grade of scout, which is the tenderfoot. But I don't think any +of you are qualified to take even that degree; for a tenderfoot must +first be familiar with scout law, sign, salute, and know what his badge +means; he must know about our national flag, and the usual forms of +salute due to it; and be able to tie some seven or eight common knots. +How about that, Bluff?" + +"N-n-not guilty!" promptly answered the one addressed. + +"Say, that sounds interesting any way. Tell us some more about this, +Paul!" exclaimed William, always eager to hear of anything that smacked +of novelty. + +"Well, there are two more degrees a fellow can climb up to, a +second-class scout, and a first-class scout, full fledged. After that, if +he wants to keep right on there are merit badges to be won for excelling +in angling, athletics, camping, cooking at the campfire, taxidermy, first +aid to the injured, handicraft, life saving, path-finding, and a lot +more." + +"Now you've got me stuck on this new game," cried Bobolink, excitedly. +"The more you explain the better I like the idea. Me for the Boy Scouts, +fellows!" + +"Hear! Hear! Paul, the idea is yours, and we vote unanimously that you +occupy the exalted position of scout master--I know that every troop has +to have such a head, and you're better fitted for the job than any fellow +in town!" + +"Yes," laughed Paul, "but unfortunately, I believe a scout master has to +be over twenty-one years of age." + +"Who knows the ways of the open like our Paul? He's the right man in the +right place. Say, are there any books on the subject, that we can get, +and learn more about this thing?" asked Wallace, who seemed to be +particularly well pleased. + +"I've already sent for a manual, and expect it by to-morrow; when we can +find out all about it. But wishing to be posted when I put the question I +went over the river to Aldine to-day, and saw some of the boys there who +belong to the Scouts. They made me more anxious than ever to start a +patrol in our home town." + +"But I've seen something about a troop?" remarked Jack Stormways, who, +Paul thought, seemed unusually sober for a boy ordinarily light-hearted. + +"Yes, a troop takes in say, three local posts called patrols, each of +which has eight members. It is known by a number, as Troop One of Boston; +and each minor organization takes a name of some animal, such as wildcat +or fox. If it is called Fox, every boy belonging to it is supposed to be +able to bark like a fox, so as to be able to signal a comrade while +scouting in the woods." + +"Ginger! but that does sound interesting," declared William. + +"It's j-j-just immense, that's w-w-what!" was Bluff's opinion. + +"Listen! I heard a laugh as sure as anything!" exclaimed Paul, lifting a +hand to indicate silence; and every one of the group assumed an attitude +of expectancy. + +As they waited there suddenly came a tremendous crash, as some object +landed forcibly against the wooden side of the old barn. It was instantly +followed by a second bang, and others came quick and fast, until the +noise might be likened to a bombardment from a hostile battery. + +"It's the Slavin crowd!" called Bobolink, excitedly jumping to his feet. +"They followed us here after all, and have been listening to every word!" + +"All hands to repel boarders!" shouted Paul; and with a cheer the +seven boys rushed over to the door, out of which they sprang, bent +on retaliating on their tormentors. + + + + +CHAPTER II + +WHAT IT MEANS TO BE A BOY SCOUT + + +"Where are the stone throwers?" shouted the merry member of the Carberry +Twins, as he danced up and down, eagerly trying to discover some moving +object in the surrounding darkness. + +"Gone like smoke, I guess," laughed Paul, who had really expected +something of this sort, judging from past experiences with these same +tormentors. + +"Look there, I can see something moving yonder. Get ready to give a +volley!" cried Nuthin', pointing as he spoke. + +"H-h-hold on, f-f-fellows, d-d-don't fire yet! It's only our old d-d-dun +cow!" gasped Bluff, excitedly; as he waved his arms up and down after the +manner of a cheer captain at a college football game. + +"They've lit out, that's what," grumbled William, who felt as though +cheated. + +"All right, then. It's just as well, for a fight would be a mighty poor +way of preparing to join the scout movement. You'll learn what I mean +later on when you hear the twelve points of the law that every fellow +must subscribe to," observed Paul, seriously. + +"What d'ye mean, Paul?" demanded Bobolink, quickly. + +"Yes, tell us right now what the twelve rules are," said William. + +"I know, for I read all about them a few days ago," remarked Wallace, +readily. + +"All right, then, suppose you call them off. What does a scout promise to +be if allowed to wear the uniform, Wallace?" asked the leader. + +"To be trustworthy, loyal, helpful to others, friendly, courteous, kind, +obedient to his superiors, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean and reverent." + +"Why, it doesn't say a single word about fighting!" ejaculated William. + +"Because a scout must never fight save as a last resort, and then only to +save some weak one from punishment. He must be brave to face danger, to +stop a runaway horse; or jump in and keep another from drowning. Do you +get on to the meaning of this movement, fellows?" asked Paul, eagerly. +The more he read about it the greater became his desire to have a hand in +organizing a Stanhope troop that might compete with those of Aldine and +Manchester, two rival towns, both on the opposite side of the Bushkill +River, the former a few miles up-stream, and the latter the same distance +down. + +"We do, and I tell you I like it better and better the more I hear of +it," said Jack, earnestly. "Why, I just had an idea it meant being junior +soldiers, and drilling so as to be ready to invade Canada, or repel the +yellow peril when the little Japs swarmed across the Pacific. Count me +in, Paul." + +"If I can pass the examination I'm going with you, sure," observed +William. + +"All right, but if they take you in just remember that you've got to quit +your playing tricks on everybody, William," declared the other Carberry +Twin. + +"Listen to him, will you? He's feeling hard on me just because dad gave +him a touch of the cane last night, thinking it was me. As if I was to +blame for looking like my brother," the other said, plaintively, though +chuckling at the same time. + +"You know you fixed it so he'd pounce on me. I'm always in hot water +because you must have your fun. 'Taint fair, and I'd have to be an angel +not to kick. Oh! I hope you get to be a scout, because then I'll have +some peace," declared Wallace; but all the others knew very well what a +deep and abiding affection there really lay between the Carberry Twins. + +"Let's go home now. No use staying any longer out here, with Ted Slavin +and his cronies hanging around, ready to bombard us again. Besides, I +guess Paul wants to wait till he gets his book before telling us any more +about the game." + +"Right you are, Nuthin'. I only wanted to see how the land lay, and if +you took to the idea. I'm satisfied already that it's going to make a +hit, if we can get a few more fellows to join in with us," said Paul. + +"I know one good recruit I can drum up--Tom Bates," spoke up Albert. + +"And a good addition to the seven now here. That would make our first +patrol," echoed the leader, quickly. + +"How about inviting some of the Slavin crowd to join us?" asked Bobolink. + +"Well, perhaps we might pick a couple there; but I think you'll have to +be getting up early in the morning to manage it," replied Paul, +meaningly. + +"What's that?" asked William. + +"Just this. Ted Slavin has heard our plans. You know that he never likes +to see anybody else pull down the plums. What will he do right away, +fellows?" + +"Go and see his shadow, Ward Kenwood, and get him to put up the money to +start the ball rolling. My word for it that inside of a week there'll be +two rival Boy Scout troops in little old Stanhope," remarked Jack +Stormways. + +"Say, that would be great, if the other crowd only acted on the square," +ventured William. "We could have all sorts of contests between us. But +I know Ted Slavin too well to believe he'll ever subscribe to the twelve +rules Wallace mentioned. Why, he'd have to be made all over again to do +that." + +"Look here, Paul, if a fellow has to live up to the rules, however could +the members of Ted's company be taken into a troop of Boy Scouts?" asked +Bobolink, who always sought information. + +"I don't believe they ever could. Still, there's no law in the land to +prevent any lot of boys from forming a patrol, and calling themselves +scouts. That's my way of looking at it," was the answer the leader gave. + +The lads were now on their way home, the lantern having been secured, and +extinguished, lest it invite another bombardment on the part of their +tormentors, doubtless still hovering somewhere nearby. + +No further attack came, however, for which some of them were possibly +sorry, particularly William and Bluff, who delighted in strenuous action +at all times. + +On the border of the town the seven separated into three groups, the +twins going off arm in arm, Bluff, Bobolink and A. Cypher forming +another; while Paul and his particular chum made up the third. + +"Well," said Paul, as they headed for the house of his comrade, which +chanced to come before his own, "what do you think of my scheme, Jack?" + +"Immense, that's what. I'm only astonished that nobody else took up with +the idea before. Poor old Stanhope seems to be away behind the times, +Paul." + +"Well, I don't know. We've had lots going on this summer to take up our +time; and then most of us were away during part of the vacation. There +are other towns just as slow to catch on," returned the other, loyal to +the place of his birth. + +"But now that the ball has been started rolling, just watch how fast it +gathers force. I know how you go at these things. And of all the fellows +I ever met, you are the one best fitted to lead in this thing, if I +understand the game right. Why, it's just going to fit in with the things +you've preached and practiced for years." + +"That's why it appealed so strongly to me, after I really understood what +the many duties of a scout were supposed to be. But what's the matter +with you, Jack?" + +"Eh? With me? Oh, nothing much, Paul." + +But the other knew better, for he had noticed a frown come over Jack's +usually smiling countenance more than once that evening, when the other +thought he was not observed; and from this Paul felt positive his chum +was worrying about something. + +"Of course, if you think it best not to take me in on it, I'm the last +one to bother you, old chap," he went on, when Jack interrupted him. + +"It wasn't that, Paul, not in the least. To tell the truth I've been +thinking it over, and just about made up my mind that I must tell some +one, or I'd never sleep easy. And of all my friends you're the one +closest to me. Yes, I'm going to confess that there is something that +puzzles me, and fills me with alarm." + +"Say, is it as bad as that, Jack? But how is it you don't want to go to +your own folks? You've got one of the best dads I ever knew, and your +mother, well, few are in the same class with her." + +"That's just it, Paul. I'd hate to have either of them know anything +about this trouble." + +Paul swung his friend around so that he could see into his face; for they +were just passing a street lamp at the time. + +"Oh! I can look you in the eyes, old fellow. It isn't anything +disgraceful I've been doing, not at all. But you see," and again that +frown darkened Jack's brow as unpleasant things presented themselves +before his mind's eye, "it's a family affair, I'm afraid, and must be +kept quiet." + +"Now you _have_ got me to guessing good and hard. Suppose you tell me +what it's all about. I hope your brother, Karl--" and there Paul stopped, +for by instinct he seemed to feel that he had guessed the truth the first +shot. + +Jack had given a huge sigh that seemed to well up from his heart. + +"Yes, it's about Karl, only I do hope that it will prove a false alarm, +because I just can't believe he'd do such a rotten thing," the other went +on, slowly. + +"But he's only a little fellow after all, Jack?" + +"That's so, but old enough to know better. You shall hear it all, and +then perhaps you'll advise me what to do," went on Paul's chum, with +a vein of relief in his voice, as though he felt better already, after +deciding to share his trouble with another. + +"That's right, and you know that it goes no further, Jack." + +"Karl got into some mischief a week ago, and to punish him father cut off +his allowance of spending money for a whole month. Now, Karl belongs to a +boys' club, and I heard that at their last meeting the other day he paid +up his dues, and seemed to have plenty of money. The question that is +bothering me is, where did he get it?" + +"Oh! is that all? Why, you forget that your brother is a bright chap; and +I imagine you'll find he's been earning it some way or other; or perhaps +his mother gave it to him. But see here, there's more back of this than +you've told me?" declared Paul, suddenly. + +"There is," replied his chum. "Listen now, and for goodness sake I hope +you can cheer me up some, by explaining a mystery that's bothering me. +It's about those old coins Uncle Reuben sent to me two years ago. There +are some twenty-one in the lot. They're copper coins, you know and I +don't suppose worth much. I've always kept them in a little open cedar +box on my table up in the den; you've spoken about them more than once." + +"Sure, I remember all about them; but you don't mean to say--" and there +Paul stopped, almost afraid to voice the thought that flashed before his +mind. + +"Yes, a bunch of them have gone in a mighty queer way. Why this morning +there were just fourteen left; but to tell the truth I was afraid to go +up there at supper time when I came in after our last game of ball on the +lot, to see if any more had disappeared." + +"Say it plainly, Jack. Some one is taking your old coins, sent by your +uncle, and you're just afraid it's Karl, tempted to get some money in +that way. But where could he sell them, do you think?" + +"There's old Doc. Thomes, who keeps stamps and curios for sale. I've seen +some coins in his window often. He would know the value of these, and +perhaps be willing to pay something for them. Oh! it's just awful even to +suspect my brother of being guilty of such a mean thing. I hate myself +for allowing it, and have made up my mind just to hide the rest away, and +never say a word." + +"No, I wouldn't do that, Paul. In the first place it isn't fair to Karl." + +"Fair? What can you mean? I wouldn't ever say a word to him, never!" + +"That's just it, but you would _think_ it always; and if he is innocent, +why you see what a shame that would be. No, you ought to learn the truth, +even though determined to keep your mouth shut afterward. In justice to +Karl, you _must_ know!" + +"I believe you are right, old fellow. And I'm going to be guided by what +you say. Come in with me, won't you?" pleaded Jack. + +"Yes," answered Paul, promptly. "On condition that you take me up to your +den, where we can talk without being disturbed." + +"You have an object in saying that. I believe you want to see for +yourself if any more of my coins have disappeared?" declared the other. + +"I acknowledge the corn, for that is just what I wanted to learn, Jack." + +"I suppose the sooner I take the bull by the horns, the quicker we can +learn the truth; so come on in," and taking his chum by the arm Jack led +the way boldly up to the door of the Stormways' house. + +They managed to pass upstairs to the third floor without attracting any +attention, the family being gathered around a table in the living room, +reading. + +No sooner had the lamp been lighted, after the door was closed, than Paul +stepped over to the table desk which he knew so well. + +Just as Jack had said, there was a little cedar box standing in plain +view, and the coins it held attracted his eye. + +Slowly and deliberately he proceeded to count them, while his chum +awaited the result with abated breath, and his eyes turned in another +direction. + +"Well?" said Jack, hoarsely, when he saw that the other had dropped all +of the coins back, one by one. + +"You said there were fourteen left this morning, didn't you, Jack?" + +"Yes, and now?" + +"I find just eight here, that's all!" came the answer that caused the +wretched brother of young Karl Stormways to shiver and sigh dismally. + + + + +CHAPTER III + +THE DISAPPEARING COINS + + +"Just thirteen gone now," said Jack, as he bent over to look for himself. + +"Of course you know what they were, those that are missing?" suggested +Paul. + +"I have a list of the bunch somewhere; made it out one day just for fun. +Yes, I think I could tell them again; but I never would have the heart to +accuse old Doc. Thomes of buying stolen coins; and the thief--never!" + +"I didn't mean that, Jack; you mistook me. Suppose I had that list, and +rooting over all the little boxes he keeps his coins in for sale, found +every one of the missing ones there?" + +"Yes, and then what?" asked the other, greatly affected, though watching +his chum's face eagerly, as though something seemed to tell him Paul +would find a way out of the difficulty, such was his faith in the other. + +"Why, perhaps you might buy the whole lot back, for almost a song, and +never say a word." + +A hand crept out and squeezed Paul's warmly; and there were tears in the +eyes of Jack Stormways as he made answer. + +"Just like you, old fellow, to cheer me up like that. Here, let me hunt +up the list for you. But promise that you won't whisper one little hint +to a living soul. Oh! Karl, how could you?" + +"Hold on, don't judge him before you know. Believe him innocent until you +find proof otherwise. I guess you'll learn that one of the first things a +scout has to do is to believe in his brothers and friends through thick +and thin, until the proof has become positive, or the guilty one +confesses. And another thing, Jack, in case the worst comes true, it's up +to us to make sure that such a miserable thing never happens again. We +must save the one in error, save him through kindness and sympathy. How +old is Karl?" + +"A little over ten." + +"Too young to join the troop then, for all boys have to be twelve or +over, according to the rules, I was told. But they have younger fellows +in the bunch over at Aldine, I'm sure. One I saw strutting around in a +uniform looked like a kid of eight or nine. Never mind; I believe it'll +all come out right yet. Perhaps some servant may have taken them?" said +Paul, wishing to buoy up his chum's spirits. + +"We only have one, and she's been with us ever since I was born. No use +thinking Maggie would touch a single thing," declared Jack, quickly, with +a shake of his head. + +Paul sauntered about the room for a few minutes. Apparently he was +glancing at the numerous college pennants and other things that were +upon the walls; but in reality he found himself wrestling with the +strange puzzle that was giving his chum so much concern. + +Presently he stood by the window, which was partly open. + +"Who owns the Dempsey house now, Jack?" he asked, indicating the building +next door. + +"Oh! it is still for sale," replied the other. "They don't want to rent +it again, you know, and ever since that last party moved out of town and +left things looking so bad, Mr. Dempsey has kept it closed up." + +"When he lived here, you and Scissors used to be something of chums, +didn't you?" Paul went on. + +"Well, yes," the other admitted, "when we were smaller. But ever since +Scissors started going with the Slavin crowd I've cut him dead." + +"I wish I lived as close to you as this," Paul observed. "Why, we could +nearly shake hands across the gap. I don't suppose Scissors ever drops in +to see you nowadays?" + +"I should say not," laughed Jack; "why, we've been at swords points now +for a year and more, and never even speak as we pass each other." + +"Oh! well, of course then it would be silly to think of suspecting him," +remarked Paul as he sat down again. + +But nevertheless, many times his eyes seemed to turn toward that partly +opened window, and then in the direction of the low desk where the box of +coins stood. + +"Scissors" Dempsey had come by his nickname because of a peculiar trick +he had of keeping his knees stiff when walking. Long ago one boy had +likened his long legs to a pair of scissors, and quick to take up a +humorous name like this, his mates had called him nothing else in years. + +"Well, it's a mighty funny thing where that bunch of old copper coins +has gone to!" remarked Jack, presently, unable, it seemed, to think of +anything else just then. + +"I believe this den of yours is hardly ever locked," remarked Paul, +presently, "and all persons can come up here whenever they choose. I've +even often found your dog Carlo sleeping here. Why, if any friend calls +to see you, and wants to wait till you come home, he just meanders up +here as he pleases, and amuses himself looking over your books and +magazines. Isn't that so, Jack?" + +"Sure. My mother says this is Liberty Hall, judging from the way all my +chums go and come. But what's got you now? Do you think some other chap +may have fallen into the nasty habit of helping himself to my coins, +either to swell out his own collection, or to sell them to Doc. Thomes?" + +"Oh! hardly that, although it seems possible. But don't worry too much +about it, Jack. I'm sure we'll discover the truth sooner or later." + +"Anyhow I'll have eight to hide away; part of a loaf is better than no +bread," remarked the other, dejectedly. + +"Oh! I wouldn't put them away, not just yet, anyhow, Jack." + +"But, my goodness, perhaps I'll lose all of my coins if I leave them +around like this any longer on my desk!" + +"That's so, but don't you see if you hide them, it shuts us off from ever +learning who is taking them." + +"Oh! I see. You mean to catch him at it some time; is that the idea, +Paul?" + +"Nothing less. I'll drop in at the old dealer in curios to-morrow, and +find out if he has any that are on this list. Listen, there's somebody at +the door!" + +"It's only Carlo, scratching to get in. Open the door, please, Paul." + +As the other did so a large Newfoundland dog stalked solemnly in, paid +little heed to either of the occupants of the den, but snuggled down in +a corner, where there was an old cushion, evidently placed there for his +especial use. + +"My! he's getting fatter than ever," remarked Paul, surveying the bulging +sides of the shaggy canine, as he curled himself up as if to sleep. + +"I believe he is, the scamp. I see it when I put him through his paces +with all the tricks I taught him. He's getting too logy, and has to be +told three times before he'll do a blessed thing. But about this wretched +matter, Paul--you won't say anything to your folks, will you?" + +"Not for the world. It's your secret, and I'd never leak a word without +your permission. But I must be off now. Leave things just as you always +have done; and don't shut or lock the door here any more than before. +I've got to do some studying over this Boy Scout affair when I get +back. Whitson loaned me some pamphlets, but I didn't have time to read +them through." + +Jack accompanied his friend down to the front door. Here Karl, having +heard them descending the stairs, joined them; and so far as Paul could +see there was no change in the boy's manner. If he had done wrong he must +be clever enough to hide the guilt that lay in his heart, and put on a +bold face. + +"Remember!" was all Paul said as he squeezed Jack's quivering hand, +before jumping down the steps, boy fashion. + +It was enough to encourage the sorely distressed lad, for he had the +greatest faith in Paul Morrison, the doctor's son, that any boy could +ever place in a comrade; nor had the other ever failed to equal his +expectations. + +"I really believe Paul will do it," he was muttering to himself as he +slowly went upstairs again to the den, with its decorations of college +flags, and pictures of camping, canoeing, outdoor sports such as baseball +and football struggles, and kindred things so dear to the heart of almost +every growing lad; "yes, I believe he will if anybody can. But I wish he +had let me hide the rest of them away. It seems like putting temptation +in the way of a weak brother. But he told me I wasn't even to believe +Karl took the coins, and _I won't_!" + +Nevertheless, Jack Stormways must have passed a miserable night; for the +anxious eyes of his mother noticed his distressed looks when he came down +to breakfast on the following morning. + +"You don't look well, son," she observed, as she passed her cool hand +across his fevered brow; "I think you ought to step in and see Doctor +Morrison some time this morning, and let him give you something." + +"All right, mother; but it's only a little headache," he protested, for +like all boys he disliked the thought of being considered sick. + +Her eyes turned solicitously toward him many times during the meal, +for she saw that Jack was unusually dull, and took little part in the +conversation. + +But it seemed that Karl made up for his brother's lack of energy, for he +was more than ordinarily inclined to be merry, and told numerous jokes he +had heard from his fellows in the boys' club he had joined. + +Jack mentioned that they were about to organize a Boy Scout patrol; and +very naturally his mother looked a bit serious at this news, until he +explained some of the really excellent points connected with such an +association; when her face cleared at once. + +"If that is what the movement means then the sooner a patrol is organized +in Stanhope the better. There are a lot of boys who would be vastly +benefitted by such uplifting resolutions," she declared, with some show +of enthusiasm. + +"Yes, mother, you are right," said Mr. Stormways, just then. "Things have +been going from bad to worse in our town of late, and the fathers are +beginning to wonder where it will end. Only yesterday I met old Peleg +Growdy. You remember the old fellow, for we stopped at his place when we +were out riding, and had a drink at his well." + +"Yes, and a most singular old man he was. I really couldn't say that I +was much impressed with his looks or conversation," replied the lady, as +she poured another cup of coffee for her husband. + +"All very true; but he minds his own business if let alone; and after all +I find that he is a well educated man, up in most questions of the day. +But the boys, or some of them at least, have for a long time considered +old Peleg a fit subject for practical jokes. They change the lines on his +team, given half a chance, and annoy him in every way possible. Really, I +don't wonder he is bitter about it." + +"But you had something in mind, father, when you said that you met him?" + +Mr. Stormways looked at Jack. + +"That is true, my son; and do you know, the first thought that came to me +was one of pleasure to feel absolutely sure no boy of mine would disgrace +himself in plaguing an old man who had never harmed him." + +Jack felt a glow in the region of his heart at this show of confidence; +and resolved that more than ever would he merit it; but somehow he could +not help looking out of the tail of his eye toward Karl, to find that the +color had mounted to his forehead, and that he seemed embarrassed. + +Was he thinking just then of the coins; or did he have some knowledge of +the practical joke that had been played on old Peleg Growdy? + +"Now, tell us what it was, Alan," said Mrs. Stormways, encouragingly. + +"Well, perhaps in one way it may have been looked upon as something +humorous, but it annoyed the old man very much. Last Sunday he went out +to let his pigs run loose in the lot, as is his habit. When he pulled +the rope that opened the little door in the back of the pen, he was +astonished to see the queerest lot of porkers dash away that human eyes +had ever beheld." + +Karl was snickering by now, showing that he must have some knowledge of +what was to come. + +"No two pigs looked alike. The boys had crept into the pen in the night, +with a lantern, and some pots of paint taken from Mr. Rabow's shop, and +painted the whole drove in every color imaginable. One, he said, looked +like the American flag. Another had four legs of different hues; a third +was striped yellow and green, and so it went. Imagine the old man's +amazement as he saw them kicking up their legs, and tearing around like +mad; for the sun had reached the turpentine in the paint, and made it +burn tremendously." + +Karl gave a shout, and even Mrs. Stormways could not repress a smile, +though she felt that it was wrong. + +"I heard about it from one of the boys, father; I don't want to tell his +name, you see, because it might get him into a scrape," said Karl, as he +managed to get his breath again. + +Jack breathed easier, since he knew now that his brother had not been +concerned in the adventure; still, there was that other thing--but he had +promised Paul not to believe, or even suspect, anything so early in the +game. + +"I admit that it does seem ludicrous; and no doubt if I had been there I +must have been strongly tempted to laugh at the comical spectacle those +six pigs must have presented. But it is the spirit of the thing that +looks so bad. Growdy never harmed a boy in his life, he says, and only +wants to be let alone; but they went out of their way to play a malicious +trick on the old man. It took him the whole of Sunday to scrape that +paint off the hides of his pigs; which I consider a pretty hard +proposition. And I repeat what I said before, that I'm pleased to know +a son of mine would not be guilty of so mean a trick." + +Karl left the table just then, and his brother fancied that he looked a +bit confused, as though his conscience were troubling him, but then Jack +hoped he might be mistaken. + + + + +CHAPTER IV + +THE FIRST SCOUT LEADER + + +Paul had said that he would be away the greater part of the day, his +father having asked him to go to the city on an important errand. + +Consequently there was no opportunity for the two chums to confer upon +any of the matters that were interesting then. + +But all the boys had agreed to meet at the house of Nuthin' that evening, +to plunge deeper into the subject of organizing at least one scout patrol +in Stanhope. + +As usual Paul called for Jack, and as the latter's parents knew what was +on tap, there was no opposition shown to his going out. + +"Has anything happened to-day?" whispered the visitor, as he was joined +by Jack in the hall. + +"Yes, I was out a lot with the fellows, and doing some chores around; but +I mustered up enough courage just before supper to go upstairs," replied +the other, his voice giving plain warning as to what was to follow, for +it showed the strain. + +"And counted the coins again, perhaps to find them short, eh, Jack?" + +"Well, you said there were eight, and now I can count only six. Why, it's +getting to be a regular clock-like piece of business. And after what +father said this morning, too." + +"What did he say?" asked Paul. + +"Come along. I'll tell you while we're on our way," and Jack gave a +nervous look over his shoulder, as though afraid lest his brother pop +out on them unawares. + +As they walked slowly along the road he spoke in the affectionate manner +in which Mr. Stormways had declared his utmost faith in the honesty and +integrity of his two boys. + +"But you're not sure that Karl has anything to do with the disappearing +coins. Other boys may have been up there to-day?" suggested his friend, +quickly. + +"I asked mother, and she said she didn't remember that any one had come +to see me. No, the more I think about it the worse I feel. But I guess +you didn't have any time to see old Doc. Thomes before you went to the +city, did you?" + +"That's just what I did, dropped into his shop, told him I was going down +to New York on business for dad, and asked if I could do anything for +him." + +"Oh! how bright of you, Paul. And what did he say to that?" + +"It seemed to quite tickle the old chap. He said he had a little package +he wanted to send in to a dealer on Fourteenth Street, and would be glad +if I took it to him, instead of his sending it by express." + +"A package, Paul; did he say what it contained?" demanded the other, +almost holding his breath with sudden alarm. + +"Yes, a lot of old coins he had been buying lately. Now, hold your +horses, Jack, my boy. He hadn't made it up yet, and I helped him do it. +There wasn't one of the same kind yours are. He bought the collection of +Chinese and Japanese coins old Captain Crocker owned. His widow had no +use for them, and needed the money." + +"Oh, you gave me a scare, Paul; but I'm glad you saw them, for I'd always +imagine mine must have been in the lot; not that I care a bit for the old +things now; but it was the thought, you know, the terrible suspicion." + +"Yes, and while about it I managed to see every old coin Doc. has in his +shop, for he was pleased to let me root around. And Jack, not a single +one of your missing pieces has he got, depend on it." + +"Oh! well," remarked Jack, arousing himself, "let's try and forget my +troubles for a while. Unless I get it off my mind I'll lie awake again, +and then your father, the doctor, will give me some medicine that tastes +even worse than what he did to-day. Did you get that manual you sent for, +Paul?" and the speaker resolutely shut his teeth hard together as if +determined to keep his mind off the harassing subject. + +"Yes, it's in my pocket, and seems to be full of meat, too. I haven't had +much chance to soak it in, but what I did read interested me a whole +lot," returned the doctor's son. + +"Well, I thought of a friend I had over in Manchester, and this afternoon +I took my wheel and jumped down there, crossing by the bridge. Just as I +hoped, Landy is a member of the troop there, and he gladly told me all he +knew about the business. I'm more than ever tickled at the idea of our +having a branch up here, to compete with the neighboring towns. He told +me something more that we might consider, too." + +"What was that, Jack?" + +"You remember Mr. Silas Westervelt, the Quaker of Manchester?" + +"Sure. I've often talked with him, and my father is their family doctor," +replied Paul, readily enough. + +"It seems that he's become interested in this scout movement, which +he endorses through and through. The result is that he has offered a +beautiful banner to the organization that can show the highest degree of +efficiency, and the greatest number of merit marks by Thanksgiving day. +It's being made now, down in the city." + +"That counts us in, then, for we'll have plenty of time to get busy +before the day of turkey rolls around, eh, Jack?" + +"Oh! we'll be in the contest all right, even if we are counted in the +'also ran' class. These other fellows have been camping this summer, and +must be up in many of the things that count. But then, they haven't got +Paul Morrison at the head as scout leader, and that means everything in +our favor," declared Jack, warmly. + +"Please cut that out after this. It's true that I've always been deeply +interested in many things connected with life in the woods; but you see +that's only one part of a good scout's credit marks. In fact, there's +hardly one thing in all the trades and professions that is omitted from +the list. Only he must _excel_ in all he undertakes. And soon we will +have to find a young man over twenty-one who will act as our scout +master." + +"Hold up, there's Bobolink hurrying to catch us; and he acts as if he +might be the bearer of important news," remarked Jack, who had heard a +hail from the rear, and turned his head to see a flitting form. + +The other came up, panting heavily. + +"Say, you fellows must have the seven league boots, the way you get over +ground. And just after I've gone and made away with a monstrous supper, +too," he managed to say, between gasps. "Let me get my breath, and I've +got something to tell you." + +"Is it about Ted Slavin and his cronies?" asked Paul, suspiciously. + +"Hit it the first shot," returned Bobolink; "who told you?" + +"Why, I haven't heard a word; only I thought that if there was anything +going on, Ted would be apt to have a finger in the pie," returned the +other, grimly. + +"Well, he has, all right, as usual. Anyhow his mouthpiece, Ward Kenwood, +has, and it's the same thing. I was taking something in to the dominie at +our church (my mother is at the head of a committee, you know) when he +asked me if I was going to join the new Boy Scout patrol that was being +organized in Stanhope." + +"Whew, but those fellows don't believe in letting the grass grow under +their feet, do they? Never thought a thing about it till they heard us +talking matters over; and here they're getting all the credit for being +first in the field," and Jack shrugged his shoulders ruefully as he +spoke. + +"Didn't I say we'd have to get up early in the morning if we hoped to +keep from taking their dust? No matter what else you can say about them, +Ted and his crowd are alive, and wide-awake fellows all the time," +returned Paul. + +"Well, the minister was some surprised when I told him all about it. He +said he was delighted, and I guess he meant it too. The more patrols the +better for the community, he said. And he seemed to know all about the +meaning of the thing, for he showed me several books along the subject, +that he promised to lend us." + +"Bully for him!" cried Jack, with perhaps more energy than reverence; +but had the genial old man heard the words he would have felt highly +complimented, knowing that whoever succeeds in getting the approval of +live, wide-awake boys must consider himself fortunate indeed. + +"There's Nuthin's house," remarked Bobolink, just then. + +"And Tom Bates going in, with the Carberry Twins. I hope we can enroll +a dozen good fellows for a start. The rest will flock over after a bit, +when they get to know what fine times we expect to have," remarked Paul. + +They found that there were just a dozen present, counting A. Cypher, who +as host was much in evidence. Besides Tom Bates, the new boys were Philip +Towns, Jud Elderkin, Joe Clausin and Andy Flinn; the latter of Irish +parentage, but well liked, even though his widowed mother had to take +in washing to provide food for the numerous mouths dependent on her. + +Andy was a particularly bright boy, and many declared that he had a +future before him, if only he kept away from the one curse of his +father's life, rum. But as he hated the very word drink, there seemed to +be little danger that he would be apt to follow in the footsteps of the +brilliant man who had fallen so early in life, and left a family nearly +destitute. + +"Meeting please come to order," called Paul, after he had been pushed +into a chair to serve as temporary chairman. + +Soon the boys began to go into the details of the projected troop, its +meaning, what good it might be expected to accomplish, and everything +connected with the Boy Scout organization. + +Paul read page after page from the book he had brought, while the others, +including the parents of A. Cypher, listened, and applauded at times, as +some particularly fine point happened to strike them. + +"That ought to do for the present," said Paul, finally, as he closed the +book and beamed upon his mates; "and now, what do you think, fellows?" + +"I'm just wild to get started, and more so than ever after hearing all +about the hundreds of fine things scouts can do. I'm a crank on making +fires, and I guess I'd qualify right easy for the championship in that +tournament!" exclaimed William Carberry, his face aglow. + +"Yes, and I remember the time he nearly burned our house down, trying to +start a blaze without a match. He got the fire all right; but there was a +lively time around there, until the bucket brigade arrived, and slushed +things down. Oh! you can believe William; he's some on the fire racket," +remarked the other Twin, at which there was a roar from those present. + +"I move that we write out just what we intend to do, and that all the +fellows in the room sign it as charter members. Then we'll try to double +our dozen by a week, and rush things along. We already have enough for +the first patrol and half a second. If we expect to compete with those +other troops in the struggle for supremacy we've got to be awake and +doing." + +"You never said truer words, Paul. What sort of a binding agreement had +we ought to get up?" asked Bobolink, pretending that it was Tom Bates who +spoke; for really the boy had a wonderful gift of ventriloquism, and +often amused himself, and his friends as well, by sending his voice into +strange places, to the wonder of those who were not aware of his tricks. + +"I thought that over, and wrote out what I believed would cover the +ground. If you listen now, I'll read it to you," returned the chairman. + +"Hear! hear ye! All keep silent while our honored chairman reads the +document to which we expect to subscribe our names and seals!" called +William, pompously. + +What Paul had written was simply that those whose names were found below +had united themselves together with the idea of forming a troop that +could be connected with the regular Boys Scout organization as +incorporated. + +Then every boy present wrote his name beneath the agreement, after which +they went into executive session, the parents of A. Cypher being kindly +but firmly requested to retire from the room, while the election of +officers proceeded, and other necessary steps were taken to perfect the +first patrol. + +So the first patrol of Stanhope Troop was organized, and consisted of the +eight originators of the scheme. It was decided to call this the Red Fox +patrol. As fast as others were arranged for they could take on such names +as Gray Fox, White Fox and even Black Fox. + +Later on they hoped to secure a scout master, but just now with Paul and +Wallace brimming over with woods' lore, the lack of such an officer would +not bother them. + +The meeting ended in Paul being placed in the honored position of scout +leader, with the second position being thrust on Jack Stormways, though +he declared that Wallace Carberry was far better qualified to fill it +than he ever could be. + +But Paul was satisfied to have it so. Jack was his favorite chum; and he +would be thrown much in his company. Besides, the desire to study up the +rules, and perfect himself in all that an assistant scout master should +know, might for a time at least take Jack's thoughts away from the +subject of his trouble at home. + +Before the boys left they were summoned to the dining room, where +refreshments were placed before them; and when the meeting did finally +break up every fellow felt deep down in his heart that an important step +had been taken toward raising the standard of living among the rising +generation of Stanhope. + +Finally, as the hour had grown fairly late it was suggested that they +leave in a body, since all military organizations did this. + +"And," continued the one who had put this idea forward, "while we have +nothing to do with the army itself, we expect to be governed by certain +military rules. What say, fellows?" + +"Fall in! fall in!" + +Out of the door they marched, and down the steps, two by two; Bluff +Shipley, who was paired with Nuthin', being the lone straggler in the +rear, since his mate remained at home. + +If he experienced the slightest sense of dejection at being compelled to +walk without a side partner, it was of very brief duration. + +Outside it was very dark, and this condition seemed more or less +heightened by the fact that the eyes of the young scouts had become +accustomed to the glow of the rooms they had just left. + +Consequently there was more or less chance of some one tripping on the +steps, and pulling others down with him. + +"'Ware the fourth step; it's shaky and may throw you, boys!" sang out +Nuthin'. + +Hardly had he spoken than the first pair executed a beautiful forward +bow, and went down in a heap from the lower step. + +"Look out there! A rope!" + +Paul had just barely time to give utterance to this warning when the next +pair found the obstruction for themselves, and came plunging down on top +of those already landed. + +Two more were close behind, so nearly upon the heels of the second pair +that it was really impossible for them to avoid following in their wake. +Thus there were by this time six struggling figures at the foot of the +steps, while the balance of the patrol huddled just above, looking with +amazement at the dimly seen spectacle. + +From somewhere near by, possibly the shelter of some bushes, came gurgles +of boyish laughter, and jeering words in assumed voices. + +No need to tell Paul and his friends to whose kind attention they owed +this unexpected downfall. Ted Slavin and his backers had not been idle +while the new patrol was being organized in the home of Nuthin'. They had +fastened a stout rope across the lower step, and succeeded in tripping +half of their rivals. + +Paul managed to scramble to his feet, hardly knowing whether to laugh, or +get angry at this practical joke on the part of the opposition. + + + + +CHAPTER V + +CHECKING A COWARD + + +"It's that Slavin crowd!" exclaimed Jack, as he gained his feet. + +"Let's capture some of them, then!" shouted William, always ready for +battle, as was also Bluff Shipley, whose hands were never bothered with +impediments as was his speech. + +A rush was made for the bushes, and retreating footsteps announced the +hasty departure of the enemy. + +None of the new scouts seemed to care about following very far. They knew +Ted of old, and feared lest they be drawn into a trap, so that their last +condition would be really worse than the first. + +"No damage done, after all," remarked Paul, as he brushed off his +clothes; while the others gathered around, and Nuthin' came down to +secure the treacherous rope. + +"Barked my shins some, now; and sooner or later I've just got to take it +out of that crowd!" muttered William, limping around, and shaking his +head. + +"Better do it soon, then," observed Bobolink, "for after you've taken +the oath of allegiance to the scouts you dassent tackle a feller without +losing marks." + +"H'm! is that so?" grunted the injured member, regretfully; for to be +deprived of the boon of fighting would be taking some of the joys of life +away from the pugnacious Carberry twin. + +"Fall in again, boys!" said Paul, cheerily. + +"Not the same way, I hope, captain!" ventured Bobolink; at which there +was a laugh, and the incident seemed closed. + +The boys had no doubt but that their rivals must have been observing much +that went on in the lighted rooms, possibly also trying to catch what was +being said. + +"What of it?" demanded Paul, when some one suggested this; "if they heard +what I read out of that manual so much the better. Let them subscribe to +those rules, and life will be worth living alongside Ted and his +cronies." + +"But you see they just can't!" declared Bobolink, quickly. + +"Which is to say they won't. All right. Once we get out troop formed, +public sentiment will be on our side. If they try to worry us the good +people of Stanhope, backed by the Women's Club, will see to it that the +nuisance is stopped. Isn't that so, Paul?" remarked Jack, with conviction +in his voice. + +"Them's my sentiments, as some character in fiction used to remark. We +can afford to laugh at all these little plans to annoy us. Of course, if +they go too far, why we may have to turn and do something ourselves," +said Paul, seriously. + +"Bully! Hasten the time!" cried William, ceasing to limp for the moment +in his new delight. + +"Oh! but Paul doesn't mean a regular give and take fight. If we pitch in +at all, I'm afraid it'll have to be doling out punishment in the way the +good dad does when he plies the stick and says it hurts him worse than it +does the bad kid," declared Bobolink; at which there was a roar. + +On the following day there was more or less skirmishing about town by +various eager lads, seeking recruits for the rival troops. + +Paul was as busy as a beaver, and at several points conferred with some +of his followers. He had sent for more manuals, besides a price list of +uniforms, and other equipments necessary to the complete organization of +the Fox Patrol and Stanhope Troop No. 1. + +Leading citizens began to take an interest in the movement, as they +grew to understand its true significance. Stanhope seemed to be fairly +sizzling with a new and novel energy. Even the meeting of the Women's +Club that afternoon was given up partly to a discussion of the merits of +the Boy Scout wave then sweeping over the land; and ladies who had been +decidedly averse to such a thing found their eyes opened to its +beneficial accompaniments. + +As was to be expected, the recruiting was not confined to Paul and his +chums. Ted Slavin and Ward Kenwood were just as vigorously employed; and +several times in the course of the day the rivals ran across each other +while engaged in thus drumming up new subjects for initiation. + +On such occasions there was apt to be something in the way of verbal +fireworks passing between the opposing scouts. Ted Slavin seldom knew how +to bridle that tongue of his; and Ward Kenwood seemed to be in a nasty +humor himself. + +To tell the truth there had long been a sort of rivalry between Paul and +Ward over the smiles of pretty Arline Blair; and latterly the high school +girl seemed to be giving young Morrison more than his share of her +company. + +That afternoon about four o'clock, as Paul and two of his chums were +passing along one of the side streets of the town they came upon a scene +that caused a sudden halt. + +The blustering voice of Ted Slavin was what first drew their attention; +and it seemed to come from around the next corner. Then followed a +quavering voice, pleading in its tone. + +Paul looked at his friends, and his brow darkened. + +"It's old Mother Martha, the market woman who sells things in her little +stall around here. And some of those mean skunks are plaguing her, like +they often do, she tells me, stealing her apples, and laughing at her, +because she's lame with the rheumatism, and can't chase after 'em!" said +William, who happened to be one of the trio brought to a halt so +suddenly. + +"Come on, then; we can't stand that!" exclaimed Paul. + +The boys hurriedly turned the corner, to find that what William had +suggested seemed to be the actual truth. + +Ted and a follower were hovering near the poor old woman. The fact that +Ted was contentedly munching a red apple told that he had already made +his hawk-like descent on the stand of the market woman, and was now +seeking to distract her attention so that his companion might also swoop +down to seize a prize, when they would go off, laughing uproarously, as +though they considered it a huge joke. + +Paul was on the bully in a flash, and almost before Ted knew of his +presence he had torn the apple from his grasp and hurled it far away. + +"Get out of this, you coward!" exclaimed the scout leader of the new +patrol, as he gave Ted Slavin a push; "I'm going to speak to the chief of +police about the way you rob this good woman, and see if he won't stop +it. You ought to be ashamed of yourselves, both of you!" + +William and Bluff were for jumping at the two offenders, and giving them +a lesson then and there; but with both arms Paul held his fire-eaters +back. + +"Let 'em come on, if they want to mix up with us. We can take care of +two, and think it a picnic. P'raps even three wouldn't be too much, if so +be you want to try it on, Paul Morrison. Huh! there comes another bunch +of your sissies. Seven against two might make it too interestin', so we'd +better skip out, Scissors. But you just wait, that's all. I don't forget +you laid a hand on me; and some time I'm going to take it out." + +"Oh! suit yourself, Ted," answered the other, promptly. "I'm ready to +have a go at you when you're ready, if you force me to the wall. I'm not +a fighter, but when I see a couple of rowdies treating a poor old woman +like you did, it makes me see red." + +With derisive jeers the pair faded away as several boys came running to +the spot, having seen the group, and guessing from the presence of the +two rival leaders that there must be something doing. + +Their indignation was boundless when they learned what new meanness the +coming of Paul and his two chums had interrupted. + +It required considerable persuasion on the part of the scout leader to +prevent an immediate chase of the culprits. + +"Let them go this time," said Paul, impressively; "but I'm going to see +what can be done to put a stop to this rowdyism. It gives the boys of +Stanhope a bad name all around. I told Ted I'd speak to Chief Billings +about it." + +"You won't get any too much satisfaction there," remarked wise Nuthin'; +"because, you see the Chief owes his position to the political influence +of Mr. Kenwood; and as Ward runs with Ted he won't dare do anything for +fear of offending the head of the party. We've just _got_ to find a way +ourselves to change things." + +"Well, I'll ask my father about it. Perhaps he can suggest a plan. He +used to be a boy himself once, and never forgets it either," was Paul's +conclusion, as they each bought an apple from the old woman to make her +forget her recent trouble, and then walked away, followed by her earnest +thanks. + +"Say, but time just crawls along," observed William, dolefully; "because, +you see, I'm dying to get to work and win some of them merits you told us +about. Just set me the stunt of making water boil over a fire I have to +kindle, and I'll do it in three shakes of a lamb's tail. The rest of you +will be left hull down. And then there's lots of other jobs that look +good to me. Let's get a move on, and start the ball rolling. When's the +next meeting, Paul?" + +"To-night, and once more at the barn where we were first. This time +I figure on having nearly twenty present, and that will make things +interesting." + +"Same hour as before--eight o'clock?" asked Bobolink. + +"Yes. And if any of you feel that you are qualified to take the +examination for the first degree, so as to become real tenderfeet in the +Scouts, why, I'll be in trim to put you through your sprouts," announced +the leader. + +"That hits me," declared William; "for I've been studying to beat the +band, and believe I'll pass muster with flying colors. Me for the +tenderfoot class!" + +"And I've just used up a whole ball of twine tying all those measly +knots," declared Nuthin'; after which his face brightened when he added: +"but I can do every one just like an old jack tar. My dad was once a +sailor you know, and that's where I've got the bulge on the rest of you. +So-long, boys; I'm going home to try again." + + + + +CHAPTER VI + +A STRANGE SUGGESTION + + +"Who goes there?" + +"A scout of the Red Fox Patrol!" + +"Advance scout, and give the countersign!" + +A figure came shuffling forward, bent over, and whispered a word in the +ear of the sentinel at the door of the old tobacco barn. + +"Correct! Pass in, scout!" said the one on guard, solemnly. + +But William chose to loiter by the door, and watch the gathering of the +clans, for the boys arrived rapidly after that, usually in pairs. + +"Where's the other twin?" asked Paul, seeing William alone. + +"Unavoidably detained, Captain. May be on deck later. Here comes another +bunch," and William stepped aside to allow the sentry to halt Andy Flinn, +who had arrived in company with Jud Elderkin, the latter as tall and thin +as the former was fat and pudgy. + +"Pass along, gentlemen," sang out William, after the pair had +successfully stood the test; "the animals went in two by two; the +elephant and the kangaroo!" and as usual there was a laugh at this +sally, which applied so aptly to the couple just entering. + +"All here now, Paul," announced Jack Stormways, counting noses in the +light of half a dozen lanterns provided by Mr. Shipley, the owner of the +barn. + +For an hour routine business was transacted. + +There were just twenty-one names on the roll now, and all present saving +two, Wallace Carberry and another. It was decided to organize two patrols +at once, the first to be under the charge of Paul as scout leader, while +Jud Elderkin took the Gray Fox crowd. + +The more the assembled lads learned concerning the duties and sports of +the Boy Scouts, the greater became their enthusiasm. As the evening +progressed they were fairly bubbling over with excitement, and it began +to look as though the success of the new movement were already assured. + +But Paul knew that it must be a constant fight between the natural +rough-and-ready, give-and-take spirit which almost every boy inherits +from his ancestors, and the new idea that would have him a hero without +being a bully or a brawler. + +And he was not surprised when, later on, just before they thought of +breaking up the meeting, William got the floor on the question of a +personal privilege, and threw a bombshell into the camp. + +"I'm going to ask a favor of you fellows," he said; "and you can help me +break even with that old rooster as well as have some fun. D'ye think +you can stand the racket?" + +The others crowded around, for they knew very well that when William had +anything to propose it usually meant some frolic. But Paul noticed to his +surprise that the joker seemed worked up far more than he could ever +remember seeing him before, and he scented trouble ahead. + +"Who is it this time, William? Tell us about it, old fellow! Of course +we're bound to stand by you through thick and thin. That's one of the +first duties of a scout, you know. Speak up, and give us a tip!" + +It was Jud Elderkin who said this; but that he voiced the sentiments +of pretty much the entire group could be judged from the chorus of +exclamations that greeted his aggressive speech. + +"It's that old grumpy miser, Peleg Growdy," said the orator, waving his +hands to emphasize his words. "He never had any use for boys, you know, +and often says he wonders why the pests were ever born. I don't remember +doing him any mean thing in my life, but he's got it in for the whole +creation of boys, I expect." + +"What did he do to you?" + +"Yes, tell us, William. We'll stand by you, never fear." + +"He needs a good lesson, the old skinflint. Tell us what happened!" + +William grinned, for he saw that he had already captured the hearts +of his comrades, and had small need to fear they would let him seek +satisfaction alone. + +Jack Stormways was as deeply interested in the outcome as his chum Paul. + +He remembered all his father had said at the breakfast table on the +preceding day, in connection with this same man Growdy. + +William was proceeding to thrill his hearers some more. To hear him talk +one might imagine his father was a celebrated lawyer instead of the town +blacksmith, for William had a smooth tongue. + +"I guess all of you know by this time what some fellers did to Growdy's +pigs last Saturday night, painting 'em to beat the band? It's the talk +of the town, and lots of folks says that it serves the old crusty just +right. But I was tucked away in my little bed alongside t'other twin that +night, as snug as two bugs in a rug; and consequently had my little +_alibi_ ready to prove I wasn't in the bunch that paid him that sly +visit." + +"Oh! we all know who did it, never fear!" cried Joe Clausin. + +"He spells his name T-e-d!" echoed Bobolink. + +"All right. Because some bad boys played that joke on old Growdy he seems +to have it in for every mother's son in Stanhope. I met him on the road +this afternoon when I was out with a light wagon after some feed. He was +on the way to town to deliver a big load of truck. Everybody's entitled +to half the road; ain't that the law, fellers?" + +"Sure it is, William; but that mean man wouldn't budge for you, hey?" +said Jud. + +"Not for an inch. Just hauled up there taking two-thirds of the road, and +started to light his pipe. I was in a hurry to get along, and thought +I could just squeeze by; but I made a mistake, and my wagon got upset in +the ditch. He went on, grinning at my trouble, and never offering to +raise a hand to help me out." + +Exclamations of indignation arose on all sides. + +"He needs another lesson, boys!" + +"Say the word, William, and we're with you. Guess I might think up a few +ways for you to get even with the old skinflint!" + +Paul saw that they were rapidly being swayed by their feelings of natural +resentment. He had no particular reason for liking Peleg Growdy any more +than the balance of the group; but the lesson of returning good for evil +had taken full possession of his soul. + +Once he would have been only too ready to join in with his chums in +redressing what seemed to be a positive wrong; but somehow it was +different now. + +Before he could speak, however, Jack had elbowed his way into the midst +of the excited lads, his face full of determination. + +"Wait a bit, you fellows, before you decide what you're going to do. +I want to tell you something that ought to interest you." + +"All right, Jack; speak up. Any objection to joining in with us and +having a little fun while we help a brother even up his score?" demanded +a voice. + +Then Jack repeated as well as he was able the conversation that had taken +place at the breakfast table in his house. He went even further than +this, for it happened that he knew something about the old man's past. + +"Peleg Growdy is a crabbed old chap, I admit; but perhaps you wouldn't +blame him so much if you knew the trouble he has had." + +"What was that?" asked one boy. + +"His wife and two children were burned to death when his house caught +fire many years ago. Another child grew up to be a man, and committed +some crime that made him run away. His last one, a daughter, was killed +in a railroad wreck. Ever since then the old man shuns people, and just +works as if he never wanted to know a living soul." + +"That's tough, for a fact!" admitted one boy, slowly. + +"But it don't excuse him for hating all boys. What business did he have +sitting there and taking two-thirds of the road, to let William upset in +the ditch trying to pass him?" demanded Jud, still rebelling. + +"Oh! well, that's a rule of the road that isn't always carried out. For +instance, the loaded vehicle is generally given _more_ than its half; and +William admits he was going light, while the old man carried a heavy +load," said Jack. + +"Yes, that's so," grunted William, unable to hold out against such logic. + +"And perhaps, if he told the actual truth, William would admit that there +was room enough for him to pass, if he had been a little more careful!" + +"Sure; but I was in a hurry, you understand; and didn't see that the edge +of the ditch was crumbly. But he laughed, I tell you, and that riled me!" + +"And now you want to bring a dozen and more of your friends down on his +place to commit some prank that will make him dislike boys more than +ever. It's all wrong, I tell you, fellows, and for one I refuse to lend +a hand," and Jack folded his arms as though his mind were made up once +and for all. + +Paul saw that they were very near a division that might be fatal to the +future good of the cause. He wondered whether he could swing the crowd +to the other side, like the pendulum of a clock. It would take +considerable eloquence, as well as all his powers of leadership to +accomplish it; but the crisis was upon them, and he would be false to +himself if he did not meet the issue squarely. + +"Will you listen to me, fellows?" he said, quietly, stepping forward to +occupy the place just vacated by Jack, and managing to whisper to the +other in passing: "back me up for all you're worth, and we may win the +day!" + +"Of course we will! You're the scout leader, Paul, and when you hatch up +any game it's sure to be worth the powder. Let her go!" came from Jud, +who seemed to be a sort of ringleader in this little rebellion in the +camp. + +"All right, boys. I'm going to make a proposition that will take your +breath away; but I have strong hopes that after what you've listened to +from that manual to-night, you'll be ready to back me up," continued +Paul. + +"We believe in you, Paul. You never fooled us yet; and you never will. +What's your queer game?" asked Bobolink, ready to swing over already, +such was his faith in the one they had elected their leader. + +The boys crowded around Paul, more than eager to hear what his proposal +might turn out to be; for novelty always appeals to the average lad. + +"All of you know that old Peleg keeps his dooryard in a horrible +condition. Why, my mother says she doesn't believe it has been cleaned +up in years; and he hardly ever takes the trouble to even put his wagons +and that old buggy in the shed. It's a disgrace to the town to have him +so near. I've heard that the women talked about asking him to do +something to make it look cleaner." + +"He's a stubborn old man, and can't be driven, my dad says," remarked +Jud. + +"Now here's what I'm going to propose. You know he's pretty deaf, and +can't hear much that goes on. He used to have a savage dog, but it died +a couple of weeks ago, and since then he's been trying to get another, +but so far without success. Get that?" + +"Yes, but go on, Paul," demanded Bobolink. + +"Let's go over to Peleg's in a body," continued the scout leader; "and +while he sleeps clean up that dooryard of his so that in the morning +he'll just rub his eyes and begin to think the fairies have paid him +a visit in the night. And when he learns who did it perhaps he may feel +something like you did, William. Don't you see, _it'll be rubbing it in +good and hard_!" + +Paul waited to see how his suggestion took. + +The boys stared at each other in amazement. It is doubtful whether a +parcel of wide-awake lads ever before had such a novel proposition made +to them. And perhaps it was the sensational character of the appeal that +stirred them more than any desire to return good for evil. + +"Count me in that job, Paul," said Jack positively. + +He had timed his interruption with exceeding cleverness. Boys are like +sheep, and given a bell wether they will follow blindly where the leader +goes. + +"Me too!" cried Bobolink, quickly. + +"Ditto! I'm for the game just as Paul says!" exclaimed Nuthin'. + +And every one in the crowd followed suit, laughing at the idea of their +turning the tables on the old farmer in such an unheard-of fashion; +though several doubtless secretly scoffed at the project, and only agreed +because it seemed to be a necessary evil if they wanted to become Boy +Scouts. + + + + +CHAPTER VII + +THE TRAP THAT PELEG SET + + +"There's Growdy's shack and barns!" + +"Don't seem to be anything stirring, fellows!" + +"Look out for a trap. Once bitten, twice shy. Perhaps he's just laying +for some fellers to come along, and play some more paintin' job trick. +I heard that he said he would find some way to stop the nuisance!" + +This from "Red" Betts, who was known as a cautious chap, and able to +vanish at the first sign of danger better than any fellow in town. + +"Suppose we hold up here, and send out scouts to see how the land lies? +That's the military way of doing it," ventured Bobolink. + +"A good idea, and I appoint you, Bobolink, with Jud Elderkin, to carry +out the little business," remarked Paul, in a low tone. + +"Trot along, you chaps; the rest of us will bunk right here alongside +the road and wait till you report," and suiting the action to his words +William dropped in his tracks. + +A brief time elapsed, and then the pair of spies returned. + +"Not a single light in the house, and the coast clear, fellows; so come +on!" and Jud waved his long arms as though enjoying his brief assumption +of authority to the limit. + +It would have doubtless astonished the old farmer had he chanced upon the +scene just then. A young moon hung in the western sky, and while giving +little light, still the figures of some score of stooping boys might have +been discovered, advancing in broken formation along the road. + +The leader silently opened the gate leading to the dooryard of Growdy's +place. His barns stood near the house, so that the confusion which +reigned was all the more noticeable. Its equal had never been known +around Stanhope; and could only be expected in the case of a place where +a woman's influence for cleanliness had been totally absent during the +past ten years. + +Over to the stable went some of the boys. + +Paul had talked it all over with them as they walked, and each knew what +part he was to take in the general clean-up. + +To some of them it was simply another form of a lark. Boys are queer +creatures even to those who imagine they know them well. They must be +doing something all the time. Once get them started in the right +direction, and they will labor just as sturdily to bring about a good +object, as under other conditions, they would work to play a joke. It all +depends on how they begin. And thanks to the sagacity of Paul, he had +succeeded in interesting them in the novelty of his proposal. + +Some secured rakes and hoes, and began to systematically gather up the +scattered loose material that covered the place, ankle deep. Others +pushed the wagons, and the old dilapidated buggy, back into the shed in +systematic order. + +They worked like busy bees, chuckling, whispering and evidently getting +considerable fun out of the strange frolic. + +Paul himself went over the job to make sure that it had been thoroughly +done, and that nothing remained uncared for. + +Up to this time fortune had favored the busy workers, since no sound had +come about to betray their presence. + +"How is it, Paul?" asked Jack Stormways, as he ran across the other in +making his rounds. + +"About at the end. The boys are putting the old tools back where they +found them; and then we can go home. It's the best half hour's work +any of us have done for a good while, I tell you, Jack." + +"Some of the boys don't seem to think it quite so funny now as when they +started in. They say they can't see where the pay is going to come in, +and have begun to grumble," whispered the other. + +"Perhaps it never will, and again, who knows what might come out of this? +Anyhow, the ladies will be glad to see this dirty place clean for once. +Some others I know may take a notion that if Old Growdy can clean up they +ought to. Listen! what in the world is that?" + +A rattling of tin pans came to their ears, as if one of the boys in +prowling around had accidently upset a bench on which a milk bucket and +some flat tinware had been airing. + +"That settles it! He'll hear all that row and be out on us in a jiffy!" +said Paul, annoyed because the affair had not gone off according to +schedule. + +"Look! there's a light sprung up inside the house. He's getting his +trousers on, all right, and the sooner we skip out the better!" declared +Jack. + +The boys now came running from every direction, while sounds from within +the nearby farmhouse told that Old Peleg must be switching on his heavy +boots. + +So Paul, knowing that the only thing left now was a hasty flight, gave +the signal arranged for. It meant every fellow for himself until they +had put a reasonable distance between themselves and the seat of danger. +Then they could meet at a given place, and go home, laughing over the +whole affair, and wondering what Peleg would think when he saw what a +miraculous transformation had taken place while he slept. + +Paul happened to be the very last to run away. Instead of passing out by +way of the gate as most of the others did, Paul started to pass over the +fence at an inviting point, where two of the bars seemed to be down, and +he could gain the adjoining woodlot, from which he might reach the road +at his pleasure. + +But alas! the best of plans often go amiss. And that gap that yawned in +the fence proved a delusion and a snare. + +Hardly had Paul made the jump over the two lower bars than he found +himself suddenly jerked down, and his head came with a crash on the +ground, causing him to see a myriad of stars. + +Nor was this all. An unknown power at the same time seemed to lift his +lower extremities up in the air at least two feet, so that he appeared to +be trying to swim on dry land. + +For a moment he was puzzled to account for this remarkable happening; +but as his head cleared a bit, and the stars ceased to shoot before his +mental vision, he began to get an idea as to what had happened. + +Apparently the fellows who had painted the farmer's pigs on the other +night must have entered his place from the woods, and through this gap +in the fence. + +Old Peleg had remembered, and anticipating another invasion sooner or +later, he had succeeded in arranging some sort of ingenious trap on the +spot. + +In jumping Paul had set off the trigger, with the consequence that a +noose had instantly tightened around his ankles, and a hogshead partly +filled with stones, starting to roll down the slope, had drawn his legs +upward. + +Well, at any rate there he was, clinging to the grass, and with an unseen +force pulling at his elevated feet, so that he was helpless to assist +himself. + +It was very funny, no doubt, but Paul hardly felt like laughing, just +then. He tried to wriggle around so as to get at the loop, in the hope +that he might loosen the same; but all his efforts were wasted. + +Old Peleg had builded better than he expected when he set that trap in +which to catch his tormentors. + +He was coming now to see the result of his cunning. No doubt he had heard +the tremendous rattle as the bulging barrel of stones started to roll +down the slope after being liberated; for even a deaf man could hardly +have missed that racket. Lantern in hand he was even now hobbling along, +chuckling in anticipation of what he would find in his trap. + +Closer came the limping farmer. Paul saw now that he held a vicious black +whip in his right hand, while gripping a lighted lantern in the other. + +Laughter in the distance told that the boys had all taken themselves off. +They could not suspect what a dire calamity had befallen their leader, or +a rescue party must have certainly been formed. + +Another minute and Peleg had arrived at the fence, and bending over held +the lantern so that its light fell upon the figure of his captive. + +"Gut ye, have I? Mebbe ye'll try to paint some critters of mine agin, an' +mebbe ye won't!" said the farmer, as he raised the ugly black whip which +he held, with the evident intention of bringing it down good and hard on +the helpless boy. + + + + +CHAPTER VIII + +TURNING THE TABLES + + +"Wait, Mr. Growdy!" Paul hastened to exclaim. + +The old man laughed harshly as he flourished the whip. Perhaps he had +never struck a boy before in all his life, and hardly knew how to begin; +but his temper was plainly disturbed, and he meant to make a start. + +"What should I wait fur, when I cort ye in the very act? Paint my +critters red, white an' blue, will ye? P'raps ye wanted to pull all the +feathers out o' my flock o' chickens this time, an' think it funny. Sarve +ye right if I gi'e ye a dozen stripes!" + +"Mr. Growdy, I did you a favor once!" said the prisoner of the trap, +wishing to keep the old man as long as possible from starting operations. + +"Say ye so? Wall, this wipes it out then. Who air ye, anyway?" + +The farmer bent lower, and thrust his lantern so that its light would +fall upon the face of the boy. Immediately he uttered a grunt, for it was +plain that he had recognized his captive. + +"So, it's ye, is it, Paul Morrison? This is some surprise, seein' as +ye're the last boy I'd expect to be up ter sech meanness. What d'ye think +yer father'll say w'en he hears 'bout this?" + +"I guess he'll laugh, and say it was about the cutest trick ever played +on you, Mr. Growdy," came the immediate answer; "but please get me down +from this. Perhaps the blood will all run to my head. Tie my hands if you +want, and fix it so I can't run away; but I couldn't stand this long." + +"So ye think yer father'd larf, do ye? I never wud 'a' b'lieved Doctor +Morrison was the kind o' man to encourage practical jokes on anybody," +grumbled the old man, plainly at a loss to understand what was meant. + +"Well, he isn't, and I'd be sorry to have him know I was guilty of such +a thing. But you're barking up the wrong tree, Mr. Growdy, I give you my +word we none of us had any trick in mind when we came here to-night." + +"Then what took you in my dooryard here; for I heard a pack runnin' away +when I kim out of the house? Tell me that, Paul," insisted the farmer; +but the hand that held that cruel looking whip had fallen to his side, +which was a good sign. + +"I'll be only too glad to do so if you let me up. Tie my hands, my legs +too if you want, sir; but I'm getting dizzy from having my head below +my heels." + +Peleg stooped still closer. He again held the lantern down so that he +could look into the face of his prisoner; after which he did something +that Paul had hardly expected--bent over, seized the rope connected with +the laden hogshead, and pulling hard succeeded in casting the loop that +had just encircled Paul's ankles, over a post of the fence. + +"Get up, Paul!" he said, grimly, yet with a flicker of curiosity in his +wrinkled face; as though a dim suspicion that there might be something +out of the ordinary back of this, had begun to take possession of his +mind. + +Paul regained his feet, a little wobbly to be sure, for he had +experienced a bad fall, and his head felt rather tender where it had +come in contact with the hard ground. + +"Thank you, Mr. Growdy. And now I'm going to tell you something. Perhaps +you will find it hard to believe me, and again you may not just +appreciate our way of taking matters in our own hands, when the request +of the women of Stanhope didn't have any effect. Look around your +dooryard, Mr. Growdy. Do you see anything changed here?" + +The farmer held up the lantern, and what he saw caused him to utter an +exclamation. + +"Ev'ry one o' 'em gone, by hokey! If so be ye've smashed all my rigs, +Paul Morison, I'll have the law on ye, as sure as my name's Peleg +Growdy!" he roared, aghast at what he deemed a serious discovery. + +"Come with me, Mr. Growdy. Notice as you go that this place doesn't look +much like a pigpen now. In fact, I calculate it's as clean as any +dooryard around Stanhope. Even the ladies can drive past now without +being shocked. And Mr. Growdy, if you will take the trouble, sir, to look +under that wagon shed, you'll see every one of your vehicles just where +they should be when not in use!" + +The old man stared, as well he might. + +"By gum!" Paul heard him mutter; and the words seemed to express the +situation so well that the boy could hardly keep from laughing outright. + +Finally the puzzled farmer turned and looked at the lad who stood there +beside him. Easily might Paul have made his escape at any time now; but +that was really the last thing he thought of doing. He would much rather +remain and see the bewilderment of Peleg Growdy reach its conclusion. + +"Look here, Paul, what's this hull thing mean?" finally demanded the +farmer. + +And Paul, remembering the fact that the old man was hard of hearing, +raised his voice as he thought fit when making reply. + +"Do you want me to tell you the whole thing, sir?" + +"I sartin do, every word. Blest if I kin make head or tail out o' it. +Reckons as how them leetle fairy twins ye read about must 'a' ben workin' +wile I slept; er else I'm dreamin' things that caint be true." + +"Listen, Mr. Growdy," Paul went on. "Perhaps you may not know that we +have started a troop of the Boy Scouts here in Stanhope. Some twenty of +us have joined, and later on we hope to get uniforms, and other things +needed, when we have earned the money to buy them. Those boys you heard +running away were my friends and comrades, every one going to be a true +scout." + +"Soldier bummers then, out on a raid, and ready to kerry off everything +they kin lay hands on," grumbled the old man, still unable to grasp the +true condition of affairs. + +"At a meeting to-night in Mr. Shipley's barn we made further progress +looking to perfecting our organization. But boys will be boys, you know; +and one of our number asked the rest to help him get even with you, +because you forced him into the ditch this afternoon, upsetting his +wagon." + +Old Growdy moved uneasily. + +"I was real sorry to see William do that. If he'd only waited till I +lighted my pipe I 'spected to pull out a leetle more, so's to let him git +by; but he was that impatient he must push on," he said. + +"Just as I thought. Well, Mr. Growdy, one of the rules of the scouts is +that a member must never return an evil deed by another of the same kind. +I proposed that we try to make you change your mind about detesting all +boys. So we came here, not to paint your pigs as some other fellows did, +I'm told; not to let your stock loose, or run off with your wagons; but +to clean up your dooryard, and give you the greatest surprise of your +life when you came out in the morning!" + +"Sho! now. That takes the cake!" + +"When one of my chums upset that bench by accident, and the pans fell +with a racket, of course it gave the whole thing away, and we started to +run; but unfortunately I happened to drop into your nice little trap, and +you found me upside down. That is all, Mr. Growdy. Do you want to whip me +now, or take me in to the lockup, which?" + +Peleg Growdy found himself strangely thrilled as he looked into that +frank, smiling face of Paul Morrison. + +For almost a full minute they stood thus. + +Then Peleg spoke. + +"Reckon as how them comrades o' yers must 'a' gut a long start by now, +Paul. S'pose ye see if ye kin ketch up with 'em, son." + +That was all, but as Paul hurried off he was conscious of a strange +feeling deep down in his breast; and he felt sure that after all it had +paid. Peleg Growdy at least had met with the surprise of his life. After +this possibly his ideas of juvenile depravity might undergo a violent +change; for such positive natures as his usually swing from one extreme +to the other, just like the pendulum of a grandfather clock. + +Paul did not catch up with his fleeing comrades, for they had secured +too good a start. When he reached the rendezvous, however, he found them +there, one and all, and wondering what could have happened to detain him. + +Loud were the expressions of astonishment as he calmly announced that +having been caught in a trap, he had held a face to face talk with Peleg +Growdy himself; when he managed to relate the whole surprising adventure +the boys were stunned at the possible consequences of their little prank. + +Those who had considered it only in the light of a joke began to see that +Paul had something deeper in mind when he proposed such a thing. + +All the way home Paul was kept busy repeating some of the things he had +said to the irate farmer. It gave those lads something to ponder over +when by themselves. Possibly they had never before realized what a +powerful lever for good such a method of returning a grudge may become. + +Paul himself was delighted. Even if nothing more came of it he could look +back to the little adventure with satisfaction such as Ted Slavin and +his cronies might never feel with regard to their prank. + +And the next morning Paul was not at all ashamed to relate the entire +circumstance at the breakfast table. He felt amply repaid when he saw the +look of pride upon his mother's face, as she turned her eyes, filled with +unshed tears, upon him and said gently: + +"I am glad you did it, Paul. I know the history of poor Peleg Growdy; and +surely he has had enough of trouble during his life to make him different +from the rest of his kind. The milk of human kindness has perhaps been +dried up in his breast; yet who knows, my boy, but that you may have set +him to thinking by that one little act of yours. I shall never fear for +you, Paul, whatever betides." + +His father, the doctor, was a man of few words; but that morning when he +was going off on his round of visits he did an unusual thing--took Paul's +hand, and gave it an affectionate squeeze, while the look that +accompanied the action needed no further explanation. + +And Paul was many times satisfied. + +That day and others saw a growing buzz of excitement in the town of +Stanhope. It seemed as though nearly every boy over the age of twelve, +yes and even under, might be filled with a burning zeal to join the new +troops that were being started under two different scout leaders. + +Ward Kenwood had entered heart and soul into the work, which seemed to +appeal to him; but there were those who secretly believed he was more +concerned about opposing his rival, Paul Morrison, than in building up +a second troop of scouts that would be a credit to the place. + +Ted Slavin, of course, worked hand in glove with his friend, Ward. If +money counted for anything they had no reason to complain; for inside of +a week there blossomed out numerous boys clad in the new khaki uniforms +that distinguish the Boy Scouts everywhere. + +Some of Paul's friends felt grieved because they had failed to get their +equipments as soon as the others; but nothing could disturb the scout +leader. + +"You'll see that they are bound to meet up with a snag when they apply +for admission to the real organization. They can't subscribe to many of +the rules. Then again you know that the real scout scorns to receive his +uniform as a gift. Everything he owns must be earned. But most of us are +nearly ready to send for suits. Wait a little longer. The race is not +always to the swift." + +In this fashion then did wise Paul bring peace to the troubled hearts of +those anxious ones. Never a member of the new Fox Patrols that sought an +interview with the scout leader but who came away feeling that there was +not a cloud in the sky of their future. + +In this manner a week, and then ten days, drifted along, with the opening +of school looming up in the near future. + +Paul had almost forgotten the troubles of his chum when one day he had +the fact suddenly brought to his attention again, as Jack came upon him +with a face upon which rested the same old cloud of anxiety and grief. + + + + +CHAPTER IX + +"WELL DONE, MY BOY!" + + +"There, some more gone, Paul!" + +"But it's nearly ten days since we talked it over last, and then there +were, let me see, I believe six coins left," returned the other, quickly. + +"That's true enough. And I can see now that you're wondering why none +have been taken all this time, up to to-day," remarked Jack, as he came +alongside his chum, who was looking in at a window where sporting goods +made a brave display. + +"Will Carlo hang around and wait for you a bit?" asked Paul, looking with +a smile toward the big Newfoundland dog that had been trotting at the +heels of his young master, carrying a basket, in which were several +packages from the store. + +"Sure. He's well trained, and that is one of the smallest of his stunts, +as you know. See, he has laid the basket down, and stands guard over it. +I dare any dog in Stanhope to try and take it away. Now, you want to know +about my poor old batch of coins!" + +"I'm waiting to hear, old fellow," said Paul, tenderly; for he could see +that his chum was once again highly charged with emotion. + +"I thought I'd try a scheme unbeknown to you," began the other, slowly. + +"Perhaps I can guess what you did--was it that you locked the door of +your little den, Jack?" + +"Well, now, you are a champion guesser, for that was just what I did, +every day up to this one--shut down the window, locked the door, and +never went up there once," replied his comrade, with surprise written +on his face. + +"And nothing was missing?" + +"Not a coin. I counted six myself this morning when I went upstairs just +to get something out of the snuggery." + +"Did you forget to lock it after you, Jack?" + +"No; but an idea came to me. At the time I thought it a bright one; but +now I'm more than half sorry I ever tried it." + +"Oh! then you left the door unlocked again on purpose?" + +"Yes, and with the window open, at that. The invitation was plain +enough," murmured Jack, with dejection in his voice and manner. + +Paul seemed to ponder over the matter; and indeed it was quite enough to +try any boy's wits. + +"Do you happen to know if any fellow called to see you to-day while you +were out?" he asked, presently. + +"Now, I thought of that, and asked both my brother and Maggie to pay +particular attention to it, if any boy stopped over, hoping I would come +in." + +"Nothing doing?" + +"It's kind of queer, but do you know, for a wonder not a single fellow +has been at our house this blessed day. Generally half a dozen call to +see me, you know, to borrow books from my library, or talk over matters +connected with our school society. It just looks as if everything wanted +to mix me up worse than ever, and make me think--" + +"Never mind what it makes you think," interrupted Paul, quickly, +squeezing the arm of his chum affectionately; "let's get down to facts. +You know I promised that I'd find out the truth about this matter; and +while up to now I've given it mighty little attention, don't think that +I've forgotten, Jack." + +"I don't; only it bothers me to understand how you can ever expect to +find out who's taking my old coins, if I've made a mess of it; and living +in the house at that!" rejoined the other, with bewilderment plainly +visible on his face. + +"Leave that to me. I repeat my promise, and if everything else fails why, +what's going to hinder my hiding up there behind some of your stuff, +where I can see for myself what happens?" + +"Oh!" exclaimed Jack, "that would be a clever idea; but much as I want to +know the truth, I'm afraid to!" + +"Well, you've got to get over that feeling. No matter what happens it's +far better to know the worst; for then it may be remedied. I've heard my +father tell of many a desperate case where only heroic treatment, as he +called it, brought his patient through. We've just got to try it here, +Jack, old fellow. Hello! what d'ye suppose all that row's about?" + +"Sounds to me like a runaway horse, from the shouts," declared Jack, +quickly forgetting his own personal troubles in the new excitement. + +"Look! There's the runaway, and coming this way around the corner. Oh! it +was nearly over that time! My heart was in my mouth!" cried Paul. + +"There's some one in the wagon, Paul, a little child!" almost shrieked +Jack; for the clamor was deafening by now, and ordinary sounds could +never have been heard. + +No need to tell Paul that. He had just made the astounding discovery +himself, and was thrilled with sudden horror. + +It was a little boy who was tugging at the lines with a heroism worthy of +one twice his size; but such a young person could make no impression on +the hard mouth of that terrorized animal. + +In the sudden whirl around the corner the lad had come very near being +thrown but, and was even now unsteadily trying to regain his balance. + +Paul knew that it was an occasion for quick thinking, and even faster +doing! + +He bounded away from the side of his chum as though on springs, leaving +Jack standing there on the curb, filled with eager anticipation, and +fears. + +It was not _toward_ the rapidly advancing horse that the boy ran, but in +exactly the opposite direction, as though he were being chased. With the +wagon flinging about from side to side, and hindering the progress of the +runaway to some extent, Paul believed that he could almost hold his own +in the race. + +Little by little he meant to let the horse overtake him. Then, at just +the right second his chance would come to jump at the animal's head, +seize upon the lines close to the bit, and throw his entire weight upon +them. + +He knew that it called for good judgment, since the slightest mistake +would be apt to cost him dear. To be thrown under the iron-shod hoofs of +the galloping animal might mean making him a cripple for the rest of his +life. + +Even that possibility did not daunt Paul. He only saw the frightened face +of the little chap who so valorously clung to the lines, and shouted +shrilly at the top of his childish voice, as though expecting the usually +tractable horse to mind. + +A human life in peril--that was one of the cardinal points that must call +for action on the part of a true Boy Scout. He might refuse to engage in +a sanguinary battle with some rival who had dared him to a fight; but +under no conditions must he hold back when the chance offered to do a +good deed. + +Now the horse was just behind him, and still galloping furiously. If +anything, the animal was making more desperate headway than ever, for +the outcries on every side seemed to add to his fright. + +Every eye was focussed on the runner. One man in a vehicle had drawn in +his horse, and with white cheeks watched the remarkable scene. + +If any among that throng had reason to send up a silent prayer for the +safety of that daring lad just then, surely he might. For the man in the +buggy was Doctor Alan Morrison, Paul's own father! + +Five seconds passed, but it seemed an hour, a day, a life-time to that +man, as his heart ceased to beat, and he gripped the reins convulsively +in his clenched hands. + +Then the heavens seemed to almost split with the sudden outburst of wild +shouts that raced up and down that street. + +"He's done it! Hurrah! The boy's stopped him! Bully for Paul Morrison!" + +Men shouted, boys shrieked, while women embraced in their tears. The +tense strain was over, for willing hands had clutched the lines after +Paul's weight had brought the wild runaway to a staggering halt; and the +danger was past. + +Then ensued a wild scene, everybody trying to get hold of the boy who had +known what to do in an emergency, and not only that, but had done it. + +Confused, overwhelmed, Paul in the great confusion tried to flee; but +while he did manage to duck under many of the hands outstretched to +clutch him, it was only to dart into the arms of some one who pressed him +to his heart. + +And looking up the boy saw above him the face of one whom he loved--his +father, who had been a witness to his adventure. + +"That was well done, my boy; and I'm glad I saw it!" was all the good +doctor said; but Paul never forgot the proud look that accompanied the +words. + +It would return to him many times in the distant future, when he might be +tempted by the fascinations of the world to turn aside from the narrow +path which he had chosen to tread; and must ever be a guide and beacon +for his footsteps. + +Then came Jack, with William, Tom Betts and Bluff Shipley, all nearly +wild over the fact that it was their chum who had acquitted himself so +well. + +Before Paul could make his escape he found his hand gripped by the father +of the child in the wagon, who happened to be a prosperous farmer, with +whom Doctor Morrison was well acquainted. + +"I never could tell you what I think about this, my boy," he said, with +deep feeling. "The child's mother'll never forget you, be sure of that. +And it ain't right for me to offer you any reward for doing such a fine +thing; but I want you to buy something with this ten dollars, that every +time you look at it you'll remember little Tod Perkins, what owed his +life to you." + +"Oh! I couldn't think of it, Mr. Perkins. Why, it was just pie to me, you +know. Please don't make me take it!" said the boy, still more confused; +but the farmer had already turned away to embrace his child, and there +seemed nothing for it but to accept the gift. + +"Don't offend him by refusing, Paul; he means well, and perhaps you can +buy something with it that will serve as a reminder," said the doctor, +always trying to avoid hurting other people's feelings. + +"Why, sure, what's to hinder you buying your scout's uniform with it?" +declared William at this juncture. + +"You certain earned it, if anybody ever did work for what they got!" +avowed Bobolink, positively. + +"Oh! w-w-why wasn't it m-m-me?" wailed Bluff, in pretended grief. + +"Say, do you think you could have nailed that runaway horse, with such an +impediment twisting you up?" demanded Bobolink, grinning. + +"Well, boys, since you say so, I suppose then I'll just have to accept +it, and call my outfit earned by the sweat of my brow," laughed Paul, +taking out his handkerchief to wipe his face from its collection of +perspiration and dust. + + + + +CHAPTER X + +AN UNEXPECTED OFFER + + +Paul and his chum managed to break away finally, and walk toward the home +of the latter. Jack had his arm through that of the other, and it seemed +as though he felt happier over the recent exploit than the one who had +occupied the centre of the stage. + +"My heart seemed to be up in my mouth just when you made that grab for +the bit. I believe I would have fallen in a fit if you had gone under, +Paul," said Jack, with a big sigh, as he pressed the arm he held. + +"Well, I was a little worried myself that something might upset me just +then. But luck favored me, you know. I'm more than glad, because it would +have given my mother a bad shock if I'd been trampled on. But please drop +that subject, old fellow," said Paul, making a wry face. + +"I will, since you ask it; but they won't forget it in the town for a +long time. Such things happen only once a year or more around dull old +Stanhope. To-night we meet to see how many have the money earned for the +suits; and I'm glad to say I can cover my needs. You're doubly supplied +now, with this windfall." + +"Yes, and I wish I could help some other fellow out; but I'm afraid that +would be against the rules of the game. Here we are at your house, and +bless me if Carlo hasn't carried that basket of provisions straight back +to the kitchen door. Say, he _is_ a trump, sure enough, Jack." + +"Oh! that's dead easy for Carlo. Why, we often put a nickel in the +basket, and send him down to the bakery for a loaf of bread," laughed the +other. + +"And does he always get it?" asked Paul, looking suddenly interested. + +"I don't believe he's failed for six months. Of course Mr. Crusty knows +what we want, and wraps the loaf up so as to keep the dust off. Why, that +ain't the best of his tricks, by a long shot. I taught him when he was +hungry to go--" + +"Excuse me, won't you, Jack; there comes father, and I do believe he's +heading home long before his usual time. Perhaps he's afraid mother may +hear that something has happened to me, and would be anxious. I'd better +jump in with him, don't you think? Another time I'll hear all about the +wonderful stunts of Carlo." + +And so speaking Paul ran out to join his father in the buggy. + +Jack looked after him, and sighed heavily. It was not that he felt a +particle jealous of the recent exploit which his chum had engineered so +successfully; for envy was not one of his failings. But he did wish that +his mind was as free from anxiety and suspicion as that of Paul Morrison. + +For the mystery of those disappearing coins hung about his neck like a +millstone, nor could he ever know peace again until in some way it were +explained. + +What happened at the Morrison home when the doctor told the story of his +boy's heroism no one ever knew; for Paul was not the one to betray family +secrets. + +But Jack, who understood what an affectionate mother his chum had, could +easily imagine how she wrapped her arms about the boy, and pressed him +again and again to her bosom, thanking Heaven that the child she had +watched grow from babyhood until he was now almost as tall as his father, +should show signs of proving himself a worthy successor to the "good +Doctor," as every one knew him. + +That night the boys had the darkness to contend with when they started +for the place of meeting, though the late moon might show her smiling +face before the time came for them to return home. + +There were just twenty-two who reported at roll call that evening at +eight, and one need only glance around at the faces of the boys, both +large and small, to be positive that the enthusiasm, instead of dying +out, was increasing by leaps and bounds. + +When the meeting had been called to order, the one subject that +interested those gathered was the question of obtaining their uniforms +and other outfit. + +A warm discussion arose shortly when Jack asked for information +concerning the right of any scout to assist a fellow member who might be +behind in earning the necessary amount. + +Some believed one way, while others seemed to look at it in another +light, and not a few were, as Jack said, "on the fence." + +"Listen, fellows, and I'll tell you what I gathered from studying the +books on the Boy Scout movement loaned me by the minister. Here are +twenty or more of us, and we need just so much money for an outfit. Some +can show much more than they need, others fall short, although they may +have worked even harder. Is that plain?" and Jack looked around at the +eager faces as he put the question. + +"It certainly is," remarked Paul, smiling; "some are born rich, others +earn riches, and once in a while some lucky chap has the money stuck +right in his hand. I'm one of the last class. But go on, Jack; for I know +you've got a bright idea that may help us out of this hole." + +"The answer is easy, fellows. We must make a common fund. Then every +member can put in all he wants, so long as it has been honestly earned. +See my plan?" + +"Sure, and it goes. That's the answer to the problem. Let's try it out +and see how near we can come to the amount needed," said Jud Elderkin, +briskly; starting to pass around slips of paper and a pencil. + +"Put down what you can hand over to the general fund, each fellow; and +remember it means cash, to be delivered to-morrow, and not credit," he +announced. + +There was the utmost eagerness to carry out the idea, and before five +minutes had passed every boy had written his name on a slip of paper, +together with the full amount which he could contribute to the general +fund. + +"I appoint Jud and Bobolink a committee to canvass the vote, and count up +the amount subscribed," said Paul, as chairman of the meeting. + +It did not take very long, though the two boys were seen to go over their +figures several times in order to make sure there could be no error. + +"Look at the grins on their faces! Don't that tell the story, fellows! +Hurrah!" shouted Nuthin'. + +And when the amount was declared it was found that it far exceeded the +actual sum needed to purchase uniforms for the entire twenty-two scouts, +including hats and leggings. + +"Don't forget that I've just got to have a bugle, fellows. What use is it +to be elected bugler if you can't bugle?" exclaimed Bobolink. + +"And m-m-me for a d-d-d-d-d-drum!" echoed Bluff, excitedly; when he was +immediately pounced upon as usual, and pounded several times on the back. + +"Yes, do get Bluff something he can beat. I've heard him drum, and he's +just a corker at it. It keeps him from talking, you know," laughed Tom +Betts. + +"Hello!" exclaimed Nuthin' suddenly; "look who's here, fellows!" + +All eyes were immediately turned toward the door, and focussed upon the +figure that stood just within the barn, having entered while they were +boisterously exchanging these compliments. + +"Why, it's Mr. Growdy!" said Paul. + +"Old Peleg!" echoed Bobolink, in a hushed tone. + +One and all stared at the crusty old farmer, who for years had avoided +all boys as though he thought them a dangerous breed of animals which it +were safer to let severely alone. + +When Paul saw the amused smile creeping over the rugged and seamed face +of the old farmer he understood that Peleg had really experienced a +wonderful change of heart, dating from that night when the new Boy Scouts +cleaned up his dooryard as an object lesson. + +And now Peleg was coming slowly forward, looking a bit awkward; since he +had never been accustomed to facing an audience, and especially one +composed of boys. + +They made way for him, so that presently he found himself completely +surrounded by an eager throng. + +"Glad to see you, Mr. Growdy," said Paul, holding out his hand +impulsively; and to the surprise of the others it was eagerly seized upon +by the calloused fingers of the toiler in the fields; "these are the +friends I spoke to you about. And this is the Fox Patrol of the newly +organized Boy Scouts." + +Peleg grinned, and acknowledged the introduction by ducking his touseled +head. + +"Glad to meet ye, boys. I've be'n hearin' quite considerable 'bout what +ye was adoin' over here, an' I thort as how I'd jest drap in to see ye +all; sorter like returnin' yer call, so to speak!" he said, again +allowing a humorous look to appear upon his face. + +And somehow the boys instantly concluded that when Peleg allowed the +lines of his severe face to relax, he was rather a jolly old chap after +all. + +"Hurrah! Three cheers for Mr. Peleg Growdy!" exclaimed one of those who +felt relieved to think that his coming meant no trouble after all. + +But the farmer raised his hand. + +"Jest wait till I has my little say, boys. Now, at fust I was kinder +riled that a passel o' boys shud 'a' took me to task on account o' my +way o' lettin' things run loose like at my place. But I gotter thinkin' +her over, and by hokey if it didn't jest come home to me. Times was when +my dooryard was the puttiest around all Stanhope, with the flowers +abloomin', an' every scrap tidied up; but in them happy days Mandy an' +the kids was there, ye see; an' sense they was took it 'peared like I +never cared what things looked like; an' that's a fact, boys." + +The old man seemed to swallow something that threatened to choke him; and +then, while the boys hung on his every word, and wondered how they had +ever come to misunderstand him as they had, he went on: + +"But I kim to the conclusion, arter thet kind visit ye paid me, thet I +owed a duty to the community, and it warn't right for any citizen to let +his place look disgraceful. So arter this nobody ain't agoin' to be +ashamed to pass by the yard where Mandy 'tended the rose bushes, and her +tots played from morn to night. I jest drapped in here to thank ye right +hearty boys, for showin' me wot was wantin'. Arter this there ain't never +agoin' to be any trouble between me an' the boys o' Stanhope. They kin +count on old Peleg Growdy to contribute to every sport that goes to +cultivate the mind and body in the right direction!" + +He seemed a vastly different man as he stood there and said this, for his +head was thrown back, his eyes flashed, and his face was almost friendly +in its expression, the old haggard look having for the time being +disappeared. + +"Again I say, three cheers for Mr. Growdy!" called Joe Clausin. + +"Wait a bit, fellers. I got somethin' more to say," pleaded the old man, +once again lifting his hand to still the rising tumult. + +Paul smiled, for he could give a pretty shrewd guess as to what was +coming; and it certainly did him good to realize how their odd little +scheme was turning out to be such a glorious success. + +Every voice was hushed, and once more the throng waited for the farmer to +explain. + +"I've been ahearin' a good lot about wot ye're all adoin' with this Boy +Scout business. Kinder got me interested, an' I borried some books o' the +dominie jest so I could understand wot 'twas all about. An' I want to say +I like the ijee fust rate. If I hed any boys o' my own," and his voice +faltered right there, "I'd sure encourage 'em to jine in with ye. Seein' +as I ain't, an' on account o' the good turn ye done me t'other night, +boys, I'm goin' to ask a favor o' ye. I ain't got nary a kid to leave +my money to when I go; and so I hope ye'll let me pay for fittin' this +here Fox Patrol out with uniforms! That's my ijee, boys, an' it'll give +me great joy if so be ye take me up!" + +They looked at each other for a minute, speechless with astonishment. + +Then being real boys they found their voices with a rush. No need now for +Tom Butts or Joe Clausin to suggest three cheers. That old barn fairly +rocked with the volume of sound that burst forth, as every fellow swung +his hat in the air, and tried his best to give his feelings free rein. + + + + +CHAPTER XI + +CAUGHT NAPPING + + +"Silence!" + +The tumult died away as quickly as it had sprung into being, when Paul +held up his right hand and made this request. + +All being still again, he turned to the grinning old farmer, who was +doubtless getting more solid satisfaction out of this new experience than +he had obtained from any clever dicker or trade engineered in the last +ten years. + +"Mr. Growdy," said Paul, with considerable of feeling in his voice, "as +the present scout leader of Stanhope Troop No. 1 of the Boy Scouts, I +want to thank you sincerely for your generous offer. We all appreciate +the kindly spirit that causes you to make it to us. But unfortunately it +happens that the rules of our organization will not allow us to accept." + +Peleg's face fell several degrees at this. + +"Say, couldn't ye jest make an exception this time, boys?" he pleaded. +"I'll feel right hurt if I ain't 'lowed to help on this business some. +Wot's a hundred dollars beside the new speerit ye've managed somehow to +start up in me? If ye need more, by gum! ye kin hev it! I ain't no hog, +if I hev let the people think so this long time." + +"Sorry to say so, Mr. Growdy, but we can't accept. Besides, we have all +earned enough money now to pay for what we need, and expect to send away +to-morrow to get our suits," Paul went on; and even while he was talking +a bright idea came flashing into his brain. + +"Wall, now that's jest too bad, boys. I'd calkerlated to spend that +hundred on doin' a good deed, an' ye make me go back home with the same +hugged tight in my pocket. I'm sorry it cain't be did, I am, sure," +muttered the farmer, shaking his head, and acting like a child that has +been cheated out of some anticipated pleasure. + +"That doesn't follow, Mr. Growdy," said Paul, in a low but thrilling +voice; "if you have set your mind on using that hundred dollars to do a +good work, perhaps I might give you a hint where it would fit in mighty +well, and make your heart feel warm." + +"Hey! wot's that, Paul? I don't understand," exclaimed the man. + +"Down just beyond the outskirts of Stanhope there lives a poor widow +woman who, I'm told, is in danger of being put out of her home any day +now because she has been sick and unable to work so as to pay her rent. +If you went to her right now, Mr. Growdy, and put that wad of money in +her hand, I'm sure you'd never regret it, sir; and every boy here would +thank you just as much as if you paid for his uniform. Isn't that so, +fellows?" + +A chorus of shouts testified to the fact that Paul had hit upon a popular +idea for turning the sudden generosity of the hitherto miserly old farmer +to account. + +"Who is the woman?" asked Peleg Growdy uneasily. + +"Mrs. Jenks, who has three little children to support. Her husband was +killed in that blast some years ago, and she never recovered a cent from +the mining company, for they burst like a bubble," returned Paul. + +"By gum! wot d'ye know about that, now? I reckons as how she lives in one +o' my own cottages, which the real estate man, Stebbins, takes keer of +fur me. He was tellin' me about some tenant he'd have to put out; but I +never noticed more'n that the name was Jenks." + +"But now?" ventured Paul. + +"It won't be did! No, sir, not by a jugful. I got my team outside, an' +I'm goin' straight over to see the widder. I knowed her husband onct +too, an' I'm some 'shamed thet I didn't look her up afore," and Peleg +started for the door. + +"Hold on, Mr. Growdy!" called Paul. + +"Hey! wot's doin' now, boys?" demanded the old man, turning to grin again +at his new host of young friends. + +"You oughtn't to leave here, sir, without giving every boy scout the +privilege of shaking hands with you. I'm sure I speak for each fellow +when I ask that favor," returned Paul, stepping forward. + +Peleg was agreeable, though he blushed like a schoolboy as the scouts, +forming in line, walked past him, each seizing his horny hand eagerly, +and doing his best to make the old farmer wince with the warmth of his +squeeze. + +They gave him a parting cheer as he passed out, and the old fellow tried +to return the military salute to the best of his ability. + +"Well, what do you think of that?" asked Nuthin', when they were once +more gathered around their leader for the purpose of further discussion. + +"The finest thing that could possibly have happened. We had our frolic; +and see what it hatched. After this Peleg Growdy will never be the same +grumpy man he was in the past. No boy need longer hesitate to call out to +him on the street; for Peleg, I take it, has seen a great light, eh, +Jack?" and Paul slapped his chum heartily on the shoulder as he spoke. + +"My idea exactly," replied his chum, quickly. "And do you know it made me +feel bad the way he spoke of Mandy and the kids. Some of you fellows may +not know that he lost his wife and children in a fire that burned his +house down while he was away. I'm glad we did that job, and you deserve +the praise, Paul, because it was your own scheme." + +"Humbug! every one of you chimed in as soon as it was mentioned, and so +you're entitled to as much praise as I am. But about those uniforms, +boys--hadn't the scout tailor better get to work, going over his +measurements again? We want the suits to fit all right, you know." + +And in this way did Paul direct the attention of his comrades in another +quarter, because it was really unpleasant for him to be placed on a +pedestal, as though he were different from the rest of them. + +Amid much laughter and joking the measuring went on. Wallace Carberry +wielded the tape-line, and Bobolink put down the figures, being closely +patched so that no errors could possibly creep in. + +So engrossed were they in this interesting business, that no one paid the +least attention to their surroundings. + +And when a heavy shutter was slowly closed over the one large window of +the tobacco barn, the fact went unnoticed. + +In fact the meeting was about ready to disband, and one of the boys +started for the door to be in advance of his friends, when he made a +discovery. + +"Who locked this door, fellows?" he called, as he tried in vain to budge +the barrier. + +Of course this drew the attention of all the rest, and a rush was made +for the place of exit. One by one the boys tried to push the door open, +but even the stoutest of them failed to accomplish it. + +"Who was the last one in?" demanded Bobolink, furiously, as he retired, +worsted from the encounter, to allow another a chance at the door. + +"Old Peleg Growdy, to be sure; and the door wasn't fastened then. D'ye +suppose he did anything to it when he went out?" asked William, as he +tried to assist Jud, now straining and pushing in a useless endeavor to +move the heavy door. + +"That's nonsense," said Paul, as he pointed to the fact that the door +could not be locked, since it gave an inch or so each time the boys +pushed. + +"Ginger! it's got something braced against it outside, that's what!" +announced another fellow. + +"As sure as you're born it has!" echoed Bobolink. + +All doubt was dissipated just then, for a series of loud and derisive +shouts in boyish treble welled up from outside. + +"Shucks!" grunted Bobolink, in sheer disgust; "we've gone and let the +Slavin fellers have another crack at us. A nice lot of scouts we look +like, not to keep sentries on duty when we have a secret meeting. And now +they've got us cooped up here like a lot of old hens! Shucks! I say +again!" + +"Well, that's no reason we have to stay cooped up, is it?" demanded Jack, +as he turned to hunt around for some object which could be used for a +battering ram so as to force the barricaded door of the barn. + +"T-t-try the b-b-big wagon doors, fellows!" whooped Bluff. + +They did, but with no more success than had attended their puny efforts +against the smaller exit. Those who had been at work while they talked +must have done a good job, for the big doors were utterly immovable. + +"Do we have to stay in here until morning?" wailed Andy Flinn, in mock +despair. + +"Not much, if I have to climb up to the roof, and knock a plank off. Say, +those fellows must have been spying out here when I met them this +morning," said Bobolink. + +"Listen now, what d'ye suppose they're doing?" demanded Nuthin'. + +All remained in an attitude of expectancy, and could hear strange sounds +that seemed to come from under the boards forming the floor of the barn; +which building had not always been used for drying tobacco alone. + +"Now what d'ye suppose the sillies are poking poles under there, for?" +ejaculated William; "and just when I was going to propose that we pull up +a board, and crawl through the hole." + +"Whew! what's this mean? Say, fellows, if that don't make me think of a +blessed old skunk I don't know the odor when I meet it!" and Wallace drew +back as he was about to get down on his hands and knees to investigate +the meaning of the odd sounds under the barn flooring. + +Others got it quickly, and various cries arose, as the boys began to hold +their noses, and look around at each other. + +"It'll smother us, fellows, that's what!" gasped William, quite pale by +now; for the odor which a skunk leaves in its wake affects some persons +powerfully, though others hardly mind it at all. + +"I know!" Bluff managed to gasp, with a great effort; "there's a +f-f-family of s-s-skunks have their h-h-home under here. I've seen 'em, +b-b-but I never b-b-bothered the b-b-beauties. Oh! ain't it j-j-just +awful, f-f-fellows?" + +It certainly was. + +Stirred up by the poles wielded by Ted Slavin and his cronies, who must +have discovered the presence of the polecats when visiting the barn that +morning, and laid their plans accordingly, the little animals were using +the only means of defence against an enemy granted them by Nature. + +William actually keeled over, and his brother had to drag him to the +further end of the barn so that he might not get the full benefit of the +overpowering scent. + +"Something's just _got_ to be done!" cried Jack, himself not feeling any +too well under the infliction. + +"Here, help me lift this old beam, boys. We can make a battering ram out +of it, and burst a board off somehow. Never mind the damages; they can be +repaired easy enough. Two more get hold. Now, swing around this way. I +think the weakest place is in the rear. Keep back, the rest of you. Here +goes!" + +Five others had been only too willing to lend a hand when Paul called for +volunteers. The beam that had been lying against the further wall was +good and heavy; but that made it all the better as an engine for ramming +a hole through the boarded side of the barn. + +Amid the cheers of the scouts the novel battering ram was carried forward +with a will, and on the run. Some of the boys held up lanterns so that +those who were in the line of attack could see just where to strike. Even +poor overcome William managed to raise his head, and feebly wave a hand +of encouragement. + +The beam struck with tremendous force, and nothing in the way of a plain +ordinary boarding could withstand the impetus with which it was driven +forward. + +"Whoop!" yelled the scouts, as a big aperture appeared in the side of the +barn, and the route to liberty lay before them. + +They were not slow to avail themselves of the privilege either, but +hastened to scramble through the gap, carrying the lanterns with them. +William managed to get up enough steam to crawl outside, where he could +breath air that was not fetid, and filled with overpowering odors. + +Only Bluff looked back half regretfully at the haven of refuge they had +just quitted. For he was wondering how his father could ever manage to +efface that scent so that the tobacco, soon to be harvested, might be +hung up in that barn without detracting from its marketable value. + +And once out of the trap the Boy Scouts began to chase around, with +vengeance in their eyes; but as on previous occasions the wary enemy, +after accomplishing their mischief, had been wise enough to slink away. + + + + +CHAPTER XII + +THE RIVAL TROOPS + + +"How far do we have to go in this new plan of forgiving the enemy, Paul?" +asked William, who had by now fully recovered from his recent weakness, +and was burning with zeal to avenge himself upon their persecutors. + +"Yes, this thing has got to have a limit!" declared Jud Elderkin, as he +glared around at the moonlit scene, and no doubt imagined their rivals +hiding near by, where they could laugh at the disturbed group. + +Paul knew boy nature too well to stretch their patience beyond the +breaking point. He was astonished that such fire-eaters as Bluff, +William, and several more, could restrain themselves even as well as they +had. + +To keep them in hand the reins must be loosened a little; but only to +enable him to get a better hold later on. + +"Well, there's no positive rule, fellows; and so far as I can see I +believe the limit has already been passed, with us," he said, pleasantly. + +"Hurrah! that's the kind of talk!" cried the inflammable Twin. + +"Then you give us permission to pitch in, and whale the whole bunch the +next time they play one of their measly old tricks on us? Is that so, +Paul?" demanded Jud. + +"Oh! I only h-h-hope so!" came from Bluff. + +"Wait till the time comes, and perhaps I'll help you give them a +much-needed lesson. We don't want to play the worm part, always," +remarked Paul; "and now, boys, let's head for home." + +"Ta-ta, sweet little meeting-house on the edge of the woods; I'll carry +fond memories of you as long as this suit of clothes lasts, I guess," +said William, waving his hand mockingly backward toward the deserted +barn. + +"Watch out for some of those Slavin fellows on the road. They may bombard +us from the woods with rocks!" warned Joe Clausin. + +"Just let 'em try, that's all. We'll chase the stone thrower to a +standstill, and then he'll be sorry he wandered away from his happy home +this night!" Bobolink declared, ferociously. + +So they walked along in detached groups, many eyes were on the alert, and +listening ears bent to catch some sign of a lurking foe. + +Once or twice they heard signals being exchanged deep in the woods, +evidently by the scattered cohorts of Ted; but while valiant, the members +of the Fox Patrols were wise and prudent as well, copying the cautious +attributes of the wary animal after which their new organization had been +named. + +They declined to explore the dense forest, seeking a foe that might only +be bent on luring them along, until ready to pounce on them in a body, to +make them prisoners of war. + +And so finally the march came to an end, with all hands satisfied that +the last meeting of the little host of new scouts had been attended by +several of the most exciting circumstances that ever befell the boys of +Stanhope. + +Paul and his chum walked on together, until reaching the first home they +said good night. But neither again brought up that subject which had been +worrying Jack Stormways for so long a time. + +If Paul had conceived any sort of an idea in connection with the strange +disappearance of the old coins, he kept it to himself. + +Once, however, on the way home after leaving Jack, he stopped to clap his +hand down vigorously on his knee, and whispered to himself: + +"Now, I wonder if that could possibly be so?" + +But no matter what idea had struck him, further words didn't come to tell +whether his thoughts were connected with Jack's personal trouble; or on +the other hand if the annoying enmity of Ted Slavin, Ward Kenwood, and +their would-be scout troop, was still on his mind. + +Nevertheless, as Paul passed up to the front door of his home, and +stopped a minute to look up at the bright moon sailing across the eastern +heavens, he considered that he had good reason to feel more than +satisfied with the magnificent results already attending the new methods +of the Boy Scouts. + +On the following day he sent off the letter containing a check which his +father gave him in place of the money, so that it might not be lost. + +Then followed a period of anxious waiting, during which many of the +members of the Stanhope Troop No. 1 felt touches of envy at sight of +their rivals parading the streets, decked out in the full regalia of +Scouts, and carrying themselves with the proudest of airs. + +They knew that Ted and Ward were busily engaged in drilling their +followers in many of the devices prominently mentioned in the manual +book. For that matter, though, it did not require regulation suits of +khaki to excel in those same things; and so the Foxes also studied and +experimented, and burned candles at night in the endeavor to learn all +that was possible of those various accomplishments. + +There was a great difference in the boys of the town. + +Few who were of the proper age but who belonged to one or the other of +the troops; and people were beginning to notice how much more manly they +carried themselves, and how anxious they seemed now to get credit marks +at home. + +Parents upon meeting never failed to talk about this wonderful change, +and express hopes that it would last. + +"The best thing that ever happened, barring none, I think," was what the +old minister declared, at a meeting of the Women's Club; "and it deserves +to be encouraged. Why, you ladies should take advantage of this wave of +reform, to get these lads interested in keeping the streets of the town +clean. Give me fifty willing workers among the boys, and I warrant you +there will never be a stray piece of paper blowing around. They'll +provide receptacles for trash, and see that everybody uses them." + +And so it went around, and everybody seemed delighted at the innovation. +Only a few skeptical old fogies shook their heads, and declared that it +was too good to last, and that they about expected to see the boys of +Stanhope transplanted to the heavens in a body presently, since their +wings must be sprouting. + +About this time it came to the ears of Paul that the banner which the +peace-loving Quaker, Mr. Westervelt, had offered for the most proficient +troop of scouts along the Bushkill, had been placed on exhibition in the +window of a jewelry store over in the manufacturing town of Manchester. + +He and Jack wheeled over that very day to inspect the coveted trophy. +When they saw what a beauty it was, their hearts thrilled with new +aspirations. + +"Worth fighting hard for, eh, Paul?" observed Jack. + +"I should say, yes," replied the other, delight written in big letters on +his face, pressed so close to the glass; "and I reckon it would do our +fellows lots of good just to run down here to look at that dandy banner. +I must tell them all about it, and have them see it for themselves." + +"A bully good idea. You know how to get a fellow to put his best licks +into any job he undertakes," declared his chum, admiringly. + +"Humbug!" scornfully replied Paul; "why, it's as easy as falling off a +log. Don't you feel more like straining every nerve in the effort to win +that prize, after seeing how handsome it is? Well, I just try to believe +every fellow is more or less like I am. That's the whole secret. Yes, +Stanhope must work hard to catch up with the other fellows." + +There were several boys standing around, also gaping at the fine snowy +banner, upon which as the card under it, went on to state, was to be +embroidered with colored silk the totem of the leading patrol of the +successful troop. + +These fellows could not help knowing who the strangers in town were; and +it was also easy for them to guess what had brought Paul and Jack down +there. More than a few times had they seen these Stanhope boys competing +on the athletic field, either in baseball, or football. And of course it +was always good form for Manchester lads to "josh" any would-be rivals. + +"Yes," said one of the natives, with a grin, "up in that corner is where +the eagle is going to be painted. And every time we go on a hike we'll +carry that banner at the head of the procession." + +"They say," remarked another, with pretended innocence, "that poor old +Stanhope is getting up a troop, and even hopes to have a try for this +beauty. Now, what do you think about the nerve of that, fellows?" + +"Oh! well, the more the merrier," came from a third, whom Paul knew to be +the scout leader of the "Eagles" in person, "and after all, we don't mind +showing these tenderfeet scouts how to do stunts. None of us want to be +hogs, boys. There's room enough for all, even if some do have to eat +the husks." + +Paul had to laugh out loud at this. + +"Say, you're on to us, all right, Manchester," he said, turning around. +"Yes, we've come down here just to take a peep at this great prize. Of +course we'd like mighty well to say we meant to win it; but we're too +modest for that. The most we admit is that we mean to make a try for it. +Of course we haven't got much show against two such veteran troops as +Manchester and Aldine; but we want to get all the fun out of the game we +can. And you won't begrudge us that, Claypool?" + +"Sure we won't, Morrison," returned the other, frankly, thrusting out +his hand; "as I said before, the more in it the better. It will make our +victory look bigger." + +"Glad to see you're so dead sure of winning out," laughed Paul; "whenever +the Stanhope boys go into anything they always work harder if they have +big odds against them. But all the same that's a bully good banner, and +no matter whether it has an eagle, the head of a beaver, or that of a +fox worked on it in colored silk, it's going to be something we'll all +be proud of as Boy Scouts." + +"That's well put, Morrison; though you might just as well get it out of +your head now as later that the Manchester fellows will ever let any +crowd come in here and take that dandy flag away. Why, our fellows know +ten times as much about scout tactics as your greenhorns do now." + +Claypole did not mean to be overbearing; when he said this he really +believed it to be an actual fact. + +"That's very true," said Paul, quietly, as he and his chum prepared to +mount their wheels for the return journey; "but Thanksgiving is still +more than two months off; and Claypole, I give you my word, we've got +some of the smartest tenderfeet in the Stanhope troop you ever heard +of. Ta-ta, boys!" + +Of course, when Paul and Jack told what they had seen, every fellow +wanted to make the run over to Manchester to look for himself. And, +just as Paul had expected, they came back home more than ever enthused +with the hope and prospect of winning that royal banner for the Stanhope +troop. + +At the next meeting the talk was all about the prize, and a vote was even +taken to ascertain to whom the honor of being the banner bearer might +fall, in case the victory was awarded to Stanhope. Wallace Carberry +turned out to be the lucky standard bearer. + +All of which was just what clever Paul wanted. He had infused a new +stimulant into the veins of his comrades. And at their next outdoor +rally, when various contests were undertaken to discover who showed the +most skill, he found that the very atmosphere seemed to be surcharged +with electricity; for the boys labored to excel as they had never done +before; but it was because each one believed that upon his shoulders +alone devolved the duty of bringing that beautiful prize to Stanhope. + +Four days later the expected suits arrived, much sooner than even the +most sanguine had anticipated. + +Then there _was_ a time. + +The usually quiet and peaceful streets of the town were fairly filled +with khaki-clad warriors, strutting up and down, exchanging military +salutes, and arousing the admiration of all the girls, who came forth +to gaze and applaud. + +It was a great day for Stanhope. A stranger visiting there for the first +time might think some military academy must have taken up fall quarters +near by, and granted full liberty to its uniformed hosts. + +If there were those who had been hesitating about joining either of the +troops, a decision must certainly follow the first glimpse of those +gallant uniforms. + +That night many a lad ate supper as an honored guest at his father's +table; for surely the wearer of a uniform must be entitled to unusual +privileges. + +Of course the word had gone around for a meeting of the Stanhope No. 1. +But it was not to be held at the Shipley barn--oh! no, those boys had +had "quite a sufficiency," as Bobolink said, of their former quarters; +and Bluff admitted that his father would not dare use the building again +that year for his tobacco crop. + +Jason Carberry, father of the twins, had asked as a favor that they make +use of his big smithy; and since the night air was cool, Paul had +accepted this generous proposition of the blacksmith on the spot. + +So that was where they came together, a uniformed organization, at last. + + + + +CHAPTER XIII + +"FIRE!" + + +"Man the bellows, somebody." + +"Yes, stir up the fire in that forge, William. It's the coldest September +night on record, and that's a fact!" exclaimed Bobolink, as he pushed +the lively member of the Carberry team toward the smouldering fire left +by the blacksmith when he gave over his capacious smithy to the Boy +Scouts for their meeting. + +"M-m-my dad s-s-says he once lost his t-t-t-tobacco c-crop in +S-s-september!" observed Bluff, shaking his head as he pushed toward +the fire. + +The boys had had a fine meeting. + +Besides the twenty-two in their new uniforms, four new recruits had been +present, to drink in with eager ears all that passed, and sigh for the +day to come when they too might shine forth in such resplendant suits. + +Already was there much rivalry shown in the many competitions which the +young scout leaders had instituted. There was a class on aviation, +another that had taken up the mysteries of camping with all its +fascinating details; a third chose photography as the most entrancing +subject, and exhibited many pictures that were to be entered in the great +contest of the county for the banner. + +Then several boys had doubled, for surely the knowledge of cookery went +hand in hand with that of camping; while a good stalker could at the same +time enter for a merit badge in the path-finding line. + +Besides, though the season was late for swimming, several fellows who +knew just what their best accomplishment might be, had qualified to +enter this class. + +On the whole the meeting had been a most interesting one. Every scout +was burning with enthusiasm, and many were the resolutions that Stanhope +must have what Bobolink called a "show-in," with regard to that coveted +banner, which was to fall to the leading patrol of the county. + +They were now almost ready to "break camp" for the evening, and before +doing so indulged in a little general talk. Many had ideas which they +wished to advance, in order to discover what the attitude of their +comrades might be. + +"Mr. Chairman," said Wallace Carberry, when he found a little lull in the +buzz of conversation, "I have a proposition I'd like to put before the +meeting before we disband." + +"Hear! hear!" shouted several of the boys, notably those who had been +seen in close confab with Wallace, and hence probably in touch with his +scheme. + +"All right, Number Seven; let's hear what it is," replied Paul, readily. + +Every member of each patrol had a number. These began with the scout +leader, who of course had to take the "initial sack," as Bobolink, still +baseball wild, put it. Jack, as his assistant in control, came as Number +Two; Bobolink next; Bluff captured Four as his distinguishing feature; +Nuthin' being Five, and the twins the next pair, for it would never do to +separate William and Wallace, while Tom Betts was Eighth and last. + +"If the gentlemen present will give me the floor, with the privilege of +three minutes in which to explain what I have in mind, I will be glad to +comply." + +Wallace was very precise in his way of putting things. This did not +happen only when in school, or as he stood up to address a meeting of +his chums. He could not unbend his dignity even under the most trivial +conditions. + +William was just the reverse; and so full of frolic and fun that the boys +always declared the pair to be unequally matched, since in disposition +they were exact opposites. + +And yet under it all there was the same abiding affection that generally +may be found between twins. + +"Hear! hear!" shouted the boys once more. + +"Let's have it, Wallace, old sport. It's bound to be a jim-dandy idea!" +declared a loud voice that seemed to spring from the ceiling; but no one +was deceived, for they knew only too well how Bobolink could throw his +voice pretty much where he pleased. + +"Silence!" + +When Paul, who in the absence of a regular scout master, occupied the +chair, uttered this one word every sound ceased; and after that there was +no excuse for Wallace to hesitate longer. + +"Some of us have been talking it over, Mr. Chairman, and we would +respectfully request that you name an early date when we can go out into +the woods for several tests of skill. There is much keen rivalry among a +number of us already, which can only be settled by an open trial. First +of all there is the interesting water-boiling test of woodmanship. We +want to know who is the leading light in that class so we may push him +forward to enter the general competition with other Boy Scout troops. Am +I understood, Mr. Chairman?" + +"I think you have made your meaning plain, and the one particular +competition you mention happens to be the most interesting of all," +replied Paul. + +"Then may we hope that you will name an early day for the trial to come +off? Unfortunately school begins shortly now, and outside of Saturdays +and holidays the several Fox patrols may not have much chance to practice +before the grand trial comes off. Make it as early as possible, Mr. +Chairman." + +"How would to-morrow do?" asked Paul, only too anxious himself to +ascertain how the boys would "toe the mark." + +Wallace looked at his backers, and there were vigorous nods in answer to +the question seen upon his face. + +"It seems to be the unanimous consensus of opinion, Mr. Chairman, that +to-morrow would suit first rate. Please give us the hour for assembling, +and you can depend on our being on deck," Wallace remarked. + +"Two o'clock ought to answer. That will give us plenty of time to try out +a lot of stunts I shall arrange for." + +"Where shall we meet?" asked Jud Elderkin. + +"H-h-how about our b-b-barn, fellows?" queried Bluff, grinning. + +There was an instantaneous howl of derision, and every right hand went up +so that the thumb and forefinger might compress a nose. + +"Another year might do, Bluff!" called one. + +"What isn't fit for storing tobacco can't be a proper meeting place for +respectable Boy Scouts!" declared another, energetically. + +"Oh! he's only bluffing, fellows; don't mind him!" + +"In fancy I can smell it now," sang another, mockingly. + +"We'll meet just outside this very blacksmith shop, and at two sharp," +declared the chairman, decisively; "and any scout who is tardy will +be given one or more bad marks that he must carry as a load in the +competition. Punctuality is a leading trait in Stanhope Troop No. 1, +you understand. Any other proposition?" + +The boys began to talk among themselves, and for a short time there was +a constant buzz that sounded like a big hive of bees. + +Jack found himself in contact with Paul while this was going on. He had +been doing his duty to the best of his ability as he understood it; and +while the meeting was in progress had proven conclusively that he had a +thorough knowledge of the many things a full fledged scout must know. + +Jack meant to graduate from the tenderfoot class in the shortest possible +space of time. Any scout may do this by being diligent in the pursuit of +various lines of woodcraft. + +"Well," said Jack, as he pushed alongside his chum, "this has been a +dandy meeting, all right. And there are four new fellows knocking at the +door; with perhaps more to follow, when Stanhope learns what great times +we have." + +"Yes, and I guess we'll need new recruits right along. You know that some +of the boys will fall by the wayside soon after the novelty has worn +off," remarked wise Paul, who delighted in studying human nature as he +saw it around him. + +"Listen! fellows! The fire alarm!" shouted Joe Clausin, just at that +instant. + +Every voice was hushed. + +Clear upon the night air rang out the sound of a tocsin--the stroke of a +hammer upon a steel rim from a locomotive wheel, and which was hung aloft +in the only firehouse in Stanhope. + +It was a thrilling sound at any time, and especially to a company of +boys newly enlisted in the great cause of humanity--of lending a hand +to neighbors who might be in trouble. So after several more clear, +resounding strokes had pealed forth, calling the volunteer department +out to fight the fire demon, one scout started wildly for the double +doors of the smithy. + +He was immediately followed by others, and in almost the twinkling of an +eye the Carberry blacksmith shop was emptied of its late noisy crowd. + + + + +CHAPTER XIV + +JACK'S CHANCE + + +"Wow! look at that, will you?" + +"It's a barn most likely!" + +"Don't you believe it. I can see the roof of the house! Say, I believe it +must be that old Bradley place! Come along, fellows!" + +"There are the firemen on the run! They'll have old Rescue No. 1 on the +jump in a jiffy. Hey, fellers, let's get busy, and pull the hose cart for +'em!" + +"Bully idea. Lead the way, Paul! It's up to you to show us how!" + +With these and many more cries the Boy Scouts bore down on the building +that sheltered the lone fire department of the town. This consisted of +a cast-off engine in good repair which had been purchased from some big +city, where they were installing an auto in place of horse power for +propelling their machines; and a hose reel, the latter to be drawn by +a line of men. + +Of course the assembling firemen were only too glad of the offered aid. +To have a score of husky boys appear so readily on the scene, ready for +business, was in the line of a "snap." + +Accordingly, while some of the men got the horses hitched to the engine, +and others started the fire going, the hose cart was rushed out, and its +long rope eagerly seized by the waiting boys. + +Paul was at the end of the line, for a scout leader must live up to his +reputation as a general, no matter what the emergency. + +"Pull!" went forth the cry, and immediately the hose reel started off in +the direction where a flash of fiery red announced that the excitement +was centred. + +Nothing could please such an energetic lot of lads more than a chance to +make themselves useful in this way. They pulled with a will, and passed +along the road leading out of the town, on a wild run. + +The one who had declared that it was the old Bradley house that was on +fire must have had the situation well in mind. Perhaps he lived in that +neighborhood, and was better able to judge than the balance of the boys. +At any rate all of them had by now made sure of the fact. + +Paul remembered that a family, in which were quite a number of children, +had lately come to town, and taken the big ramshackle building. + +The thought gave him a thrill, and inwardly he found himself hoping that +none of them might be caught in that fire-trap. + +"There comes the old machine!" shouted the fellow who, not being able to +get a grip on the rope by which the hose wagon was drawn, trotted in the +rear, and made out to push. + +Yes, they could hear the shouts of the excited fire laddies now, and also +catch the sound of galloping horses. + +Looking over his shoulder, Paul saw a medley of moving lights, evidently +the lanterns carried by the volunteers. These were doubtless clad in +their old toggery and fire hats, the foreman with his silver trumpet in +evidence, without which no respectable fire would think of allowing +itself to be quenched. + +And a rising column of sparks attested to the fact that the fire in the +engine was in full blast, so that steam would be ready by the time the +scene of operations was reached. + +"One side, boys, and let them pass! Give them plenty of room!" called +Paul. + +He had seen that old engine booming along to a fire on many an occasion, +and remembered that the driver, Hank Seeris, was inclined to be a +reckless hand; for as a rule the machine was wobbling from side to +side, and threatening to overturn at any minute. + +Up to this date that catastrophe had never happened; but Paul remembered +the old saying that "a pitcher may go to the well once too often;" and he +had fears. + +It proved that they were well grounded too, after the hose reed had +safely negotiated the last bend in the road, and the burning dwelling was +in plain sight. + +"Look at them coming, full tilt! They will be over at the turn!" shrieked +Bobolink, who, being near the tail end of the double line could observe +what was taking place without hindrance. + +Immediately there arose a chorus of loud shouts, as of warning. But +apparently Hank Seeris must have been indulging in more liquor than was +good for him; or else he happened to be in an unusually reckless state. + +"They're going over!" howled Bobolink. + +"Smash!" + +"Oh! there goes our only engine to the scrap heap!" exclaimed Jud +Elderkin, in dismay; for his father happened to be the foreman, and it +looked just then as though the gallant fireman might be without a job. + +Paul ran back, as did most of the boys, thinking that something terrible +must have happened. + +The plunging horses had been pulled down, and a man was already sitting +on the head of each to keep them from kicking further. There are +generally some wise persons present in such a calamity, who know just +what ought to be done. + +Willing hands were already unhitching the horses, so that they could be +taken out of the way, and the ditched engine upraised. + +"Where's Hank, the driver! Is he hurt?" asked some one; and Paul +recognized the old minister, who must have been on the way home from +visiting when the alarm burst out, and hence he had accompanied the fire +fighters, eager to lend a hand at the rescue work. + +"Here he is, and just comin' to, after being knocked senseless. Hank +ain't hurted, I reckon," answered a citizen who had run with the machine. + +"How about the engine--is she much damaged?" asked the foreman, as men +set about raising the heavy Rescue No. 1. + +"Out of business for this trip, Elderkin. She'll never work again till +she's gone down to the city for repairs," came the answer. + +A groan of dismay went up. + +"That settles the fate of the old Bradley house, then," declared many, as +they saw the flames and smoke apparently increasing. + +Everybody was now anxious to get on the scene, and the engine was left in +charge of a watcher, while the crowd rushed along, exchanging views of +the accident, and the chances of saving the building by means of a bucket +brigade. + +The foreman proved himself to be the right man in the right place. He +instantly organized a double line of men and boys, leading from the creek +near by, up to the house that was burning. + +Every imaginable species of bucket and tin pail was pressed into use. Men +and boys invaded the kitchen and captured all sorts of utensils, from +milkpans to butter firkins. + +These were put into use, and passed along as rapidly as those at the +creek end could plunge them in, and fill them with water. + +At the other terminus the foreman and his assistants took the water +pails, and dashed the contents here and there as opportunity arose. + +The Boy Scouts were nearly all somewhere in the line, and working +valorously. For the time being they utterly forgot they were dressed in +their new suits of khaki, and that the pails slopped over continuously, +soon soaking them to the skin. + +Cheered on by the appeals of their leader they never flinched. It was the +first chance Paul had of seeing how his enlisted followers could forget +self, and rise grandly to an occasion. + +When any one showed signs of tiring he was quickly crowded out of the +line by another eager willing worker. Indeed, there seemed to be three +applicants for each job; and had there been more buckets several lines +might have been formed to make use of that accommodating creek. + +Jack, after a little, found himself pushed aside by another scout, who +wanted to exercise his muscles, and could wait no longer. + +Seeing a group around some children, and hearing sudden cries from a +woman, Jack hurried across the lawn. Somehow he seemed to fear that +new trouble had broken out; and when he saw a half-clad figure wringing +her hands, and shrieking, he realized that his suspicions were going to +prove true. + +"What is it?" he asked, of another scout, coming away from the group. + +"Her baby. She says it is in the house!" replied the boy, whose face was +white with the horror of it all. + +"What?" cried Jack; "did she forget her own baby, then?" + +"She thought her husband had it. He's a sick man too. See, that's him +they are holding back there. He wants to go in for the baby, and they +won't let him. Oh! Jack, I'd like to do it, but I'm afraid of fire. I +just dassent!" sobbed the boy. + +Jack waited to hear no more. His blood seemed to be on fire, and his +teeth came together with a click. + +Another moment and he was in the group, eagerly plying the almost +distracted mother with questions as to which room her baby had been in. +Fortunately Jack had once known a boy living in the old Bradley mansion; +so that the interior of the house was not strange to him. + +"Our bedroom--it is the corner one where the tower stands. The one that +has the alcove!" the lady managed to cry, as she caught his arm, and +looked, oh, so pleadingly, in his boyish, determined face. + +After that Jack would have risked anything in the attempt to save that +innocent little one. He rushed off without saying a word. Several put +out a hand to stop him, under the belief that it was useless, since that +portion of the building seemed to be a mass of flames by now. But Jack +dodged them just as he did when running with the ball on the football +field. + +When he dashed into the house, disappearing in the volume of smoke that +poured from the open doorway, a groan went up from the great crowd; for +they doubted as to whether he would ever be seen alive again. + + + + +CHAPTER XV + +THE HONOR BRAND + + +"He's gone!" + +"Who was that boy?" called the foreman of the fire company, as he came +running up, waving his speaking trumpet. + +"Jack Stormways, the lumber man's boy!" some one answered. + +"Well, he's a good one, all right; but I'm sorry for his mother!" said +the experienced fire-fighter, as he looked anxiously at the flames +pouring out from several windows directly under the room next the tower. + +Paul had dropped out of the line. He could not pass another bucket after +seeing the chum he loved so well plunge into the doomed building. From +right and left he heard many things spoken, and presently understood what +it was induced Jack to attempt what seemed so like a foolhardy thing. + +So it would have been, had the object of Jack's attempt been the securing +of valuables, no matter what the amount. But a human life counts for +more than earthly riches; and a brave soul never stops to consider the +risk when a fellow being is in peril of a terrible fate. + +Jack found himself in the midst of dense smoke as soon as he plunged +across the doorsill. He had foreseen this, and with a wisdom beyond his +years made simple preparations to combat the evil. + +On the way to the door he passed close by one who carried a bucket +of water, and some happy inspiration caused him to snatch out his +handkerchief and dip it into the cool liquid, not wringing it out to +any extent. + +This he clapped over his nose, so that in breathing the wet cloth would +keep much of the suffocating vapor from being drawn into his lungs. + +His eyes began to smart furiously. By the time he was half way up the +stairs he could not see a thing around him save murky clouds of smoke, +lighted by the tongues of flame that darted like serpents out of many +places. + +He staggered up still further, and fell on the landing. But gaining his +feet again he pushed on, still heading in the right direction. Only for +the knowledge he possessed regarding the interior of the building, Jack +would have lost his bearings then and there. The result must have been +serious indeed. + +Along the hall he went. It seemed to grow hotter the further he pushed; +but even that did not daunt him. Once enlisted in a good cause he must +go on, no matter what faced him. Had not Paul said words to that effect, +after telling them what it meant to be a tried and true scout? + +And here the opportunity had come to him not half an hour after the +thrilling words were spoken! + +Those outside while still sending the buckets of water along, in the +effort to save one portion of the large house, were waiting to see what +came of Jack's attempt at rescue. + +"He's lost!" declared one, as the fire broke out in a new place; "see, +that's the tower burning now, and she said the baby was in the room next +there." + +"Poor old Jack! to think it should be him to go!" groaned Bobolink; "see, +Paul, there's his father passing the buckets along. He don't even know +his boy is in the old shack! Oh! my, whatever did he take chances like +that for?" + +"Because he couldn't stand and see that poor mother shrieking for her +baby. Because he's got the strongest heart of us all! That's why!" +declared Paul, his voice vibrating with love for the chum he might never +see alive again. + +And Bobolink said to himself: + +"By the jumpin' Jehosaphat, I believe Paul would have gone if Jack +hadn't. He's lookin' at that house now like he wanted to run right in +and tear it to flinders." + +"There he is at the window!" whooped a man's heavy voice. + +Instantly every eye ranged along the front of the building, wherever the +columns of smoke permitted. And many a finger was pointed at the one +where a waving hat served to draw attention. + +"He's shouting something. Keep still, everybody!" + +A dead silence immediately ensued. Only the roaring and crackling of the +hungry flames could be heard, as every ear was strained to catch what +it was the imperiled boy was saying. + +"He's got the baby--look! he's holding her up!" + +A shriek came from the agonized mother, and she fell on her knees with +clasped hands. + +"Listen to what he says!" + +"Go to back of house--get ladder to window there!" called Jack huskily, +at the top of his voice. + +"Hurrah! we understand, old fellow! We'll have you out of that yet!" +whooped Bobolink, starting on the run around the end of the mansion. + +"A ladder--bring it around, boys! Let's save the brave youngster!" howled +the tall foreman. + +The ladder happened to be up against the building at a point where the +flames had now burst forth, driving the fire-fighters back. Himself, the +foreman led in a bold forward rush to capture the required ladder; nor +was he to be denied, scorning the efforts of the licking tongues of fire +to daunt him. + +Then, with a swarm of followers, he pushed around the corner. Here, +to be sure, there did seem to be less of smoke and blaze, owing to the +direction of the night wind. + +Now they were placing the ladder. It reached up to a window, and if only +Jack would show himself all might be well. Seconds were like an eternity +to those who crowded below, every face upturned, and every eye ranging +along the side of the house. + +The fire was pushing in this direction too, for it suddenly burst out +of a broken window. From many pairs of lips there burst a groan. Well +did they know that every second counted against the boy, who was +doubtless groping his way along halls and through rooms filled with +that overpowering smoke. + +"There he is!" + +It was like a sudden electric shock, that cry. The clarion notes of a +bugle would not have thrilled that vast crowd one half so surely as did +the appearance of a head at a window on the left. + +Jack had been shrewd enough to pick out a room that was further away from +the devouring flames. A hoarse shout went up at sight of him. + +"He's got the baby too!" was the tenor of that victorious cry; and it +was as though every man and boy and other person present felt a personal +interest in the success of Jack's daring venture. + +The precious baby was saved; yes, he was hugging the bundle to his +breast; and during a lull in the clamor they plainly heard the lusty +cries that proceeded from that shawl-wrapped package. Those were +doubtless the most blessed sounds that ever reached the strained ears +of the praying mother. + +Quickly was the ladder lifted and rushed along the wall of the house +until it stood beneath the window where Jack had shown himself. + +The foreman himself mounted as soon as it was in position. But Jack +refused to hand over his burden, nor could Mr. Elderkin insist. It was +only right that the one who had saved the little darling should have the +pleasure of placing her in the arms of the frantic mother. + +But he could and did guide Jack's feet as they sought the rounds of +the friendly ladder, so that presently the boy, with singed hair, and +begrimed with smoke, was lifted to the ground. + +Hardly had Jack landed than a pair of arms encircled both him and the +baby; for in that happy moment the mother realized what she owed this +brave lad; and her heart was brimming over with gratitude. + +Such shouts as went up then! Those still coming to the scene must have +thought the wearers of the fire hats had succeeded in running a line of +hose into a position where victory was assured. + +Again the bucket brigade got busy, working with renewed zeal, though +but little hope of saving any portion of the big building now remained. +But every one was roused up to fever pitch by the excitement of the hour. +And Jack's valiant work had helped inspire them to renewed deeds of +endeavor. + +Paul led his chum away, for Jack was almost exhausted. Then came Mr. +Stormways on the run, having just learned what his boy had done. He +seized Jack in his arms, and shed tears over him; though at the same time +his heart must have swelled within him with satisfaction that one of +his brood had acquitted himself so well in a crisis that called for a +cool head and nerves of steel. + +The flames kept on eating into the old building. It was now doomed, and +the fire laddies confined their efforts to saving any furniture that +could be carried out. + +Paul called his scouts around him, at the request of the old minister. +They were rather a sorry looking group, though just as full of a desire +to assist as ever. The fine new uniforms were bedraggled with mud and +water. Several had holes burned in their coats, and that of Jack was +a sight to behold. + +But who cared? After all, the uniforms were but an insignia of their +connection with a great organization. New or old they stood for a +principle; and gallantly had Stanhope Troop No. 1 responded when the +need arose. + +The old and highly respected minister, whose heart was filled with a +great love for the rising generation, shook hands with each and every +scout, declaring that he was proud of the privilege. + +"Don't mind the soiling of your new uniforms, lads. Every mark found upon +them to-morrow must serve as a badge of honor to the wearer. After this +it will be the tried and true scout who can point to a burnt hole in his +smart coat, and say 'I got that the night of the great fire up at +Bradley's!' And what shall I say of this fine member of your patrol who +so bravely risked his own life to save that of a mother's baby? Only that +his own mother has reason to thank God to-night because of such a son. We +all love him!" and a tear fell on Jack's hand as the old man squeezed it. + + + + +CHAPTER XVI + +THE FIRE TEST + + +"All here, Paul!" + +Jack saluted as he said this, and smiled to see the look the scout leader +gave his scorched and discolored uniform. + +Although Jack had spent an hour and more that morning trying to clean up +his suit and leggins, they showed many signs of the hard service to which +they had been put on the previous night. + +Several of the fellows carried cameras. They had signed for the +photographic test, and hoped to get some fine views of the troop in +action. These would possibly be entered for competition when the other +commands in the county lined up to strive for leadership in the last +great event--the winning of the banner. + +Presently the town clock struck the hour. + +"Fall in!" + +Two by two they marched out of town. People came to the doors to watch +them; and many a girl waved her handkerchief vigorously. But there was no +response. Much as some of the lads might have liked to raise a hat, and +send back an answering salute, they had already learned how to keep their +eyes to the front, on penalty of being given bad marks that might tell +against them later on. + +More than one parent looked to see how the boy nearest their hearts bore +himself. Proudly they watched the long double line swinging down the +street, keeping excellent step, considering how little time they had had +for drill. + +Other boys there were who stood on the corners and mocked. Of course +these were the followers of Ted Slavin, envious of the popularity already +attained by Paul's patrol. Some of them had been at the fire, and +witnessed the deed of daring carried out by Jack Stormways. Jealous of +the other troop they tried to taunt them by various cries; but without +success. + +However, most of them did not venture to tag after the marching corps. +They knew that even the wonderful patience of these fellows would have +its limit, and that a sudden turn might be made upon the tormentors that +could hardly prove pleasant for the minority. + +Out of the town limits they went, still keeping step. Ted and Ward +trailed behind, but there was no more taunting done. + +"They mean to follow, and see what we are up to," said Jack, when he came +alongside the leader again. + +"Well, we can't stop them from doing that, I suppose. The woods are free +to all. Let them look. If they can pick up a few pointers, well and good. +When we lead, you know we can afford to laugh at those who follow," +returned the other. + +"Sure, because they'll never catch up with us in a year," laughed Jack. + +For a full mile they continued, never once breaking ranks. + +"We're nearly there, fellows. You're doing fine, I tell you. Keep it up +through to the end. Why, you march like veterans already!" + +In this fashion did the scout leader warm every heart, and cause those +who were beginning to tire of the jaunt to grit their teeth, and resolve +that nothing must be allowed to interfere with the completion of the +march. + +"Left wheel!" came the command, as the van drew abreast of an opening +where a wagon road entered the woods. + +Still those two curious ones trailed in the rear, determined to ascertain +what it was that took the Fox Patrols out of town this day. + +Presently, surrounded by the giant trees, still green with their summer +foliage, Paul gave the command to halt and break ranks. + +Immediately the twenty-six lads began fraternizing. Those owning cameras +started to look around for openings where some promising view offered. +But most of the scouts clustered around the leader, eager to hear what +the programme of the day would embrace. + +"First comes the fire test. There are a dozen fellows who have come +prepared to qualify for that. And I think we shall have an interesting +competition. Here, all who have hatchets get busy, and cut wood." + +Paul himself led the way, for he delighted in using the little camp axe +which he often "toted" into the woods, when hunting or camping. + +The sound of chopping soon resounded through the timber, and by degrees +quite a pile of wood had been accumulated. But all this was simply to +loosen up the muscles of the competitors; for they were not to be allowed +to use any of this fuel, which was for the main campfire. + +Once this had been started, Paul distributed a dozen tin kettles that had +been brought along. These were all of the same size. Moreover, they had a +plain mark two-thirds of the way up, which was to limit the amount of +cold water from the near-brook which they must contain. + +"Here are five matches for each one of you. Every fellow is placed on his +honor not to have a single other one in his possession. You are not to +use any kind of paper in kindling your fires. Just imagine that you are +adrift in the wilderness, where a newspaper is never seen. And in the end +when a kettle begins to boil the owner of it must shout and raise his +hand. I will have inspectors appointed whose duty it will be to see that +all is fairly done." + +"Don't we get more than these five matches?" asked one of the +contestants. + +"That is all. And remember, that if two are tied when the quart of water +boils, the fellow who can show the most _unused_ matches comes in ahead. +That is a valuable point, for it proves that he knows how to conserve his +resources. A match is sometimes of priceless value to a man lost in the +big timber." + +"Tell us again what we must do, Paul." + +"Form a line right here. When I say 'go,' every fellow dart off to some +place he has in mind. With your hatchets you are to chop wood, and get a +fire started as quick as you can. Then place your kettle on it, and keep +on adding fuel until the water boils. I will time every contestant +myself, and keep a record. But this is just a preliminary trial. We'll +have another later on. Ready, all?" + +The twelve contestants lined up, while the others watched operations. +Even the two outsiders had kept getting closer, so as to understand all +that was done. And as Ward had his gold watch in his hand it was evident +that he intended to do a little timing himself. + +"He wants to see how our best compares with what some of his fellows will +do," remarked Jack, to Paul. + +"All right. He's welcome. The more the merrier. If they have any fellow +who is more at home in the woods than Wallace Carberry for instance, I'd +just like to know it," returned the other, promptly. + +"How about you, Paul? I guess Wallace would stand a mighty poor show if +he ran a race with the head scout," returned the second in command. + +"That's something we've never settled yet. Wallace and I must have a +chance at each other some day; but not yet. Now watch them scurry around. +Every fellow has his mind made up where he can cut wood easiest. I've +made them bring in all loose stuff, you see, so that they start on an +even thing. Here goes!" + +Paul raised his hand, and exclaimed: + +"Go!" + +Immediately the dozen lads darted frantically off. Several came near +having a collision right in the start, which would have been fatal to +their chances for winning out; since the water in their kettles must have +been spilled; and according to the rules of the contest they could not +refill the same without journeying to the creek, which Paul had made sure +was fully fifty yards distant. + +It was a laughable, as well as interesting sight. + +Having reached the various places mentally selected as the scene of their +intended operations in fire building, the boys set down their kettles, +and commenced to feverishly whack away at dead branches, or other wood. + +In several instances two of them happened to pick out the same place, and +naturally there was considerable rivalry between them, as well as an +exchange of remarks intended to irritate and delay. + +"Look at Wallace, will you!" observed Jack, presently; "nearly all the +others have smoke going, but he's chipping away as steadily as you +please. Why, he seems in no hurry at all. I guess he doesn't want to +come in ahead!" + +"Wait, my boy," laughed Paul. "You don't know that sly fox. He's up to +all the dodges at fire making, and believes in a good start. Some of +those smokes never will amount to much, for they just struggle along, and +threaten to go out because it takes all the puffing the fellows can give +to keep them alive. Now he's going to strike up. Only one match needed +with Wallace, you see." + +"And how his blaze jumps! You were right; he made sure he had enough fine +kindling first, before starting in. Now he's adding larger stuff; and +what's this he's doing with those stones?" + +"What do you suppose?" said the scout leader, nodding his head +approvingly. "Making a little fireplace where he can perch his kettle, +and have the hottest part of his fire under it. Note also that the +opening is in the direction of the breeze. That allows the flame to be +fanned. Wallace will never have to blow out his cheeks and puff to keep +his blaze going." + +By this time some of the contestants were bobbing their heads to +ascertain just how Wallace had done it; and made haste to follow suit. +All were willing to take pattern from a past master who knew the wrinkles +of the game. + +One upset his kettle, and despairing of having any show, withdrew from +the race. + +Eleven fires kept on burning, some of them under protest, apparently, +for they did not give much promise of landing their unlucky builders as +victors. + +"How long is it?" asked Jack, presently, as certain signs caught his eye +that told him the end was near. + +"Just nine minutes; but--" + +"Look at Wallace," cried Jack; "he's raising his hat. There goes an +inspector to see. He nods his head. The water must be boiling; and who +would have thought it? Hurrah for the Carberry Twin! Look at Ted and +Ward! They act as if they thought there was some trickery, for they're +running up to see. I guess they've tried this game, and come in under the +wire in about fifteen minutes. Hello! there's Bluff calling out. Good +boy! He's going to run Wallace a race next time. But I'd like to see you +make the test, Paul?" + + + + +CHAPTER XVII + +CLEARING SKIES + + +Paul made no reply to this remark of his chum. + +Having studied the charms of outdoor life always, he knew that he would +be placing his friends under a heavy handicap if he ever attempted to +compete with them in woodlore. + +True, just as he said, Wallace was somewhat of an unknown quantity; for +he, too, seemed to have a deep love for everything connected with life in +the forest, and never tired of reading books that told of pioneers and +their ways. + +The scout leader immediately started some of the boys along another tack. +They were given a chance to find a lost trail, to detect all manner of +signs such as would be apt to tell how long previously some one had +passed that way; and to discover where the tracks came out of the creek, +upon the bed of which the unknown had walked quite some distance. + +Of course, Paul had made the trail himself in the morning, running out +here on his wheel so as to prepare the ground. And when they all failed +to find out just how the party had left the creek, since the marked +tracks did not seem to appear anywhere along the banks, he pointed to +where the limb of a tree hung down over the water. + +"That's the ticket!" cried Bobolink, excitedly. "See, fellows, how it's +skinned where his shoes scraped along it." + +"As sure as shooting he climbed up into that tree!" declared one, +excitedly. + +"Then scatter, and examine the ground around the trunk!" said Paul. + +A minute or so later a happy whoop announced that one of the searchers +had discovered the wished-for signs; and away the whole troop went on +a trot, following the leader. + +Meanwhile the photographers managed to get in some of their efforts, +possibly unbeknown to the rest. Exposures where the subjects are +unconscious of their posing always turn out best; since they avoid +stiffness, such as ruins so many otherwise interesting pictures. + +Here, with the woods for a background, Paul, acting by agreement as +temporary scout master, drilled his followers in scout law, sign, salute, +and the significance of the badges which they wore, all of them, of +course, of the tenderfoot type, since few had as yet started to qualify +for any higher plane. + +Signal flags had been brought along; and a class in semaphore work proved +that some of the members of the troop were making rapid progress along +that line. They had mastered the Morse code, too; and had the occasion +arisen might have sent messages over the wire, although probably none +save Paul could have received the same, unless the words came painfully +slow. + +The afternoon passed almost before they realized it; and more than a few +declared that the sun must have dropped like a plummet, when they found +twilight creeping upon the forest. + +Both Ted and Ward had long since gone away, as though disgusted. They had +tried to sneer at the work of Stanhope Troop No. 1; but every one knew +this humor was assumed; and that secretly they were eating their very +hearts out for envy. + +No doubt there would be a hot time among their followers, when the +leaders endeavored to drive them to beat the record Wallace Carberry +had set in his fire starting, and water-boiling test. + +"Suppose you come to supper with me, Paul," suggested Jack, when they +were more than half way back to town, with the double column moving along +like clockwork, every right leg thrust out in unison, as though forming a +part of a well-regulated machine. + +Paul looked quickly at him when Jack said this. + +"Oh! I can see through a millstone, when it has a hole in it," he +remarked. + +"Which is one way of saying that you can guess I have a motive in asking +you?" returned the other, smiling queerly; "well, I have, in fact, +several. In the first place my mother told me to ask you. I rather think +she wants to pump you about that affair last night. Father wouldn't tell +her all she wished to know. Then again I'm still all broken up about +those lost coins; and I thought perhaps you might have guessed the answer +to the riddle." + +"What's that? More of them gone, Jack?" asked Paul, lowering his voice, +so that the two scouts at the tail end of the line might not hear. + +"Don't know yet. Didn't have the nerve to go up into my den since this +morning. To tell the truth that place has lost all charm for me. Whenever +I find myself there I get to shivering, and looking around, just like I +half expected to see a ghost step out, and pick up one of those miserable +coins right before my very eyes--ugh! it's horrible to feel that way, and +I used to be so fond of my den, too." + +"Oh! I hope and expect you will be again, Jack, when we've settled this +little thing. You say none of them were ever taken in the night?" said +Paul, earnestly; while his knitted brows told how much he felt concerned +over the mystery. + +"Certainly not. Always in broad daylight. That's the queer part of it," +returned the other, promptly. + +"Sure, seeing that they always go in the daytime, and when you're away +from home, too. Anybody else going to be there to-night?" + +"To supper--oh! no. Karl went off after breakfast, to visit our uncle for +a few days before school commences. I took him to the train myself, and +then mustered up enough courage to climb up there, and once more count +the coins," went on Jack. + +"Six there then, eh?" asked Paul. + +"Just as last night. And I purposely left the door unlocked." + +"Both door and window open in the bargain?" asked the other; at which +Jack looked puzzled. + +"Of course; though that wouldn't matter at all; for any fellow could turn +the knob, and walk in," he replied. + +"But the door was open, just like a plain invitation to enter, should +anybody think of going up to see--say that again, please," continued +Paul. + +"Well, I do say it again, though I can't understand why you should make +that a point worth mentioning. Still, I have confidence in you, Paul. If +anybody can get at the root of my trouble it's going to be you, old +fellow." + +"I hope you prove a true prophet. As for myself I'm not saying anything +just yet, one way or another," smiled Paul. + +"Yes, but I really believe that you've found out something that gives you +a pointer, Paul. Your face tells me that. You're a wonder about following +a trail in the woods. And I believe you see light in this darkness around +me!" and Jack looked eagerly into the face of his chum as he said this. + +"All I'm going to confess is that I believe I'm on the trail, and that +it seems to be getting warmer the further I go. Just hold your horses +a little while longer, Jack, and perhaps I may be able to tell you +something." + +"The way you smile gives me new courage, old fellow. Oh! I will be so +glad if only it turns out all right. But here we are at the smithy. Shall +you dismiss the troop here, Paul?" + +"Yes. The boys must be pretty tired after last night's work, and this +hike; as well as the many stunts they went through with," and the +temporary master scout presently gave the order to break ranks, and head +for home. + +"Drop in at my house so I can tell my folks not to expect me to dinner," +said Paul, as they approached his home. + +There was not the slightest objection to the programme as arranged. His +parents trusted Paul fully, knowing that, while as fond of fun as the +next lad, he never did things likely to get him into trouble. + +"Now, first of all," remarked Paul, after they were indoors again; "let's +go up, and make sure that anything has happened." + +The door to Jack's den stood wide open, inviting any one to enter. + +Jack had a match lighted in his hand, and with this he quickly touched +the wick of a lamp. Paul heard him draw a long breath as he approached +the spot where the little box lay upon the table desk at which stood the +chair used by the owner of the den when taking his leisure here. + +He bent over, and seemed to be counting the coins. They dropped back into +the receptacle one by one, and with such a ringing sound that even Paul +was able to keep tally. Then Jack turned an anxious and white face +around. + +"Paul, there are only four here. Two more have gone!" he said. + +"Yet you came up here and counted them; you are positive of that?" +demanded Paul. + +"I counted them, and there were six. Five times I did it, to be sure; yet +you saw that there were only four just now?" + +"You came up here after you saw Karl off on the train?" persisted his +chum. + +"Yes, after I returned from the station. But what makes you ask that? +Tell me why you are grinning so, Paul? I know I'm awfully dull just now, +but who could blame me under the circumstances? Please speak up!" Jack +insisted. + +"Why, don't you see, this clears Karl completely. Six here while he was +riding away on the train this morning; and two taken when he is fifty +miles away! Don't that satisfy you it wasn't your brother, after all, +Jack?" + +And Jack dropped down in that chair, letting his head fall in his hands, +while a great joy overspread his face. + + + + +CHAPTER XVIII + +CARLO DOES HIS TURN + + +"Paul, you're a wizard, I do believe!" said Jack, after a bit, as he +looked up at his chum. + +"Well, I hardly think so. This thing was easy; and ten to one you'd have +thought of it sooner or later. For how could Karl have anything to do +with the bad business while he was up at your uncle's?" laughed the +other, with his customary modesty. + +"But if not Karl, then who got my old coins?" persisted Jack, smiling +now. + +"Well, I'm not quite ready to say. I've got two ideas I'm chasing after +now. Give me just a little more time on that, will you, old fellow?" +replied the visitor, as he dropped down on a cot, and let his eyes rove +along the exhibit of college colors illuminating the walls. + +He drew the little box that held the coins toward him. When Jack was not +observing, Paul took the contents out, one by one, and seemed to be +examining them closely. He even scratched one with his finger nail, and +the result appeared to please him, for he chuckled softly. Evidently he +had made a discovery which he deemed important. + +Jack, having finished some little task with which he had busied himself, +came back to his chum. + +"See here, Paul," he remarked; "I'm not going to ask you to tell me who +it is you suspect; but do I know him?" + +"Sure," replied his chum; "and perhaps after we've found out the +wonderful secret, you may even find it in your heart to look on it as +a joke, and forgive him." + +"You don't say? Perhaps, though, I might hardly feel like forgiving a +fellow who would be mean enough to sneak up here so often, and take my +old coins. Think of the ugly feelings he's made me have toward my own +brother. I'll never look Karl in the eye after this without feeling +conscience-stricken. I don't know about forgiving him so easy as all +that," grumbled Jack. + +"Oh! well, don't cross a bridge till you come to it. That's a good motto +for you and for me. Perhaps there are times when I feel the need of it. +Perhaps there's one right now," and Paul shrugged his shoulders as he +spoke, half laughingly. + +"There, I knew that something had gone wrong with you lately. I've +watched you when you thought I wasn't looking, and I've seen you frown. +Suppose you take your old chum into your confidence, Paul? What's +happened? Any trouble at home? Are you bothered over the Boy Scout troop +we've been organizing? Is it about your school affairs?" + +Paul shook his head each time the other brought forward a suggestion. + +"You're a most determined fellow, Jack," he said, good naturedly; "and +perhaps I hadn't ought to speak of such a thing to anybody; but we've +been chums so long, and misery likes company, you know." + +"Then you _are_ in trouble; and you mean to confess to me? Thank you, +Paul, for what you say. I don't think I ever had any cause for worrying +that I didn't come straight to you for comfort. And I always got it, +too." + +"Even when you and Dorothy had that nasty little spat that began to look +serious until I just happened to find the note that made all the trouble, +and forced Eli Kosmer to confess he wrote it. You remember that time, +Jack?" + +"I guess I do. Dorothy often speaks of it to this day; for we're good +friends, and always will be. But see here, why do you just happen to +mention that business? Oh! I begin to see now," added Jack, as Paul +turned red in the face, and laughed in a rather constrained way. + +"I shouldn't wonder but what you did. I'm sure I've denied every other +cause you could think of," he said, sighing heavily. + +"It's Arline then. She's been doing something. Yes, I remember now that +I saw her out riding with Ward Kenwood only yesterday. Say, that dude has +been saying something that wasn't true about you, Paul, I'd just wager +anything. He's gone and poisoned her ears with a yarn. It'd be just like +the sneak!" + +"Just go slow, Jack. You're saying something that you can't prove. Of +course I believe myself that Ward wouldn't stop at anything like that; +but without the least proof I can't accuse him of it," Paul said, +severely. + +"But you could ask Arline?" his friend went on. + +"Could I? Well, when a girl chooses to turn me down without a hearing, +and even smiles when she drives past me in the company of a fellow she +knows I detest, and whom she has often said she disliked, what then? +Think I would so far forget myself as to get down on my knees, and beg +her to take me back into favor? Bah!" + +"Is it so bad as that then? Oh well, there are other girls just as pretty +as Arline; and you've always been a great favorite with them, Paul; but +hold on, why not let me try to straighten this thing out? You've helped +me all right; and tit for tat is fair play." + +"H'm! how do you think you could do anything, Jack? I don't suppose you'd +care to go straight to her, and ask her point blank what I'd done to make +her treat me so cruelly? I shouldn't think of allowing that at all?" + +Paul tried to display an air of indifference; but it was poorly assumed; +and his chum knew full well that he was much more pained at these strange +actions on the part of Arline than he cared to admit. + +"Oh! there are ways and ways. For instance, you know that Dorothy is one +of the crowd of high school girls Arline goes with. Ward's sister Mazie +is another; and that might account for her being at his house so much. +Now, suppose you let me tell Dorothy. She'll keep it a dead secret, and +in some way manage to get a confession. Say you will, Paul!" + +"Have it your own way, old fellow. I'm just about ready to wash my hands +of the whole business. Besides, I've really too many irons in the fire to +be bothering over the silly notions of girls." + +It was bravely put, but did not deceive Jack even a little bit; for he +happened to know just how very fond his friend was of the particular girl +in question. + +"All right, then. Consider that settled, and I won't say any more about +it until I can report progress," remarked the latter. + +"Let's talk of other things than my poor affairs. You insisted on +knowing; and wouldn't take no for an answer. Hello! there's Carlo asking +to come in again. Shall I let him past the door, Jack?" + +"Why, of course. This is his den as well as mine. I keep sugar on tap, so +as to put him through some of his paces. Here Carlo, how's your sweet +tooth coming on?" and Jack snapped his fingers in a peculiar way. + +Immediately the educated dog squatted on his hind quarters, sat upright +with his forepaws drooping appealingly, and waited, cocking his eyes in +a humorous way at his young master, who had opened a drawer in his desk. + +"Just one piece left. Somebody else likes sugar as well as Carlo, I +guess. Well, here you are, now. On trust, boy, on trust!" + +So saying he laid the piece of sugar upon the nose of the dog, balancing +it so there could be no falling off. + +Carlo, knowing what was expected of him, sat there like a drum major, +quivering with eagerness, yet not daring to move as long as he failed to +hear the command. + +"Say, isn't he a sport, all right, Paul? Don't he sit up like a soldier? +Look at his eyes fixed on me. Did you ever see such agony?" + +Paul was laughing now. + +"He's speaking with his eyes, and begging you not to stretch it out too +far, Jack. Have a little mercy on the poor beggar. Look at his tongue +coming out and reaching up. I think he just wants to taste that sugar. +Give it to him now!" + +"Well, Carlo knows that he can't expect to have anything on trust; but +it's a different thing when it's paid for!" + +With the last two words, spoken in a natural tone, Carlo became +galvanized into sudden action. He had received the cue for which he was +waiting so patiently. Immediately he made an upward spring; the lump of +sugar was thrown into the air, and as it came down one quick snap secured +it, after which there was a crunching of canine teeth, and a look of +bliss appeared on Carlo's dog face. + +"There's the supper gong. Come on down to the bathroom and wash up, Paul! +And you come, too, old dog. No more sugar here; see, the drawer is empty. +Carlo never comes up here without sniffing at that drawer, and looking at +me knowingly. Go ahead, Paul, and I'll put out the lamp." + +So they went downstairs, and after a while sought the dining room, where +Paul met both parents of his chum, as well as a gentleman who was +visiting Mr. Stormways. + +"Mr. Jared Pender, an old schoolmate of mine, and with whom I made +several voyages abroad years ago," said Mr. Stormways. "He is in the +employ of the Government now, and has to make visits all over the +country, you know." + +Paul had once met a gentleman who was a post-office inspector, and +somehow took it for granted that Mr. Pender might be engaged in some +similar business; at any rate it concerned him not at all he concluded, +just what the gentleman's private affairs might be, and he gave the +subject little thought. + + + + +CHAPTER XIX + +THE WARNING OVER THE WIRE + + +After supper the two boys once more ascended to the snuggery near the +roof. + +There was no further reference made to either the disappearance of the +old coins, or Paul's little heart trouble with his girl chum. + +They had a number of books loaned them by the good old minister and which +were full of interesting facts connected with the wonderful Boy Scout +movement, especially over in England, where it originated. + +Paul was deeply interested in picking out all features that would appeal +to American lads. Until they had found the right party to take the +position of troop master he wished to play the part of scout leader in +such fashion that no one could pick a flaw with his management. + +Usually it is some adult to whom this important position is entrusted +from the start; Paul, however, had long been known to be so deeply +interested in many of the branches which concern life in the open, that +his mates were only too glad to have him occupy the exalted position of +leader for the time being. + +When they knew as much as Paul did, they believed they would be well +qualified to pass for a first-class scout's assignment. + +So Paul, with the assistance of his comrade, was selecting many +interesting competitions. By means of these the boys could be tested as +to their knowledge of those things so important to the boy scouts. + +He made many charts showing the different footprints of wild animals, as +well as those of the domestic cat and dog. By following the tracks of +a rabbit a most interesting as well as instructive story could be made +out. It was possible just from the marks on the ground, or the snow, to +tell how the animal had been frightened into wild flight, by what sort of +enemy it had been pursued, where the swoop of owl or eagle had brought +specks of blood upon the leaves or white snow, and finally the picked +bones of poor bunny would reveal the secret of the windup of the chase. + +So, in every case, the student of nature could weave a story out of +the marks discovered. It was so in the days of the Indian, when old +Leatherstocking and his long-barreled rifle were leading factors in the +life of the wilds. Daniel Boone and his pioneers used to read such signs +as easily as any boy might the pages of this book. And the deeper any lad +dips into such fascinating studies the more he wants to learn. + +When half past nine came Paul said he must be going. + +"I've had a jolly evening of it, Jack, and enjoyed every minute with you. +When we get the boys together again we can have half a dozen competitions +going on at once," he said as he arose and stretched himself. + +"That's so," replied the other, following suit; while even Carlo arched +his broad back, and prepared to follow them downstairs; "and the best +of this thing is that the more you go into it the greater it gets. I'm +fairly wild to keep it up." + +Just as the boys reached the lower floor the telephone bell rang, and +Jack, being near, stepped over to the small table in the hall on which +the receiver rested. + +"Yes, sure, he's here. Hold the wire," Paul heard him say, as he smiled; +and then turning to his friend Jack continued: "here, Paul, take hold. +Somebody wants to talk with you. Says he called up your house, and they +told him you were over at my home." + +Paul of course wondered who could be wanting him so positively that he +even followed him over to the Stormways house. + +"Hello! hello!" he said, quietly. + +"That you, Paul?" + +"It's Bobolink, I guess," remarked Paul, for the benefit of his chum who +stood by, listening curiously. + +"That's right," continued the voice over the wire. + +"What's doing to make you chase me up this way, Number Three?" Paul went +on. + +"That's the trouble; I just don't know for sure. But when I caught Ted's +voice among the bunch I said to myself, they're up to no good; and I bet +it's Paul they are laying for." + +"Hey! what's that? Who's laying for me, and where?" demanded the startled +boy. + +"Listen, and I'll tell you all I learned. 'Taint much, but I know that +critter so well that I wouldn't put it past him to try and knock you out, +so that all our drilling in the woods would be upset, and his crowd get +an advantage." + +"Oh! bosh! What's this you're giving me, Bobolink?" + +"Yes, I expected you'd say that. Think I'm stringing you, don't you, +Paul? But I'm not, all the same. Listen again. Perhaps Ted and two of +his cronies have gone and dressed up in some old Hallowe'en toggery until +they look like a set of bears or hyenas just to frolic around a bit. +Well, mebbe they have; but tell me just why they are hiding close to +_your_ place?" continued the talkative yet determined Bobolink. + +"When did you see them?" demanded the other. + +"Not more'n eight minutes ago, Paul. Was comin' home myself. Been over +to Bluff's house to fix up some surprises we expect to play on all you +fellers later on, and show you what we know about this scoutin' business. +On the way home I turned in and passed your house. Often come that way, +you know," and the speaker paused as if for breath, or to hear Paul admit +the fact. + +"Sure. Go on, you slow turtle. You've got me keyed up now to my top-notch +curiosity. Give us the rest of the yarn," said Paul, eagerly. + +"Yarn! H'm! there you go, making out I'm hatching up a story. But take my +word for it, Paul, three fellers are hidin' in the bushes close to your +place, and expectin' some one to pass along in the dark. They started to +jump out at me, and then I heard Ted's voice growlin' to 'em to fade +away, that it wasn't the right one. Thought I'd just ask you if you could +explain what it meant. When your mother told me you was over with Jack I +saw a light, and that's what." + +"Well, I'm glad you told me, Bobolink. A good scout is always on the +alert to do his comrade a clever turn; and I won't forget this. That +all?" + +"But now I've told you, Paul, aren't you goin' to slip around the back +way, and let them fellers take it out waitin'? Three to one is too much. +They'll do you up, and make out 'twas only horseplay. Please give 'em the +slip, Paul. We need you in our business, you know." + +"I'll see about it, Bobolink. Thanks, good-bye!" and Paul switched off. + +"Well, what's all this about?" asked Jack, as his chum turned toward him, +with a frown on his face, and a gleam in his eye that the other knew +stood for grim determination. + +"He says there are three fellows lying in wait in the bushes near my +place, all rigged up in their Hallowe'en toggery; and that he believes +they know I am over at your house. That's all," remarked Paul, with a +little nervous laugh, and a clinching of his hands. + +"Good gracious! you don't say; three of them waiting to pounce on you! +Did he seem to know who they were?" asked Jack, looking worried. + +"Well, you might guess that easy enough," replied Paul, scornfully. + +"Ted Slavin and some of his ugly ducklings?" + +"Bobolink says he recognized Ted's voice. And, I suppose my warm friend +Ward is one of the others. He never loses a chance to get a dig in at +me." + +"I don't know," returned Jack, thoughtfully; "to tell the honest truth I +hardly think he can be one of the bunch, because his sister took Arline +home with her to supper; and I guess Ward couldn't be coaxed out while +_she_ is there." + +Paul winced, but said nothing. + +"Oh! well, it doesn't matter much after all. They're a lot of cowards, or +else they wouldn't be concerned in such a low game. You can give them the +slip by going around the back way," and Jack chuckled at the thought of +those silly fellows waiting an hour or two for the expected victim who +never came, and then going home in sheer disgust. + +Paul shook his head. + +"Now, that's just what Bobolink said, too; but I've made up my mind that +I'm not going to sneak home, like a dog with his tail between his legs," +he said, shutting his teeth hard together. + +"You mean that you'll take the street that leads to the front of your +house? Oh I well, they'll hardly tackle us when they see there are two," +remarked Jack. + +"And by that you mean you expect to go along. I won't let you do anything +of the kind. Even if they allowed us to pass by, don't you think they'd +be apt to take it out of you when you returned alone? No, I'm your +superior officer, and I order you to stop right here where you belong; +do you understand, Jack?" + +"Well," grumbled Jack, shaking his head as if convinced against his will; +"I know you too well to try and go up against you when your mind's made +up; but just the same I think it's a mean shame that you won't let me +walk home with you. Think if they did jump out at us what a jolly time +we'd have handing 'em more than they expected." + +"Give it up, old fellow. But I tell you what I can do. You remember that +baseball bat of mine that's been lying over here so long? I'll carry it +home now, and save you the trouble, thank you," nodded Paul. + +"Bully! a good idea. Here it is behind the door. And Paul, don't spare +the measly bunch; but whack 'em good and hard." + + + + +CHAPTER XX + +SUCH GLORIOUS LUCK + + +Paul walked down the street, swinging the baseball bat carelessly, and +softly whistling to himself. + +He left the street on which his chum's house fronted, and presently came +to his own thoroughfare. + +"H'm!" he said to himself, as he boldly turned in here; "looks kind of +half dark for a fact; but that always suits fellows up to a mean dodge. I +musn't hit too hard, for this is an awful tough old bat, that has brought +me in more than a few home-runs. Well, it's helping me make one now," and +he actually snickered at the conceit. + +As he advanced he braced himself for the expected fray. Of old he knew +Ted Slavin was a muscular fellow, capable of enforcing obedience from his +slavish followers. + +What was that? He certainly heard the sound of voices a little further +along. And somehow one of them seemed to give Paul a strange feeling; +for he was positive that it was a girl's tones; and he recognized them +too! + +Ward Kenwood was taking Arline home; and for some unknown reason chose to +select this very street as a part of his route, although it was a little +out of the way. + +How strange that they should all come together just at that very +identical spot, where the trio of ambushed boys were crouching, ready to +spring out. + +Ah! Paul caught sight of something moving close by. He felt sure that it +must be the concealed fellows, launching their boom. Yes, now he could +make out their figures as they emerged from the bushes on the jump. + +Some one screamed. It must be Arline, frightened by the appearance of +these ugly, uncouth forms dancing upon the pavement. + +Instantly the greatest confusion existed, with the ambushers attacking +Paul, to shout in consternation when he began to thump them heartily on +the legs and backs with his baseball bat; and the girl standing there +trying to shut out, with her clasped hands, the strange sight, seen so +dimly in the half darkness. + +The patter of feet down the street told only too well where her protector +had gone; but he was valiantly calling lustily for help as he ran. + +Met by such a determined opposition, overwhelmed by the shower of punches +and whacks that seemed to be freighted with painful reminders; and +startled by the cries of the fleeing Ward, not to mention the little +shrieks of Arline, the three boys who had been the cause of all this +excitement soon had enough. + +"Skip out, fellers!" roared Ted, as he almost doubled up when the +swinging bat came with considerable force against his ribs. + +The others were only too willing to obey. Away they clattered after the +fleeing Ward, who, hearing what he took to be a hot pursuit, let loose +more vigorously than ever, still crying for assistance. + +Paul was laughing now, for the comical side of the thing seemed to have +occurred to him. He took out a match and struck it. As the light flamed +up, Arline, who had by now ceased her cries of alarm, possibly guessing +the truth, stared at the face of the victor. + +"Oh! Paul! is it you?" she said; and somehow he seemed to understand that +she was more than glad of the opportunity to make up with him. + +Boylike he pretended to hold back, and as the light went out, leaving +them once more in the gloom, he remarked: + +"Yes, those fellows were lying in wait for me. They expected to give +me a sound thumping; but I was warned and ready. I'm sorry that you were +annoyed by the row, Miss Blair. I'll stay here with you until your +company comes back. I think he must have gone for help!" this with some +bitterness and scorn. + +She moved closer to him. Possibly the darkness made her afraid; and then +again some other cause may have influenced her. + +Paul felt her hand on his arm, and was thrilled when she said: + +"Please don't mention him to me again. Oh! what a miserable coward, to +run off and leave a girl that way. Won't _you_ take me home, Paul?" + +He could not say anything for a minute, he was so overcome. And perhaps +Arline thought he must still be angry because she had treated him so +shabbily of late. + +"Please, please do, Paul. I want to tell you how sorry I am for believing +what came to me in a roundabout way. I'll never forgive myself, never!" +she went on, clinging to his arms. + +Paul could hold out no longer. + +"Of course I will, Arline, and glad of the chance. Come on before anybody +hurries out to see what all this noise means." + +So they walked down the street together, Paul with his faithful bat +tucked under one arm, and a pretty girl clinging, oh! so confidingly +to the other. + +But the boys of Stanhope often made more or less of a noise on the +streets after dark, being filled with exurberant spirits; and so no one +thought it worth while to investigate what all the racket meant. + +Paul heard what had been carried to the ears of Arline, and had no +trouble in proving to her complete satisfaction that he was entirely +innocent of the charge. + +"And to think that I allowed myself to believe it," said the girl, almost +crying; "oh! Paul, will you ever forgive me? Nothing can ever make me +listen to anything wrong about you again. I wonder if he had a hand in +hatching that wretched story up. If I knew it I would tell him to his +face what I thought of him!" + +"You mean Ward. Please don't do that. I really can't believe any fellow +would be so mean and low. It must have been just accident that coupled my +name with that affair. But I'm satisfied if you say we're going to be +just as good friends as ever," Paul said, warmly. + +"Better than ever, I hope, Paul. I've had my lesson. It will never happen +again, I promise you," she answered, pressing his arm as she spoke. + +So Paul saw her safely to her door, and then said good-night; but Arline +insisted upon shaking hands with him; and the tingle of his fingers as he +walked down the street made him laugh with joy. + +"What luck!" he kept saying to himself, as he made out to shake his own +hand; "and what a mess of it Ward made of his chances. He thought to have +the laugh on me if we met, and here the shoe is on the other foot. Oh! +I'm not complaining a little bit. Everything's coming my way now." + +Nothing further happened on his way home. But when he reached the house +his father met him with the announcement that Jack was holding the wire, +and waiting for him. + +"On deck there!" he said, briskly, and heard an exclamation of relief. + +"How is it, Paul? Anything doing? Seemed to me I heard an awful racket +over your way; but the nine-forty train was just coming in at the +station, and drowned it out. Did they tackle you, son?" demanded Jack, +eagerly. + +"Did they? Well, I guess some! Ask Ted," chuckled the one addressed. + +"You're laughing, and that tells me you enjoyed the circus. What did you +do to poor old Ted and his cronies, Paul?" entreated the other. + +"I could tell you easier what I didn't do to 'em, Jack. I gave the boys +about every style of punch and jab I could think of, and with my home-run +bat too. Oh! make up your mind they're going to be a sore lot in the +morning. And if you run up against Ted, just sniff the air for arnica. My +word for it, he'll empty the bottle to-night on his bruises." + +"Bully! bully! and again bully! I would have rushed to assist you only +you made me promise to keep my hands off; and you're my superior officer, +you see. Besides, I reckoned that with such a hunky-dory bat you'd be +able to give just pie, which you did, Paul." + +"But the half hasn't been told yet," went on the narrator. + +"What! do you mean there's a sequel to this story?" asked Jack, burning +with eagerness apparently, to hear. + +"I guess that's what it is. Listen. Ward was just taking a young lady +home. He chose to pass along our street, though now he wishes he hadn't; +for they arrived just when Ted and his backers jumped out of the bushes. +She screamed, and her escort sprinted down the street for help. After I +had punched and pounded the three Hallowe'en left-overs from last year +until they faded away, I had the pleasure of seeing the young lady to her +door, yum! yum!" + +"Hurrah! and I bet all differences are patched up again between you!" +cried Jack. + +"Everything is lovely, and the goose hangs high," sang Paul. + +"Meaning poor old blundering Ward. He showed himself for a coward to +the girl he's sweet on. Oh! my, oh! me, how is the mighty fallen. +Congratulations, good friend, and then more of them. So the clouds have +disappeared along your horizon, just as they did on mine. I only wish I'd +had a hand in clearing your skies." + +"So you did. You kept that baseball bat of mine until the right minute +came. Only for that my name might have been mud," laughed Paul. + +"And if you'd only open your heart now, and give me a hint about the +fellow you believe has been playing that trick on me with my old +coins--" + +"Just you wait a little. It's coming soon. So-long!" and with a click the +connection was cut off. + + + + +CHAPTER XXI + +THE MEETING + + +"How are you, Paul?" + +It was Mr. Jared Pender who came out of the post-office as Paul happened +to be passing the next day, and addressed the boy he had met on the +preceding evening at the house of the Stormways. + +"Why, how do you do, Mr. Pender? Been at work, I see," replied Paul, with +a suggestive look in the direction of the post-office. + +The tall dark gentleman looked a little perplexed, and followed Paul's +glance. Then an expression of understanding passed over his face. + +"Ah! yes, I see, you are a good guesser, Paul. But please do not mention +the fact to any one. We Government officials sometimes have to work +_sub rosa_, as the saying is; that means without any one knowing what we +are at. You understand, Paul?" + +"Yes, sir, I guess I do; but I hope there's nothing wrong here at our +post-office. We all think the world of Mr. Mygatt, and his clerks," said +Paul. + +"Oh! don't mention such a thing. We have to investigate many times just +to discover how smoothly things are going on. Isn't that Jack's dog +coming out with a package of papers in his mouth? Has he actually been +down for the mail?" went on the gentleman. + +"That's Carlo, all right. Sometimes they give him the mail when there are +no letters, as you see." + +"And will he carry the bundles home safely, without stopping to play with +other dogs, or to fight?" + +"Oh! Carlo knows his duty. He never forgets what is expected of him. +There, sir, look at him halting for a minute at the open door of the +butcher shop, to wag his tail, and peep in. It smells mighty inviting to +him, I wager; but will he go in? Not much. See, there he goes along, +heading straight for home. If another dog picked a fight with him, Carlo +would lay that package down, give the cur a good licking, then pick the +papers up again, and trot along." + +"I see you know his traits well, Paul," remarked the gentleman, smiling. + +"Some of them, but not all. He's a great dog, all right, and Jack's fond +of him." + +"I suppose money couldn't buy him, then?" suggested Mr. Pender. + +"It would be useless to try it, sir, I think. Will you stay long with Mr. +Stormways?" + +"That I cannot say. My business may be completed in a day, and it may +keep me in this vicinity for a week. That depends on circumstances. You +have been around more or less, Paul; do you happen to remember seeing a +large red touring car, with a khaki-colored cover, and occupied by two +men, one of whom has a glass eye?" + +Paul stared at the tall gentleman, as though he thought at first the +other might be joking him; but seeing not a ripple of a smile on the dark +face, he changed his mind. + +"Why, no, sir; I can't seem to remember seeing that particular car. Of +course red ones are common; but most of them have black tops, if any at +all. Some friends of yours, Mr. Pender?" he remarked, naturally. + +The gentleman allowed just a twinkle to appear in the corners of his eyes +as he nodded his head, and said: + +"Well, er--yes, very particular friends of mine, Paul, and whom I would +be glad to see again right now. If you happen to sight such a machine, +and I am still at my old friend, Stormways, I wish you would let me know +about it." + +"I certainly will, sir; and perhaps you'd like me to speak to the +gentlemen, and tell them how anxious you are to see them?" Paul went on; +at which the other gave a laugh. + +"I see you are on to me, my boy. You guess that such is the very last +thing I would want you to do. Now, I'm going to take you into my +confidence, Paul," he went on, bending his head lower, and giving a quick +glance around. + +"Yes, sir; that's very kind of you, Mr. Pender," said the lad, smiling. + +"Oh! I don't know. I have an axe to grind in doing so; for I believe +that you can be of assistance to me. The two men in that motor car are +criminals, for whose capture I have come to this part of the country, +Paul." + +"Goodness! that sounds interesting, sir. What have they been doing?" +asked the young scout leader, with boyish curiosity brimming over. + +"I won't tell you that, Paul; but they are wanted by the Government. And +sometimes we agents have to go about our business with great caution, in +order to discover enough evidence on the suspects to convict. So, above +all things, I do not wish to alarm these clever gentlemen unduly, lest +they manage to hide, or get rid of the only burden of proof. In other +words, as a common expression has it, I want to get them with the goods +on. You understand?" + +"Yes, sir; I think I do. And if I see or hear anything about that red +car, I'll tell you. But is it true that you and Jack's father were chums +long ago?" + +"That's the positive truth, my boy," replied the agent, nodding; "why, we +took several voyages together, and had lots of queer adventures. I never +dreamed that my wild old friend Alan would settle down to this humdrum +life, as a lumber merchant, and the head of a family. But I suppose it +all came of his meeting a girl. And after knowing his fine wife I don't +blame him a bit; though I've kept right along in the same old groove, and +see more or less of adventure." + +"He's a mighty fine man, and they think lots of him here," declared Paul, +who was amazed to learn that his chum's parent could have, once upon a +time, been reckoned a wild blade. + +Paul walked on with his lips puckered up as if whistling, and his face +filled with the new interest that had taken possession of him. + +He had read accounts in the papers of Boy Scouts being concerned in many +useful enterprises; and he wondered whether he and his patrol might not +find a chance to assist the officers of justice in rounding up a couple +of rogues who had apparently broken the laws of the land. + +Then other things came up to draw his attention elsewhere. + +He ran across boys on the street, who asked dozens of questions about the +many interesting features of the new organization. + +These were often lads who had begun to think of uniting with one of the +rival troops; and Paul was only too glad to give them all the information +in his power. + +They wanted more recruits, provided the applicants were of the right +sort. Those their committee rejected might find solace in joining forces +with Ted's crowd, who, not being at all particular, would receive them +with open arms. + +That afternoon there was another meeting in the woods, at which every +member of Stanhope Troop No 1, as they now determined to call their +organization, did his best to be present. + +Paul had given several of the boys duties to perform, that were part and +parcel of the grand scheme to whip his company into first-class shape in +a shorter time than it had taken any other troop. + +Reports were received and filed of numerous things done which would count +in the final summing up. These were to be accompanied by vouchers from +the persons interested, which could be filed away for inspection when the +committee appointed by the giver of the fine banner looked through the +records of the several patrols competing for the prize. + +Andy Flinn and Philip Towns reported that they had cleaned up the +beautiful green in front of the town high school, and which was generally +known as the campus. It was kept mowed by the town authorities; but +numerous scraps of paper and trash, blowing hither and thither in the +wind, gave it an unsightly appearance. + +"Never forget that you have taken our campus under your protecting care, +Numbers Three and Four of the Gray Fox patrol," said the head scout, +after reading the report; "of course it is always your privilege to +enlist smaller boys in the job, if you can do so without actually hiring +them. That is expressly forbidden." + +Then came Wallace Carberry and Tom Betts, telling how they had started +a crusade to cover the entire town with receptacles to contain stray +rubbish. Half a dozen cans had already been ordered, each one of which +was to have in startling red letters the significant picture of a staring +eye, and followed by the words, "Eat Trash!" + +"We've got a contribution box ready, and every scout is privileged to +drop in pennies and nickels that he has earned. No others accepted; and +no larger amount at one time from any boy desired. Have already enough to +pay for two of the cans; and hope to increase the order soon!" + +Cheers greeted this announcement. Others, who had heard about the good +work being started by Numbers Seven and Eight of the Red Fox patrol, +arose to announce that their mothers had promised to throw all sorts of +opportunities for earning money in their way, if it was to be devoted +to such a fine purpose. + +"The Women's Club is to bring this thing up at its next meeting. My +mother says it shames them to know that the boys of the town are taking +such a leading part in cleaning it up," said Bobolink, when he found an +opening. + +"Who's next to report?" asked Jack, who had charge of this end of the +meeting; while the "honorable secretary" made notes, and filed away the +various papers submitted. + +Immediately all eyes were turned toward Bobolink and Bluff, which team +was known as Three and Four. + +Bluff started to rise, when a groan greeted him; but he was not dismayed. + +"Our r-r-report will be d-d-delivered b-b-by my c-c-confederate!" he +simply said, and subsided with a grin, as though he thought he had +hoodwinked his friends. + +Bobolink arose slowly. When he chose he could be very tantalizing; though +in an emergency none might excel him in speedy action. But when he had +something to tell that he knew was being eagerly awaited, he liked to +keep his chums in suspense just as long as he dared. + +Immediately all sounds died away. Every one seemed to know that Numbers +Three and Four had been delegated to attempt an actual scouting trip that +morning, into a hostile territory, so as to learn what progress a rival +camp was making in the various degrees of efficiency. + +They had already heard about Manchester, and a few believed that they +would have little difficulty in excelling that town when it came down +to an actual test. + +With Aldine it was different. From all sources had come hints to the +effect that the troop in that town was working most faithfully, with an +eye on that coveted banner. And every scout in Paul's patrol felt wild to +know how much truth there might be in these reports. + + + + +CHAPTER XXII + +SCOUTING IN EARNEST + + +"Hurry up, old molasses! Winter's coming." + +"Hit up the pace, won't you, please, Bobby?" + +Bobolink grinned. This was apparently just what he liked. When, however, +he saw a restless movement among some of the more impatient, as though +they were stooping down to gather chips to shy at him, he knew the time +had come to open those sphinx-like lips, and speak. + +"Mr. Chairman, ladies and gentlemen," he began, when a roar interrupted +him, so that he pretended to hastily remedy his error--"I mean just +gentlemen; I have the honor to report that your committee waited on the +brothers of the Aldine troop, though unbeknown to their keenest scouts, +and watched the entire operations at their called meeting this morning." + +"Good! Fine! Keep it up, Old Leatherstocking!" + +"We learned that they are working like mad to excel in all the arts that +interest the scouting fraternity. Competitions were being run off in +every branch of the woodcraft business. We saw fires started, camps made, +trails followed, boats mended, fish flies tied, rods that had been made +by single members; we heard of all sorts of clever things that were being +done in Aldine that would give the troop marks in the grand round-up. We +listened to splendid speeches from the really efficient scout master, and +our hearts warmed within us toward the gallant foe against whom we must +soon be pitted; just as our bones ached because we had to squat there +high up in that tree over their camp, like a couple of roosting monkeys." + +"Hear! hear! Bully for our monkeys! They're all to the good!" shouted +some of the more demonstrative boys, waving their hats wildly. + +Bobolink stopped to give a few melancholy dabs at his thighs, just as +though they still ached from the long service in the tree; while Bluff +managed to emit a series of sympathetic groans. + +Then the orator took up his theme again; and when Bobolink chose he could +even run Wallace Carberry a warm race on the school rostrum. + +"Some people might think that it was hardly fair in us to spy on our +rivals; but we are running our troop under strictly military rules. It's +always fair to try and find out what you are going to be up against when +entering a competition. We are badly handicapped, because both of these +other troops in the county have been working all summer; and we've got to +come up from behind in our attempt to capture the prize. That's right, +isn't it, fellows?" + +"Sure! We only want to know if they're going to make a big fight; or +whether they expect to have a walk-over. Besides, I happen to know that +there was a Bald Eagle from Aldine watching us work yesterday. He had +a field glass, and was hidden where he could see all that went on." + +It was Jud Elderkin who made this astonishing declaration; and what he +said created quite a stir among the assembled scouts. + +"All right. We didn't go there expecting to steal any of their thunder, +fellows," said Bobolink. + +"Of course not," asserted the nearest scouts. + +"Well, how did you find it?" demanded William. + +"I didn't see that they had anything on us. Of course they did lots of +things better, because they've had a heap more experience; but there's +time between now and Thanksgiving for the scouts of the Stanhope troop to +get a move on, and shake all rivals out of their boots. That's all," and +Bobolink made a sudden duck to get out of the lime-light. + +"Hurrah! Well done, Three and Four of the Red Fox patrol! Whenever we've +got any more climbing to do, we know where to get the monkeys!" cried +William, with a mock bow in the direction of the blushing Bluff, and the +grinning Bobolink. + +"I congratulate the scouts on the way they carried out their mission. It +was worthy of the annals of Cooper. May I ask how they learned just where +the camp of the Aldine Troop was to be pitched?" asked Paul. + +Bluff was no longer to be repressed; but sprang erect. + +"I d-d-discovered that they always w-w-went to a p-p-particular +p-p-place; and w-w-when we s-s-saw that noble tree, why, we j-j-just +l-l-looked at each other, and s-s-shook hands. Then we c-c-climbed up +before the f-f-first eagle f-f-flew that way. T-t-thank you gentlemen +f-f-for your k-k-kind attention." + +"Wow! he got that in pat, all right. When Bluff makes up his mind to +hustle he can beat the band. I move a vote of thanks to these most +efficient scouts," said Wallace, pushing forward. + +They were given with a will; after which other reports came to show what +was being accomplished in numerous lines. + +The troop photographers produced their prints, which were passed around +for examination, and brought forth an abundance of good words. To see +themselves in the new suits of khaki made many a fellow's heart thrill +with pride. + +"We must have a meeting every day up to the beginning of school," +declared the acting scout master, finally; "for these busy Eagles have +stolen a march on us while we slept; and we've just got to hustle now to +catch up." + +"But we've got some mighty fine things to our credit already, and don't +you forget it, boys. I haven't heard of a horse being stopped, and a +child's life saved over in Aldine or Manchester," declared Wallace, with +a proud glance toward Paul. + +"Or any account of the rival troops attending a fire in a body, and +working to beat the band until their new uniforms were next to ruined," +spoke up Nuthin'. + +"I guess the boys of Manchester must feel pretty small when they listen +to the story of how a Red Fox scout walked right into a burning building, +and snatched up a baby that had been forgotten; hey, how about that, +fellers?" shouted William, pointing his finger at Jack. + +"We're hitting up the pace. We're going strong, and bound to make things +hustle right up to Thanksgiving Day! Every fellow do his level best to +bring that banner home to Stanhope!" cried Jud Elderkin. + +"We can do it!" yelled half a dozen in chorus. + +"Why, its easy money, boys. Just organized, and not a second class scout +in the troop yet, but look at what we've done. Give us a little time, +and we're going to make the Beavers and Bald Eagles, and all the rest +of 'em, sit up and take notice!" avowed Nuthin'. + +"And wait until you hear the inspiring sound of my bugle, which I expect +to have at the next meeting," said Bobolink, proudly. + +"Huh! that won't h-h-hold a c-c-candle to my d-d-drum!" declared Bluff, +waving his arms wildly, as though he could already imagine the great fun +in store when that instrument came to hand. + +And so the meeting broke up, with the scouts disbanding for the day. Some +lingered to try once more the various stunts that interested them most. +It seemed as if every fellow's heart might be wrapped up in the desire to +win that coveted trophy, and bring the banner to his home town. + +Strange to say there had not been a single mention of the other Stanhope +organization. None of them believed that Ted and Ward would be able to +make the least show in the competition. They knew the habits of these +fellows only too well. As a rule, they never won, save through trickery; +and in the eyes of the committee appointed by the donor of the banner, +anything that smacked of double dealing would be rigidly barred from the +game. + +Paul and Jack, as usual, walked home together, arm in arm. + +As the recognized leaders in the movement that had so lately struck the +boys of Stanhope, they must always have much to talk over. + +Besides that, they had their own personal affairs to discuss. + +"Well," said Jack, finally, when they found that they were alone, the +nearest comrades being far behind on the road; "the four coins are still +there in the snug little box, Paul." + +His companion looked quickly at him. + +"You carried out my suggestion then?" he asked. + +"Yes. The door has been closed and locked all day. Even the window was +shut down and fastened," replied Jack. + +"That made the little den as tight as a drum, eh?" laughed his chum. + +"I should say it did. If any one got in there to-day he would have to +slip through the keyhole," came from Jack. + +"Unless he happened to have a duplicate key," Paul went on, seriously. +"And since you found the four coins there that could hardly have +happened. Sure you counted four, are you?" + +"That's positive," returned his companion; "but to tell the truth I did +get a little scare. At first I counted only three." + +"But you found the fourth all right, Jack?" + +"Oh! yes," replied the other. "It was gummed fast to the side of the box. +I had to scrape it off before I put it back. But when do you mean to tell +me what you know about this strange affair, Paul?" + +"I guess to-morrow," answered his chum. + +"Bully for you. I'll be glad to get it off my mind. What do you want me +to do, Paul, in the meantime?" + +"Nothing," came the ready response. + +"Shall I leave the den shut up as it is, then?" demanded Jack. + +"Until I see you in the morning, yes," laughed Paul. "Don't be surprised +if I pop in on you unexpectedly. Perhaps I may not want any one to see me +go in your house, and so I might come by the back door." + +Jack looked at him in a whimsical way and shook his head. + +"You've got me guessing, all right, my boy," he declared. + +Paul instantly changed the subject, after a way he had. + +"The boys are getting on fine in that water boiling test, aren't they? +Four had it in nine minutes, and Wallace beat his own record by nearly +half a minute. That is going to be one thing Stanhope must excel in," he +said. + +"Yes," remarked Jack, falling in readily enough with his companion's +desire to "talk shop," "and those photographs couldn't well be beaten. +What a lot of new and interesting facts some of the trackers have dug out +of the trails they followed. The papers read fine. Paul, I really begin +to believe we're going to make a strong bid for that banner." + +Paul did not reply, and on Jack turning his head to ascertain why, he +found his chum staring at a red automobile that had just whizzed past! + +It had a khaki-colored top! + + + + +CHAPTER XXIII + +THE RED CAR + + +"What's the matter with you, Paul?" + +Jack asked this question, for of course he could not understand why his +chum should take such a deep interest in any automobile that passed them +on the road. + +"Did you happen to see inside that red car as it went by?" asked Paul, +turning eagerly on his friend. + +"Why, er--yes, I did chance to be looking over your shoulders just then; +I was a little afraid the wheels might graze you," admitted Jack. + +"Do you know the machine, then?" asked the other, in some suspense. + +"Don't believe I ever saw it before; but then, what of that? Don't dozens +pass along here every day, that come up from the city? It's common to see +a strange car, even if it has got a khaki-colored top, instead of a plain +black one. Hey, Paul! what ails you?" demanded Jack. + +"It wasn't Colonel Strange, was it?" asked the other; for the gentleman +mentioned happened to possess a red auto. + +"Of course it wasn't, because his car has a black top; and besides, +neither of the two men was the fat colonel," replied Jack, immediately. + +Paul had learned something already. + +"Then there were two men in it, you say?" he went on, casually, as though +much of his interest had abated. + +"Yes, and one of them was staring at me to beat the band. Perhaps he has +lost a boy, and thinks I look like him. Don't let him kidnap me, will +you, Paul?" went on Jack with pretended anxiety, as he clung to his +companion's arm. + +"Say, look there, the car's stopped. I believe they're waiting for us!" +declared Paul, in some excitement. + +"Well, that's what gave me such a scare, you see. That's why I'm shaking +all over, Paul. But in union there is strength; and I'm going to hang on +to you, if he tries to coax me to get aboard. I'm not in the long lost +class." + +"Oh! come along, and let's see what they want. He's leaning over the top +now, and keeps beckoning to us." + +Paul started on a run. He could feel his heart beating very hard; indeed +it was strange, he thought, that his companion did not hear it pounding +away, and make some sort of remark. + +The chance that he had been hoping for seemed to be within his grasp. Not +only had he discovered a car that answered the description of the one +mentioned by Mr. Pender; but the occupants were plainly desirous of +obtaining information of some sort, and had selected him and Jack as the +ones most likely to give it. + +As he hurried on, he tried to control himself. It would never do to show +more than natural curiosity in his actions. If these two men were the +ones the gentleman stopping at Jack's house wanted to find, they must be +smart enough to read his secret, unless he took warning. + +No sooner had he come abreast of the car than looking up he found himself +staring into the dark face of a man who had a cruel look about him. What +thrilled Paul, however, was the fact that one of his eyes was undoubtedly +artificial. He had guessed this fact when Jack stated that the party +_stared_ so at him. + +All doubt was gone now, and he understood that by the strangest of luck +he had come upon the parties for whom Mr. Pender was searching. The +official must have known that they were headed this way for some purpose +or other. + +"Live around here, bub?" asked the man with the glass eye, as he looked +piercingly at Paul. + +"Yes, sir; in Stanhope," replied the boy, surprised himself to find how +steady his voice turned out to be under the trying circumstances. + +"How far ahead is that place?" continued the man. + +"About half a mile, sir. You can see the steeple of the Methodist church +after you turn that bend ahead," and Paul pointed with a steady finger. + +"Huh! I wonder now if either of you happen to know a Mr. Solus Smithers?" +and as he put the question the man shot a quick glance toward his +companion; at which the shorter party nodded his big head, and grinned +approvingly. + +Paul turned to his chum. + +"Say, Jack, isn't that the name of the man who took the old Grimes farm +up at the milldam?" he asked, though he knew positively that it was so. + +"Smithers--why, yes, I reckon it is. Is he a tall man, with a hooked +nose; and does he dip snuff?" queried Jack, innocently enough. + +"That's Solus to a dot. You see, boys, he's from North Caroliny, where +even the wimmen use snuff, only they rub it on their teeth with a stick. +Now, mebbe one of you boys would be so obligin' as to direct us to the +shortest way to where this old mill stands," continued the man with the +bogus orb. + +"I guess the quickest way to get there is to drive through Stanhope, and +pick up the Deerfield road on the other side. It's only a few miles off; +but the road turns lots of times to avoid the hills." + +Paul noted that the taller man seemed to invariably look to his companion +for support. It was as though they worked in common, and neither wished +to become responsible for action without the other's assent. + +After an interchange of low words, which the boys did not catch, the +spokesman once more turned around. He held a silver half dollar in his +hand. + +"Here's something for your trouble, boys. But look here, ain't there +another way to get to that old abandoned mill without going through the +town? To tell you the truth we lost our number away back, and might get +hauled up because we can't show a tag on the back of the car." + +Paul had already noticed this significant fact. It is the business of a +scout to take note of even trifles. One of the tests of memory is to look +in at a store window for just one full minute; and then, going away, make +out as complete a list of articles it contained as is possible. + +And still, he did not believe that this was the true reason these men +disliked passing through Stanhope if it could be avoided. Perhaps they +had some suspicion that Mr. Pender was visiting there; and did not want +to take chances of his meeting them face to face. + +"Sure there is," broke in Jack, who saw no reason why he should not +believe the artful excuse given; for Jack did not know all his chum had +learned about these parties; "after you pass the bend yonder, just turn +to the left. You can't miss the road, for its got a big maple tree right +at the junction. We call that the Grapevine Road, because it twists and +turns so; but it will fetch you out right at the old dam, mister." + +Many a time had Jack himself walked along that same winding path when +coming home with a string of bass, taken in the mill pond. It was longer, +to be sure, but there were some fine apple trees on the way; and the walk +through the dense woods was so much more enjoyable on a hot summer day +than the open stretch that marked the other route. + +The man flipped the coin in the air, and as it fell at Paul's feet he +felt constrained to stoop and pick it up. To do anything else might have +aroused the suspicions of the man who stared. And at the worst it meant +another contribution toward the various funds which the boys were raising +for many purposes. + +Boys as a rule have little objection about receiving "tainted money." And +while Paul understood that these men had been breaking some of the laws +of the land, he was not supposed to know the particular way in which +their money had been gained. + +"Much obliged for the information, boys; and please don't report us in +town as being short a license tag. We'll get a new one just as quick as +we can. So-long!" + +As the shorter fellow started the machine his companion waved his hand at +the two chums on the road, both of whom of course returned the salute. + +Jack watched his friend out of the corner of his eye as they walked on. +Perhaps he was entertaining a dim suspicion that Paul might be keeping +something from him. + +But he asked no questions; and the other volunteered no information. A +scout is supposed to know when to hold his tongue, especially when in +the company of his superior officer; and so Jack let the matter drop. + +"See, they've turned in, all right, Paul," he said, as he pointed to the +broad marks of heavy tires leaving the main road, and passing under the +spreading maple that stood at the junction with the Grapevine. + +"That's so," returned Paul, apparently not in the least interested; and +yet as they continued to walk briskly toward home he frequently turned a +wistful look over his left shoulder, as in fancy his thoughts followed +those two strangers up to the old farmhouse at the mill pond. + +Who was this Solus Smithers? Could he be in league with these two men +whom the Government expert was sent to watch? Paul remembered that he had +heard several people talking about the man and his ways. He seemed to +have plenty of money, yet he made no effort to farm the place he had +rented that summer. + +As soon as they reached town he started to accompany his chum home, +hoping to have an opportunity to see Mr. Pender in secret. + +Catching sight of that gentleman walking down for the evening mail, +he made some excuse and broke away from Jack; who looked after him in +bewilderment, grieved because Paul, for once, seemed to be keeping some +secret from him. + +Mr. Pender presently came out of the post-office. He had a letter in his +hand, and was apparently much displeased at what it had contained. + +"Why, hello! Paul, my boy! Glad to see you. How is the patrol coming on? +Some day you must allow me to watch your manoeuvers up there in the +woods. I'm deeply interested in all such goings-on, you know," he said, +shaking hands, heartily. + +"Yes, sir; I'll ask the boys for permission to invite you," began Paul. + +"Were you looking for me, my boy?" asked the other suddenly, his keen +eyes having doubtless detected something in the manner of the young +scout master that gave him his idea. + +"Yes, sir, I was," replied the one addressed. + +"I wonder now if, on the top of bad news from Washington, you could be +about to bring me new hope. Have you learned anything you want to tell +me, Paul?" + +"I've seen that red auto, and talked with the gentleman who has the glass +eye!" said the boy, trying in vain to keep his eager voice from trembling +with excitement. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIV + +A CALL FOR HELP + + +Mr. Pender swooped down and seized Paul's hand, which he squeezed so +heartily that he almost made the tears come to the boy's eyes. + +"That sounds good to me, my boy. Please tell me about it. Where was it at +the time? And do you think it can have gone beyond Stanhope? I hope you +didn't give the gentleman any idea that you had ever heard a word about +him or his car?" + +"Oh! I give you my word, sir, that they never dreamed I knew a thing +about them. A scout has to learn how to keep his feelings in check, you +see, Mr. Pender. I acted just as naturally as Jack did; and he knew +nothing." + +"Well, tell me about it now, please." + +Stopping at the corner, Paul started in to relate all the incidents +connected with that meeting on the road. The gentleman hung upon every +word. He certainly looked pleased, and Paul realized that he had done +something worth while. To his credit be it said that never once had he +entertained the thought of receiving any sort of reward for his services. + +"All this is of the greatest importance to me, my boy. I am frank to +tell you that the successful capture of those two men you have so ably +described, thanks to your scout training, will mean much to me. And +depend upon it, if success rewards my efforts, I shall certainly remember +that you gave me very valuable assistance in the undertaking." + +"Then you think I might have a reward, don't you, Mr. Pender?" he said. + +"I most positively do, and right now and here I'm willing to promise +you--" + +"Wait a little, Mr. Pender. There's only one thing you could do to pay me +for the little assistance I have been to you. Some time later on, after +you get back to Washington, write me a letter on your official paper, +stating just what aid the Boy Scouts of the Red Fox patrol were to you +in furthering the ends of justice. That's all any of us could accept, +sir." + +"By Jove! I'm proud to know such boys, and proud to shake hands +with the fine scout leader at their head!" exclaimed the Government +representative, as he cordially thrust out his digits. + +But "once bit, twice shy"; and Paul shook his head as he caressed his +fingers. + +"Excuse me, won't you, Mr. Pender; but once at a time is enough. I expect +to have a lot of use for my right hand to-night, sir," he laughed. + +"Oh! pardon me, my dear boy!" cried the other, "I was forgetting that it +wasn't the hand of a tiller of the soil I squeezed. I'll be more careful +next time. But your news was so unexpected, coming at a moment when I had +received some depressing information by mail, that I quite forgot myself. +Please continue to keep these facts to yourself for a little while +longer, Paul." + +"Yes, sir; until you give me leave to speak I won't tell anybody, not +even my own folks at home. And if we are so fortunate as to get that +letter from you, Stanhope Troop will have a big advantage over other +competitors. You know, sir, we are competing for an elegant banner; and +the other patrols have been working all summer; so that we've just got to +get busy if we hope to have a show in." + +"I don't care if they've been going along a year, I'd be willing to wager +that Stanhope will win the prize. That shows what faith I put in the +leader of the Red Fox patrol. Nothing is going to ever hold you back. I +can see the spirit glowing right now in your eyes," and Mr. Pender nodded +his head wisely as he said this. + +Paul turned red under the praise. + +Mr. Pender was apparently anxious to know all he could about the place +around the abandoned mill. + +"Have you seen this party named Solus Smithers?" he asked, presently, as +they walked slowly on in company. + +"Yes, sir; several times. He's a very tall and thin man, with a face I +never liked. He's driven some of us boys away from the mill pond this +last summer. We have always fished there, and nobody ever said a word; +but he acted as if he had an idea some of us would steal his old house. +He even brought out a gun once, and warned three fellows off. After a +while no one cared to go up there. Some of the boys even said they +believed the old man was daffy, and that he might shoot if anybody made +him real mad." + +"Oh! yes; I see; and he didn't want trespassers on his farm, eh? Does the +mill pond stand on the ground he's rented?" asked the gentleman. + +"Oh! yes, and all the ground around there. It must cover four hundred +acres, but most of it is in woodland, you see, sir," replied Paul, +promptly. + +"Can you tell me what Smithers looks like, Paul?" + +"He's very tall, stoops quite a lot, uses snuff like they do down in +North Carolina, and has small blue eyes and a queer nose. Some of the +boys say it looks as if it had been broken. That man in the red car knew +it when Jack called it a hooked nose, sir." + +Mr. Pender slapped his thigh as though in great glee. + +"Well, this is great luck, sure enough. From your description I believe +that I know this Mr. Solus Smithers, though that isn't his name at all. +It keeps on getting better and better, the deeper I grub. And if all +turns out well, I shall owe you a heavy debt, my dear boy." + +"Make it up in that letter then, sir. The stronger the better. And if you +happen to need any further assistance don't hesitate to call on us. We've +got some dandy trackers in the Red Fox patrol; and it would have to be a +pretty smart fellow to pull the wool over their eyes, sir." + +"Good for you, Paul," said the gentleman, warmly; "always ready to sound +the trumpet for your comrades; but if the truth were told I reckon I'd +find the scout leader at the top of the bunch when it came to a knowledge +of woodcraft." + +"Please don't, sir," pleaded Paul. + +"Jack has been confiding to me all about how you've always been deeply +interested in outdoor life," went on Mr. Pender; "but as you have told +me all you know about this red car that has gone along the Grapevine +Road, headed for the old mill pond, I believe I'll have to leave you. +Take my hand, won't you, Paul? I promise to be good, and not put on +pressure, though my heart is very warm toward you, lad." + +So Mr. Pender hurried away. + +Paul turned back. He had noticed an air of unusual excitement inside the +post-office, and his curiosity was stirred. While Mr. Pender and his +strange mission was in the foreground, of course, he had been able to pay +little attention to anything else; but now that this was shelved he could +not resist the inclination to return, and ask what made the people stand +around in knots as though exchanging views. + +He discovered Ted Slavin and three of his friends jabbering away just +inside the door, and heard one of them exclaim: + +"Course we will go along; it'd be a big feather in our cap, fellers, if +we'd be the ones to bring him back." + +"Yes, send out word for the boys to get together, Ted. We'll show 'em +what we fellers that has hunted since we was knee high, know about +follerin' a trail!" another remarked. + +"Let up, you; d'ye want to give the whole snap away? See who's here!" +whispered Ted; but in such a hoarse tone of voice that Paul could not +help hearing. + +Of course his curiosity was still further aroused. Whatever could have +happened in quiet Stanhope, to cause all this gathering of people, and +such earnest consultations? + +He saw Chief Billings, who was in charge of the police force in the town, +leaving the post-office, and noted that a large delegation trailed after +him. + +Could it be possible that the local authorities had in some manner become +aware of the fact that law breakers were abroad in the land? Was Mr. +Jared Pender, the Government expert, about to have rivals in the field? +When those cronies of Ted spoke of following a trail could they have had +any reference to the track of the wonderful red automobile with the +khaki-colored top; and occupied by the two parties whom Mr. Pender wished +to catch, as he said, "with the goods on?" + +Paul hoped not. It would complicate things very much; and in the +confusion the rascals might manage to slip away. Paul had known Chief +Billings to undertake a clever piece of business before now; but never +succeed in accomplishing one. + +Some one banged into him as he turned a corner in the building. + +"Why, hello! Paul, that you?" said a voice. + +It was Si Growdy, who claimed to be a nephew of old Peleg, but who had +never been known to be recognized by the crusty old farmer. He clerked +in one of the general stores, of which Stanhope boasted several big ones, +where everything, from a package of pins to a coffin could be purchased. + +"What's all the row about, Si?" demanded the acting scout master, as he +seized hold of the clerk, to head him off; for Si seemed to be in a hurry +as usual; he worked for a man who was a driver, and had to give an +account of every minute of his time. + +"Ain't you heard nawthin' about it, Paul? Where you ben all this +afternoon?" was the way the clerk answered one question with another. + +"Up in the woods with the scouts, doing stunts. But tell me what's gone +wrong? Another robbery at the jewelry store; or has some one sneaked +away with one of the coffins your house carries?" pursued Paul. + +"If anybody ever got off with a pin that didn't belong to 'em at our +emporium, the fact ain't never been known. I've seen the boss chargin' +customers with the cracker they eat when samplin'. We got orders to make +light weight if they buy. But about this rumpus; they's a child lost!" +said Si. + +"Who's child?" asked Paul, instantly deeply interested. + +"Mr. Boggs' little Willie. The Chief was just in to talk with him. He's +all broken up over it, because you know, he uses a crutch, and can't help +hunt." + +Paul knew Mr. Boggs assisted the post-master in his duties; and many a +time had Paul chatted with the pretty little chap who played around the +building while his father was assorting the incoming mails. Willie Boggs +had always been a universal favorite. He was the sweetest child in all +Stanhope, and everybody loved him. + +Paul was shocked at the news. Still, he hoped it might not be as bad as +Si said. + +"Where did it happen? How do they know? Who saw little Willie last? What +has been done to find him?" he fired at the clerk like the discharge of +a Gatling gun. + +"Glory! expect me to tell the hull story, with my boss asettin' there +inside the store, watchin' the clock, an' dockin' me for every minute I'm +late? All right, who cares? And besides, Paul, p'raps that troop of yours +might be useful in follerin' the tracks of poor little Willie," Si went +on. + +"Where, when, how?" demanded the scout master, resolutely. + +"This mornin' it happened. Willie went with Annie Spooner to get some +leaf mould in the edge of the woods, for her ma's flowers. She came back +just at noon an' sed Willie had strayed away in the woods." + +"Did anybody go to look for Willie?" asked Paul. + +"Three boys went out to bring him in. They hunted high an' low, but he +wa'n't there. Then a dozen people set out to search the woods. Just now +they come back to say Willie ain't to be found high nor low. That stirs +the big chief some. He 'low he knows how the thing's to be did; and so +he's agoin' to organize a hunt for the lost child. That's all. Now, let +me get back to my slave tasks, Paul." + +"And night coming on," murmured Paul, as he looked out of the door to +where people were assisting the crippled Mr. Boggs across the square in +the direction of his nearby home, where his wife was no doubt waiting +eagerly for some news of the missing darling. + +Si Growdy shot out of the door, and headed in the direction of the store +where he gave his valuable services daily from seven in the morning until +late in the evening, for a miserable pittance. + +Paul walked thoughtfully out of the post-office. He was tired from his +exertions of the afternoon; but all that was immediately forgotten when +he mentally pictured the weeping mother in that little cottage where the +honeysuckle climbed above the door. Then he thought of the terror of the +little fellow, wandering about in the great woods with night coming down, +and all sorts of strange noises arising to chill his blood. + +"I'll do it!" exclaimed Paul presently; "the chance is too good to be +lost. Why let Ted and Ward have the inside track? Just as soon as I can +send word around we'll test our new system of bringing a bunch of the +Fox scouts together. And then, if the boys are willing, we'll try and +discover where Willie Boggs has wandered. It's a glorious opportunity to +find out if what we've learned is worth having. Here goes then, to send +out the call for help!" + + + + +CHAPTER XXV + +A CAMP IN THE WOODS + + +"Why, Paul, what's all this hurry mean?" + +"I just want to get a few bites of supper, mother, and then rush off. +I've sent out the call for a hurry meeting of the patrol. Some people +call it the emergency signal. Every one of the scouts knows what it +means. Those who can get out will be gathering here inside of half an +hour." + +"But it must be something very unusual that urges you to do this. You've +been on the go all afternoon, and I don't know that it is wise to bolt +your supper in such a style, just to be ready to greet the boys when they +arrive." + +"Mother, you don't understand. Father hasn't come back from his afternoon +round of visits, has he? Then you couldn't possibly know," went on Paul. + +"Know--what, my son?" questioned his mother, seeing that the boy was +worked up more than usual. + +"We're going to organize a searching party. Perhaps some of the scouts +may be smart enough to get on the track. It's poor little Willie Boggs, +mother." + +"Searching party--Willie Boggs! Is the child lost?" + +"Yes, and has been ever since before noon, in the big woods. You see it's +just beginning to get dark now. Think of the poor little fellow wandering +perhaps miles off in the woods. What if a storm should come up?" and +Paul's manner told how he felt. + +"But there are no wild animals large enough to injure the child. The most +he could suffer would be exposure to the night air; that and the fright +of finding himself alone. Oh! it is a terrible thing though; and little +Willie is all his poor father has left. It would kill him if anything +happened," declared the good lady, whose heart was very tender. + +"Now you see why I'm in such a hurry to get a bite, mother. Every minute +might count, for perhaps he is wandering further and further away. You'll +let Jane get me something in a jiffy, won't you, now?" continued the +eager lad. + +"Gladly, and help her too, after you have told me more. How do you boys +expect to look for the child in the blackness of those woods?" + +"Every scout will carry a lantern, with which we have practiced signal +wig-wagging until we are able to send messages back and forth. Besides +that, we can form a long line across the woods, and comb nearly every bit +of it, looking into every stack of brush and waste to see if Willie has +lain down. And mother, think if we should just find him, how glad you'd +be that we went out!" + +"Indeed, I should! I shall pray that you succeed, my boy. And it does you +great credit that you are so earnest in your desire to help others. Sit +down, and I'll wait on you myself," and Mrs. Morrison bustled away toward +the kitchen as she spoke. + +As Paul was hastily devouring his supper, for he was as hungry as a wolf, +who should come in but the doctor. And of course he had to be told; +though Paul's mother took this task upon herself, giving the boy a chance +to eat. + +Through the window Paul could see that already several fellows had +gathered; and other lanterns were meanwhile coming like giant fireflies +through the gathering gloom of the night. + +The prospect of bringing his scout troop into action for such a good +cause was particularly pleasing to the boy who temporarily filled the +office of leader. Spurred to do their very best by a recollection of the +vows they had so recently taken, the members of Stanhope Troop might be +depended on to bring credit to their organization. + +By the time Paul issued from the house there were a full dozen of his +chums present. He was glad to see that all the original charter members +forming the Red Fox patrol were on hand. They happened to live closer +than others who had joined later; and boys of a particular community +generally flock together. + +Immediately a great hubbub ensued. Those who did not know what all the +fuss was about had to be "put wise," as William said. And Paul was called +upon to explain his plans for the tracking of little Willie Boggs, who +had become as a chip on the torrent, a wanderer in that mysterious +forest, the end of which few Stanhope fellows had ever reached in their +wanderings up over the hills. + +There were now fourteen present, and Paul determined not to wait for any +more of the troop to come to time. + +"Fall in!" + +Down the street they marched, the lanterns flickering as they swung to +and fro. + +No wonder people, rushing to the doors as shouts arose, began to ask +eagerly if the lost child had been recovered. + +"It's the Boy Scouts; and they're going out to join the hunt!" some one +shouted. + +"Oh! they're about a mile behind Ted and his crowd!" jeered one fellow +who must have had leanings toward the Slavin party; he had been detected +in cheating so often in every game boys played that for months now he +found himself left severely alone by decent fellows, and it was reported +had applied for admission to the patrol Ward and Ted were getting up. + +Out of the town, and straight to the spot where the lost boy had last +been seen Paul led his squad. He knew that it would be only a miracle if +the many feet that had trod the ground over would have left any trace of +the child's little shoes; but he still had hopes that the training some +of his scouts possessed would bring more or less success. + +The unique sight of all those lanterns on the road had attracted many +people, so that when they arrived at the spot Paul had in mind, fully +thirty followed, a number of them boys who came only to make sport of the +scouts. + +"Spread out, fellows," said the scout leader, quietly, "and examine every +foot of ground. If you find a single impression of Willie's little shoe, +give the signal, and I'll come; but hold your places every one." + +Immediately the scene became an animated one. Lanterns flashed hither +and thither, swinging close to the ground; while young eyes searched +diligently for a trace. + +In less than five minutes the signal sounded, and Paul hurried over to +the one who had given the same. Jack was at his elbow, and between them +they examined the mark, to ascertain in what quarter it pointed. + +Then the advance was taken up in that direction. + +Again came the thrilling cry that told of a new footprint that had been +found. + +This time it was Wallace Carberry who had made the discovery. He talked +so intelligently about it that Paul determined to keep him close by. +Wallace would be a valuable advisor in case he and Jack disagreed at any +time as to what the signs meant. + +So they went on for an hour, finding a footprint now and then to +encourage them. These came at more frequent intervals when they got far +enough away to avoid the trampled soil where the crowd had hunted all the +afternoon. + +Those who had followed were now missing. They had seen that the scouts +meant business, and did not care to wander so far from town. Hence, Paul +presently found that he and his patrol had the woods almost to +themselves. + +Several times though he had seen other lanterns wandering around, and +guessed that these were carried by some of the Slavin crowd, also +diligently combing the woods in the hope of being the lucky ones to +find the missing boy. + +The chief of police and his party had gone off in an altogether different +direction. + +"How long can we keep this up, Paul?" asked Jack, when they had been +moving on for two hours, with no end in sight. + +"Don't know, but we ought to be able to put our best foot forward just +as long as that little fellow does, don't you think?" replied the other, +reproachfully. + +"Why, of course, and don't think I'm showing the white feather so early +in the game. I've made up my mind never to go back until he's found. Why, +we can camp right in the woods if it comes to it. And that would be a +bully experience for every Fox in the bunch. Think of having to make beds +out of branches! Ain't I glad some of us brought our camp hatchets +along." + +"And Jack, it would leave us in a good position to take up the hunt again +in the morning; for you see we'd be right on the ground where the little +chap passed along. Suppose you call out again. He might hear, and +answer." + +Jack obeyed, and repeated the name of Willie in a loud voice again and +again. But only the echoes of the great woods answered. If the boy were +within reach of that cheery hail he must be wrapped in the sleep of +exhaustion, and unable to reply. + +Finally Jack ceased to call, for he was growing very husky. + +The search still went on with unabated zeal, each boy trying to vie with +his mates in the endeavor to make some new discovery. Paul examined every +faint print of that little foot, desirous of fixing the time it was made. +Wallace joined him in this, and it was clearly shown that hours must have +elapsed since the child passed that way. + +"Still, he may be within fifty yards of where we are. Let's keep at it as +long as we can, and only camp when some are too tired to go on," declared +Paul, greatly disappointed to think that they had thus far been baffled +by hard luck. + +It was astonishing to see how far the little fellow had wandered; but +fear always lends wings to the feet; and all the while Willie doubtless +really believed he must be heading toward home. + +And Paul noted another fact that somehow gave him new interest in the +enterprise. By degrees the trail had swung around to the left, as is +nearly always the case when grown persons are lost; and the principle +seemed to hold good in the case of even a child. + +In itself this was not strange; but Paul knew that if they kept on for +another hour the chances were they would come upon the old mill pond, +nestling in the valley. The fact caused him to remember his friend Mr. +Pender; to once more mentally see that red motor with the khaki-colored +top; and to picture the two strangers who had asked him so many +questions. + +Was this really an accident, their being drawn out toward the farm of the +unneighborly Sol Smithers; or might it turn out to be the working of +destiny? + +He was aroused by a call that he had been expecting to hear for some time +now. + +One of the scouts felt forced to admit that he was "all in." They had +done manly work to keep up the tramp all this time, being but boys at +best. + +It meant that camp must be made, and the balance of the night spent there +in the woods, waiting for day to come to renew their search. + +Poor little Willie was destined then to pass still more hours, surrounded +by the terrors of the black and unknown forest. But probably by this time +he must be so exhausted through his unusual exertions that he was dead to +the world in sleep; so it would not matter very much. + +Soon all was bustle as the fourteen lads began to make ready to spend a +time in open camp. The sound of hatchets made pleasant music, as branches +were cut, and beds made close to the fire that had been started. + +Some of the smaller lads were so utterly exhausted that they just dropped +to the ground, and went to sleep. Paul and Jack passed around to see that +these wornout fellows did not lie too near the blaze; and that they were +fairly comfortable. + +In an hour's time it seemed as though every one were taking solid comfort +after such rude fashion as could be devised. One of the boys had brought +his camera along, keen to secure novel effects; and without warning he +set off a flash that gave him a picture of the slumbering heroes on their +lowly beds, that would be ever afterwards treasured as invaluable. + +At the brilliant illumination several sat up, and one even gave a cry of +alarm, thinking perhaps that lightning had struck a tree close by; but +with the coming of darkness again they settled back. + +But Paul could not sleep. He was only waiting until some of the more +restless souls quieted down. Then he and Jack, together with Wallace, +meant to again tackle the job of seeking for further imprints of those +worn little shoes among the dead leaves, and in the soft soil under the +giant trees. + +Somehow Paul believed that the hunt was bound to carry them to the very +door of that farmhouse on the mill pond. He was induced to suspect this +because the last time they had examined the small shoeprints, the mark of +a much larger foot had appeared beside it; and after mature deliberation +he and Wallace came to the conclusion that some man, walking through the +forest, had discovered the trail of the child, _and was following it_! + +He looked around him. As near as he could tell every one of the tired +scouts was slumbering soundly. + +So Paul silently arose, touching Jack on the shoulder, who immediately +gave Wallace Carberry the signal. + +The three uttered no word, but moving softly back from the circle of +firelight, carrying their almost exhausted lanterns, made ready to once +more start out into the depths of the wood; with the lonely farmhouse now +rented by the surly Sol Smithers just half a mile further to the north! + + + + +CHAPTER XXVI + +WHAT WOODCRAFT TOLD + + +"There it is again, Paul!" + +"As sure as you live we're being followed, boys!" and Wallace allowed his +voice to rise just above a hoarse whisper when he made this energetic +remark. + +The three were crouching in the bushes. + +As yet Paul had not caught a glimpse of the object which seemed to +disturb both of his friends; but he was looking sharply now. + +"Why, yes, I do believe you are right, fellows," he said, calmly. + +"Well, you take it mighty cool, I must say," declared Jack. + +"Because I see no reason to get flurried over such a little thing, boys," +was what the leader replied. + +"Little thing, when you know Ted Slavin and a bunch of his toadies came +up here to get all the glory they could out of this business! Don't you +understand, Paul, that if they thought they could down us, they'd just as +lief waylay us in the woods, and put an end to all our expectations?" + +This was a very unusual way of talking for Wallace, but it only went to +show how the boy was worked up over the situation, and made nervous by +the continuous strain. + +"But how do you know those moving figures are Ted and Ward, or even any +of that crowd?" demanded Paul. + +The others hesitated, and finally Jack remarked: + +"Well, for a fact we don't know; but you remember we saw signs that even +you declared proved what I'm saying--that some of those fellows have +wandered as far as this." + +"Yes, that's a fact. I'm not apt to forget it. Now, how many figures have +you seen dodging along back there, just as if they didn't care to be +seen--yet?" + +"How about it, Wallace?" queried Jack, doubtfully. + +"Two, anyhow; I'm sure of that," came the hesitating reply. + +"Yes, at least two, Paul," the other echoed. + +"And we are three. That's one reason why I don't see any reason for +getting nervous over the discovery," observed the leader, his voice now +apparently showing a trace of humor that was bubbling up near the +surface. + +"But where there are two there may be more, Paul?" objected Jack. + +"Yes, possibly eight or ten more," went on the calm leader. + +"Goodness! and you say there is no need of our worrying?" exclaimed +Wallace. + +"Yes, explain what you mean, old fellow. Eight or ten would give us a +warm time don't you think?" demanded Wallace, gripping Paul's arm +fiercely. + +"Hardly, if they were all sound asleep around a dying campfire, dead to +the world," quoth Paul, chuckling now. + +But the others uttered low but vehement exclamations. + +"Don't you see what he means, Wallace?" asked Jack. + +"Sure. What a couple of fools you and I were," came the scathing reply. + +"We've been followed by two of our own boys. They must have watched us +crawl out of camp, and not wanting us to have all the fun, here they come +creeping after us. What shall we do, Paul?" Jack queried in the other's +ear; for the flitting figures were now very near. + +"Open our arms and welcome the recruits. If they're just bound to join +forces with us, why should we make any kick. I'm glad of it." + +Then raising his voice a little, Paul continued: + +"Hey! there!" + +They could hear the murmur of voices. Evidently the two shadows were +talking it over, and must have arrived at some quick conclusion, for +presently same a hail. + +"Hello! Paul, Jack!" + +"It's Bobolink, for one," muttered Jack, immediately. + +"Then it's a sure thing William is tagging along," said Wallace. + +"Come on, both of you fellows. No danger!" called Paul, softly. + +After that assurance the shadows boldly advanced, and quickly joined the +three who stood under the spreading oak. + +It proved just as Jack and Wallace had predicted, for the newcomers +turned out to be William and Bobolink. They were chuckling, as though +considering it a good joke. + +"Thought you'd give us the quiet sneak, and gobble all the glory +yourselves, hey?" said the latter, as they bustled up; "but William and +myself had it all fixed. We were on to your curves, all right." + +"Yes," broke in William, just there; "didn't we see you with your heads +together a lot, and wasn't we wise to what was in the wind. Bobolink was +awake, and it was my turn to snooze. He gave me a kick in the seventh rib +that made me think a comet had dropped on me. But we showed up game. Now, +what's doing, fellows; and do we get a grab at the scout?" + +"If you both feel like trotting around a whole lot more, why you're just +as welcome as a shower in spring," asserted Paul, promptly. + +"I should say, yes," declared Jack; "and if the whole bunch could stand +the racket we wouldn't have crept away like we did. But most of the poor +fellows are all in, and dead tired, and we thought it would be a shame to +invite them to hike some more." + +"Did you bring your glim along?" asked Paul. + +"Our lanterns? Well, William didn't want to, but I insisted. I knew that +if we missed you fellows, and lost ourselves in the bush, they'd come in +mighty fine for company," returned Bobolink. + +"Then let's light up. After that we'll spread out, and try to find the +trail," with which remark Paul set the example. + +Presently five lanterns glowed like giant fireflies. + +"Think it lies in this direction, Paul?" asked William. + +"I'm sure of it. After that man's track came alongside the print of the +little chap's shoe, there was no more wandering about; but it struck +straight ahead. That told me the trail was heading for a house," came the +ready reply. + +"A house. Say, is there any other place up here but the old farm +alongside the mill pond? I don't seem to remember any," remarked +Bobolink. + +"And that's just where I expect we'll bring up sooner or later," observed +Paul. + +"Then why not put for the old place at full speed right away?" suggested +William, always impetuous. + +"To do that we'd have to drop the trail again. And besides, what does +an hour, or even two of them, matter in the end? Slow but sure is the +successful scout's motto, boys. Hello I look here, what's this?" + +Paul thrust his lantern down close to the ground. Bending over to look, +the others could see the plain impression of a child's little shoe. It +was heading due north, just as many similar tracks had been of late. + +"Now if you look at this you'll see it's nearly crushed out by the big +print of a man's foot; while just beyond the child has stepped into the +impression made by the man. That can mean only one thing; the two were +going on in company, and for a minute he let go the little one's hand, so +that first the child was in front, and then behind." + +"I guess you're right, Paul. But see here, what does this mean? The small +track has dropped out altogether," remarked William. + +"That is where the big fellow picks the boy up in his arms, and is +carrying him," said Wallace, before Paul could answer. + +"Right you are, that is just what happened. To tell the truth I don't +know why he didn't do that before. He must have been toting some bundle +along, and couldn't well carry the boy too. Come back a bit. I want to +look around," and Paul retraced his steps until he had reached the spot +where a confusion of tracks met his gaze. + +He followed the man's trail a few paces, and found himself under a tree. +Raising his lantern he carefully examined the bark of the trunk, and +finding several fresh scratches, pursued his investigations still higher. + +One accommodating limb grew rather low. In fact a man could, by reaching +up his arms, clasp it easily; and that was what Paul believed had been +done. + +"Give me a push, somebody; and then hand up my lantern," he said, +clasping his arms about the tree as well as he was able. + +Ten seconds later William was handing him up the light; after which Paul +began to ascend slowly, looking about him as though constantly on the +watch for signs that would tell another had preceded him. + +"All right; it's here. I'm coming down, fellows," he soon called out. + +Reaching that friendly lower limb he held something in view. + +"Take hold of this, Bobolink, and handle it carefully, because we don't +know what's in the package. It might be dynamite!" he remarked. + +"Oh! I hope not!" exclaimed the one in whose arms the bundle reposed; and +he did not look any too happy at the prospect ahead. + +"Don't be silly," said Paul, as he dropped beside them. "But whatever +it may be, we might as well hide it in a new place. Then if the fellow +should come back here to get it, he's going to meet with a +disappointment, that's all." + +"But what d'ye think it is?" argued the one who clasped the large package +in his arms, though with evident reluctance. + +"That is none of our business just now. It may be honest enough, and we'd +get into a peck of trouble if we peeked. So let's just chuck it in some +hollow stump as we go along, and muffle our trail behind us so he can't +find where we put it. Later on I think I know some one who will be glad +to look into what it contains." + +"Perhaps I do too," remarked Jack; and the two chums looked at each +other, with mutual astonishment marked on their faces. + +"Oh!" remarked Paul, "are you on, too? Did he tell you the secret?" + +"I happened to pick up an envelope he dropped, and wondered whose it was; +so I went around, asking. He laughed when I came to him, and told me +a little bit of news that surprised me. But Paul, he asked me not to +breathe a word, even to you. That was a mean joke, when you knew all +along," Jack complained. + +"Remember the red car on the road, and the two men in it?" + +"Oh! did they have anything to do with his coming up here? Yes, now that +I think of it, you were pretty much excited over that same red car. You +guessed something then, didn't you, Paul?" + +"He had asked me to watch out for a red car with a khaki-colored top, +that might have two men in it, one of them owning to a glass eye." + +"Good gracious!" said Jack; "that tall chap did have a bogus eye, for a +fact. And when you left me in town you hurried around to the post-office +to find Mr. Pender, didn't you? I see it all now. He never came home for +supper, as far as I know. I reckon he must have got a rig of some sort, +and put out for the mill pond. But what about Solus Smithers--they asked +after him, you know?" + +Paul pointed to the marks on the ground. + +"Unless I'm wrong those are his tracks. I noticed that he had big feet at +the time he came out and ordered us to clear away from the pond, and +threatened us with his gun. Yes, perhaps he got home to find visitors +waiting for him," Paul observed, just as though he could read all these +things from the trail. + +"Then we go on, do we?" asked Bobolink, eagerly. + +He had been listening to what passed between his two comrades, and while +it was partly Greek to him, enough of the truth filtered through to give +him a creepy sensation, as though cold water were being poured down his +back. + +Bobolink was no coward though, and while he shivered it was more through +a delicious frame of mind over the chance of an adventure than because +he felt fear. + +"Straight on, as long as these lanterns hold out. I see yours has begun +to flicker already, William. There, it's puffed out; and my own isn't +near as strong a light as it was." + +Paul seemed to be a true prophet, for inside of five minutes the lanterns +"gave up the ghost," the last to expire being that of Jack. + +"What's doing now?" demanded Jack. + +"Gather up all the matches in the crowd. Then I'll strike them one by +one," was Paul's immediate response. + +This emergency torch lasted for a little while. Finally the last match +was gone, and still they were some distance away from the mill pond. + +"Listen," said William, suddenly; with a thrill in his voice; "whatever +do you suppose that is?" + + + + +CHAPTER XXVII + +TED FINDS SOMETHING + + +"Sure it wasn't an owl?" asked Paul, when a full minute had passed away, +without their hearing a repetition of the sound that had reached the ears +of his comrade. + +"Didn't sound like it. I kind of thought it was somebody calling for +help!" said Bobolink, quivering with the suspense caused by the +situation. + +They stood in a group, listening eagerly. The night wind stirred the tops +of the tall forest trees softly, and even this gentle sound boomed on +their strained nerves like the strokes of a bass drum. + +"Oh! there! Didn't you hear it that time?" whispered Bobolink. + +"I guess we did," replied Paul; "and you're right in saying it is +somebody shouting. But all the same I don't feel sure it was a call for +help. Let's remember, fellows, that Ted and his crowd must be somewhere +about up here. And you know from past experiences what dodges he's up to +when he wants to play a trick on anybody." + +"Do you mean he'd like to draw us off by shouting that way, while some +of his fellows went along to the farmhouse, and got the lost boy?" asked +William. + +"That would be just like Ted. He's as full of tricks as an egg is of +meat," Jack took it upon himself to say at this juncture. + +"Well, what are we going to do about it, boys?" asked Wallace. + +"I leave it to Paul; whatever he says ought to be good enough for me," +replied Wallace. + +"And me," came from the others without hesitation. + +"Thanks, fellows. I hope that my plan will prove the best after all. But +don't blame me if I should make a mistake. Let's head for the road, which +I take it ought to be somewhere over yonder," remarked Paul, pointing +through the darkness. + +"The road, eh? I see, you mean that once we get on that we'll have it +easy all the way to the pond. That suits me all right. Count William in." + +"Yes, seeing that our lanterns are out, and not a match in the crowd, I +guess the sooner we get our feet planted on the highway, the better for +our noses. I've barked mine already against a tree, and another dose will +spoil my classic beauty," grunted Bobolink, rubbing tenderly at the spot +in question. + +"Then come along, the rest of you," said Paul, starting off. + +"Seems to me it's getting lighter," announced Wallace, presently. + +"Mebbe our eyes are used to it, that's what," Bobolink remarked. + +"Mine are closing up right fast, I warn you, fellers," said William; "and +before long it's going to be a case of the blind leading the blind. That +branch took me across the face. Hey! ain't that the same old shout?" + +"Sounds like it; but much nearer," returned Paul, with a vein of +uncertainty in his voice, as if he might be commencing to doubt whether +they were doing the right thing in paying no attention to the calls. + +"Oh! I guess I know what it means," remarked Jack; "I've been trying to +make it out all along. That's sure a different voice. Some of Ted's crowd +have got separated, and they're just trying to get together again. You've +heard quail calling, after being flushed and scattered. How, Paul?" + +"Perhaps you've struck it, Jack. Anyway, we are on the road here, and had +better push straight along to the pond first." + +"Right enough," uttered Bobolink, as he broke through a cordon of brush, +and jumped out on the highway, though it might be only an apology for a +road after all, being scantily used; "and after that experience it's +going to be something big that drags me into the woods again." + +The little group stood there for a minute to recover their wind, which +had been more or less exhausted in the last desperate push through the +dark woods. + +"Ready to move on, fellows?" demanded Paul, who had apparently not +changed his mind, and was more than ever bent on covering the last lap +lying between themselves and the pond. + +Jack and Wallace fell in on either side, and the march was begun. Since +the other pair did not wish to be left behind, they were forced to +accompany themselves to the movements of the trio. + +Thus they walked perhaps a full hundred yards along the winding road, +with the stars showing overhead, and the black mysterious woods flanking +them on either side. + +The shouts had apparently ceased; at least none had been heard since the +five lads reached open territory. + +Again it was Bobolink who caught a sound of some sort. + +"Tell me again I'm hearing owls, will you, fellows? If that ain't a +gasoline wagon climbing a hill ahead there I'm off my guess," he +whispered. + +"Chug! chug!" came the plain sound, as the air current veered more toward +the point toward which they were heading. + +"I know that hill," Paul observed, as if talking to himself; "it's just +this side of the mill pond. That means the car is coming this way. The +two gentlemen are separating themselves from their dear friend, Solus +Smithers. Why, I wonder? Would Mr. Pender have anything to do with it?" + +"Wow! did you see that?" gasped Bobolink, proving that his plaint about +his eyes closing up could hardly be based on solid ground. + +"Somebody struck a match, and it went out! Whoever it is, he's on the +road just ahead of us, fellows!" whispered Jack. + +"Back up into the scrub here. Quick! for perhaps he's got another match!" +said Paul, following up his words by instant action. + +They managed to cower down in the brush, though Bobolink muttered +something to the effect that he had received another jab in the +neighborhood of his wretched eyes. + +"Look! he's done it, Paul, just as you said he would!" whispered Jack. + +"Yes, he's shielding it from the breeze till it gets strong. There--well, +what d'ye think of that, fellers?" gasped William. + +"It's Ted!" muttered Wallace, staring hard at the figure that seemed to +be huddled up on the road a little distance away. + +"What do you suppose the silly goose is doing on his knees?" came from +Jack. + +"He's found something, and he's looking at it. See, now he's managed to +open it up. Seems to me like a leather bag, boys," Wallace managed to +wedge in with. + +"Just what it is, old cat eyes. A hand bag! Now, however did that thing +happen to be lying there in the road? Nobody ever comes up here but +Solus, and he isn't the one to own a bag like that." + +"The red car," said Paul, as Jack seemed to hesitate. + +"That's it, as sure as you live. Dropped out of the machine; and by +jinks! the fellers are comin' back to look for it. Never missed it till +Sol got home!" his chum declared. + +All this talk between the five boy scouts was carried on in the lowest of +whispers. The sound of their voices would not have carried twenty feet; +and the kneeling Ted was several times that distance away. + +Besides, he seemed to be so fascinated by what he had discovered in the +leather grip that he had eyes and ears for nothing else just then. + +"The motor is coming closer!" remarked Wallace, as the sound of the +engine was borne more distinctly to their ears. + +"Sure. She's just at the top of the rise, and now it's down-grade. Reckon +she'll be here in a minute. Push back further, fellows." + +"Look! Ted hears it now! He's jumped up! Seems like he just don't know +what to do, cut and run with the bag, or wait till the car gets there. +Hey! watch that, will you?" gasped William. + +"He threw the bag as far as he could into the woods!" said Jack. + +"That looks like he meant to try and keep it," suggested Jack; "I imagine +that the leather grip holds something that took Ted's fancy. But all the +same I reckon it isn't going to be easy sledding for him. Will he run, +fellows?" + +"He's debating that same question now; but it's too late. He waited just +half a minute too long," Paul remarked, as a sudden flash of dazzling +light shot around a bend a short distance ahead, and the red car with the +khaki-colored top came into view, making fairly fast time. + +They could dimly see the inmates apparently surveying the road ahead with +the utmost eagerness, as though anxious to make a discovery. The loss of +that bag must have rather upset their plans, and given them a jolt. + +Every one of the five hidden scouts crouched low, so that their faces +might not be discovered by that fierce white glow. + +Plainly to their ears was borne the shouts of the men in the machine, as +they discovered the figure of Ted on the road. The Stanhope bully had +evidently made up his mind that the bag was well worth struggling for, +and that he must make some sort of a fight to retain possession of it. + +Paul could guess what his plan of operations would be. He had seen Ted +play innocent more than once before, when caught in the act of doing some +mean thing. And as a rule the fellow could carry out the game fairly +well. + +But he was up against a different proposition now; and these keen-eyed +men were not apt to be hoodwinked so easily as a parcel of schoolboys. + +Ted stood there, looking at the car that was bearing down upon him. + +No doubt he had assumed the innocent air of a rustic, and tried to make +himself appear as stupid as he could. The two men in the red car were no +longer calling, for they had seen that the boy on the road showed no +signs of wanting to run. + +As they bore down upon the spot the car slowed up, and came to a full +stop within a few yards of the waiting Ted. Every scout lying in the +screen of bushes held his breath as he listened to catch what was going +to follow. + +"Say, gimme a ride, mister?" + +That was Ted speaking, before either of the men could say the first word. +Indeed they were too busy clambering out of the car to surround him, and +cut off any chance of escape, to think of anything else. + +Without answering they bore down on Ted, and he found himself confronted +by two eager faces, while a rough hand clutched his arm. + +"He ain't got it, Brad!" exclaimed the shorter of the pair, as though +disappointed over something. + +"Hey, what'd you do with it, son?" demanded the taller traveler, looking +furiously at Ted, though pretending to speak gently. + +"With what, boss? I ain't got nothin' that belongs to you, sure I ain't!" +whimpered the boy; and Paul came near to chuckling at the way Ted put on +the agony. + +"We lost a leather bag out of the car. I saw it after we turned into this +here twisting side road just back a piece. We've looked over every foot +between here and the mill pond, and ain't seen it. I'm going to ask you +again, son, what did you do with it?" + +The man did not threaten, as yet, but there was something deep down in +his voice that seemed to tell of all sorts of terrible things that might +happen to the boy unless he came to time, and confessed. + +But at any rate Ted was game. His covetous nature had been aroused by +something he had glimpsed inside of that same bag; and he did not mean to +give it up unless pushed to the last resort. + +"Ain't seen no bag, mister, 'deed an' I ain't," he whimpered; "I got a +lantern here, an' I was ahuntin' a little boy that was lost from home. +Lots of other fellers in the woods adoin' that same. But my light give +out. Then I struck this here road. I'm clean tired out, mister, and I'd +like to get a ride home, if so be you're goin' my way. A bag, mister? +Sure I ain't knowin' nawthin' about no bag. Cross my heart if I do. Gimme +a ride to Stanhope, mister, please!" + + + + +CHAPTER XXVIII + +FORCED TO TELL + + +The two men looked at each other. + +Apparently they hardly knew whether to believe Ted or not. Paul saw them +put their heads close together, as though exchanging confidences. Then +the tall fellow once more whirled on Ted, who had been standing on one +leg, with a most forlorn look upon his face. + +"We both think that you lie, son," said the man who was minus one of his +optics, as he thrust his face close down to that of Ted, as though he +would look straight into his heart; but this was something that no one +else had ever succeeded in doing, and the attempt did not prove very +successful. + +"Tell him who we are, Brad," growled the shorter of the twain, who looked +angry enough to devour the unfortunate Ted. + +So the one called Brad took something out of his coat pocket that made +a peculiar jingling noise, and held it up before the boy. + +"D'ye see them, son? We call 'em bracelets, and they're meant to go on +the wrists of criminals. D'ye understand now? We're officers of the law, +and we've just made a grand haul. But some of the evidence has slipped +away from us. It's in that same bag you picked up on this here road. +Now, don't you dare deny it again, or we'll take you into town with these +pretty toys clasped on your wrists. I'm going to give you another chance +to tell us, son. Where did you put that bag?" + +Ted winced and whined. He showed all the signs of injured innocence. +Surely he must have made up his mind quickly that the contents of the +bag were well worth taking all sorts of chances for. + +"Ain't seen no bag. Sure I'd be on'y too glad to tell you, mister, if I +had. All I wants to do is to go home. I'm tired, an' nigh sick with all +this huntin' for that kid," he whimpered. + +The man suddenly pounced on him, and despite Ted's struggles and +entreaties, he seemed to succeed in accomplishing his purpose. At any +rate the concealed scouts heard a snap; and when Ted reeled back he was +holding his two hands close together in a suspicious way, and staring at +something that seemed to be in the nature of a connecting link. + +"Now you are in for it," said the tall man, shaking his head +threateningly as he stood over the prisoner; "we'll have to take you to +town, and put you in the lockup as an accessory after the fact. D'ye hear +that, you young fool? And all because you refuse to help honest officers +of the law in their legitimate business. Why, you may get ten years at +hard labor, yes, twenty. Better tell all you know, and perhaps we'll let +you off." + +"You can do anything you like to me, mister, but I ain't agoin' to say +what I don't know. Ain't seen any bag of no kind. Cross my heart if I +have. I'm willin' to help you hunt for it, even if I am dog tired. Don't +you believe me, mister? Sure, I wouldn't lie to you. What would I be +wantin' with a bag; we got plenty at my house. Ted Slavin's my name, and +I live in Stanhope. Gimme a ride, mister, if you're goin' that way, won't +you?" + +Again the two men talked together, while Ted watched them out of the +corner of his eye. He might even have tried to run but the fact that +his hands were fastened together with that steel chain prevented such +a thing. + +Once more they turned upon him, and the tall man pointing down, +thundered: + +"You've been kneeling in the dirt!" + +Ted glanced down at his trousers involuntarily; but even then he was not +taken off his guard. + +"I fell ever so many times after my lantern went out. See here, mister, +how I scraped the skin off my hand. That's the honest truth I'm givin' +you!" he cried. + +Undoubtedly it was, but all the same the men showed no signs of yielding. + +The taller one, called Brad by his companion, deliberately detached one +of the lamps from the car. With this he bent down to examine the road. + +"He'll see the marks of the bag!" whispered Bobolink to Paul. + +"Watch him while I scurry along the road a bit, to see if he left it," +was what the man said, and then moved down toward the spot where the +five boys lay in hiding. + +When he came opposite them they hardly dared to breathe, lest his keen +ears catch the sound, and he pounce upon them. + +But he went past, scouring the road closely, and looking for some sign of +the missing bag. They saw him pass on, and the light grew dim. Meanwhile +Ted sat down on a log, and seemed to be very dejected and forlorn. Once +or twice when the shorter man was not looking Paul saw him glance around, +as though sizing up the chances for a sudden plunge into the forest. + +"He's coming again," said Bobolink; and the brilliant glow from down the +road bore evidence of the truth of this remark which was whispered in +Paul's ear. + +Brad walked hastily back, and soon rejoined his companion, with whom he +talked earnestly for a minute. + +"Get up!" he said, turning to Ted, and giving the boy a kick that made +him climb to his feet hurriedly, groaning with pain. + +"Bring him along into the woods, Wash!" the tall man continued, turning +aside. + +"Oh! what are you goin' to do?" cried Ted, in real or pretended terror, +as he caught hold of the man's coat, and sought to hold him back. + +"You'll find out right soon, son. Before we're done with you perhaps +you'll wish you'd told us about that ere bag us the beginning. We're just +going to make it warm for a feller of your size. This night air has made +you too cold to speak up; but we'll fix all that, I reckon; we know how +to do it, don't we, Wash?" + +"Do we? Well, I should smile we did. But they's no need of our goin' far, +old man. This here is a right smart tree, and looks like it might answer. +'Sides, they seems to be lots o' loose wood lyin' 'bout this part!" + +Paul felt a chill pass over him. Could it be possible these rascals meant +to torture Ted until he told; or were they just trying to frighten him? +If it came to the worst they just could not stand by and see such a thing +done. + +Ted, of course, was considerably worked up when he heard what the shorter +fellow said. It was so very plain he could not mistake the meaning. + +"Say, mister, you wouldn't go to hurt a poor feller what never done you +no harm, now, would you? Wish I on'y knowed where I could find a bag; I'd +get it for you like hot cakes. Please don't smoke me. I ain't a ham, +mister, an' I never done you any harm. Let me go, won't you? I'll never +come up here again, sure I won't. And I'll promise to bring you all the +bags in our house, mister." + +Paying no attention to his pleadings and his groanings the men stood Ted +up against a tree. Then the rope brought from the car was wrapped around +both boy and tree several times. + +"Get busy, Wash, and scrape up all the dead leaves you can find. Then +begin and pile up some brush and stuff. Oh! yes, it's a cold night, but +we ain't agoin' to let a poor critter what's lost his way, suffer. Here +you, stop that snifflin'. Time enough to beller after it begins to hurt." + +He struck Ted again in the face, making his nose bleed. Paul had crept +out from the brush and commenced to approach the spot. He knew that the +other four scouts were probably close on his heels. + +Every boy's heart beat like a trip hammer with excitement. They bit their +lower lips to keep from shouting out loud, such was the strain upon them. +But not one had the least thought of turning back. With such a leader, +how could they? + +The shorter ruffian was scratching right merrily among the dead leaves, +making all the noise he could, so as to impress the prisoner with a sense +of his perilous condition. While he worked he kept talking, half to +himself, and no doubt uttering all sorts of terrible threats calculated +further to alarm the boy. + +"We forgot one thing, Wash," said the other man, suddenly. + +"What was that?" asked the one on his knees. + +"To search the varmint. I might as well do it right now, while you go on +getting his jacket warmer ready." + +At first Ted tried to make all the resistance possible; but this only +brought quick punishment in the shape of ugly blows and threats. So Ted +had to stand and allow the other to have his way. + +A minute later the man uttered a loud cry. + +"Look here, Wash, what did I say?" + +He was holding something up. Seen in the light from the lamp belonging +to the red car it looked very much like a fat wad of greenbacks, tied +together with a cord. + +Wash sprang up, and bent over to examine the object in the light. Then he +laughed harshly. + +"It's the boodle, all right, Brad. He found the bag, sure as thunder! And +now he's _got_ to tell, or it's all up with him!" + +Both men turned furiously on the bound boy. Ted had held out against all +odds up to this critical point; but of course he must admit himself +beaten, now that they had found the evidence in his pocket. + +Nearer crept Paul, with his chums tagging close at his heels. And nobody +thought to look beyond the line of brilliant light cast by the lamp which +rested on the ground at the foot of the tree. Fortunately its powerful +rays were directed away from the quarter occupied by the creeping Boy +Scouts. + +"Now, I reckon you're agoin' to tell all you know about that ere bag, +son?" said Brad, in a terrible voice. + +"I guess I'll have to, mister. I was just holdin' out to see if so be you +was what you says. Now I know you be, and I'm ready to tell the hull +thing if you'll only let me go free. I don't want to be smoked, just yet +anyway," Ted whined. + +"You did find the bag, then?" demanded the other. + +"Yep, that's what I did." + +"And took this wad of dough out of it?" pursued the other, savagely. + +"It looked too nice to throw away, so I cabbaged it, mister. Wisht I +hadn't now." + +"What became of the bag after you took this out--go on, now, and tell, +or--" + +"Oh! I throwed that away, mister, right over here in the woods somewhere. +If you look around you'll find her close by. Please let me go when you +dig her out!" said Ted, really alarmed now for his safety. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIX + +THE CAPTURE + + +Paul knew where that bag was. + +By the strangest chance in the world he was kneeling alongside it just +then. In creeping forward so as to draw closer to the scene of action, +and avoid the rays of light cast by the car lamp, he had happened to put +his hand on some object that felt soft to the touch; and he guessed what +it must be. + +What if the tall man came straight toward that spot, looking for the +missing object? Dared they rise up and defy these two scoundrels? If some +one cast Ted loose would he join forces with them, and make common cause +against the ruffians? + +Judging from what he knew about the fellow, from past experiences, Paul +thought no dependence could be placed on Ted. As likely as not if his +hands were free, he would seize the very first chance to snatch up the +bag and scamper off, leaving the others to bear the brunt of the men's +anger. + +But perhaps they would not have to face the tall chap just yet. He seemed +ready to start into the bushes across the way first, taking the lamp with +him. + +"Keep on piling up the trash, Wash. Get him surrounded good and plenty. +For if we don't run across that bag mighty soon we're bound to make it +warm for this Smart Aleck. But don't put a match to the heap till I get +back. I wanter see the fun, you understand." + +"Oh! mister, it's just like I was tellin' you. I stood in the road and +guv the bag a throw when I see your light over the top of the hill. She +jest _must_ be close around here somewhere," Ted wailed. + +"If Brad finds her, all well an' good; but if he don't--well, you'll have +a sweet time soon, that's all," growled the shorter man, still on his +knees, and engaged in scraping more leaves together. + +"If you on'y would let me, I'd stand on the road jest where I was when +I throwed the old bag. Then you could figger where she landed. Let me +loose, won't you, mister? I told you the truth this time; and you're sure +to find that bag. They'll be wonderin' what's become of me at home, sure +they will. I got a mother, and she thinks a heap of me, she does. You +wouldn't break her heart, mister, by smokin' a poor boy?" + +"Aw! dry up! you fooled us once, but you can't do it no more. It's the +bag, or your hide gets a singein', my fine feller. That'll do for you, +now." + +The man had a temper as short as his stature; and Ted dared not stir him +up any further. So he hung there alongside the tree, watching the glow +of the lamp further up the road. + +And as he stood in this disconsolate position, he suddenly became aware +that something was taking place just beyond the kneeling Wash. + +Perhaps, had his hands not been so snugly fastened together with that +horrid steel chain, Ted might have tried to rub his eyes, under the +impression that they were deceiving him; for he saw a face in the dim +light, a face that looked wonderfully like that of Paul Morrison. + +Some foolish boys would have been so thrilled by the prospect of relief +that they must have called out, and thus betrayed the creeping rescuers. +Ted chanced to be built on different lines. He stared and blinked, but +gave utterance to no sound. + +He saw other moving figures close on the heels of the leader. Then he +understood that Paul was not alone, but some of his Red Fox patrol must +be in attendance. + +Closer still crept the newcomers. If Ted's heart ever warmed toward a +living being it surely ought just then; when these lads, whom he was +wont to regard as his bitter rivals, and enemies in everything at school, +took such chances simply because they could not see a Stanhope boy in +trouble. + +Wash kept muttering to himself as he worked. The rustle of the leaves, +and the crackling of the brush as he dragged it forward, kept him from +hearing such sounds as might have been made by the tenderfeet scouts, who +had not yet learned just how to do these things as might an Indian or an +experienced woodsman. + +Paul was on his knees now, and still rising, with Jack a close second. + +They were not three feet behind the man who labored. A single plunge +forward must send them full upon his back. + +Some thought of his companion possibly crossed the mind of Wash just +then; for he suddenly turned his head. + +Of course he could not help but see what was behind him. + +"Now!" whooped Bobolink and William in a breath. + +There was a simultaneous movement on the part of the five lads. Wash, +taken by surprise, could not get up on his feet. He had his hands full of +brush at the moment, and this also handicapped him about making any +effective use of the weapons Nature gave him. + +He had just time to shout the name of his companion when the avalanche +struck him, and he was bowled over as neatly as ever a football tackle +got his man. + +Paul knew that they could easily manage this one fellow. The trouble +was Wash did not happen to be alone. When the tall ruffian came dashing +quickly to the spot there was no telling what he might not do. + +"Hold him down, you twins. Don't let him break loose. The rest of you +follow me!" + +Even while speaking Paul scrambled to his feet. He heard the mad patter +of feet as Brad came dashing toward the spot, shouting in his excitement, +and doubtless believing that the prisoner had turned upon his captor. + +"Let me loose, Paul; quick, twist this rope around the tree!" shrilled +Ted, who saw a chance to escape the punishment that had been hovering +over his head. + +Paul caught the end of the rope. Four times did he dash around that tree, +in about as many seconds; then Ted, finding his bonds loose, squirmed +free. + +But Brad was now on hand, filled with astonishment and fury. Whichever +way he turned the rays of his car lamp he seemed to discover fresh moving +figures. The woods seemed to be full of enemies. They must be hiding +behind each and every tree, ready to pounce upon him. + +Already he could see that his partner was writhing on the ground, held +down by an unknown number of strangers. In his eyes it might be these +advancing figures each and every one must be a deputy sheriff, eager to +have a hand in his arrest. So terror makes cowards of the best of men; +and Brad turned to flee. + +"Surrender!" shouted a voice behind him. + +It was Paul calling out, but just then the alarmed culprit could not tell +the voice of a boy from that of a hyena. Some one had called upon him to +surrender, and the dread word conjured up all sorts of terrible +conditions. + +Into the darkness of the woods he would have plunged, regardless of the +shock that must follow a collision with an unseen tree. But he did not +go far. A figure arose straight in his path, and opened a pair of arms, +into the embrace of which the fleeing rascal ran. + +Before the lamp fell to the ground and went out Paul had one glimpse of +a face. + +"It's Mr. Pender, fellows! Brad's nabbed!" he could not help shouting. + +Jack, realizing the need of more light, instantly flew over to where the +car was standing, and detached the second lamp. With this he hastened +back. Wash was still struggling; but the two boys had him on his face, +where his superior strength was of little avail; and were sitting on him +to keep him quiet. + +When they rushed over to where Mr. Pender had been seen struggling with +the taller of the ruffians, they found that he had subdued Brad; for the +other was glaring down at a pair of steel bracelets which outshone those +he had so pleasantly snapped on the wrists of poor Ted. + +There was no more fight in him. + +When the other man had been treated to a similar present, they were +allowed to sit upon the ground and exchange words of doleful regret, +while Mr. Pender went the rounds, and gravely shook hands with each one +of the Boy Scouts. + +"You've done me a good turn, boys, a mighty good turn. I was just on my +way to the mill pond to arrest these chaps when I saw a light ahead, and +creeping up, witnessed this interesting sight. When I've found that bag +now, I imagine I'll have the case against these two worthies clean cut," +he said. + +Upon which Paul quietly stepped over into the bushes and fished out the +article in question, which he delivered to the officer. + +From Brad's pocket was taken the wad of bills which Ted had thought to +purloin from the bag before he threw it and the rest of its contents +away. + +"This is counterfeit money, boys, made from the plates in the bag. They +were taking these things to Solus, who had written them that he had +secured a nice quiet retreat where they might work undisturbed. So you +see, my boy," said Mr. Pender to Ted, "if you had made way with this +it must have gotten you into a peck of trouble from the start. You're +lucky to get out of it as easy as you do." + +Ted was looking anything but cheerful. + +"Oh! I knowed it was bad money all the while, sir, but I wanted to take +it to the chief of police in town. I ain't ever goin' to run up against +Paul Morrison and his crowd no more, after this white way they treated +me. Not much. I'm goin' to turn over a new leaf after this. But please, +mister, get that key from him, and take these things off. Makes me squirm +to just feel 'em. But, mister, I'm glad I didn't have to smoke, after +all," and that seemed to be the burden of Ted's thanksgiving. + +As to his ever turning over that promised new leaf, well, Paul believed +they were more apt to find potatoes growing on apple trees than that +such a wonder should come about. + +"But I'm not satisfied yet, boys," said the Government agent; "there's a +third one to get; Solus Smithers, who is known to me by another name. +Now, I wonder if I could leave these two prisoners in charge of several +of you, while the rest went with me in the car? I'll make use of the +rope, so they just can't possibly get away." + +It was presently decided that William, Wallace and Bobolink should stay, +also Ted if he cared to remain. Paul and Jack would accompany Mr. Pender, +so as to render any assistance needed. They could also bring back little +Willie Boggs, should he be found under the roof of the old farmhouse by +the mill pond. + +"The worst of it is I don't know how to handle a machine," remarked the +gentleman, after they had stepped out on to the road. + +"Both of us do, sir," remarked Paul; "so if you will jump aboard we'll +soon be off." + +"Well, I'd just like to learn if there is anything you Boy Scouts don't +know how to handle?" observed the pleased agent, as he saw the two lamps +put back in position, though only one was allowed to remain lighted. + +It took them but a short time to draw close to the farmhouse by the pond. + +Mr. Pender jumped out and advanced through the darkness toward the door. +Just as he reached it the boys, looking, saw it open. Then the voice of +Sol Smithers came plainly to them. + +"Wall, did yuh run acrost the bag, Brad? I guessed 'twas on'y layin' down +the road a piece. But what yuh mean apushin' in on me thetaways?" + +"You're my prisoner, Silas Westover. Don't try to run, or it will be the +worse for you. I have plenty of help and your place is surrounded. Wash +and Brad are already in irons. Hold up your hands!" came in the stern +voice of Mr. Pender. + +Of course the man who had called himself Solus Smithers did not offer any +resistance, and he was quickly made a prisoner. When he found later that +one man, assisted by a parcel of Boy Scouts, had captured three desperate +characters, he was about as mad as a hornet; but it was too late then +to remedy matters. + +Paul and Jack immediately started a search for the missing Willie Boggs. +The youngster was discovered fast asleep on a cot, just as the man who +had found him in the woods had lain him down. + +And when Mr. Pender saw this he nodded his head, and declared that +because Solus had shown that he possessed a tender heart, for all his +assumed fierceness, he would make it as easy for him when the case to +trial, as he could. + +After Mr. Pender had searched the place, and accumulated what evidence +he needed, all of them got into the car, Willie still sound asleep. Then +they started over the road for Stanhope. + +The town was reached at just one o'clock. At police headquarters Mr. +Pender delivered his three prisoners for safe keeping. After that Paul +again took the red car out to bring in the remainder of the patrol, for +they were miles away from home. + + + + +CHAPTER XXX + +FOUND OUT AT LAST + + +"Why, hello! Paul! I didn't hear you ring. Did you fly in through the +window?" + +Jack sprang up from the easy chair he had been occupying in the library +of his own home, when his chum suddenly appeared before him. + +It was about ten o'clock on the morning following the hunt for the lost +boy; and the remarkable occurrences that had accompanied it up in the +woods above Stanhope. + +"Oh! you know I told you I might slip in by the back door this time; and +that is just what I did," replied Paul, speaking in an unusually guarded +tone. + +"That's a fact!" exclaimed Jack, beginning to show signs of excitement; +"and I remember that at the same time you promised--" + +"I'd try my best to solve the puzzle about those disappearing old coins, +and tell you to-day," said his chum, breaking in. "Well, perhaps I may, +though my most promising clue has turned out a bit of a fizzle." + +"But you have another up your sleeve, you said?" continued Jack, eagerly. + +"Yes, I believe I have," Paul admitted. "Some time later, when we get +this queer affair off our hands, I want to talk with you about a lot of +things connected with this scout movement. I got some good ideas from a +bunch of papers left at our house for me. Guess who remembered us in +such a bully way?" + +"Give it up. I might mention every gentleman in town, and then some," +laughed Jack; "for they're all watching what we're doing, with interest. +But go on and tell me who it was, Paul." + +"Mr. Peleg Growdy," came the surprising answer. + +"Well, you don't say?" exclaimed his chum, delight showing in his voice; +"so the old man has really seen a great light, has he? I guess he's +taking more interest in our troop than anybody else in town. That night's +work was the best thing that ever happened for the boys of Stanhope, as +well as for Peleg. I take off my cap to him after this, Paul." + +"But wait; that isn't all. You know that Si Growdy is a nephew of his? +Well, he's without a home no longer. Peleg sent for him, and they had a +long talk. Si told me this morning that he's really been adopted by his +uncle, and is going to make his home with him. What d'ye think of that, +Jack?" + +"Just immense, that's what," declared his companion, slapping a hand on +Paul's shoulder; "I'm glad we went there and cleaned up the old man's +dooryard. Some of the boys thought it silly at the time; but they +understand things better now. He was just needing something like that to +touch his heart. Up to then he thought all boys were pests. We opened his +eyes some, eh?" + +"That's right, we did. But about those coins!" said Paul, smiling once +more. + +"Yes, first tell me who it was you suspected that has turned out +innocent?" asked his chum. + +"There he lies yonder, sleeping, with one eye open and watching us!" +remarked Paul, pointing across the room. + +"What! Carlo! You actually suspected him of taking my coins? Why, Paul, +whatever put that notion into your head?" demanded Jack, in sheer +astonishment. + +"Well," returned Paul; "perhaps it was silly, but then you've taught him +to fetch a basket from the baker's, and do lots of stunts. I didn't know +but what the sly old chap might be helping himself to your coins, and +palming them off on the butcher for a supply of bones." + +"That would have been the limit!" gasped his friend. "But you found out +that he was innocent, did you?" + +"I finally went in and talked with Mr. Griggs; but he said Carlo just +came in once in a while, looking so pitifully at him, that he didn't have +the heart to refuse a bone. So none of your lost coins have gone into his +till, Jack." + +"Oh! that would have been the queerest thing ever, had he done it. But +now about the other clue you have--tell me about it, Paul," continued +the anxious one. Paul had seated himself where he could keep an eye down +the street in front of the house. And while his chum was talking he had +smiled as if he might have discovered something out there that pleased +him very much. + +"Come right up to your den with me, Jack, and leave Carlo shut in here," +he said, rising; "and when we get upstairs open the window to air the +room. Then I shall ask you to let me hide there behind something, while +you go downstairs, pass out, and along the street in plain view." + +"Say, that's a mighty queer thing to do," ventured the other. + +"It's all a part of my plan. You must leave the door of the den open too. +And Jack, after you get around the corner I want you to sneak back to the +rear of the house, and come up again, crawling into the den here, if +everything is quiet." + +"Oh! all right, if you say so, Paul," Jack observed; "but you've sure got +me guessing to beat the band, right now. Here's the window open. Now +shall I get busy, and meander off?" + +"Right away. Please carry it out just as I said. You ought to be back +here inside of six or seven minutes; and I guess that will be time enough +before the circus begins, Jack." + +So the owner of the little den at the top of the house gave his chum one +last look of bewilderment, and turning, hastened down the stairs. + +Paul, with a glance around, chose a certain corner for his hiding-place. +Here he could see without exposing himself to view; and squatting down he +prepared to await developments. + +A minute later he got up, and moved an old screen partly across the +floor, so that it hid the open door. When Jack returned, he could crawl +alongside the hiding boy without showing himself to any one in the room, +or beyond the window. + +Hardly had five minutes crept by when Paul heard a slight sound. It came +from the stairs, and he smiled, knowing that his chum had lost no time in +carrying out his part of the plot. + +So Jack came sliding in, and was soon nestling down at Paul's side, +brimming over with curiosity, yet deterred from asking questions by the +fact that Paul had put up a warning finger. + +Several more minutes passed by, when Jack was thrilled to see something +moving in the direction of the partly open window. It seemed to be a +long cane fishing rod, that had a dark colored lump at the end of it. + +The rod continued to advance slowly into the den. It was, of course, in +the hands of some one perched in the window of the attic belonging to the +empty house so close by; and Jack could easily guess now who that person +must be. + +Scissors Dempsey, once his friend, but latterly a crony of Ted Slavin! + +Now the end of the rod seemed to hover above the little box containing +all that were left of Jack's old coins. And even as he and Paul looked +they saw it descend until the light box was tilted partly over, when the +point of the long rod was pushed into it vigorously. Jack was reminded +somewhat of a human hand groping about. And then, as the fishing pole was +rapidly withdrawn, he saw one of his few remaining old coins sticking to +the black lump at its terminus! + +The game was now clear. Scissors, inspired by a love of fun, or a desire +to mystify Jack, perhaps make him suspect that one of his chums was +taking the coins, had come every day into this empty house belonging to +his father. Whenever he found the window in Jack's den open he amused +himself with this strange fishing. + +Paul beckoned to his chum, and then silently crept out of the den, which +he was easily enabled to do, thanks to the screen he had placed to cover +the open door. + +Once down on the next landing Jack clutched his sleeve. + +"Well, would you dream of such a thing as that?" exclaimed the latter, +nearly ready to explode with laughter, yet feeling a bit angry at the +same time. "What under the sun d'ye suppose he's doing such a stunt for, +Paul?" + +"We'd better put it up to Scissors," replied the other, quickly. + +"Then you suggest waiting for him as he comes out, and telling him we +know all about his fishing for my coins?" asked Jack. + +"Come along. He might be satisfied with just one to-day. You see it's +getting harder, with so few left in the box," and Paul led the way +downstairs again. + +"But what's he got on the end of that pole?" demanded his chum. + +"I think it must be a lump of rather soft tar, or pitch," came Paul's +answer, readily enough. "I found a little on one of the coins left the +last time we examined them; and you said that the fourth stuck to the +side of the box. Yes, that's what it is. Now, let's wait over by the +front door, for that's the way he goes in." + +Five minutes later the front door of the empty house opened, and a tall +boy, with spindly legs, came slily out. He stopped to turn a key in the +lock. Then, as he wheeled, it was to find himself facing two fellows who +were probably the very last boys in Stanhope he expected to see. + +"Just in time to explain how you came to think of that clever little +fishing dodge of yours, Scissors," remarked Paul; "and to give back all +those old coins you've been raking in so smartly. Thought it lots of fun, +didn't you? And meant to twist my chum up so he'd think one of his own +crowd had been taking them?" + +"Yes," Jack said, in turn, looking as angry as he could; "and if you +don't turn every blessed copper piece over to me right away, there's +going to be trouble at your house, understand that, Scissors?" + +The guilty one turned red in the face. Then he laughed as though he +wanted to consider it a joke. + +"Oh! come off!" he exclaimed, with a gesture of disgust; "can't you take +a little fun, Jack? Of course I meant to give 'em all back again, after +I'd had my sport out of the game, and got the last coin. They're upstairs +here, right now. Come along in, and I'll show you. The slick trick is +gone up in smoke now, anyway; since you got on to my curves. But I +wouldn't make such a big fuss over nothing." + +"It wasn't the coins, because they don't count for much; but just think +how I felt at even suspecting that some fellow who was my friend had been +taking them," said Jack, as he and Paul followed Scissors into the empty +house. + +And from the sneer on the other's face as he looked back, Paul was +inclined to believe that this was just what he had been doing the thing +for. He disliked Jack as much now as he had once cared for him; and would +probably enjoy nothing better than to see him turn on some friend, +perhaps even his best chum. + +The coins were found, as he had said, in a marble-bag in the attic. While +Jack was counting them, Paul knelt at the window, and experimented with +the long fishing rod he found on the floor. He discovered that he could +manage to tilt the little box on the table quite easily, though it needed +some labor before he brought one of the coins across the open space, +glued to the pitch at the point of the rod. + +"All there, ain't they?" demanded Scissors. + +"Yes," replied Jack; "though so sticky I'll have to wash them in +something like benzine. Perhaps you did do it for a lark, Scissors; but +I'll make sure that a screen is in that window whenever it's open after +this." + +"Huh! I guess the feller that invented this racket could get up somethin' +just as good if he wanted," and that was all Scissors ever said about +it to the boy he had wronged. + +Jack, having recovered his property, did not care to do anything further +about the robbery. Later on Scissors himself told his cronies, thinking +it to his credit; and they more than a few times tried to joke Jack about +his disappearing coins. But he took it all in good humor, and after a +while the thing was apparently forgotten, because the boys of Stanhope +had many other things of importance to engage their undivided attention. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXI + +WELL DONE STANHOPE TROOP!--CONCLUSION + + +Days and weeks passed. + +In season and out, the boys of industrious Stanhope Troop worked. Never +had the good people known such a wave of enthusiasm to sweep over the +town on the Bushkill. It seemed as catching as the measles, this spirit +of energy, and a desire to do things worth while, which had taken +possession of most of the boys. + +Parents got together, and conferring, admitted that this new fad was by +all odds the best thing that had ever happened. They determined to +encourage it to the limit. Even those who were doubtful at the start, +found themselves obliged to admit that never before had Stanhope +presented such a clean appearance; and not within the recollection +of the oldest inhabitant had boys been so obliging. + +After the Stanhope Troop had been fully received into the National +organization an efficient scout master was finally secured in the person +of a young man by the name of Alec Gordon. He had lately come from +visiting across the water, where he had enjoyed the personal acquaintance +of several leading lights in the scout movement in England. Besides that, +he was naturally fond of the woods, and best of all, filled with a deep +love for the boy of to-day. + +Under his guidance the troop prospered, and made rapid progress along the +lines started by Paul. The only trouble about the whole matter was that +Mr. Gordon, being a traveling man, was liable to be called away just when +his presence might be most needed. + +Several times this had occurred, and feeling the need of leaving a deputy +to fill his place, he put it up to the boys themselves. Of course there +had not been a dissenting vote; and Paul was elected to play the part of +guide, should an emergency arise; and in this way he became assistant +scout master of the troop. + +They need have no fear concerning his ability to fill the rôle. He +had proven equal to the task before now; and there were not a few, +particularly among those acknowledging the magical Red Fox as their +totem, who secretly cherished a belief that Paul knew more about the +secrets of Nature than any _two_ mature scout masters. + +Every chance that offered the scouts were abroad, as busy as bees in the +honey season; only instead of laying up sweets these energetic chaps +sought new information. They followed the trails of fox, 'coon and +rabbit; they watched the habits of the noisy crows holding a caucus in +the woods; they kept company with the red squirrel and the frolicsome +chipmunk as they stored away the chestnuts and juicy hickories for their +winter's supply of food. + +And on every occasion they labored to make themselves perfect in those +branches of wood lore, and the knowledge of useful things, which they +expected would play a prominent part in the approaching competition. + +Just as Paul and Wallace had predicted, it was found that nearly every +fellow had a love for Nature and her wonderful secrets somewhere in his +system; even though with a few this breath had to be fanned vigorously in +order to keep it alive. + +Of course they were annoyed again and again by Ted Slavin and his envious +followers; for the bully of the town had drifted back to his old ways, as +might have been expected. + +When peaceful tactics failed to stop these malicious tricks, the scout +master personally appealed to the authorities, and a warning was issued +that, for a time at least, dismayed the disturbers of the meetings. But +when they could do so in secret, they never lost an opportunity to play +some sly trick. + +Another thing that had been anticipated came to pass. This was the utter +failure of Ward's cronies to maintain any interest in the duties of +scouts. Those twelve cardinal virtues that must at all times be held up +before the fellow who expects to become and remain a Boy Scout in good +standing, failed to appeal to these rough and ready chaps. It would +indeed require a revolution in boy nature to make Ted Slavin, or his +crony, Scissors, trustworthy, loyal, helpful to others, friendly, +courteous, kind, obedient to his superior officers, cheerful, thrifty, +brave, clean and reverent! + +Just a few days before Thanksgiving the scout master came to Paul with +the distressing news that he had received an imperative summons from his +firm to go out on the road; so that it would debar him from being present +when the long-looked-for-competition took place. + +"But," said Mr. Gordon, as he shook Paul by the hand earnestly; "I firmly +believe that you will be able to fill my place so well that my absence +will not make the slightest difference," and Paul, of course, simply said +he would do his best. + +The fellows of Stanhope Troop knew full well what that "best" meant. + +But as the boys of Manchester Troop and that of Aldine as well, learned +through some of their energetic scouts, what a strong bid these patrols +of the Fox were going to make, in the hope of winning that coveted +banner, they seemed to be stirred to make new endeavors. + +Paul managed to keep advised of pretty much all that was going on; since +this was a part of a scout's duty; though no mean advantage was ever +taken of the rival camps--he would not stand for that. In a quiet way he +had learned how their meetings became more frequent, and the desire to +excel, that had threatened to dwindle away for lack of rivalry, grew more +keen. + +Paul was glad of it. Competition is the life of trade; but it also +encourages boys to do their level best. There would be a brave fight for +that banner; and no walk-over. The troop that won it might well be proud +of the honor. And Paul was still full of faith. He watched his scouts go +through their various interesting stunts with a growing conviction that +they must stand at the head when the day came for the meeting, and the +report of the committee appointed to make the test was declared. + +He knew that fortune had been very kind in allowing himself and Jack to +make a heavy score in favor of Stanhope Troop. The stopping of the +runaway horse, and the saving of the baby at the fire would bring them +many points. Then there was the wonderful letter from Washington, on +official paper too, in which Mr. Jared Pender told the story of how much +he had been helped by the Red Fox patrol in his task of capturing those +desperate rascals who were flooding the whole country with their bogus +money. + +But Paul was determined that, aside from the help afforded by these +glorious deeds, the boys of Stanhope should excel all others in their +knowledge of woodcraft, and the valuable things every boy with red blood +in his veins should possess. + +So they kept up the good work after the scout master had left them. + +Long since had Bobolink received his bugle, and William his drum. Both +proved very able in managing these musical instruments, and the shrill +notes of the one, and the roll of the other, had become very familiar and +acceptable sounds in Stanhope these fall days, when the first snow made +its appearance. + +Already had they planned a great camp for the next summer, and there was +talk of a grand hike into the almost unknown, to them, country far to the +north. What strange adventures were destined to befall them during this +eventful outing, together with the fun that William and Bobolink afforded +the troop, will be recounted in the next volume, to be called: "The +Banner Boy Scouts on a Tour; or, The Mystery of Rattlesnake Mountain." + +Even at school the teachers noticed that things seemed to move along much +more smoothly than ever before. Some of them were inclined to suspect +that a miracle had been wrought in boy nature; until it was shown that +there were still quite a number of transgressors, and that not one of the +bad ones belonged to the scouts. That opened their eyes, and after such +evidence they were one and all heartily in favor of the organization that +kept lads interested, taught them every noble duty that would make them +better men later on, caused them to be manly, heroic, self-confident in +time of sudden peril, and able to stand up for their rights. + +Thanksgiving came at last. + +The entire county showed a keen interest in the rivalry of the three +troops for leadership. Each had its sturdy backers, who believed their +home company to be the best; and hence when the choice of situation fell +to Manchester, it looked as though nearly the entire population of +Stanhope and Aldine had also gathered to cheer their favorites on. + +The competition was keenly contested. A dozen different events had been +scheduled some time back by the committee, as the more important elements +that would enter into the struggle; and the scout master of each patrol +had been notified, so that he might select those most competent to +succeed. + +Scout master Gordon, and later on his deputy, Paul, had been working with +those who excelled in these various lines. Nothing was left undone to +make them proficient in their work. When the critical time came, and +before the eyes of thousands they lined up before the committee to take +the test, Paul believed that success was sure to come. + +Football was in the air for the afternoon; but that morning every school +flag fluttered in that densely packed field where the arena was laid. +Scores upon scores of pretty girls clapped their hands, and sang +patriotic songs that had reference to their particular town, whenever +a Stanhope, a Manchester or an Aldine competitor started to prove his +superior knowledge of the arts of woodcraft. + +Wallace Carberry brought the first honors to the Red Fox patrol. He had +his quart of water boiling a full minute before either of his rivals; +and retired amid thunderous applause. Wallace would show up in several +other events, for he was the mainstay of Paul's contesting delegation. + +Then came other interesting object lessons. Many present failed to +understand altogether what they signified; but they were patriotic, and +ready to cheer the victor to the echo. + +On account of the lateness of the season several events that might have +taken place at another time were debarred, such as swimming, fishing, and +sports peculiar to the good old summer time. + +Nevertheless, there were plenty of others equally as interesting. Three +boys entered as contestants in the rapid photography class. They took a +snap shot at a given word, darted into separate prepared dark rooms, +developed their plates, dried the same, each after his own fashion, and +presented a completed picture before the other competitions were done. + +Meanwhile three others showed just how a scout should learn to follow a +difficult trail, where all manner of obstacles stood in the way. While +the crowd could not fully understand just how this was done, the +committee seemed unanimous in awarding the victory once more to Wallace, +for he had not made a single error, and he finished ahead of his rivals. + +Others were set to work tying ten difficult knots, and the fun waxed fast +and furious as they worked their nimble fingers, keeping an eye on each +other the while. + +In another place three tents were given to squads of boys from each +patrol, and at the word they set to work to erect the same, dig a water +drain in case of rain, and have everything in "apple-pie" shape. The +committee gave plain warning that it was not speed alone that would count +here, but the general ship-shape condition following the carrying out of +the conditions. + +And again the boys of the Stanhope Troop came in winners by a good +margin. + +Manchester drew a prize when the contest of landing a big fish came on. +A boy played the part of the fish, and fought with all his strength and +cunning to keep from being reeled in. But big Carl Evans, the Manchester +fisherman, proved to be too strong and able for those who competed, and +had his fish landed minutes ahead. + +The archers then took a turn. Here Aldine presented a clever expert, who +had made this his especial hobby for some years. He could not be headed, +though the other fellows from Stanhope and Manchester really made a very +creditable showing. + +One of the most interesting exhibitions of the morning, and one that +excited considerable cheering, was the "first aid to the injured." + +A boy was supposed to have fallen overboard into the river. In each case +several contestants pretended to drag him out, placing him face downward, +with his arms above his head, and his face a little to one side. Then one +of the rescuers knelt astride the body, allowing his hands to press upon +the spaces between the short ribs. By pressing downward the air was +forced from the other's lungs, to creep in again when this was relaxed; +and in this fashion an artificial respiration was induced that should +grow stronger as minutes passed. + +Of course, as no boy was so accommodating as to fall into the cold waters +of the Bushkill for the occasion, the contestants finished at the same +time. The committee, after mature consultation, awarded the victory to +the team accomplishing their work in the most business-like fashion. +Aldine was so fortunate as to receive the award, and her people shouted +themselves hoarse. + +In athletics the three competing troops proved very nearly even; and +brought out rounds of cheers as they followed one another in carrying +out the several events scheduled. + +Possibly when William proved his great superiority as a camp cook, by +making the batter, and cooking a luscious flap-jack long before any other +fellow could accomplish the feat, his victory was the most popular one of +the day. Fully five score of fellows made motions to prove they were +starved, and that a bite from the airy pancake would possibly serve as +a life saver. But after the committee had tested it, William calmly +devoured the balance, to the tune of mingled groans and cheers. + +Last of all came the wig-wagging contest, when boys sent and received +messages fashioned by the committee, the nature of which was unknown at +the other end. In this Stanhope again made a record that put her boys in +the van, for Paul had secured and studied the army manual on using the +signal flags, and to good advantage. + +After the twelfth and last event had been completed, the committee went +into session, examined the papers they already held, and finally +announced that Stanhope had carried off the prize with six clean events, +the others being equally divided between the two clever troops from the +other towns. + +It was undoubtedly a popular victory, judging from the record-breaking +volume of noise that greeted the announcement. What else the chairman +would have said, with regard to the great good the establishment of these +patrols had brought to the county, was drowned in the wild clamor. + +Paul, acting for the absent scout master, accepted the beautiful banner +presented by the good old Quaker who loved peace above all things. He was +immediately swept off his feet, and carried in triumph around the field, +waving the emblem that would from that hour stamp the Stanhope Troop as +the Banner Boy Scouts of the county. + +Little Paul cared that some frowned, or that Ward Kenwood sneered as the +procession marched past. Close by he could see the happy face of Arline, +together with those of his parents; and it satisfied him to know that +through his unflagging perseverance he had been able to land his scouts +in the van. + +Other trials and contests would doubtless have to be encountered; but +with that banner to encourage then the Fox patrols could meet each +emergency as it arose, and struggle on through difficulties to a glorious +success. + + +THE END + + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's The Banner Boy Scouts, by George A. 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Warren. + </title> + <style type="text/css"> +/*<![CDATA[ XML blockout */ +<!-- + p { margin-top: .75em; + text-align: justify; + margin-bottom: .75em; + } + h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6 { + text-align: center; /* all headings centered */ + clear: both; + } + hr { width: 33%; + margin-top: 2em; + margin-bottom: 2em; + margin-left: auto; + margin-right: auto; + clear: both; + } + + table {margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;} + + body{margin-left: 10%; + margin-right: 10%; + } + + .linenum {position: absolute; top: auto; left: 4%;} /* poetry number */ + .blockquot{margin-left: 5%; margin-right: 10%;} + .pagenum {position: absolute; left: 92%; font-size: smaller; text-align: right;} /* page numbers */ + .sidenote {width: 20%; padding-bottom: .5em; padding-top: .5em; + padding-left: .5em; padding-right: .5em; margin-left: 1em; + float: right; clear: right; margin-top: 1em; + font-size: smaller; background: #eeeeee; border: dashed 1px;} + + .bb {border-bottom: solid 2px;} + .bl {border-left: solid 2px;} + .bt {border-top: solid 2px;} + .br {border-right: solid 2px;} + .bbox {border: solid 2px;} + + .center {text-align: center;} + .smcap {font-variant: small-caps;} + .u {text-decoration: underline;} + + .caption {font-weight: bold;} + + .figcenter {margin: auto; text-align: center;} + + .figleft {float: left; clear: left; margin-left: 0; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: + 1em; margin-right: 1em; padding: 0; text-align: center;} + + .figright {float: right; clear: right; margin-left: 1em; margin-bottom: 1em; + margin-top: 1em; margin-right: 0; padding: 0; text-align: center;} + + .footnotes {border: dashed 1px;} + .footnote {margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; font-size: 0.9em;} + .footnote .label {position: absolute; right: 84%; text-align: right;} + .fnanchor {vertical-align: super; font-size: .8em; text-decoration: none;} + + .poem {margin-left:10%; margin-right:10%; text-align: left;} + .poem br {display: none;} + .poem .stanza {margin: 1em 0em 1em 0em;} + .poem span.i0 {display: block; margin-left: 0em;} + .poem span.i2 {display: block; margin-left: 2em;} + .poem span.i4 {display: block; margin-left: 4em;} + // --> + /* XML end ]]>*/ + </style> + </head> +<body> + + +<pre> + +The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Banner Boy Scouts, by George A. Warren + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: The Banner Boy Scouts + Or, The Struggle for Leadership + +Author: George A. Warren + +Release Date: December 9, 2005 [EBook #17266] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE BANNER BOY SCOUTS *** + + + + +Produced by David Garcia, Mary Meehan and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net + + + + + + +</pre> + + + + + +<h1>The Banner Boy Scouts</h1> + +<h3>Or The Struggle for Leadership</h3> + +<h2>By GEORGE A. WARREN</h2> + + +<h4> +THE WORLD SYNDICATE PUBLISHING CO.<br /> +CLEVELAND, O. NEW YORK, N.Y.<br /><br /> + +Copyright, MCMXII<br /> +by CUPPLES & LEON COMPANY<br /><br /> + +<i>Printed in the United States of America</i></h4> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CONTENTS</h2> + +<!-- Autogenerated TOC. Modify or delete as required. --> +<p> +<a href="#PREFACE">PREFACE</a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_I">CHAPTER I--<span class="smcap">A Meeting in the Barn</span></a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_II">CHAPTER II--<span class="smcap">What it Means to be a Boy Scout</span></a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_III">CHAPTER III--<span class="smcap">The Disappearing Coins</span></a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_IV">CHAPTER IV--<span class="smcap">The First Scout Leader</span></a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_V">CHAPTER V--<span class="smcap">Checking a Coward</span></a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_VI">CHAPTER VI--<span class="smcap">A Strange Suggestion</span></a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_VII">CHAPTER VII--<span class="smcap">The Trap that Peleg Set</span></a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_VIII">CHAPTER VIII--<span class="smcap">Turning the Tables</span></a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_IX">CHAPTER IX--"<span class="smcap">Well Done, My Boy!</span>"</a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_X">CHAPTER X--<span class="smcap">An Unexpected Offer</span></a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XI">CHAPTER XI--<span class="smcap">Caught Napping</span></a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XII">CHAPTER XII--<span class="smcap">The Rival Troops</span></a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XIII">CHAPTER XIII--"<span class="smcap">Fire!</span>"</a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XIV">CHAPTER XIV--<span class="smcap">Jack's Chance</span></a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XV">CHAPTER XV--<span class="smcap">The Honor Brand</span></a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XVI">CHAPTER XVI--<span class="smcap">The Fire Test</span></a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XVII">CHAPTER XVII--<span class="smcap">Clearing Skies</span></a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XVIII">CHAPTER XVIII--<span class="smcap">Carlo Does His Turn</span></a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XIX">CHAPTER XIX--<span class="smcap">The Warning Over the Wire</span></a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XX">CHAPTER XX--<span class="smcap">Such Glorious Luck</span></a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XXI">CHAPTER XXI--<span class="smcap">The Meeting</span></a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XXII">CHAPTER XXII--<span class="smcap">Scouting in Earnest</span></a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XXIII">CHAPTER XXIII--<span class="smcap">The Red Car</span></a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XXIV">CHAPTER XXIV--<span class="smcap">A Call for Help</span></a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XXV">CHAPTER XXV--<span class="smcap">A Camp in the Woods</span></a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XXVI">CHAPTER XXVI--<span class="smcap">What Woodcraft Told</span></a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XXVII">CHAPTER XXVII--<span class="smcap">Ted Finds Something</span></a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XXVIII">CHAPTER XXVIII--<span class="smcap">Forced to Tell</span></a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XXIX">CHAPTER XXIX--<span class="smcap">The Capture</span></a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XXX">CHAPTER XXX--<span class="smcap">Found Out at Last</span></a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XXXI">CHAPTER XXXI--<span class="smcap">Well Done, Stanhope Troop!—Conclusion</span></a><br /> +</p> +<!-- End Autogenerated TOC. --> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="PREFACE" id="PREFACE"></a>PREFACE</h2> + + +<p><span class="smcap">My Dear Boys</span>:</p> + +<p>Knowing that ninety-nine lads out of every hundred love outdoor life +above all else, I have taken it upon myself to give you a series of +what I hope will prove to be clean, wide-awake, up-to-date stories, +founded upon a subject that is interesting our whole nation—the Boy +Scouts of America. You know what a hold this movement has taken upon +the rising generation of our broad land. There never was anything like +it before—there never may be again.</p> + +<p>At first many people made the mistake of believing that it was simply a +new military order, and that boys who joined were to be taught the duties +of soldiers, and learned how to fight. They know better now. It is really +the greatest movement for Peace ever started. Not only that, but the lads +who belong to this vast organization are taught how to be manly, self +reliant, brave, courteous, kindly and steadfast.</p> + +<p>When you examine the roster of the officers who have loaned their names +to help along the good cause you will find such honored signatures as +those of President William Howard Taft, ex-President Theodore Roosevelt, +and many others dear to the hearts of our boys.</p> + +<p>This glorious field opens up a very tempting opportunity for a series of +stirring stories concerning the fortunes of <i>real</i> Boy Scouts, who have +gone into the movement heart and soul, with a desire to excel in all they +undertake; and at the same time enjoy themselves hugely. I only hope and +trust that you may be pleased with what you read in this book, about the +doings of the Red Fox Patrol, of Stanhope Troop, and that the story +will do you much good.</p> + +<p>Yours faithfully,</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">George A. Warren.</span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="THE_BANNER_BOY_SCOUTS" id="THE_BANNER_BOY_SCOUTS"></a>THE BANNER BOY SCOUTS</h2> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_I" id="CHAPTER_I"></a>CHAPTER I</h2> + +<h3>A MEETING IN THE BARN</h3> + + +<p>"All here now, Paul!"</p> + +<p>"Call the roll, somebody, won't you?"</p> + +<p>"Keep quiet, fellows, please!"</p> + +<p>"Shall I strike a match, Paul?"</p> + +<p>"Not on your life, Bobolink. That crowd of Ted Slavin's is out, looking +for us. Somebody must have leaked, or else Ted was tipped off. We've got +to be mighty cautious, I tell you, if we want to give them the slip."</p> + +<p>"S-s-say, d-d-don't you k-k-know we've got a fi-fine b-b-barn on our +p-p-place, fellows?"</p> + +<p>"For goodness sake; won't somebody please pound Bluff Shipley on the +back, and make him bite his twisted tongue, so he can talk straight?" +cried a pleading voice.</p> + +<p>"Listen!"</p> + +<p>There must have been a streak of authority in the tone used by Paul +Morrison when he spoke this last word; every one of the other six boys +crouched there, craning his neck, and listening to catch the unusual +sound that had apparently reached the trained ears of their leader.</p> + +<p>The woods surrounded the boys on all sides, gloomy, and full of +mystifying noises.</p> + +<p>Yet Paul knew full well just what every one of the sounds meant. An owl +called mournfully to its mate from a hollow tree. Katydids and merry +crickets added their shrill music to the chorus of that late summer +night. Even a colony of tree frogs solemnly chanted their appeal for +"more rain."</p> + +<p>During the day just ended six fellows in the thriving town of Stanhope +had received urgent telephone calls from Paul, who was an only son of the +leading doctor in the place.</p> + +<p>And each boy had promised to meet him at the Three Oaks by the time the +clock in the church steeple had struck eight.</p> + +<p>It was even now booming out the hour.</p> + +<p>When the last stroke died away, the most impatient among the gathered +boys moved restlessly.</p> + +<p>"Follow me, fellows," said Paul, in a low, thrilling tone.</p> + +<p>"Where are we heading for?" queried one, who had as yet failed to express +his feelings in the matter.</p> + +<p>This was Wallace Carberry, the sober member of the pair known far +and wide as the Carberry Twins; his mate, William, being his exact +counterpart in every particular, when he chose to repress the +good-natured grin that usually marked his fate.</p> + +<p>"To the Shipley barn; single file; and silence is the watchword!"</p> + +<p>Paul Morrison had long enjoyed the confidence of his comrades in most +matters pertaining to outdoor sports. A healthy lad, both in mind and +body, he was never so happy as when studying the secrets of Nature in +wood and meadow; or in playing any of the various strenuous games to +which all boys with red blood in their veins are addicted.</p> + +<p>And when he sent out his mysterious request that some of his most +intimate friends meet him on this night, as he had a communication +of importance to put up to them, the greatest curiosity made itself +manifest.</p> + +<p>Paul never suggested ordinary things. More than once he had engineered +some game that brought honor and glory to the boys of Stanhope; and +remembering these satisfactory "stunts" of old, it was no wonder these +fellows had come to the place of meeting without a single exception.</p> + +<p>With Bluff Shipley close upon the heels of the leader, and Robert Oliver +Link, whose name had long since been corrupted into Bobolink, bringing +up the rear, the seven lads trailed through the woods, following some +path with which they were evidently more or less familiar.</p> + +<p>Several times Paul gave a recognized signal that caused every one of the +bunch to stop short, and turn his head on one side in the endeavor to +discover whether hostile footsteps could be heard in their rear.</p> + +<p>But although there were doubtless many rustling sounds, the boys laid +these to the bright-eyed little denizens of that strip of woodland. Too +often had they watched the chipmunks and red squirrels hunting for nuts +under the already falling leaves, not to know that the forest was peopled +with these harmless animals.</p> + +<p>After five minutes more there loomed up before them the dark outlines of +a huge barn that seemed rather out of place here on the border of the +woods.</p> + +<p>This belonged to the father of Bluff, who, being a prosperous tobacco +grower in this valley, used the place to cure the product of his broad +fields, after it had been harvested in the fall.</p> + +<p>Paul had been carrying some sort of package in his hand, and the boys for +some time amused themselves in guessing its nature. When he took off the +paper it stood revealed as a lantern, ready for lighting.</p> + +<p>"Show us the way inside, Bluff. Then we'll have a little light on the +subject," remarked the leader, with a last anxious searching look around; +as though he still entertained suspicions that their march to the old +barn might have been observed by some of the hostile Slavin crowd.</p> + +<p>Ted Slavin had long been known as the bully of Stanhope; for it seems +that there never yet existed a village or town without some big chap +exercising that privilege. He was a fighter, too, and able to hold his +own against the best. Besides, Ted had shown some of the qualities that +indicate a natural leader; though he held the allegiance of those who +trailed after him mostly through fear, rather than any respect for his +manly qualities.</p> + +<p>His leading crony for the past year had been Ward Kenwood, son of the +wealthy banker who was also a leading real estate owner in the place. +Once upon a time Ward would have scorned the thought of associating with +Slavin and his crowd; but an occasion had arisen whereby he had need of +a strong arm to even up a score, and once he found himself indebted to +Ted he kept on in the bully's company.</p> + +<p>His rivalry in many fields with Paul had much to do with his throwing his +fortunes in with the other fellows. And nothing pleased him more than to +be able to upset any calculations the latter entertained. That explained +why Paul was anxious to avoid a meeting with the Slavin crowd on this +particular night, when he was brimming over with a great idea.</p> + +<p>Once the boys had entered the barn, Bluff secured the door, after which +a match was quickly lighted.</p> + +<p>"Now, here we are, safe and sound, and not an enemy around. Suppose you +open up, Paul, and get this load off our minds," said Albert Cypher, who +seldom heard his own name among his friends, but was known far and wide +as Nuthin'.</p> + +<p>But what else could a lad expect who was so unfortunate as to find +himself afflicted with such a name as A. Cypher?</p> + +<p>"Yes, what's it all mean, Paul? You haven't even taken me in, you know, +and I'm as much in the dark as the next fellow," remarked Jack Stormways, +reproachfully; for being Paul's closest chum he might have expected to +share his confidence.</p> + +<p>"Wait a bit. We might as well make ourselves comfortable while we're +about it. I'll sit down on this box, and the rest of you gather around on +the floor. I've got a big proposition to make, and you want to listen +carefully."</p> + +<p>"T-t-take c-c-care of the lantern, f-f-fellows; my d-d-dad's w-w-wanting +this old barn f-f-for his t-t-tobacco crop, and he'd b-b-be some put out +if it b-b-burned just now!" came from Bluff.</p> + +<p>Finding perches on various low piles of waste left over after the +shipment of the last crop, the six lads gathered around Paul, eagerness +stamped on every beaming face.</p> + +<p>"Now, what's the idea that struck you this time, Paul?" demanded +Bobolink.</p> + +<p>"I'll tell you without any beating around the bush, fellows. The thought +came to me that Stanhope was away behind the times. Other towns not +nearly so big, have one or more troops of Boy Scouts. Why shouldn't we +get up one here?" and Paul waited to hear what the response would be.</p> + +<p>The six who sat in a ring looked at each other as though stunned by the +proposal. It was strange, indeed, that no one had up to this time taken +a lead in advancing such a thing.</p> + +<p>"Bully idea, Paul!" ejaculated Jack, slapping a hand on his knee +enthusiastically, as though it appealed to him most decidedly.</p> + +<p>"Well, I declare, to think that nobody ever mentioned such a grand +movement before. Count me in right from the start!" said Wallace +Carberry—sober Wallace, who usually measured his words as though they +were golden.</p> + +<p>"And me too," observed Bobolink.</p> + +<p>"Ditto for William!" called out the other Carberry Twin, grinning with +delight.</p> + +<p>"G-g-guess I'd make a bully good t-t-tenderfoot!"</p> + +<p>"That's the best thing you ever thought up, old chap," came from Nuthin'.</p> + +<p>"Hurrah! every county heard from, and not one contrary word. It looks +as if there might be something doing right soon around this region," +declared Paul, naturally pleased because his proposition had met with +such unanimous satisfaction.</p> + +<p>"Tell us more about it, please. I've read about the Boy Scouts; but my +mother would take a fit if she thought I was practicing to become a +soldier. You see, I had an older brother, who enlisted to go out with +some of the boys when we had our little fuss about Cuba and the +Philippines; and poor Frank died in camp of typhoid fever. I'll have a +hard time winning her over, and the dad, too," remarked Bobolink, sadly.</p> + +<p>"Well, that's where you make a big mistake, Bobolink. Over in England, +where the Boy Scout movement started, it has some connection with the +army, because there, you see, every fellow expects at some time to serve +his country as a soldier, or on board a naval vessel. But here in +America, the movement is one for peace."</p> + +<p>"Then what's all the doings about?" asked Nuthin', as if puzzled.</p> + +<p>"I know, and Paul is right about it," came from Wallace Carberry, always +quite a reader of newspapers and magazines.</p> + +<p>"Let him tell then. I'm for the game, no matter what it means," cried +Bobolink.</p> + +<p>"And I think Bluff knows something about it, for he said he would do for +the lowest grade of scout, which is the tenderfoot. But I don't think any +of you are qualified to take even that degree; for a tenderfoot must +first be familiar with scout law, sign, salute, and know what his badge +means; he must know about our national flag, and the usual forms of +salute due to it; and be able to tie some seven or eight common knots. +How about that, Bluff?"</p> + +<p>"N-n-not guilty!" promptly answered the one addressed.</p> + +<p>"Say, that sounds interesting any way. Tell us some more about this, +Paul!" exclaimed William, always eager to hear of anything that smacked +of novelty.</p> + +<p>"Well, there are two more degrees a fellow can climb up to, a +second-class scout, and a first-class scout, full fledged. After that, if +he wants to keep right on there are merit badges to be won for excelling +in angling, athletics, camping, cooking at the campfire, taxidermy, first +aid to the injured, handicraft, life saving, path-finding, and a lot +more."</p> + +<p>"Now you've got me stuck on this new game," cried Bobolink, excitedly. +"The more you explain the better I like the idea. Me for the Boy Scouts, +fellows!"</p> + +<p>"Hear! Hear! Paul, the idea is yours, and we vote unanimously that you +occupy the exalted position of scout master—I know that every troop has +to have such a head, and you're better fitted for the job than any fellow +in town!"</p> + +<p>"Yes," laughed Paul, "but unfortunately, I believe a scout master has to +be over twenty-one years of age."</p> + +<p>"Who knows the ways of the open like our Paul? He's the right man in the +right place. Say, are there any books on the subject, that we can get, +and learn more about this thing?" asked Wallace, who seemed to be +particularly well pleased.</p> + +<p>"I've already sent for a manual, and expect it by to-morrow; when we can +find out all about it. But wishing to be posted when I put the question I +went over the river to Aldine to-day, and saw some of the boys there who +belong to the Scouts. They made me more anxious than ever to start a +patrol in our home town."</p> + +<p>"But I've seen something about a troop?" remarked Jack Stormways, who, +Paul thought, seemed unusually sober for a boy ordinarily light-hearted.</p> + +<p>"Yes, a troop takes in say, three local posts called patrols, each of +which has eight members. It is known by a number, as Troop One of Boston; +and each minor organization takes a name of some animal, such as wildcat +or fox. If it is called Fox, every boy belonging to it is supposed to be +able to bark like a fox, so as to be able to signal a comrade while +scouting in the woods."</p> + +<p>"Ginger! but that does sound interesting," declared William.</p> + +<p>"It's j-j-just immense, that's w-w-what!" was Bluff's opinion.</p> + +<p>"Listen! I heard a laugh as sure as anything!" exclaimed Paul, lifting a +hand to indicate silence; and every one of the group assumed an attitude +of expectancy.</p> + +<p>As they waited there suddenly came a tremendous crash, as some object +landed forcibly against the wooden side of the old barn. It was instantly +followed by a second bang, and others came quick and fast, until the +noise might be likened to a bombardment from a hostile battery.</p> + +<p>"It's the Slavin crowd!" called Bobolink, excitedly jumping to his feet. +"They followed us here after all, and have been listening to every word!"</p> + +<p>"All hands to repel boarders!" shouted Paul; and with a cheer the +seven boys rushed over to the door, out of which they sprang, bent +on retaliating on their tormentors.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_II" id="CHAPTER_II"></a>CHAPTER II</h2> + +<h3>WHAT IT MEANS TO BE A BOY SCOUT</h3> + + +<p>"Where are the stone throwers?" shouted the merry member of the Carberry +Twins, as he danced up and down, eagerly trying to discover some moving +object in the surrounding darkness.</p> + +<p>"Gone like smoke, I guess," laughed Paul, who had really expected +something of this sort, judging from past experiences with these same +tormentors.</p> + +<p>"Look there, I can see something moving yonder. Get ready to give a +volley!" cried Nuthin', pointing as he spoke.</p> + +<p>"H-h-hold on, f-f-fellows, d-d-don't fire yet! It's only our old d-d-dun +cow!" gasped Bluff, excitedly; as he waved his arms up and down after the +manner of a cheer captain at a college football game.</p> + +<p>"They've lit out, that's what," grumbled William, who felt as though +cheated.</p> + +<p>"All right, then. It's just as well, for a fight would be a mighty poor +way of preparing to join the scout movement. You'll learn what I mean +later on when you hear the twelve points of the law that every fellow +must subscribe to," observed Paul, seriously.</p> + +<p>"What d'ye mean, Paul?" demanded Bobolink, quickly.</p> + +<p>"Yes, tell us right now what the twelve rules are," said William.</p> + +<p>"I know, for I read all about them a few days ago," remarked Wallace, +readily.</p> + +<p>"All right, then, suppose you call them off. What does a scout promise to +be if allowed to wear the uniform, Wallace?" asked the leader.</p> + +<p>"To be trustworthy, loyal, helpful to others, friendly, courteous, kind, +obedient to his superiors, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean and reverent."</p> + +<p>"Why, it doesn't say a single word about fighting!" ejaculated William.</p> + +<p>"Because a scout must never fight save as a last resort, and then only to +save some weak one from punishment. He must be brave to face danger, to +stop a runaway horse; or jump in and keep another from drowning. Do you +get on to the meaning of this movement, fellows?" asked Paul, eagerly. +The more he read about it the greater became his desire to have a hand in +organizing a Stanhope troop that might compete with those of Aldine and +Manchester, two rival towns, both on the opposite side of the Bushkill +River, the former a few miles up-stream, and the latter the same distance +down.</p> + +<p>"We do, and I tell you I like it better and better the more I hear of +it," said Jack, earnestly. "Why, I just had an idea it meant being junior +soldiers, and drilling so as to be ready to invade Canada, or repel the +yellow peril when the little Japs swarmed across the Pacific. Count me +in, Paul."</p> + +<p>"If I can pass the examination I'm going with you, sure," observed +William.</p> + +<p>"All right, but if they take you in just remember that you've got to quit +your playing tricks on everybody, William," declared the other Carberry +Twin.</p> + +<p>"Listen to him, will you? He's feeling hard on me just because dad gave +him a touch of the cane last night, thinking it was me. As if I was to +blame for looking like my brother," the other said, plaintively, though +chuckling at the same time.</p> + +<p>"You know you fixed it so he'd pounce on me. I'm always in hot water +because you must have your fun. 'Taint fair, and I'd have to be an angel +not to kick. Oh! I hope you get to be a scout, because then I'll have +some peace," declared Wallace; but all the others knew very well what a +deep and abiding affection there really lay between the Carberry Twins.</p> + +<p>"Let's go home now. No use staying any longer out here, with Ted Slavin +and his cronies hanging around, ready to bombard us again. Besides, I +guess Paul wants to wait till he gets his book before telling us any more +about the game."</p> + +<p>"Right you are, Nuthin'. I only wanted to see how the land lay, and if +you took to the idea. I'm satisfied already that it's going to make a +hit, if we can get a few more fellows to join in with us," said Paul.</p> + +<p>"I know one good recruit I can drum up—Tom Bates," spoke up Albert.</p> + +<p>"And a good addition to the seven now here. That would make our first +patrol," echoed the leader, quickly.</p> + +<p>"How about inviting some of the Slavin crowd to join us?" asked Bobolink.</p> + +<p>"Well, perhaps we might pick a couple there; but I think you'll have to +be getting up early in the morning to manage it," replied Paul, +meaningly.</p> + +<p>"What's that?" asked William.</p> + +<p>"Just this. Ted Slavin has heard our plans. You know that he never likes +to see anybody else pull down the plums. What will he do right away, +fellows?"</p> + +<p>"Go and see his shadow, Ward Kenwood, and get him to put up the money to +start the ball rolling. My word for it that inside of a week there'll be +two rival Boy Scout troops in little old Stanhope," remarked Jack +Stormways.</p> + +<p>"Say, that would be great, if the other crowd only acted on the square," +ventured William. "We could have all sorts of contests between us. But +I know Ted Slavin too well to believe he'll ever subscribe to the twelve +rules Wallace mentioned. Why, he'd have to be made all over again to do +that."</p> + +<p>"Look here, Paul, if a fellow has to live up to the rules, however could +the members of Ted's company be taken into a troop of Boy Scouts?" asked +Bobolink, who always sought information.</p> + +<p>"I don't believe they ever could. Still, there's no law in the land to +prevent any lot of boys from forming a patrol, and calling themselves +scouts. That's my way of looking at it," was the answer the leader gave.</p> + +<p>The lads were now on their way home, the lantern having been secured, and +extinguished, lest it invite another bombardment on the part of their +tormentors, doubtless still hovering somewhere nearby.</p> + +<p>No further attack came, however, for which some of them were possibly +sorry, particularly William and Bluff, who delighted in strenuous action +at all times.</p> + +<p>On the border of the town the seven separated into three groups, the +twins going off arm in arm, Bluff, Bobolink and A. Cypher forming +another; while Paul and his particular chum made up the third.</p> + +<p>"Well," said Paul, as they headed for the house of his comrade, which +chanced to come before his own, "what do you think of my scheme, Jack?"</p> + +<p>"Immense, that's what. I'm only astonished that nobody else took up with +the idea before. Poor old Stanhope seems to be away behind the times, +Paul."</p> + +<p>"Well, I don't know. We've had lots going on this summer to take up our +time; and then most of us were away during part of the vacation. There +are other towns just as slow to catch on," returned the other, loyal to +the place of his birth.</p> + +<p>"But now that the ball has been started rolling, just watch how fast it +gathers force. I know how you go at these things. And of all the fellows +I ever met, you are the one best fitted to lead in this thing, if I +understand the game right. Why, it's just going to fit in with the things +you've preached and practiced for years."</p> + +<p>"That's why it appealed so strongly to me, after I really understood what +the many duties of a scout were supposed to be. But what's the matter +with you, Jack?"</p> + +<p>"Eh? With me? Oh, nothing much, Paul."</p> + +<p>But the other knew better, for he had noticed a frown come over Jack's +usually smiling countenance more than once that evening, when the other +thought he was not observed; and from this Paul felt positive his chum +was worrying about something.</p> + +<p>"Of course, if you think it best not to take me in on it, I'm the last +one to bother you, old chap," he went on, when Jack interrupted him.</p> + +<p>"It wasn't that, Paul, not in the least. To tell the truth I've been +thinking it over, and just about made up my mind that I must tell some +one, or I'd never sleep easy. And of all my friends you're the one +closest to me. Yes, I'm going to confess that there is something that +puzzles me, and fills me with alarm."</p> + +<p>"Say, is it as bad as that, Jack? But how is it you don't want to go to +your own folks? You've got one of the best dads I ever knew, and your +mother, well, few are in the same class with her."</p> + +<p>"That's just it, Paul. I'd hate to have either of them know anything +about this trouble."</p> + +<p>Paul swung his friend around so that he could see into his face; for they +were just passing a street lamp at the time.</p> + +<p>"Oh! I can look you in the eyes, old fellow. It isn't anything +disgraceful I've been doing, not at all. But you see," and again that +frown darkened Jack's brow as unpleasant things presented themselves +before his mind's eye, "it's a family affair, I'm afraid, and must be +kept quiet."</p> + +<p>"Now you <i>have</i> got me to guessing good and hard. Suppose you tell me +what it's all about. I hope your brother, Karl—" and there Paul stopped, +for by instinct he seemed to feel that he had guessed the truth the first +shot.</p> + +<p>Jack had given a huge sigh that seemed to well up from his heart.</p> + +<p>"Yes, it's about Karl, only I do hope that it will prove a false alarm, +because I just can't believe he'd do such a rotten thing," the other went +on, slowly.</p> + +<p>"But he's only a little fellow after all, Jack?"</p> + +<p>"That's so, but old enough to know better. You shall hear it all, and +then perhaps you'll advise me what to do," went on Paul's chum, with +a vein of relief in his voice, as though he felt better already, after +deciding to share his trouble with another.</p> + +<p>"That's right, and you know that it goes no further, Jack."</p> + +<p>"Karl got into some mischief a week ago, and to punish him father cut off +his allowance of spending money for a whole month. Now, Karl belongs to a +boys' club, and I heard that at their last meeting the other day he paid +up his dues, and seemed to have plenty of money. The question that is +bothering me is, where did he get it?"</p> + +<p>"Oh! is that all? Why, you forget that your brother is a bright chap; and +I imagine you'll find he's been earning it some way or other; or perhaps +his mother gave it to him. But see here, there's more back of this than +you've told me?" declared Paul, suddenly.</p> + +<p>"There is," replied his chum. "Listen now, and for goodness sake I hope +you can cheer me up some, by explaining a mystery that's bothering me. +It's about those old coins Uncle Reuben sent to me two years ago. There +are some twenty-one in the lot. They're copper coins, you know and I +don't suppose worth much. I've always kept them in a little open cedar +box on my table up in the den; you've spoken about them more than once."</p> + +<p>"Sure, I remember all about them; but you don't mean to say—" and there +Paul stopped, almost afraid to voice the thought that flashed before his +mind.</p> + +<p>"Yes, a bunch of them have gone in a mighty queer way. Why this morning +there were just fourteen left; but to tell the truth I was afraid to go +up there at supper time when I came in after our last game of ball on the +lot, to see if any more had disappeared."</p> + +<p>"Say it plainly, Jack. Some one is taking your old coins, sent by your +uncle, and you're just afraid it's Karl, tempted to get some money in +that way. But where could he sell them, do you think?"</p> + +<p>"There's old Doc. Thomes, who keeps stamps and curios for sale. I've seen +some coins in his window often. He would know the value of these, and +perhaps be willing to pay something for them. Oh! it's just awful even to +suspect my brother of being guilty of such a mean thing. I hate myself +for allowing it, and have made up my mind just to hide the rest away, and +never say a word."</p> + +<p>"No, I wouldn't do that, Paul. In the first place it isn't fair to Karl."</p> + +<p>"Fair? What can you mean? I wouldn't ever say a word to him, never!"</p> + +<p>"That's just it, but you would <i>think</i> it always; and if he is innocent, +why you see what a shame that would be. No, you ought to learn the truth, +even though determined to keep your mouth shut afterward. In justice to +Karl, you <i>must</i> know!"</p> + +<p>"I believe you are right, old fellow. And I'm going to be guided by what +you say. Come in with me, won't you?" pleaded Jack.</p> + +<p>"Yes," answered Paul, promptly. "On condition that you take me up to your +den, where we can talk without being disturbed."</p> + +<p>"You have an object in saying that. I believe you want to see for +yourself if any more of my coins have disappeared?" declared the other.</p> + +<p>"I acknowledge the corn, for that is just what I wanted to learn, Jack."</p> + +<p>"I suppose the sooner I take the bull by the horns, the quicker we can +learn the truth; so come on in," and taking his chum by the arm Jack led +the way boldly up to the door of the Stormways' house.</p> + +<p>They managed to pass upstairs to the third floor without attracting any +attention, the family being gathered around a table in the living room, +reading.</p> + +<p>No sooner had the lamp been lighted, after the door was closed, than Paul +stepped over to the table desk which he knew so well.</p> + +<p>Just as Jack had said, there was a little cedar box standing in plain +view, and the coins it held attracted his eye.</p> + +<p>Slowly and deliberately he proceeded to count them, while his chum +awaited the result with abated breath, and his eyes turned in another +direction.</p> + +<p>"Well?" said Jack, hoarsely, when he saw that the other had dropped all +of the coins back, one by one.</p> + +<p>"You said there were fourteen left this morning, didn't you, Jack?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, and now?"</p> + +<p>"I find just eight here, that's all!" came the answer that caused the +wretched brother of young Karl Stormways to shiver and sigh dismally.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_III" id="CHAPTER_III"></a>CHAPTER III</h2> + +<h3>THE DISAPPEARING COINS</h3> + + +<p>"Just thirteen gone now," said Jack, as he bent over to look for himself.</p> + +<p>"Of course you know what they were, those that are missing?" suggested +Paul.</p> + +<p>"I have a list of the bunch somewhere; made it out one day just for fun. +Yes, I think I could tell them again; but I never would have the heart to +accuse old Doc. Thomes of buying stolen coins; and the thief—never!"</p> + +<p>"I didn't mean that, Jack; you mistook me. Suppose I had that list, and +rooting over all the little boxes he keeps his coins in for sale, found +every one of the missing ones there?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, and then what?" asked the other, greatly affected, though watching +his chum's face eagerly, as though something seemed to tell him Paul +would find a way out of the difficulty, such was his faith in the other.</p> + +<p>"Why, perhaps you might buy the whole lot back, for almost a song, and +never say a word."</p> + +<p>A hand crept out and squeezed Paul's warmly; and there were tears in the +eyes of Jack Stormways as he made answer.</p> + +<p>"Just like you, old fellow, to cheer me up like that. Here, let me hunt +up the list for you. But promise that you won't whisper one little hint +to a living soul. Oh! Karl, how could you?"</p> + +<p>"Hold on, don't judge him before you know. Believe him innocent until you +find proof otherwise. I guess you'll learn that one of the first things a +scout has to do is to believe in his brothers and friends through thick +and thin, until the proof has become positive, or the guilty one +confesses. And another thing, Jack, in case the worst comes true, it's up +to us to make sure that such a miserable thing never happens again. We +must save the one in error, save him through kindness and sympathy. How +old is Karl?"</p> + +<p>"A little over ten."</p> + +<p>"Too young to join the troop then, for all boys have to be twelve or +over, according to the rules, I was told. But they have younger fellows +in the bunch over at Aldine, I'm sure. One I saw strutting around in a +uniform looked like a kid of eight or nine. Never mind; I believe it'll +all come out right yet. Perhaps some servant may have taken them?" said +Paul, wishing to buoy up his chum's spirits.</p> + +<p>"We only have one, and she's been with us ever since I was born. No use +thinking Maggie would touch a single thing," declared Jack, quickly, with +a shake of his head.</p> + +<p>Paul sauntered about the room for a few minutes. Apparently he was +glancing at the numerous college pennants and other things that were +upon the walls; but in reality he found himself wrestling with the +strange puzzle that was giving his chum so much concern.</p> + +<p>Presently he stood by the window, which was partly open.</p> + +<p>"Who owns the Dempsey house now, Jack?" he asked, indicating the building +next door.</p> + +<p>"Oh! it is still for sale," replied the other. "They don't want to rent +it again, you know, and ever since that last party moved out of town and +left things looking so bad, Mr. Dempsey has kept it closed up."</p> + +<p>"When he lived here, you and Scissors used to be something of chums, +didn't you?" Paul went on.</p> + +<p>"Well, yes," the other admitted, "when we were smaller. But ever since +Scissors started going with the Slavin crowd I've cut him dead."</p> + +<p>"I wish I lived as close to you as this," Paul observed. "Why, we could +nearly shake hands across the gap. I don't suppose Scissors ever drops in +to see you nowadays?"</p> + +<p>"I should say not," laughed Jack; "why, we've been at swords points now +for a year and more, and never even speak as we pass each other."</p> + +<p>"Oh! well, of course then it would be silly to think of suspecting him," +remarked Paul as he sat down again.</p> + +<p>But nevertheless, many times his eyes seemed to turn toward that partly +opened window, and then in the direction of the low desk where the box of +coins stood.</p> + +<p>"Scissors" Dempsey had come by his nickname because of a peculiar trick +he had of keeping his knees stiff when walking. Long ago one boy had +likened his long legs to a pair of scissors, and quick to take up a +humorous name like this, his mates had called him nothing else in years.</p> + +<p>"Well, it's a mighty funny thing where that bunch of old copper coins +has gone to!" remarked Jack, presently, unable, it seemed, to think of +anything else just then.</p> + +<p>"I believe this den of yours is hardly ever locked," remarked Paul, +presently, "and all persons can come up here whenever they choose. I've +even often found your dog Carlo sleeping here. Why, if any friend calls +to see you, and wants to wait till you come home, he just meanders up +here as he pleases, and amuses himself looking over your books and +magazines. Isn't that so, Jack?"</p> + +<p>"Sure. My mother says this is Liberty Hall, judging from the way all my +chums go and come. But what's got you now? Do you think some other chap +may have fallen into the nasty habit of helping himself to my coins, +either to swell out his own collection, or to sell them to Doc. Thomes?"</p> + +<p>"Oh! hardly that, although it seems possible. But don't worry too much +about it, Jack. I'm sure we'll discover the truth sooner or later."</p> + +<p>"Anyhow I'll have eight to hide away; part of a loaf is better than no +bread," remarked the other, dejectedly.</p> + +<p>"Oh! I wouldn't put them away, not just yet, anyhow, Jack."</p> + +<p>"But, my goodness, perhaps I'll lose all of my coins if I leave them +around like this any longer on my desk!"</p> + +<p>"That's so, but don't you see if you hide them, it shuts us off from ever +learning who is taking them."</p> + +<p>"Oh! I see. You mean to catch him at it some time; is that the idea, +Paul?"</p> + +<p>"Nothing less. I'll drop in at the old dealer in curios to-morrow, and +find out if he has any that are on this list. Listen, there's somebody at +the door!"</p> + +<p>"It's only Carlo, scratching to get in. Open the door, please, Paul."</p> + +<p>As the other did so a large Newfoundland dog stalked solemnly in, paid +little heed to either of the occupants of the den, but snuggled down in +a corner, where there was an old cushion, evidently placed there for his +especial use.</p> + +<p>"My! he's getting fatter than ever," remarked Paul, surveying the bulging +sides of the shaggy canine, as he curled himself up as if to sleep.</p> + +<p>"I believe he is, the scamp. I see it when I put him through his paces +with all the tricks I taught him. He's getting too logy, and has to be +told three times before he'll do a blessed thing. But about this wretched +matter, Paul—you won't say anything to your folks, will you?"</p> + +<p>"Not for the world. It's your secret, and I'd never leak a word without +your permission. But I must be off now. Leave things just as you always +have done; and don't shut or lock the door here any more than before. +I've got to do some studying over this Boy Scout affair when I get +back. Whitson loaned me some pamphlets, but I didn't have time to read +them through."</p> + +<p>Jack accompanied his friend down to the front door. Here Karl, having +heard them descending the stairs, joined them; and so far as Paul could +see there was no change in the boy's manner. If he had done wrong he must +be clever enough to hide the guilt that lay in his heart, and put on a +bold face.</p> + +<p>"Remember!" was all Paul said as he squeezed Jack's quivering hand, +before jumping down the steps, boy fashion.</p> + +<p>It was enough to encourage the sorely distressed lad, for he had the +greatest faith in Paul Morrison, the doctor's son, that any boy could +ever place in a comrade; nor had the other ever failed to equal his +expectations.</p> + +<p>"I really believe Paul will do it," he was muttering to himself as he +slowly went upstairs again to the den, with its decorations of college +flags, and pictures of camping, canoeing, outdoor sports such as baseball +and football struggles, and kindred things so dear to the heart of almost +every growing lad; "yes, I believe he will if anybody can. But I wish he +had let me hide the rest of them away. It seems like putting temptation +in the way of a weak brother. But he told me I wasn't even to believe +Karl took the coins, and <i>I won't</i>!"</p> + +<p>Nevertheless, Jack Stormways must have passed a miserable night; for the +anxious eyes of his mother noticed his distressed looks when he came down +to breakfast on the following morning.</p> + +<p>"You don't look well, son," she observed, as she passed her cool hand +across his fevered brow; "I think you ought to step in and see Doctor +Morrison some time this morning, and let him give you something."</p> + +<p>"All right, mother; but it's only a little headache," he protested, for +like all boys he disliked the thought of being considered sick.</p> + +<p>Her eyes turned solicitously toward him many times during the meal, +for she saw that Jack was unusually dull, and took little part in the +conversation.</p> + +<p>But it seemed that Karl made up for his brother's lack of energy, for he +was more than ordinarily inclined to be merry, and told numerous jokes he +had heard from his fellows in the boys' club he had joined.</p> + +<p>Jack mentioned that they were about to organize a Boy Scout patrol; and +very naturally his mother looked a bit serious at this news, until he +explained some of the really excellent points connected with such an +association; when her face cleared at once.</p> + +<p>"If that is what the movement means then the sooner a patrol is organized +in Stanhope the better. There are a lot of boys who would be vastly +benefitted by such uplifting resolutions," she declared, with some show +of enthusiasm.</p> + +<p>"Yes, mother, you are right," said Mr. Stormways, just then. "Things have +been going from bad to worse in our town of late, and the fathers are +beginning to wonder where it will end. Only yesterday I met old Peleg +Growdy. You remember the old fellow, for we stopped at his place when we +were out riding, and had a drink at his well."</p> + +<p>"Yes, and a most singular old man he was. I really couldn't say that I +was much impressed with his looks or conversation," replied the lady, as +she poured another cup of coffee for her husband.</p> + +<p>"All very true; but he minds his own business if let alone; and after all +I find that he is a well educated man, up in most questions of the day. +But the boys, or some of them at least, have for a long time considered +old Peleg a fit subject for practical jokes. They change the lines on his +team, given half a chance, and annoy him in every way possible. Really, I +don't wonder he is bitter about it."</p> + +<p>"But you had something in mind, father, when you said that you met him?"</p> + +<p>Mr. Stormways looked at Jack.</p> + +<p>"That is true, my son; and do you know, the first thought that came to me +was one of pleasure to feel absolutely sure no boy of mine would disgrace +himself in plaguing an old man who had never harmed him."</p> + +<p>Jack felt a glow in the region of his heart at this show of confidence; +and resolved that more than ever would he merit it; but somehow he could +not help looking out of the tail of his eye toward Karl, to find that the +color had mounted to his forehead, and that he seemed embarrassed.</p> + +<p>Was he thinking just then of the coins; or did he have some knowledge of +the practical joke that had been played on old Peleg Growdy?</p> + +<p>"Now, tell us what it was, Alan," said Mrs. Stormways, encouragingly.</p> + +<p>"Well, perhaps in one way it may have been looked upon as something +humorous, but it annoyed the old man very much. Last Sunday he went out +to let his pigs run loose in the lot, as is his habit. When he pulled +the rope that opened the little door in the back of the pen, he was +astonished to see the queerest lot of porkers dash away that human eyes +had ever beheld."</p> + +<p>Karl was snickering by now, showing that he must have some knowledge of +what was to come.</p> + +<p>"No two pigs looked alike. The boys had crept into the pen in the night, +with a lantern, and some pots of paint taken from Mr. Rabow's shop, and +painted the whole drove in every color imaginable. One, he said, looked +like the American flag. Another had four legs of different hues; a third +was striped yellow and green, and so it went. Imagine the old man's +amazement as he saw them kicking up their legs, and tearing around like +mad; for the sun had reached the turpentine in the paint, and made it +burn tremendously."</p> + +<p>Karl gave a shout, and even Mrs. Stormways could not repress a smile, +though she felt that it was wrong.</p> + +<p>"I heard about it from one of the boys, father; I don't want to tell his +name, you see, because it might get him into a scrape," said Karl, as he +managed to get his breath again.</p> + +<p>Jack breathed easier, since he knew now that his brother had not been +concerned in the adventure; still, there was that other thing—but he had +promised Paul not to believe, or even suspect, anything so early in the +game.</p> + +<p>"I admit that it does seem ludicrous; and no doubt if I had been there I +must have been strongly tempted to laugh at the comical spectacle those +six pigs must have presented. But it is the spirit of the thing that +looks so bad. Growdy never harmed a boy in his life, he says, and only +wants to be let alone; but they went out of their way to play a malicious +trick on the old man. It took him the whole of Sunday to scrape that +paint off the hides of his pigs; which I consider a pretty hard +proposition. And I repeat what I said before, that I'm pleased to know +a son of mine would not be guilty of so mean a trick."</p> + +<p>Karl left the table just then, and his brother fancied that he looked a +bit confused, as though his conscience were troubling him, but then Jack +hoped he might be mistaken.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_IV" id="CHAPTER_IV"></a>CHAPTER IV</h2> + +<h3>THE FIRST SCOUT LEADER</h3> + + +<p>Paul had said that he would be away the greater part of the day, his +father having asked him to go to the city on an important errand.</p> + +<p>Consequently there was no opportunity for the two chums to confer upon +any of the matters that were interesting then.</p> + +<p>But all the boys had agreed to meet at the house of Nuthin' that evening, +to plunge deeper into the subject of organizing at least one scout patrol +in Stanhope.</p> + +<p>As usual Paul called for Jack, and as the latter's parents knew what was +on tap, there was no opposition shown to his going out.</p> + +<p>"Has anything happened to-day?" whispered the visitor, as he was joined +by Jack in the hall.</p> + +<p>"Yes, I was out a lot with the fellows, and doing some chores around; but +I mustered up enough courage just before supper to go upstairs," replied +the other, his voice giving plain warning as to what was to follow, for +it showed the strain.</p> + +<p>"And counted the coins again, perhaps to find them short, eh, Jack?"</p> + +<p>"Well, you said there were eight, and now I can count only six. Why, it's +getting to be a regular clock-like piece of business. And after what +father said this morning, too."</p> + +<p>"What did he say?" asked Paul.</p> + +<p>"Come along. I'll tell you while we're on our way," and Jack gave a +nervous look over his shoulder, as though afraid lest his brother pop +out on them unawares.</p> + +<p>As they walked slowly along the road he spoke in the affectionate manner +in which Mr. Stormways had declared his utmost faith in the honesty and +integrity of his two boys.</p> + +<p>"But you're not sure that Karl has anything to do with the disappearing +coins. Other boys may have been up there to-day?" suggested his friend, +quickly.</p> + +<p>"I asked mother, and she said she didn't remember that any one had come +to see me. No, the more I think about it the worse I feel. But I guess +you didn't have any time to see old Doc. Thomes before you went to the +city, did you?"</p> + +<p>"That's just what I did, dropped into his shop, told him I was going down +to New York on business for dad, and asked if I could do anything for +him."</p> + +<p>"Oh! how bright of you, Paul. And what did he say to that?"</p> + +<p>"It seemed to quite tickle the old chap. He said he had a little package +he wanted to send in to a dealer on Fourteenth Street, and would be glad +if I took it to him, instead of his sending it by express."</p> + +<p>"A package, Paul; did he say what it contained?" demanded the other, +almost holding his breath with sudden alarm.</p> + +<p>"Yes, a lot of old coins he had been buying lately. Now, hold your +horses, Jack, my boy. He hadn't made it up yet, and I helped him do it. +There wasn't one of the same kind yours are. He bought the collection of +Chinese and Japanese coins old Captain Crocker owned. His widow had no +use for them, and needed the money."</p> + +<p>"Oh, you gave me a scare, Paul; but I'm glad you saw them, for I'd always +imagine mine must have been in the lot; not that I care a bit for the old +things now; but it was the thought, you know, the terrible suspicion."</p> + +<p>"Yes, and while about it I managed to see every old coin Doc. has in his +shop, for he was pleased to let me root around. And Jack, not a single +one of your missing pieces has he got, depend on it."</p> + +<p>"Oh! well," remarked Jack, arousing himself, "let's try and forget my +troubles for a while. Unless I get it off my mind I'll lie awake again, +and then your father, the doctor, will give me some medicine that tastes +even worse than what he did to-day. Did you get that manual you sent for, +Paul?" and the speaker resolutely shut his teeth hard together as if +determined to keep his mind off the harassing subject.</p> + +<p>"Yes, it's in my pocket, and seems to be full of meat, too. I haven't had +much chance to soak it in, but what I did read interested me a whole +lot," returned the doctor's son.</p> + +<p>"Well, I thought of a friend I had over in Manchester, and this afternoon +I took my wheel and jumped down there, crossing by the bridge. Just as I +hoped, Landy is a member of the troop there, and he gladly told me all he +knew about the business. I'm more than ever tickled at the idea of our +having a branch up here, to compete with the neighboring towns. He told +me something more that we might consider, too."</p> + +<p>"What was that, Jack?"</p> + +<p>"You remember Mr. Silas Westervelt, the Quaker of Manchester?"</p> + +<p>"Sure. I've often talked with him, and my father is their family doctor," +replied Paul, readily enough.</p> + +<p>"It seems that he's become interested in this scout movement, which +he endorses through and through. The result is that he has offered a +beautiful banner to the organization that can show the highest degree of +efficiency, and the greatest number of merit marks by Thanksgiving day. +It's being made now, down in the city."</p> + +<p>"That counts us in, then, for we'll have plenty of time to get busy +before the day of turkey rolls around, eh, Jack?"</p> + +<p>"Oh! we'll be in the contest all right, even if we are counted in the +'also ran' class. These other fellows have been camping this summer, and +must be up in many of the things that count. But then, they haven't got +Paul Morrison at the head as scout leader, and that means everything in +our favor," declared Jack, warmly.</p> + +<p>"Please cut that out after this. It's true that I've always been deeply +interested in many things connected with life in the woods; but you see +that's only one part of a good scout's credit marks. In fact, there's +hardly one thing in all the trades and professions that is omitted from +the list. Only he must <i>excel</i> in all he undertakes. And soon we will +have to find a young man over twenty-one who will act as our scout +master."</p> + +<p>"Hold up, there's Bobolink hurrying to catch us; and he acts as if he +might be the bearer of important news," remarked Jack, who had heard a +hail from the rear, and turned his head to see a flitting form.</p> + +<p>The other came up, panting heavily.</p> + +<p>"Say, you fellows must have the seven league boots, the way you get over +ground. And just after I've gone and made away with a monstrous supper, +too," he managed to say, between gasps. "Let me get my breath, and I've +got something to tell you."</p> + +<p>"Is it about Ted Slavin and his cronies?" asked Paul, suspiciously.</p> + +<p>"Hit it the first shot," returned Bobolink; "who told you?"</p> + +<p>"Why, I haven't heard a word; only I thought that if there was anything +going on, Ted would be apt to have a finger in the pie," returned the +other, grimly.</p> + +<p>"Well, he has, all right, as usual. Anyhow his mouthpiece, Ward Kenwood, +has, and it's the same thing. I was taking something in to the dominie at +our church (my mother is at the head of a committee, you know) when he +asked me if I was going to join the new Boy Scout patrol that was being +organized in Stanhope."</p> + +<p>"Whew, but those fellows don't believe in letting the grass grow under +their feet, do they? Never thought a thing about it till they heard us +talking matters over; and here they're getting all the credit for being +first in the field," and Jack shrugged his shoulders ruefully as he +spoke.</p> + +<p>"Didn't I say we'd have to get up early in the morning if we hoped to +keep from taking their dust? No matter what else you can say about them, +Ted and his crowd are alive, and wide-awake fellows all the time," +returned Paul.</p> + +<p>"Well, the minister was some surprised when I told him all about it. He +said he was delighted, and I guess he meant it too. The more patrols the +better for the community, he said. And he seemed to know all about the +meaning of the thing, for he showed me several books along the subject, +that he promised to lend us."</p> + +<p>"Bully for him!" cried Jack, with perhaps more energy than reverence; +but had the genial old man heard the words he would have felt highly +complimented, knowing that whoever succeeds in getting the approval of +live, wide-awake boys must consider himself fortunate indeed.</p> + +<p>"There's Nuthin's house," remarked Bobolink, just then.</p> + +<p>"And Tom Bates going in, with the Carberry Twins. I hope we can enroll +a dozen good fellows for a start. The rest will flock over after a bit, +when they get to know what fine times we expect to have," remarked Paul.</p> + +<p>They found that there were just a dozen present, counting A. Cypher, who +as host was much in evidence. Besides Tom Bates, the new boys were Philip +Towns, Jud Elderkin, Joe Clausin and Andy Flinn; the latter of Irish +parentage, but well liked, even though his widowed mother had to take +in washing to provide food for the numerous mouths dependent on her.</p> + +<p>Andy was a particularly bright boy, and many declared that he had a +future before him, if only he kept away from the one curse of his +father's life, rum. But as he hated the very word drink, there seemed to +be little danger that he would be apt to follow in the footsteps of the +brilliant man who had fallen so early in life, and left a family nearly +destitute.</p> + +<p>"Meeting please come to order," called Paul, after he had been pushed +into a chair to serve as temporary chairman.</p> + +<p>Soon the boys began to go into the details of the projected troop, its +meaning, what good it might be expected to accomplish, and everything +connected with the Boy Scout organization.</p> + +<p>Paul read page after page from the book he had brought, while the others, +including the parents of A. Cypher, listened, and applauded at times, as +some particularly fine point happened to strike them.</p> + +<p>"That ought to do for the present," said Paul, finally, as he closed the +book and beamed upon his mates; "and now, what do you think, fellows?"</p> + +<p>"I'm just wild to get started, and more so than ever after hearing all +about the hundreds of fine things scouts can do. I'm a crank on making +fires, and I guess I'd qualify right easy for the championship in that +tournament!" exclaimed William Carberry, his face aglow.</p> + +<p>"Yes, and I remember the time he nearly burned our house down, trying to +start a blaze without a match. He got the fire all right; but there was a +lively time around there, until the bucket brigade arrived, and slushed +things down. Oh! you can believe William; he's some on the fire racket," +remarked the other Twin, at which there was a roar from those present.</p> + +<p>"I move that we write out just what we intend to do, and that all the +fellows in the room sign it as charter members. Then we'll try to double +our dozen by a week, and rush things along. We already have enough for +the first patrol and half a second. If we expect to compete with those +other troops in the struggle for supremacy we've got to be awake and +doing."</p> + +<p>"You never said truer words, Paul. What sort of a binding agreement had +we ought to get up?" asked Bobolink, pretending that it was Tom Bates who +spoke; for really the boy had a wonderful gift of ventriloquism, and +often amused himself, and his friends as well, by sending his voice into +strange places, to the wonder of those who were not aware of his tricks.</p> + +<p>"I thought that over, and wrote out what I believed would cover the +ground. If you listen now, I'll read it to you," returned the chairman.</p> + +<p>"Hear! hear ye! All keep silent while our honored chairman reads the +document to which we expect to subscribe our names and seals!" called +William, pompously.</p> + +<p>What Paul had written was simply that those whose names were found below +had united themselves together with the idea of forming a troop that +could be connected with the regular Boys Scout organization as +incorporated.</p> + +<p>Then every boy present wrote his name beneath the agreement, after which +they went into executive session, the parents of A. Cypher being kindly +but firmly requested to retire from the room, while the election of +officers proceeded, and other necessary steps were taken to perfect the +first patrol.</p> + +<p>So the first patrol of Stanhope Troop was organized, and consisted of the +eight originators of the scheme. It was decided to call this the Red Fox +patrol. As fast as others were arranged for they could take on such names +as Gray Fox, White Fox and even Black Fox.</p> + +<p>Later on they hoped to secure a scout master, but just now with Paul and +Wallace brimming over with woods' lore, the lack of such an officer would +not bother them.</p> + +<p>The meeting ended in Paul being placed in the honored position of scout +leader, with the second position being thrust on Jack Stormways, though +he declared that Wallace Carberry was far better qualified to fill it +than he ever could be.</p> + +<p>But Paul was satisfied to have it so. Jack was his favorite chum; and he +would be thrown much in his company. Besides, the desire to study up the +rules, and perfect himself in all that an assistant scout master should +know, might for a time at least take Jack's thoughts away from the +subject of his trouble at home.</p> + +<p>Before the boys left they were summoned to the dining room, where +refreshments were placed before them; and when the meeting did finally +break up every fellow felt deep down in his heart that an important step +had been taken toward raising the standard of living among the rising +generation of Stanhope.</p> + +<p>Finally, as the hour had grown fairly late it was suggested that they +leave in a body, since all military organizations did this.</p> + +<p>"And," continued the one who had put this idea forward, "while we have +nothing to do with the army itself, we expect to be governed by certain +military rules. What say, fellows?"</p> + +<p>"Fall in! fall in!"</p> + +<p>Out of the door they marched, and down the steps, two by two; Bluff +Shipley, who was paired with Nuthin', being the lone straggler in the +rear, since his mate remained at home.</p> + +<p>If he experienced the slightest sense of dejection at being compelled to +walk without a side partner, it was of very brief duration.</p> + +<p>Outside it was very dark, and this condition seemed more or less +heightened by the fact that the eyes of the young scouts had become +accustomed to the glow of the rooms they had just left.</p> + +<p>Consequently there was more or less chance of some one tripping on the +steps, and pulling others down with him.</p> + +<p>"'Ware the fourth step; it's shaky and may throw you, boys!" sang out +Nuthin'.</p> + +<p>Hardly had he spoken than the first pair executed a beautiful forward +bow, and went down in a heap from the lower step.</p> + +<p>"Look out there! A rope!"</p> + +<p>Paul had just barely time to give utterance to this warning when the next +pair found the obstruction for themselves, and came plunging down on top +of those already landed.</p> + +<p>Two more were close behind, so nearly upon the heels of the second pair +that it was really impossible for them to avoid following in their wake. +Thus there were by this time six struggling figures at the foot of the +steps, while the balance of the patrol huddled just above, looking with +amazement at the dimly seen spectacle.</p> + +<p>From somewhere near by, possibly the shelter of some bushes, came gurgles +of boyish laughter, and jeering words in assumed voices.</p> + +<p>No need to tell Paul and his friends to whose kind attention they owed +this unexpected downfall. Ted Slavin and his backers had not been idle +while the new patrol was being organized in the home of Nuthin'. They had +fastened a stout rope across the lower step, and succeeded in tripping +half of their rivals.</p> + +<p>Paul managed to scramble to his feet, hardly knowing whether to laugh, or +get angry at this practical joke on the part of the opposition.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_V" id="CHAPTER_V"></a>CHAPTER V</h2> + +<h3>CHECKING A COWARD</h3> + + +<p>"It's that Slavin crowd!" exclaimed Jack, as he gained his feet.</p> + +<p>"Let's capture some of them, then!" shouted William, always ready for +battle, as was also Bluff Shipley, whose hands were never bothered with +impediments as was his speech.</p> + +<p>A rush was made for the bushes, and retreating footsteps announced the +hasty departure of the enemy.</p> + +<p>None of the new scouts seemed to care about following very far. They knew +Ted of old, and feared lest they be drawn into a trap, so that their last +condition would be really worse than the first.</p> + +<p>"No damage done, after all," remarked Paul, as he brushed off his +clothes; while the others gathered around, and Nuthin' came down to +secure the treacherous rope.</p> + +<p>"Barked my shins some, now; and sooner or later I've just got to take it +out of that crowd!" muttered William, limping around, and shaking his +head.</p> + +<p>"Better do it soon, then," observed Bobolink, "for after you've taken +the oath of allegiance to the scouts you dassent tackle a feller without +losing marks."</p> + +<p>"H'm! is that so?" grunted the injured member, regretfully; for to be +deprived of the boon of fighting would be taking some of the joys of life +away from the pugnacious Carberry twin.</p> + +<p>"Fall in again, boys!" said Paul, cheerily.</p> + +<p>"Not the same way, I hope, captain!" ventured Bobolink; at which there +was a laugh, and the incident seemed closed.</p> + +<p>The boys had no doubt but that their rivals must have been observing much +that went on in the lighted rooms, possibly also trying to catch what was +being said.</p> + +<p>"What of it?" demanded Paul, when some one suggested this; "if they heard +what I read out of that manual so much the better. Let them subscribe to +those rules, and life will be worth living alongside Ted and his +cronies."</p> + +<p>"But you see they just can't!" declared Bobolink, quickly.</p> + +<p>"Which is to say they won't. All right. Once we get out troop formed, +public sentiment will be on our side. If they try to worry us the good +people of Stanhope, backed by the Women's Club, will see to it that the +nuisance is stopped. Isn't that so, Paul?" remarked Jack, with conviction +in his voice.</p> + +<p>"Them's my sentiments, as some character in fiction used to remark. We +can afford to laugh at all these little plans to annoy us. Of course, if +they go too far, why we may have to turn and do something ourselves," +said Paul, seriously.</p> + +<p>"Bully! Hasten the time!" cried William, ceasing to limp for the moment +in his new delight.</p> + +<p>"Oh! but Paul doesn't mean a regular give and take fight. If we pitch in +at all, I'm afraid it'll have to be doling out punishment in the way the +good dad does when he plies the stick and says it hurts him worse than it +does the bad kid," declared Bobolink; at which there was a roar.</p> + +<p>On the following day there was more or less skirmishing about town by +various eager lads, seeking recruits for the rival troops.</p> + +<p>Paul was as busy as a beaver, and at several points conferred with some +of his followers. He had sent for more manuals, besides a price list of +uniforms, and other equipments necessary to the complete organization of +the Fox Patrol and Stanhope Troop No. 1.</p> + +<p>Leading citizens began to take an interest in the movement, as they +grew to understand its true significance. Stanhope seemed to be fairly +sizzling with a new and novel energy. Even the meeting of the Women's +Club that afternoon was given up partly to a discussion of the merits of +the Boy Scout wave then sweeping over the land; and ladies who had been +decidedly averse to such a thing found their eyes opened to its +beneficial accompaniments.</p> + +<p>As was to be expected, the recruiting was not confined to Paul and his +chums. Ted Slavin and Ward Kenwood were just as vigorously employed; and +several times in the course of the day the rivals ran across each other +while engaged in thus drumming up new subjects for initiation.</p> + +<p>On such occasions there was apt to be something in the way of verbal +fireworks passing between the opposing scouts. Ted Slavin seldom knew how +to bridle that tongue of his; and Ward Kenwood seemed to be in a nasty +humor himself.</p> + +<p>To tell the truth there had long been a sort of rivalry between Paul and +Ward over the smiles of pretty Arline Blair; and latterly the high school +girl seemed to be giving young Morrison more than his share of her +company.</p> + +<p>That afternoon about four o'clock, as Paul and two of his chums were +passing along one of the side streets of the town they came upon a scene +that caused a sudden halt.</p> + +<p>The blustering voice of Ted Slavin was what first drew their attention; +and it seemed to come from around the next corner. Then followed a +quavering voice, pleading in its tone.</p> + +<p>Paul looked at his friends, and his brow darkened.</p> + +<p>"It's old Mother Martha, the market woman who sells things in her little +stall around here. And some of those mean skunks are plaguing her, like +they often do, she tells me, stealing her apples, and laughing at her, +because she's lame with the rheumatism, and can't chase after 'em!" said +William, who happened to be one of the trio brought to a halt so +suddenly.</p> + +<p>"Come on, then; we can't stand that!" exclaimed Paul.</p> + +<p>The boys hurriedly turned the corner, to find that what William had +suggested seemed to be the actual truth.</p> + +<p>Ted and a follower were hovering near the poor old woman. The fact that +Ted was contentedly munching a red apple told that he had already made +his hawk-like descent on the stand of the market woman, and was now +seeking to distract her attention so that his companion might also swoop +down to seize a prize, when they would go off, laughing uproarously, as +though they considered it a huge joke.</p> + +<p>Paul was on the bully in a flash, and almost before Ted knew of his +presence he had torn the apple from his grasp and hurled it far away.</p> + +<p>"Get out of this, you coward!" exclaimed the scout leader of the new +patrol, as he gave Ted Slavin a push; "I'm going to speak to the chief of +police about the way you rob this good woman, and see if he won't stop +it. You ought to be ashamed of yourselves, both of you!"</p> + +<p>William and Bluff were for jumping at the two offenders, and giving them +a lesson then and there; but with both arms Paul held his fire-eaters +back.</p> + +<p>"Let 'em come on, if they want to mix up with us. We can take care of +two, and think it a picnic. P'raps even three wouldn't be too much, if so +be you want to try it on, Paul Morrison. Huh! there comes another bunch +of your sissies. Seven against two might make it too interestin', so we'd +better skip out, Scissors. But you just wait, that's all. I don't forget +you laid a hand on me; and some time I'm going to take it out."</p> + +<p>"Oh! suit yourself, Ted," answered the other, promptly. "I'm ready to +have a go at you when you're ready, if you force me to the wall. I'm not +a fighter, but when I see a couple of rowdies treating a poor old woman +like you did, it makes me see red."</p> + +<p>With derisive jeers the pair faded away as several boys came running to +the spot, having seen the group, and guessing from the presence of the +two rival leaders that there must be something doing.</p> + +<p>Their indignation was boundless when they learned what new meanness the +coming of Paul and his two chums had interrupted.</p> + +<p>It required considerable persuasion on the part of the scout leader to +prevent an immediate chase of the culprits.</p> + +<p>"Let them go this time," said Paul, impressively; "but I'm going to see +what can be done to put a stop to this rowdyism. It gives the boys of +Stanhope a bad name all around. I told Ted I'd speak to Chief Billings +about it."</p> + +<p>"You won't get any too much satisfaction there," remarked wise Nuthin'; +"because, you see the Chief owes his position to the political influence +of Mr. Kenwood; and as Ward runs with Ted he won't dare do anything for +fear of offending the head of the party. We've just <i>got</i> to find a way +ourselves to change things."</p> + +<p>"Well, I'll ask my father about it. Perhaps he can suggest a plan. He +used to be a boy himself once, and never forgets it either," was Paul's +conclusion, as they each bought an apple from the old woman to make her +forget her recent trouble, and then walked away, followed by her earnest +thanks.</p> + +<p>"Say, but time just crawls along," observed William, dolefully; "because, +you see, I'm dying to get to work and win some of them merits you told us +about. Just set me the stunt of making water boil over a fire I have to +kindle, and I'll do it in three shakes of a lamb's tail. The rest of you +will be left hull down. And then there's lots of other jobs that look +good to me. Let's get a move on, and start the ball rolling. When's the +next meeting, Paul?"</p> + +<p>"To-night, and once more at the barn where we were first. This time +I figure on having nearly twenty present, and that will make things +interesting."</p> + +<p>"Same hour as before—eight o'clock?" asked Bobolink.</p> + +<p>"Yes. And if any of you feel that you are qualified to take the +examination for the first degree, so as to become real tenderfeet in the +Scouts, why, I'll be in trim to put you through your sprouts," announced +the leader.</p> + +<p>"That hits me," declared William; "for I've been studying to beat the +band, and believe I'll pass muster with flying colors. Me for the +tenderfoot class!"</p> + +<p>"And I've just used up a whole ball of twine tying all those measly +knots," declared Nuthin'; after which his face brightened when he added: +"but I can do every one just like an old jack tar. My dad was once a +sailor you know, and that's where I've got the bulge on the rest of you. +So-long, boys; I'm going home to try again."</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VI" id="CHAPTER_VI"></a>CHAPTER VI</h2> + +<h3>A STRANGE SUGGESTION</h3> + + +<p>"Who goes there?"</p> + +<p>"A scout of the Red Fox Patrol!"</p> + +<p>"Advance scout, and give the countersign!"</p> + +<p>A figure came shuffling forward, bent over, and whispered a word in the +ear of the sentinel at the door of the old tobacco barn.</p> + +<p>"Correct! Pass in, scout!" said the one on guard, solemnly.</p> + +<p>But William chose to loiter by the door, and watch the gathering of the +clans, for the boys arrived rapidly after that, usually in pairs.</p> + +<p>"Where's the other twin?" asked Paul, seeing William alone.</p> + +<p>"Unavoidably detained, Captain. May be on deck later. Here comes another +bunch," and William stepped aside to allow the sentry to halt Andy Flinn, +who had arrived in company with Jud Elderkin, the latter as tall and thin +as the former was fat and pudgy.</p> + +<p>"Pass along, gentlemen," sang out William, after the pair had +successfully stood the test; "the animals went in two by two; the +elephant and the kangaroo!" and as usual there was a laugh at this +sally, which applied so aptly to the couple just entering.</p> + +<p>"All here now, Paul," announced Jack Stormways, counting noses in the +light of half a dozen lanterns provided by Mr. Shipley, the owner of the +barn.</p> + +<p>For an hour routine business was transacted.</p> + +<p>There were just twenty-one names on the roll now, and all present saving +two, Wallace Carberry and another. It was decided to organize two patrols +at once, the first to be under the charge of Paul as scout leader, while +Jud Elderkin took the Gray Fox crowd.</p> + +<p>The more the assembled lads learned concerning the duties and sports of +the Boy Scouts, the greater became their enthusiasm. As the evening +progressed they were fairly bubbling over with excitement, and it began +to look as though the success of the new movement were already assured.</p> + +<p>But Paul knew that it must be a constant fight between the natural +rough-and-ready, give-and-take spirit which almost every boy inherits +from his ancestors, and the new idea that would have him a hero without +being a bully or a brawler.</p> + +<p>And he was not surprised when, later on, just before they thought of +breaking up the meeting, William got the floor on the question of a +personal privilege, and threw a bombshell into the camp.</p> + +<p>"I'm going to ask a favor of you fellows," he said; "and you can help me +break even with that old rooster as well as have some fun. D'ye think +you can stand the racket?"</p> + +<p>The others crowded around, for they knew very well that when William had +anything to propose it usually meant some frolic. But Paul noticed to his +surprise that the joker seemed worked up far more than he could ever +remember seeing him before, and he scented trouble ahead.</p> + +<p>"Who is it this time, William? Tell us about it, old fellow! Of course +we're bound to stand by you through thick and thin. That's one of the +first duties of a scout, you know. Speak up, and give us a tip!"</p> + +<p>It was Jud Elderkin who said this; but that he voiced the sentiments +of pretty much the entire group could be judged from the chorus of +exclamations that greeted his aggressive speech.</p> + +<p>"It's that old grumpy miser, Peleg Growdy," said the orator, waving his +hands to emphasize his words. "He never had any use for boys, you know, +and often says he wonders why the pests were ever born. I don't remember +doing him any mean thing in my life, but he's got it in for the whole +creation of boys, I expect."</p> + +<p>"What did he do to you?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, tell us, William. We'll stand by you, never fear."</p> + +<p>"He needs a good lesson, the old skinflint. Tell us what happened!"</p> + +<p>William grinned, for he saw that he had already captured the hearts +of his comrades, and had small need to fear they would let him seek +satisfaction alone.</p> + +<p>Jack Stormways was as deeply interested in the outcome as his chum Paul.</p> + +<p>He remembered all his father had said at the breakfast table on the +preceding day, in connection with this same man Growdy.</p> + +<p>William was proceeding to thrill his hearers some more. To hear him talk +one might imagine his father was a celebrated lawyer instead of the town +blacksmith, for William had a smooth tongue.</p> + +<p>"I guess all of you know by this time what some fellers did to Growdy's +pigs last Saturday night, painting 'em to beat the band? It's the talk +of the town, and lots of folks says that it serves the old crusty just +right. But I was tucked away in my little bed alongside t'other twin that +night, as snug as two bugs in a rug; and consequently had my little +<i>alibi</i> ready to prove I wasn't in the bunch that paid him that sly +visit."</p> + +<p>"Oh! we all know who did it, never fear!" cried Joe Clausin.</p> + +<p>"He spells his name T-e-d!" echoed Bobolink.</p> + +<p>"All right. Because some bad boys played that joke on old Growdy he seems +to have it in for every mother's son in Stanhope. I met him on the road +this afternoon when I was out with a light wagon after some feed. He was +on the way to town to deliver a big load of truck. Everybody's entitled +to half the road; ain't that the law, fellers?"</p> + +<p>"Sure it is, William; but that mean man wouldn't budge for you, hey?" +said Jud.</p> + +<p>"Not for an inch. Just hauled up there taking two-thirds of the road, and +started to light his pipe. I was in a hurry to get along, and thought +I could just squeeze by; but I made a mistake, and my wagon got upset in +the ditch. He went on, grinning at my trouble, and never offering to +raise a hand to help me out."</p> + +<p>Exclamations of indignation arose on all sides.</p> + +<p>"He needs another lesson, boys!"</p> + +<p>"Say the word, William, and we're with you. Guess I might think up a few +ways for you to get even with the old skinflint!"</p> + +<p>Paul saw that they were rapidly being swayed by their feelings of natural +resentment. He had no particular reason for liking Peleg Growdy any more +than the balance of the group; but the lesson of returning good for evil +had taken full possession of his soul.</p> + +<p>Once he would have been only too ready to join in with his chums in +redressing what seemed to be a positive wrong; but somehow it was +different now.</p> + +<p>Before he could speak, however, Jack had elbowed his way into the midst +of the excited lads, his face full of determination.</p> + +<p>"Wait a bit, you fellows, before you decide what you're going to do. +I want to tell you something that ought to interest you."</p> + +<p>"All right, Jack; speak up. Any objection to joining in with us and +having a little fun while we help a brother even up his score?" demanded +a voice.</p> + +<p>Then Jack repeated as well as he was able the conversation that had taken +place at the breakfast table in his house. He went even further than +this, for it happened that he knew something about the old man's past.</p> + +<p>"Peleg Growdy is a crabbed old chap, I admit; but perhaps you wouldn't +blame him so much if you knew the trouble he has had."</p> + +<p>"What was that?" asked one boy.</p> + +<p>"His wife and two children were burned to death when his house caught +fire many years ago. Another child grew up to be a man, and committed +some crime that made him run away. His last one, a daughter, was killed +in a railroad wreck. Ever since then the old man shuns people, and just +works as if he never wanted to know a living soul."</p> + +<p>"That's tough, for a fact!" admitted one boy, slowly.</p> + +<p>"But it don't excuse him for hating all boys. What business did he have +sitting there and taking two-thirds of the road, to let William upset in +the ditch trying to pass him?" demanded Jud, still rebelling.</p> + +<p>"Oh! well, that's a rule of the road that isn't always carried out. For +instance, the loaded vehicle is generally given <i>more</i> than its half; and +William admits he was going light, while the old man carried a heavy +load," said Jack.</p> + +<p>"Yes, that's so," grunted William, unable to hold out against such logic.</p> + +<p>"And perhaps, if he told the actual truth, William would admit that there +was room enough for him to pass, if he had been a little more careful!"</p> + +<p>"Sure; but I was in a hurry, you understand; and didn't see that the edge +of the ditch was crumbly. But he laughed, I tell you, and that riled me!"</p> + +<p>"And now you want to bring a dozen and more of your friends down on his +place to commit some prank that will make him dislike boys more than +ever. It's all wrong, I tell you, fellows, and for one I refuse to lend +a hand," and Jack folded his arms as though his mind were made up once +and for all.</p> + +<p>Paul saw that they were very near a division that might be fatal to the +future good of the cause. He wondered whether he could swing the crowd +to the other side, like the pendulum of a clock. It would take +considerable eloquence, as well as all his powers of leadership to +accomplish it; but the crisis was upon them, and he would be false to +himself if he did not meet the issue squarely.</p> + +<p>"Will you listen to me, fellows?" he said, quietly, stepping forward to +occupy the place just vacated by Jack, and managing to whisper to the +other in passing: "back me up for all you're worth, and we may win the +day!"</p> + +<p>"Of course we will! You're the scout leader, Paul, and when you hatch up +any game it's sure to be worth the powder. Let her go!" came from Jud, +who seemed to be a sort of ringleader in this little rebellion in the +camp.</p> + +<p>"All right, boys. I'm going to make a proposition that will take your +breath away; but I have strong hopes that after what you've listened to +from that manual to-night, you'll be ready to back me up," continued +Paul.</p> + +<p>"We believe in you, Paul. You never fooled us yet; and you never will. +What's your queer game?" asked Bobolink, ready to swing over already, +such was his faith in the one they had elected their leader.</p> + +<p>The boys crowded around Paul, more than eager to hear what his proposal +might turn out to be; for novelty always appeals to the average lad.</p> + +<p>"All of you know that old Peleg keeps his dooryard in a horrible +condition. Why, my mother says she doesn't believe it has been cleaned +up in years; and he hardly ever takes the trouble to even put his wagons +and that old buggy in the shed. It's a disgrace to the town to have him +so near. I've heard that the women talked about asking him to do +something to make it look cleaner."</p> + +<p>"He's a stubborn old man, and can't be driven, my dad says," remarked +Jud.</p> + +<p>"Now here's what I'm going to propose. You know he's pretty deaf, and +can't hear much that goes on. He used to have a savage dog, but it died +a couple of weeks ago, and since then he's been trying to get another, +but so far without success. Get that?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, but go on, Paul," demanded Bobolink.</p> + +<p>"Let's go over to Peleg's in a body," continued the scout leader; "and +while he sleeps clean up that dooryard of his so that in the morning +he'll just rub his eyes and begin to think the fairies have paid him +a visit in the night. And when he learns who did it perhaps he may feel +something like you did, William. Don't you see, <i>it'll be rubbing it in +good and hard</i>!"</p> + +<p>Paul waited to see how his suggestion took.</p> + +<p>The boys stared at each other in amazement. It is doubtful whether a +parcel of wide-awake lads ever before had such a novel proposition made +to them. And perhaps it was the sensational character of the appeal that +stirred them more than any desire to return good for evil.</p> + +<p>"Count me in that job, Paul," said Jack positively.</p> + +<p>He had timed his interruption with exceeding cleverness. Boys are like +sheep, and given a bell wether they will follow blindly where the leader +goes.</p> + +<p>"Me too!" cried Bobolink, quickly.</p> + +<p>"Ditto! I'm for the game just as Paul says!" exclaimed Nuthin'.</p> + +<p>And every one in the crowd followed suit, laughing at the idea of their +turning the tables on the old farmer in such an unheard-of fashion; +though several doubtless secretly scoffed at the project, and only agreed +because it seemed to be a necessary evil if they wanted to become Boy +Scouts.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VII" id="CHAPTER_VII"></a>CHAPTER VII</h2> + +<h3>THE TRAP THAT PELEG SET</h3> + + +<p>"There's Growdy's shack and barns!"</p> + +<p>"Don't seem to be anything stirring, fellows!"</p> + +<p>"Look out for a trap. Once bitten, twice shy. Perhaps he's just laying +for some fellers to come along, and play some more paintin' job trick. +I heard that he said he would find some way to stop the nuisance!"</p> + +<p>This from "Red" Betts, who was known as a cautious chap, and able to +vanish at the first sign of danger better than any fellow in town.</p> + +<p>"Suppose we hold up here, and send out scouts to see how the land lies? +That's the military way of doing it," ventured Bobolink.</p> + +<p>"A good idea, and I appoint you, Bobolink, with Jud Elderkin, to carry +out the little business," remarked Paul, in a low tone.</p> + +<p>"Trot along, you chaps; the rest of us will bunk right here alongside +the road and wait till you report," and suiting the action to his words +William dropped in his tracks.</p> + +<p>A brief time elapsed, and then the pair of spies returned.</p> + +<p>"Not a single light in the house, and the coast clear, fellows; so come +on!" and Jud waved his long arms as though enjoying his brief assumption +of authority to the limit.</p> + +<p>It would have doubtless astonished the old farmer had he chanced upon the +scene just then. A young moon hung in the western sky, and while giving +little light, still the figures of some score of stooping boys might have +been discovered, advancing in broken formation along the road.</p> + +<p>The leader silently opened the gate leading to the dooryard of Growdy's +place. His barns stood near the house, so that the confusion which +reigned was all the more noticeable. Its equal had never been known +around Stanhope; and could only be expected in the case of a place where +a woman's influence for cleanliness had been totally absent during the +past ten years.</p> + +<p>Over to the stable went some of the boys.</p> + +<p>Paul had talked it all over with them as they walked, and each knew what +part he was to take in the general clean-up.</p> + +<p>To some of them it was simply another form of a lark. Boys are queer +creatures even to those who imagine they know them well. They must be +doing something all the time. Once get them started in the right +direction, and they will labor just as sturdily to bring about a good +object, as under other conditions, they would work to play a joke. It all +depends on how they begin. And thanks to the sagacity of Paul, he had +succeeded in interesting them in the novelty of his proposal.</p> + +<p>Some secured rakes and hoes, and began to systematically gather up the +scattered loose material that covered the place, ankle deep. Others +pushed the wagons, and the old dilapidated buggy, back into the shed in +systematic order.</p> + +<p>They worked like busy bees, chuckling, whispering and evidently getting +considerable fun out of the strange frolic.</p> + +<p>Paul himself went over the job to make sure that it had been thoroughly +done, and that nothing remained uncared for.</p> + +<p>Up to this time fortune had favored the busy workers, since no sound had +come about to betray their presence.</p> + +<p>"How is it, Paul?" asked Jack Stormways, as he ran across the other in +making his rounds.</p> + +<p>"About at the end. The boys are putting the old tools back where they +found them; and then we can go home. It's the best half hour's work +any of us have done for a good while, I tell you, Jack."</p> + +<p>"Some of the boys don't seem to think it quite so funny now as when they +started in. They say they can't see where the pay is going to come in, +and have begun to grumble," whispered the other.</p> + +<p>"Perhaps it never will, and again, who knows what might come out of this? +Anyhow, the ladies will be glad to see this dirty place clean for once. +Some others I know may take a notion that if Old Growdy can clean up they +ought to. Listen! what in the world is that?"</p> + +<p>A rattling of tin pans came to their ears, as if one of the boys in +prowling around had accidently upset a bench on which a milk bucket and +some flat tinware had been airing.</p> + +<p>"That settles it! He'll hear all that row and be out on us in a jiffy!" +said Paul, annoyed because the affair had not gone off according to +schedule.</p> + +<p>"Look! there's a light sprung up inside the house. He's getting his +trousers on, all right, and the sooner we skip out the better!" declared +Jack.</p> + +<p>The boys now came running from every direction, while sounds from within +the nearby farmhouse told that Old Peleg must be switching on his heavy +boots.</p> + +<p>So Paul, knowing that the only thing left now was a hasty flight, gave +the signal arranged for. It meant every fellow for himself until they +had put a reasonable distance between themselves and the seat of danger. +Then they could meet at a given place, and go home, laughing over the +whole affair, and wondering what Peleg would think when he saw what a +miraculous transformation had taken place while he slept.</p> + +<p>Paul happened to be the very last to run away. Instead of passing out by +way of the gate as most of the others did, Paul started to pass over the +fence at an inviting point, where two of the bars seemed to be down, and +he could gain the adjoining woodlot, from which he might reach the road +at his pleasure.</p> + +<p>But alas! the best of plans often go amiss. And that gap that yawned in +the fence proved a delusion and a snare.</p> + +<p>Hardly had Paul made the jump over the two lower bars than he found +himself suddenly jerked down, and his head came with a crash on the +ground, causing him to see a myriad of stars.</p> + +<p>Nor was this all. An unknown power at the same time seemed to lift his +lower extremities up in the air at least two feet, so that he appeared to +be trying to swim on dry land.</p> + +<p>For a moment he was puzzled to account for this remarkable happening; +but as his head cleared a bit, and the stars ceased to shoot before his +mental vision, he began to get an idea as to what had happened.</p> + +<p>Apparently the fellows who had painted the farmer's pigs on the other +night must have entered his place from the woods, and through this gap +in the fence.</p> + +<p>Old Peleg had remembered, and anticipating another invasion sooner or +later, he had succeeded in arranging some sort of ingenious trap on the +spot.</p> + +<p>In jumping Paul had set off the trigger, with the consequence that a +noose had instantly tightened around his ankles, and a hogshead partly +filled with stones, starting to roll down the slope, had drawn his legs +upward.</p> + +<p>Well, at any rate there he was, clinging to the grass, and with an unseen +force pulling at his elevated feet, so that he was helpless to assist +himself.</p> + +<p>It was very funny, no doubt, but Paul hardly felt like laughing, just +then. He tried to wriggle around so as to get at the loop, in the hope +that he might loosen the same; but all his efforts were wasted.</p> + +<p>Old Peleg had builded better than he expected when he set that trap in +which to catch his tormentors.</p> + +<p>He was coming now to see the result of his cunning. No doubt he had heard +the tremendous rattle as the bulging barrel of stones started to roll +down the slope after being liberated; for even a deaf man could hardly +have missed that racket. Lantern in hand he was even now hobbling along, +chuckling in anticipation of what he would find in his trap.</p> + +<p>Closer came the limping farmer. Paul saw now that he held a vicious black +whip in his right hand, while gripping a lighted lantern in the other.</p> + +<p>Laughter in the distance told that the boys had all taken themselves off. +They could not suspect what a dire calamity had befallen their leader, or +a rescue party must have certainly been formed.</p> + +<p>Another minute and Peleg had arrived at the fence, and bending over held +the lantern so that its light fell upon the figure of his captive.</p> + +<p>"Gut ye, have I? Mebbe ye'll try to paint some critters of mine agin, an' +mebbe ye won't!" said the farmer, as he raised the ugly black whip which +he held, with the evident intention of bringing it down good and hard on +the helpless boy.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VIII" id="CHAPTER_VIII"></a>CHAPTER VIII</h2> + +<h3>TURNING THE TABLES</h3> + + +<p>"Wait, Mr. Growdy!" Paul hastened to exclaim.</p> + +<p>The old man laughed harshly as he flourished the whip. Perhaps he had +never struck a boy before in all his life, and hardly knew how to begin; +but his temper was plainly disturbed, and he meant to make a start.</p> + +<p>"What should I wait fur, when I cort ye in the very act? Paint my +critters red, white an' blue, will ye? P'raps ye wanted to pull all the +feathers out o' my flock o' chickens this time, an' think it funny. Sarve +ye right if I gi'e ye a dozen stripes!"</p> + +<p>"Mr. Growdy, I did you a favor once!" said the prisoner of the trap, +wishing to keep the old man as long as possible from starting operations.</p> + +<p>"Say ye so? Wall, this wipes it out then. Who air ye, anyway?"</p> + +<p>The farmer bent lower, and thrust his lantern so that its light would +fall upon the face of the boy. Immediately he uttered a grunt, for it was +plain that he had recognized his captive.</p> + +<p>"So, it's ye, is it, Paul Morrison? This is some surprise, seein' as +ye're the last boy I'd expect to be up ter sech meanness. What d'ye think +yer father'll say w'en he hears 'bout this?"</p> + +<p>"I guess he'll laugh, and say it was about the cutest trick ever played +on you, Mr. Growdy," came the immediate answer; "but please get me down +from this. Perhaps the blood will all run to my head. Tie my hands if you +want, and fix it so I can't run away; but I couldn't stand this long."</p> + +<p>"So ye think yer father'd larf, do ye? I never wud 'a' b'lieved Doctor +Morrison was the kind o' man to encourage practical jokes on anybody," +grumbled the old man, plainly at a loss to understand what was meant.</p> + +<p>"Well, he isn't, and I'd be sorry to have him know I was guilty of such +a thing. But you're barking up the wrong tree, Mr. Growdy, I give you my +word we none of us had any trick in mind when we came here to-night."</p> + +<p>"Then what took you in my dooryard here; for I heard a pack runnin' away +when I kim out of the house? Tell me that, Paul," insisted the farmer; +but the hand that held that cruel looking whip had fallen to his side, +which was a good sign.</p> + +<p>"I'll be only too glad to do so if you let me up. Tie my hands, my legs +too if you want, sir; but I'm getting dizzy from having my head below +my heels."</p> + +<p>Peleg stooped still closer. He again held the lantern down so that he +could look into the face of his prisoner; after which he did something +that Paul had hardly expected—bent over, seized the rope connected with +the laden hogshead, and pulling hard succeeded in casting the loop that +had just encircled Paul's ankles, over a post of the fence.</p> + +<p>"Get up, Paul!" he said, grimly, yet with a flicker of curiosity in his +wrinkled face; as though a dim suspicion that there might be something +out of the ordinary back of this, had begun to take possession of his +mind.</p> + +<p>Paul regained his feet, a little wobbly to be sure, for he had +experienced a bad fall, and his head felt rather tender where it had +come in contact with the hard ground.</p> + +<p>"Thank you, Mr. Growdy. And now I'm going to tell you something. Perhaps +you will find it hard to believe me, and again you may not just +appreciate our way of taking matters in our own hands, when the request +of the women of Stanhope didn't have any effect. Look around your +dooryard, Mr. Growdy. Do you see anything changed here?"</p> + +<p>The farmer held up the lantern, and what he saw caused him to utter an +exclamation.</p> + +<p>"Ev'ry one o' 'em gone, by hokey! If so be ye've smashed all my rigs, +Paul Morison, I'll have the law on ye, as sure as my name's Peleg +Growdy!" he roared, aghast at what he deemed a serious discovery.</p> + +<p>"Come with me, Mr. Growdy. Notice as you go that this place doesn't look +much like a pigpen now. In fact, I calculate it's as clean as any +dooryard around Stanhope. Even the ladies can drive past now without +being shocked. And Mr. Growdy, if you will take the trouble, sir, to look +under that wagon shed, you'll see every one of your vehicles just where +they should be when not in use!"</p> + +<p>The old man stared, as well he might.</p> + +<p>"By gum!" Paul heard him mutter; and the words seemed to express the +situation so well that the boy could hardly keep from laughing outright.</p> + +<p>Finally the puzzled farmer turned and looked at the lad who stood there +beside him. Easily might Paul have made his escape at any time now; but +that was really the last thing he thought of doing. He would much rather +remain and see the bewilderment of Peleg Growdy reach its conclusion.</p> + +<p>"Look here, Paul, what's this hull thing mean?" finally demanded the +farmer.</p> + +<p>And Paul, remembering the fact that the old man was hard of hearing, +raised his voice as he thought fit when making reply.</p> + +<p>"Do you want me to tell you the whole thing, sir?"</p> + +<p>"I sartin do, every word. Blest if I kin make head or tail out o' it. +Reckons as how them leetle fairy twins ye read about must 'a' ben workin' +wile I slept; er else I'm dreamin' things that caint be true."</p> + +<p>"Listen, Mr. Growdy," Paul went on. "Perhaps you may not know that we +have started a troop of the Boy Scouts here in Stanhope. Some twenty of +us have joined, and later on we hope to get uniforms, and other things +needed, when we have earned the money to buy them. Those boys you heard +running away were my friends and comrades, every one going to be a true +scout."</p> + +<p>"Soldier bummers then, out on a raid, and ready to kerry off everything +they kin lay hands on," grumbled the old man, still unable to grasp the +true condition of affairs.</p> + +<p>"At a meeting to-night in Mr. Shipley's barn we made further progress +looking to perfecting our organization. But boys will be boys, you know; +and one of our number asked the rest to help him get even with you, +because you forced him into the ditch this afternoon, upsetting his +wagon."</p> + +<p>Old Growdy moved uneasily.</p> + +<p>"I was real sorry to see William do that. If he'd only waited till I +lighted my pipe I 'spected to pull out a leetle more, so's to let him git +by; but he was that impatient he must push on," he said.</p> + +<p>"Just as I thought. Well, Mr. Growdy, one of the rules of the scouts is +that a member must never return an evil deed by another of the same kind. +I proposed that we try to make you change your mind about detesting all +boys. So we came here, not to paint your pigs as some other fellows did, +I'm told; not to let your stock loose, or run off with your wagons; but +to clean up your dooryard, and give you the greatest surprise of your +life when you came out in the morning!"</p> + +<p>"Sho! now. That takes the cake!"</p> + +<p>"When one of my chums upset that bench by accident, and the pans fell +with a racket, of course it gave the whole thing away, and we started to +run; but unfortunately I happened to drop into your nice little trap, and +you found me upside down. That is all, Mr. Growdy. Do you want to whip me +now, or take me in to the lockup, which?"</p> + +<p>Peleg Growdy found himself strangely thrilled as he looked into that +frank, smiling face of Paul Morrison.</p> + +<p>For almost a full minute they stood thus.</p> + +<p>Then Peleg spoke.</p> + +<p>"Reckon as how them comrades o' yers must 'a' gut a long start by now, +Paul. S'pose ye see if ye kin ketch up with 'em, son."</p> + +<p>That was all, but as Paul hurried off he was conscious of a strange +feeling deep down in his breast; and he felt sure that after all it had +paid. Peleg Growdy at least had met with the surprise of his life. After +this possibly his ideas of juvenile depravity might undergo a violent +change; for such positive natures as his usually swing from one extreme +to the other, just like the pendulum of a grandfather clock.</p> + +<p>Paul did not catch up with his fleeing comrades, for they had secured +too good a start. When he reached the rendezvous, however, he found them +there, one and all, and wondering what could have happened to detain him.</p> + +<p>Loud were the expressions of astonishment as he calmly announced that +having been caught in a trap, he had held a face to face talk with Peleg +Growdy himself; when he managed to relate the whole surprising adventure +the boys were stunned at the possible consequences of their little prank.</p> + +<p>Those who had considered it only in the light of a joke began to see that +Paul had something deeper in mind when he proposed such a thing.</p> + +<p>All the way home Paul was kept busy repeating some of the things he had +said to the irate farmer. It gave those lads something to ponder over +when by themselves. Possibly they had never before realized what a +powerful lever for good such a method of returning a grudge may become.</p> + +<p>Paul himself was delighted. Even if nothing more came of it he could look +back to the little adventure with satisfaction such as Ted Slavin and +his cronies might never feel with regard to their prank.</p> + +<p>And the next morning Paul was not at all ashamed to relate the entire +circumstance at the breakfast table. He felt amply repaid when he saw the +look of pride upon his mother's face, as she turned her eyes, filled with +unshed tears, upon him and said gently:</p> + +<p>"I am glad you did it, Paul. I know the history of poor Peleg Growdy; and +surely he has had enough of trouble during his life to make him different +from the rest of his kind. The milk of human kindness has perhaps been +dried up in his breast; yet who knows, my boy, but that you may have set +him to thinking by that one little act of yours. I shall never fear for +you, Paul, whatever betides."</p> + +<p>His father, the doctor, was a man of few words; but that morning when he +was going off on his round of visits he did an unusual thing—took Paul's +hand, and gave it an affectionate squeeze, while the look that +accompanied the action needed no further explanation.</p> + +<p>And Paul was many times satisfied.</p> + +<p>That day and others saw a growing buzz of excitement in the town of +Stanhope. It seemed as though nearly every boy over the age of twelve, +yes and even under, might be filled with a burning zeal to join the new +troops that were being started under two different scout leaders.</p> + +<p>Ward Kenwood had entered heart and soul into the work, which seemed to +appeal to him; but there were those who secretly believed he was more +concerned about opposing his rival, Paul Morrison, than in building up +a second troop of scouts that would be a credit to the place.</p> + +<p>Ted Slavin, of course, worked hand in glove with his friend, Ward. If +money counted for anything they had no reason to complain; for inside of +a week there blossomed out numerous boys clad in the new khaki uniforms +that distinguish the Boy Scouts everywhere.</p> + +<p>Some of Paul's friends felt grieved because they had failed to get their +equipments as soon as the others; but nothing could disturb the scout +leader.</p> + +<p>"You'll see that they are bound to meet up with a snag when they apply +for admission to the real organization. They can't subscribe to many of +the rules. Then again you know that the real scout scorns to receive his +uniform as a gift. Everything he owns must be earned. But most of us are +nearly ready to send for suits. Wait a little longer. The race is not +always to the swift."</p> + +<p>In this fashion then did wise Paul bring peace to the troubled hearts of +those anxious ones. Never a member of the new Fox Patrols that sought an +interview with the scout leader but who came away feeling that there was +not a cloud in the sky of their future.</p> + +<p>In this manner a week, and then ten days, drifted along, with the opening +of school looming up in the near future.</p> + +<p>Paul had almost forgotten the troubles of his chum when one day he had +the fact suddenly brought to his attention again, as Jack came upon him +with a face upon which rested the same old cloud of anxiety and grief.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_IX" id="CHAPTER_IX"></a>CHAPTER IX</h2> + +<h3>"WELL DONE, MY BOY!"</h3> + + +<p>"There, some more gone, Paul!"</p> + +<p>"But it's nearly ten days since we talked it over last, and then there +were, let me see, I believe six coins left," returned the other, quickly.</p> + +<p>"That's true enough. And I can see now that you're wondering why none +have been taken all this time, up to to-day," remarked Jack, as he came +alongside his chum, who was looking in at a window where sporting goods +made a brave display.</p> + +<p>"Will Carlo hang around and wait for you a bit?" asked Paul, looking with +a smile toward the big Newfoundland dog that had been trotting at the +heels of his young master, carrying a basket, in which were several +packages from the store.</p> + +<p>"Sure. He's well trained, and that is one of the smallest of his stunts, +as you know. See, he has laid the basket down, and stands guard over it. +I dare any dog in Stanhope to try and take it away. Now, you want to know +about my poor old batch of coins!"</p> + +<p>"I'm waiting to hear, old fellow," said Paul, tenderly; for he could see +that his chum was once again highly charged with emotion.</p> + +<p>"I thought I'd try a scheme unbeknown to you," began the other, slowly.</p> + +<p>"Perhaps I can guess what you did—was it that you locked the door of +your little den, Jack?"</p> + +<p>"Well, now, you are a champion guesser, for that was just what I did, +every day up to this one—shut down the window, locked the door, and +never went up there once," replied his comrade, with surprise written +on his face.</p> + +<p>"And nothing was missing?"</p> + +<p>"Not a coin. I counted six myself this morning when I went upstairs just +to get something out of the snuggery."</p> + +<p>"Did you forget to lock it after you, Jack?"</p> + +<p>"No; but an idea came to me. At the time I thought it a bright one; but +now I'm more than half sorry I ever tried it."</p> + +<p>"Oh! then you left the door unlocked again on purpose?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, and with the window open, at that. The invitation was plain +enough," murmured Jack, with dejection in his voice and manner.</p> + +<p>Paul seemed to ponder over the matter; and indeed it was quite enough to +try any boy's wits.</p> + +<p>"Do you happen to know if any fellow called to see you to-day while you +were out?" he asked, presently.</p> + +<p>"Now, I thought of that, and asked both my brother and Maggie to pay +particular attention to it, if any boy stopped over, hoping I would come +in."</p> + +<p>"Nothing doing?"</p> + +<p>"It's kind of queer, but do you know, for a wonder not a single fellow +has been at our house this blessed day. Generally half a dozen call to +see me, you know, to borrow books from my library, or talk over matters +connected with our school society. It just looks as if everything wanted +to mix me up worse than ever, and make me think—"</p> + +<p>"Never mind what it makes you think," interrupted Paul, quickly, +squeezing the arm of his chum affectionately; "let's get down to facts. +You know I promised that I'd find out the truth about this matter; and +while up to now I've given it mighty little attention, don't think that +I've forgotten, Jack."</p> + +<p>"I don't; only it bothers me to understand how you can ever expect to +find out who's taking my old coins, if I've made a mess of it; and living +in the house at that!" rejoined the other, with bewilderment plainly +visible on his face.</p> + +<p>"Leave that to me. I repeat my promise, and if everything else fails why, +what's going to hinder my hiding up there behind some of your stuff, +where I can see for myself what happens?"</p> + +<p>"Oh!" exclaimed Jack, "that would be a clever idea; but much as I want to +know the truth, I'm afraid to!"</p> + +<p>"Well, you've got to get over that feeling. No matter what happens it's +far better to know the worst; for then it may be remedied. I've heard my +father tell of many a desperate case where only heroic treatment, as he +called it, brought his patient through. We've just got to try it here, +Jack, old fellow. Hello! what d'ye suppose all that row's about?"</p> + +<p>"Sounds to me like a runaway horse, from the shouts," declared Jack, +quickly forgetting his own personal troubles in the new excitement.</p> + +<p>"Look! There's the runaway, and coming this way around the corner. Oh! it +was nearly over that time! My heart was in my mouth!" cried Paul.</p> + +<p>"There's some one in the wagon, Paul, a little child!" almost shrieked +Jack; for the clamor was deafening by now, and ordinary sounds could +never have been heard.</p> + +<p>No need to tell Paul that. He had just made the astounding discovery +himself, and was thrilled with sudden horror.</p> + +<p>It was a little boy who was tugging at the lines with a heroism worthy of +one twice his size; but such a young person could make no impression on +the hard mouth of that terrorized animal.</p> + +<p>In the sudden whirl around the corner the lad had come very near being +thrown but, and was even now unsteadily trying to regain his balance.</p> + +<p>Paul knew that it was an occasion for quick thinking, and even faster +doing!</p> + +<p>He bounded away from the side of his chum as though on springs, leaving +Jack standing there on the curb, filled with eager anticipation, and +fears.</p> + +<p>It was not <i>toward</i> the rapidly advancing horse that the boy ran, but in +exactly the opposite direction, as though he were being chased. With the +wagon flinging about from side to side, and hindering the progress of the +runaway to some extent, Paul believed that he could almost hold his own +in the race.</p> + +<p>Little by little he meant to let the horse overtake him. Then, at just +the right second his chance would come to jump at the animal's head, +seize upon the lines close to the bit, and throw his entire weight upon +them.</p> + +<p>He knew that it called for good judgment, since the slightest mistake +would be apt to cost him dear. To be thrown under the iron-shod hoofs of +the galloping animal might mean making him a cripple for the rest of his +life.</p> + +<p>Even that possibility did not daunt Paul. He only saw the frightened face +of the little chap who so valorously clung to the lines, and shouted +shrilly at the top of his childish voice, as though expecting the usually +tractable horse to mind.</p> + +<p>A human life in peril—that was one of the cardinal points that must call +for action on the part of a true Boy Scout. He might refuse to engage in +a sanguinary battle with some rival who had dared him to a fight; but +under no conditions must he hold back when the chance offered to do a +good deed.</p> + +<p>Now the horse was just behind him, and still galloping furiously. If +anything, the animal was making more desperate headway than ever, for +the outcries on every side seemed to add to his fright.</p> + +<p>Every eye was focussed on the runner. One man in a vehicle had drawn in +his horse, and with white cheeks watched the remarkable scene.</p> + +<p>If any among that throng had reason to send up a silent prayer for the +safety of that daring lad just then, surely he might. For the man in the +buggy was Doctor Alan Morrison, Paul's own father!</p> + +<p>Five seconds passed, but it seemed an hour, a day, a life-time to that +man, as his heart ceased to beat, and he gripped the reins convulsively +in his clenched hands.</p> + +<p>Then the heavens seemed to almost split with the sudden outburst of wild +shouts that raced up and down that street.</p> + +<p>"He's done it! Hurrah! The boy's stopped him! Bully for Paul Morrison!"</p> + +<p>Men shouted, boys shrieked, while women embraced in their tears. The +tense strain was over, for willing hands had clutched the lines after +Paul's weight had brought the wild runaway to a staggering halt; and the +danger was past.</p> + +<p>Then ensued a wild scene, everybody trying to get hold of the boy who had +known what to do in an emergency, and not only that, but had done it.</p> + +<p>Confused, overwhelmed, Paul in the great confusion tried to flee; but +while he did manage to duck under many of the hands outstretched to +clutch him, it was only to dart into the arms of some one who pressed him +to his heart.</p> + +<p>And looking up the boy saw above him the face of one whom he loved—his +father, who had been a witness to his adventure.</p> + +<p>"That was well done, my boy; and I'm glad I saw it!" was all the good +doctor said; but Paul never forgot the proud look that accompanied the +words.</p> + +<p>It would return to him many times in the distant future, when he might be +tempted by the fascinations of the world to turn aside from the narrow +path which he had chosen to tread; and must ever be a guide and beacon +for his footsteps.</p> + +<p>Then came Jack, with William, Tom Betts and Bluff Shipley, all nearly +wild over the fact that it was their chum who had acquitted himself so +well.</p> + +<p>Before Paul could make his escape he found his hand gripped by the father +of the child in the wagon, who happened to be a prosperous farmer, with +whom Doctor Morrison was well acquainted.</p> + +<p>"I never could tell you what I think about this, my boy," he said, with +deep feeling. "The child's mother'll never forget you, be sure of that. +And it ain't right for me to offer you any reward for doing such a fine +thing; but I want you to buy something with this ten dollars, that every +time you look at it you'll remember little Tod Perkins, what owed his +life to you."</p> + +<p>"Oh! I couldn't think of it, Mr. Perkins. Why, it was just pie to me, you +know. Please don't make me take it!" said the boy, still more confused; +but the farmer had already turned away to embrace his child, and there +seemed nothing for it but to accept the gift.</p> + +<p>"Don't offend him by refusing, Paul; he means well, and perhaps you can +buy something with it that will serve as a reminder," said the doctor, +always trying to avoid hurting other people's feelings.</p> + +<p>"Why, sure, what's to hinder you buying your scout's uniform with it?" +declared William at this juncture.</p> + +<p>"You certain earned it, if anybody ever did work for what they got!" +avowed Bobolink, positively.</p> + +<p>"Oh! w-w-why wasn't it m-m-me?" wailed Bluff, in pretended grief.</p> + +<p>"Say, do you think you could have nailed that runaway horse, with such an +impediment twisting you up?" demanded Bobolink, grinning.</p> + +<p>"Well, boys, since you say so, I suppose then I'll just have to accept +it, and call my outfit earned by the sweat of my brow," laughed Paul, +taking out his handkerchief to wipe his face from its collection of +perspiration and dust.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_X" id="CHAPTER_X"></a>CHAPTER X</h2> + +<h3>AN UNEXPECTED OFFER</h3> + + +<p>Paul and his chum managed to break away finally, and walk toward the home +of the latter. Jack had his arm through that of the other, and it seemed +as though he felt happier over the recent exploit than the one who had +occupied the centre of the stage.</p> + +<p>"My heart seemed to be up in my mouth just when you made that grab for +the bit. I believe I would have fallen in a fit if you had gone under, +Paul," said Jack, with a big sigh, as he pressed the arm he held.</p> + +<p>"Well, I was a little worried myself that something might upset me just +then. But luck favored me, you know. I'm more than glad, because it would +have given my mother a bad shock if I'd been trampled on. But please drop +that subject, old fellow," said Paul, making a wry face.</p> + +<p>"I will, since you ask it; but they won't forget it in the town for a +long time. Such things happen only once a year or more around dull old +Stanhope. To-night we meet to see how many have the money earned for the +suits; and I'm glad to say I can cover my needs. You're doubly supplied +now, with this windfall."</p> + +<p>"Yes, and I wish I could help some other fellow out; but I'm afraid that +would be against the rules of the game. Here we are at your house, and +bless me if Carlo hasn't carried that basket of provisions straight back +to the kitchen door. Say, he <i>is</i> a trump, sure enough, Jack."</p> + +<p>"Oh! that's dead easy for Carlo. Why, we often put a nickel in the +basket, and send him down to the bakery for a loaf of bread," laughed the +other.</p> + +<p>"And does he always get it?" asked Paul, looking suddenly interested.</p> + +<p>"I don't believe he's failed for six months. Of course Mr. Crusty knows +what we want, and wraps the loaf up so as to keep the dust off. Why, that +ain't the best of his tricks, by a long shot. I taught him when he was +hungry to go—"</p> + +<p>"Excuse me, won't you, Jack; there comes father, and I do believe he's +heading home long before his usual time. Perhaps he's afraid mother may +hear that something has happened to me, and would be anxious. I'd better +jump in with him, don't you think? Another time I'll hear all about the +wonderful stunts of Carlo."</p> + +<p>And so speaking Paul ran out to join his father in the buggy.</p> + +<p>Jack looked after him, and sighed heavily. It was not that he felt a +particle jealous of the recent exploit which his chum had engineered so +successfully; for envy was not one of his failings. But he did wish that +his mind was as free from anxiety and suspicion as that of Paul Morrison.</p> + +<p>For the mystery of those disappearing coins hung about his neck like a +millstone, nor could he ever know peace again until in some way it were +explained.</p> + +<p>What happened at the Morrison home when the doctor told the story of his +boy's heroism no one ever knew; for Paul was not the one to betray family +secrets.</p> + +<p>But Jack, who understood what an affectionate mother his chum had, could +easily imagine how she wrapped her arms about the boy, and pressed him +again and again to her bosom, thanking Heaven that the child she had +watched grow from babyhood until he was now almost as tall as his father, +should show signs of proving himself a worthy successor to the "good +Doctor," as every one knew him.</p> + +<p>That night the boys had the darkness to contend with when they started +for the place of meeting, though the late moon might show her smiling +face before the time came for them to return home.</p> + +<p>There were just twenty-two who reported at roll call that evening at +eight, and one need only glance around at the faces of the boys, both +large and small, to be positive that the enthusiasm, instead of dying +out, was increasing by leaps and bounds.</p> + +<p>When the meeting had been called to order, the one subject that +interested those gathered was the question of obtaining their uniforms +and other outfit.</p> + +<p>A warm discussion arose shortly when Jack asked for information +concerning the right of any scout to assist a fellow member who might be +behind in earning the necessary amount.</p> + +<p>Some believed one way, while others seemed to look at it in another +light, and not a few were, as Jack said, "on the fence."</p> + +<p>"Listen, fellows, and I'll tell you what I gathered from studying the +books on the Boy Scout movement loaned me by the minister. Here are +twenty or more of us, and we need just so much money for an outfit. Some +can show much more than they need, others fall short, although they may +have worked even harder. Is that plain?" and Jack looked around at the +eager faces as he put the question.</p> + +<p>"It certainly is," remarked Paul, smiling; "some are born rich, others +earn riches, and once in a while some lucky chap has the money stuck +right in his hand. I'm one of the last class. But go on, Jack; for I know +you've got a bright idea that may help us out of this hole."</p> + +<p>"The answer is easy, fellows. We must make a common fund. Then every +member can put in all he wants, so long as it has been honestly earned. +See my plan?"</p> + +<p>"Sure, and it goes. That's the answer to the problem. Let's try it out +and see how near we can come to the amount needed," said Jud Elderkin, +briskly; starting to pass around slips of paper and a pencil.</p> + +<p>"Put down what you can hand over to the general fund, each fellow; and +remember it means cash, to be delivered to-morrow, and not credit," he +announced.</p> + +<p>There was the utmost eagerness to carry out the idea, and before five +minutes had passed every boy had written his name on a slip of paper, +together with the full amount which he could contribute to the general +fund.</p> + +<p>"I appoint Jud and Bobolink a committee to canvass the vote, and count up +the amount subscribed," said Paul, as chairman of the meeting.</p> + +<p>It did not take very long, though the two boys were seen to go over their +figures several times in order to make sure there could be no error.</p> + +<p>"Look at the grins on their faces! Don't that tell the story, fellows! +Hurrah!" shouted Nuthin'.</p> + +<p>And when the amount was declared it was found that it far exceeded the +actual sum needed to purchase uniforms for the entire twenty-two scouts, +including hats and leggings.</p> + +<p>"Don't forget that I've just got to have a bugle, fellows. What use is it +to be elected bugler if you can't bugle?" exclaimed Bobolink.</p> + +<p>"And m-m-me for a d-d-d-d-d-drum!" echoed Bluff, excitedly; when he was +immediately pounced upon as usual, and pounded several times on the back.</p> + +<p>"Yes, do get Bluff something he can beat. I've heard him drum, and he's +just a corker at it. It keeps him from talking, you know," laughed Tom +Betts.</p> + +<p>"Hello!" exclaimed Nuthin' suddenly; "look who's here, fellows!"</p> + +<p>All eyes were immediately turned toward the door, and focussed upon the +figure that stood just within the barn, having entered while they were +boisterously exchanging these compliments.</p> + +<p>"Why, it's Mr. Growdy!" said Paul.</p> + +<p>"Old Peleg!" echoed Bobolink, in a hushed tone.</p> + +<p>One and all stared at the crusty old farmer, who for years had avoided +all boys as though he thought them a dangerous breed of animals which it +were safer to let severely alone.</p> + +<p>When Paul saw the amused smile creeping over the rugged and seamed face +of the old farmer he understood that Peleg had really experienced a +wonderful change of heart, dating from that night when the new Boy Scouts +cleaned up his dooryard as an object lesson.</p> + +<p>And now Peleg was coming slowly forward, looking a bit awkward; since he +had never been accustomed to facing an audience, and especially one +composed of boys.</p> + +<p>They made way for him, so that presently he found himself completely +surrounded by an eager throng.</p> + +<p>"Glad to see you, Mr. Growdy," said Paul, holding out his hand +impulsively; and to the surprise of the others it was eagerly seized upon +by the calloused fingers of the toiler in the fields; "these are the +friends I spoke to you about. And this is the Fox Patrol of the newly +organized Boy Scouts."</p> + +<p>Peleg grinned, and acknowledged the introduction by ducking his touseled +head.</p> + +<p>"Glad to meet ye, boys. I've be'n hearin' quite considerable 'bout what +ye was adoin' over here, an' I thort as how I'd jest drap in to see ye +all; sorter like returnin' yer call, so to speak!" he said, again +allowing a humorous look to appear upon his face.</p> + +<p>And somehow the boys instantly concluded that when Peleg allowed the +lines of his severe face to relax, he was rather a jolly old chap after +all.</p> + +<p>"Hurrah! Three cheers for Mr. Peleg Growdy!" exclaimed one of those who +felt relieved to think that his coming meant no trouble after all.</p> + +<p>But the farmer raised his hand.</p> + +<p>"Jest wait till I has my little say, boys. Now, at fust I was kinder +riled that a passel o' boys shud 'a' took me to task on account o' my +way o' lettin' things run loose like at my place. But I gotter thinkin' +her over, and by hokey if it didn't jest come home to me. Times was when +my dooryard was the puttiest around all Stanhope, with the flowers +abloomin', an' every scrap tidied up; but in them happy days Mandy an' +the kids was there, ye see; an' sense they was took it 'peared like I +never cared what things looked like; an' that's a fact, boys."</p> + +<p>The old man seemed to swallow something that threatened to choke him; and +then, while the boys hung on his every word, and wondered how they had +ever come to misunderstand him as they had, he went on:</p> + +<p>"But I kim to the conclusion, arter thet kind visit ye paid me, thet I +owed a duty to the community, and it warn't right for any citizen to let +his place look disgraceful. So arter this nobody ain't agoin' to be +ashamed to pass by the yard where Mandy 'tended the rose bushes, and her +tots played from morn to night. I jest drapped in here to thank ye right +hearty boys, for showin' me wot was wantin'. Arter this there ain't never +agoin' to be any trouble between me an' the boys o' Stanhope. They kin +count on old Peleg Growdy to contribute to every sport that goes to +cultivate the mind and body in the right direction!"</p> + +<p>He seemed a vastly different man as he stood there and said this, for his +head was thrown back, his eyes flashed, and his face was almost friendly +in its expression, the old haggard look having for the time being +disappeared.</p> + +<p>"Again I say, three cheers for Mr. Growdy!" called Joe Clausin.</p> + +<p>"Wait a bit, fellers. I got somethin' more to say," pleaded the old man, +once again lifting his hand to still the rising tumult.</p> + +<p>Paul smiled, for he could give a pretty shrewd guess as to what was +coming; and it certainly did him good to realize how their odd little +scheme was turning out to be such a glorious success.</p> + +<p>Every voice was hushed, and once more the throng waited for the farmer to +explain.</p> + +<p>"I've been ahearin' a good lot about wot ye're all adoin' with this Boy +Scout business. Kinder got me interested, an' I borried some books o' the +dominie jest so I could understand wot 'twas all about. An' I want to say +I like the ijee fust rate. If I hed any boys o' my own," and his voice +faltered right there, "I'd sure encourage 'em to jine in with ye. Seein' +as I ain't, an' on account o' the good turn ye done me t'other night, +boys, I'm goin' to ask a favor o' ye. I ain't got nary a kid to leave +my money to when I go; and so I hope ye'll let me pay for fittin' this +here Fox Patrol out with uniforms! That's my ijee, boys, an' it'll give +me great joy if so be ye take me up!"</p> + +<p>They looked at each other for a minute, speechless with astonishment.</p> + +<p>Then being real boys they found their voices with a rush. No need now for +Tom Butts or Joe Clausin to suggest three cheers. That old barn fairly +rocked with the volume of sound that burst forth, as every fellow swung +his hat in the air, and tried his best to give his feelings free rein.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XI" id="CHAPTER_XI"></a>CHAPTER XI</h2> + +<h3>CAUGHT NAPPING</h3> + + +<p>"Silence!"</p> + +<p>The tumult died away as quickly as it had sprung into being, when Paul +held up his right hand and made this request.</p> + +<p>All being still again, he turned to the grinning old farmer, who was +doubtless getting more solid satisfaction out of this new experience than +he had obtained from any clever dicker or trade engineered in the last +ten years.</p> + +<p>"Mr. Growdy," said Paul, with considerable of feeling in his voice, "as +the present scout leader of Stanhope Troop No. 1 of the Boy Scouts, I +want to thank you sincerely for your generous offer. We all appreciate +the kindly spirit that causes you to make it to us. But unfortunately it +happens that the rules of our organization will not allow us to accept."</p> + +<p>Peleg's face fell several degrees at this.</p> + +<p>"Say, couldn't ye jest make an exception this time, boys?" he pleaded. +"I'll feel right hurt if I ain't 'lowed to help on this business some. +Wot's a hundred dollars beside the new speerit ye've managed somehow to +start up in me? If ye need more, by gum! ye kin hev it! I ain't no hog, +if I hev let the people think so this long time."</p> + +<p>"Sorry to say so, Mr. Growdy, but we can't accept. Besides, we have all +earned enough money now to pay for what we need, and expect to send away +to-morrow to get our suits," Paul went on; and even while he was talking +a bright idea came flashing into his brain.</p> + +<p>"Wall, now that's jest too bad, boys. I'd calkerlated to spend that +hundred on doin' a good deed, an' ye make me go back home with the same +hugged tight in my pocket. I'm sorry it cain't be did, I am, sure," +muttered the farmer, shaking his head, and acting like a child that has +been cheated out of some anticipated pleasure.</p> + +<p>"That doesn't follow, Mr. Growdy," said Paul, in a low but thrilling +voice; "if you have set your mind on using that hundred dollars to do a +good work, perhaps I might give you a hint where it would fit in mighty +well, and make your heart feel warm."</p> + +<p>"Hey! wot's that, Paul? I don't understand," exclaimed the man.</p> + +<p>"Down just beyond the outskirts of Stanhope there lives a poor widow +woman who, I'm told, is in danger of being put out of her home any day +now because she has been sick and unable to work so as to pay her rent. +If you went to her right now, Mr. Growdy, and put that wad of money in +her hand, I'm sure you'd never regret it, sir; and every boy here would +thank you just as much as if you paid for his uniform. Isn't that so, +fellows?"</p> + +<p>A chorus of shouts testified to the fact that Paul had hit upon a popular +idea for turning the sudden generosity of the hitherto miserly old farmer +to account.</p> + +<p>"Who is the woman?" asked Peleg Growdy uneasily.</p> + +<p>"Mrs. Jenks, who has three little children to support. Her husband was +killed in that blast some years ago, and she never recovered a cent from +the mining company, for they burst like a bubble," returned Paul.</p> + +<p>"By gum! wot d'ye know about that, now? I reckons as how she lives in one +o' my own cottages, which the real estate man, Stebbins, takes keer of +fur me. He was tellin' me about some tenant he'd have to put out; but I +never noticed more'n that the name was Jenks."</p> + +<p>"But now?" ventured Paul.</p> + +<p>"It won't be did! No, sir, not by a jugful. I got my team outside, an' +I'm goin' straight over to see the widder. I knowed her husband onct +too, an' I'm some 'shamed thet I didn't look her up afore," and Peleg +started for the door.</p> + +<p>"Hold on, Mr. Growdy!" called Paul.</p> + +<p>"Hey! wot's doin' now, boys?" demanded the old man, turning to grin again +at his new host of young friends.</p> + +<p>"You oughtn't to leave here, sir, without giving every boy scout the +privilege of shaking hands with you. I'm sure I speak for each fellow +when I ask that favor," returned Paul, stepping forward.</p> + +<p>Peleg was agreeable, though he blushed like a schoolboy as the scouts, +forming in line, walked past him, each seizing his horny hand eagerly, +and doing his best to make the old farmer wince with the warmth of his +squeeze.</p> + +<p>They gave him a parting cheer as he passed out, and the old fellow tried +to return the military salute to the best of his ability.</p> + +<p>"Well, what do you think of that?" asked Nuthin', when they were once +more gathered around their leader for the purpose of further discussion.</p> + +<p>"The finest thing that could possibly have happened. We had our frolic; +and see what it hatched. After this Peleg Growdy will never be the same +grumpy man he was in the past. No boy need longer hesitate to call out to +him on the street; for Peleg, I take it, has seen a great light, eh, +Jack?" and Paul slapped his chum heartily on the shoulder as he spoke.</p> + +<p>"My idea exactly," replied his chum, quickly. "And do you know it made me +feel bad the way he spoke of Mandy and the kids. Some of you fellows may +not know that he lost his wife and children in a fire that burned his +house down while he was away. I'm glad we did that job, and you deserve +the praise, Paul, because it was your own scheme."</p> + +<p>"Humbug! every one of you chimed in as soon as it was mentioned, and so +you're entitled to as much praise as I am. But about those uniforms, +boys—hadn't the scout tailor better get to work, going over his +measurements again? We want the suits to fit all right, you know."</p> + +<p>And in this way did Paul direct the attention of his comrades in another +quarter, because it was really unpleasant for him to be placed on a +pedestal, as though he were different from the rest of them.</p> + +<p>Amid much laughter and joking the measuring went on. Wallace Carberry +wielded the tape-line, and Bobolink put down the figures, being closely +patched so that no errors could possibly creep in.</p> + +<p>So engrossed were they in this interesting business, that no one paid the +least attention to their surroundings.</p> + +<p>And when a heavy shutter was slowly closed over the one large window of +the tobacco barn, the fact went unnoticed.</p> + +<p>In fact the meeting was about ready to disband, and one of the boys +started for the door to be in advance of his friends, when he made a +discovery.</p> + +<p>"Who locked this door, fellows?" he called, as he tried in vain to budge +the barrier.</p> + +<p>Of course this drew the attention of all the rest, and a rush was made +for the place of exit. One by one the boys tried to push the door open, +but even the stoutest of them failed to accomplish it.</p> + +<p>"Who was the last one in?" demanded Bobolink, furiously, as he retired, +worsted from the encounter, to allow another a chance at the door.</p> + +<p>"Old Peleg Growdy, to be sure; and the door wasn't fastened then. D'ye +suppose he did anything to it when he went out?" asked William, as he +tried to assist Jud, now straining and pushing in a useless endeavor to +move the heavy door.</p> + +<p>"That's nonsense," said Paul, as he pointed to the fact that the door +could not be locked, since it gave an inch or so each time the boys +pushed.</p> + +<p>"Ginger! it's got something braced against it outside, that's what!" +announced another fellow.</p> + +<p>"As sure as you're born it has!" echoed Bobolink.</p> + +<p>All doubt was dissipated just then, for a series of loud and derisive +shouts in boyish treble welled up from outside.</p> + +<p>"Shucks!" grunted Bobolink, in sheer disgust; "we've gone and let the +Slavin fellers have another crack at us. A nice lot of scouts we look +like, not to keep sentries on duty when we have a secret meeting. And now +they've got us cooped up here like a lot of old hens! Shucks! I say +again!"</p> + +<p>"Well, that's no reason we have to stay cooped up, is it?" demanded Jack, +as he turned to hunt around for some object which could be used for a +battering ram so as to force the barricaded door of the barn.</p> + +<p>"T-t-try the b-b-big wagon doors, fellows!" whooped Bluff.</p> + +<p>They did, but with no more success than had attended their puny efforts +against the smaller exit. Those who had been at work while they talked +must have done a good job, for the big doors were utterly immovable.</p> + +<p>"Do we have to stay in here until morning?" wailed Andy Flinn, in mock +despair.</p> + +<p>"Not much, if I have to climb up to the roof, and knock a plank off. Say, +those fellows must have been spying out here when I met them this +morning," said Bobolink.</p> + +<p>"Listen now, what d'ye suppose they're doing?" demanded Nuthin'.</p> + +<p>All remained in an attitude of expectancy, and could hear strange sounds +that seemed to come from under the boards forming the floor of the barn; +which building had not always been used for drying tobacco alone.</p> + +<p>"Now what d'ye suppose the sillies are poking poles under there, for?" +ejaculated William; "and just when I was going to propose that we pull up +a board, and crawl through the hole."</p> + +<p>"Whew! what's this mean? Say, fellows, if that don't make me think of a +blessed old skunk I don't know the odor when I meet it!" and Wallace drew +back as he was about to get down on his hands and knees to investigate +the meaning of the odd sounds under the barn flooring.</p> + +<p>Others got it quickly, and various cries arose, as the boys began to hold +their noses, and look around at each other.</p> + +<p>"It'll smother us, fellows, that's what!" gasped William, quite pale by +now; for the odor which a skunk leaves in its wake affects some persons +powerfully, though others hardly mind it at all.</p> + +<p>"I know!" Bluff managed to gasp, with a great effort; "there's a +f-f-family of s-s-skunks have their h-h-home under here. I've seen 'em, +b-b-but I never b-b-bothered the b-b-beauties. Oh! ain't it j-j-just +awful, f-f-fellows?"</p> + +<p>It certainly was.</p> + +<p>Stirred up by the poles wielded by Ted Slavin and his cronies, who must +have discovered the presence of the polecats when visiting the barn that +morning, and laid their plans accordingly, the little animals were using +the only means of defence against an enemy granted them by Nature.</p> + +<p>William actually keeled over, and his brother had to drag him to the +further end of the barn so that he might not get the full benefit of the +overpowering scent.</p> + +<p>"Something's just <i>got</i> to be done!" cried Jack, himself not feeling any +too well under the infliction.</p> + +<p>"Here, help me lift this old beam, boys. We can make a battering ram out +of it, and burst a board off somehow. Never mind the damages; they can be +repaired easy enough. Two more get hold. Now, swing around this way. I +think the weakest place is in the rear. Keep back, the rest of you. Here +goes!"</p> + +<p>Five others had been only too willing to lend a hand when Paul called for +volunteers. The beam that had been lying against the further wall was +good and heavy; but that made it all the better as an engine for ramming +a hole through the boarded side of the barn.</p> + +<p>Amid the cheers of the scouts the novel battering ram was carried forward +with a will, and on the run. Some of the boys held up lanterns so that +those who were in the line of attack could see just where to strike. Even +poor overcome William managed to raise his head, and feebly wave a hand +of encouragement.</p> + +<p>The beam struck with tremendous force, and nothing in the way of a plain +ordinary boarding could withstand the impetus with which it was driven +forward.</p> + +<p>"Whoop!" yelled the scouts, as a big aperture appeared in the side of the +barn, and the route to liberty lay before them.</p> + +<p>They were not slow to avail themselves of the privilege either, but +hastened to scramble through the gap, carrying the lanterns with them. +William managed to get up enough steam to crawl outside, where he could +breath air that was not fetid, and filled with overpowering odors.</p> + +<p>Only Bluff looked back half regretfully at the haven of refuge they had +just quitted. For he was wondering how his father could ever manage to +efface that scent so that the tobacco, soon to be harvested, might be +hung up in that barn without detracting from its marketable value.</p> + +<p>And once out of the trap the Boy Scouts began to chase around, with +vengeance in their eyes; but as on previous occasions the wary enemy, +after accomplishing their mischief, had been wise enough to slink away.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XII" id="CHAPTER_XII"></a>CHAPTER XII</h2> + +<h3>THE RIVAL TROOPS</h3> + + +<p>"How far do we have to go in this new plan of forgiving the enemy, Paul?" +asked William, who had by now fully recovered from his recent weakness, +and was burning with zeal to avenge himself upon their persecutors.</p> + +<p>"Yes, this thing has got to have a limit!" declared Jud Elderkin, as he +glared around at the moonlit scene, and no doubt imagined their rivals +hiding near by, where they could laugh at the disturbed group.</p> + +<p>Paul knew boy nature too well to stretch their patience beyond the +breaking point. He was astonished that such fire-eaters as Bluff, +William, and several more, could restrain themselves even as well as they +had.</p> + +<p>To keep them in hand the reins must be loosened a little; but only to +enable him to get a better hold later on.</p> + +<p>"Well, there's no positive rule, fellows; and so far as I can see I +believe the limit has already been passed, with us," he said, pleasantly.</p> + +<p>"Hurrah! that's the kind of talk!" cried the inflammable Twin.</p> + +<p>"Then you give us permission to pitch in, and whale the whole bunch the +next time they play one of their measly old tricks on us? Is that so, +Paul?" demanded Jud.</p> + +<p>"Oh! I only h-h-hope so!" came from Bluff.</p> + +<p>"Wait till the time comes, and perhaps I'll help you give them a +much-needed lesson. We don't want to play the worm part, always," +remarked Paul; "and now, boys, let's head for home."</p> + +<p>"Ta-ta, sweet little meeting-house on the edge of the woods; I'll carry +fond memories of you as long as this suit of clothes lasts, I guess," +said William, waving his hand mockingly backward toward the deserted +barn.</p> + +<p>"Watch out for some of those Slavin fellows on the road. They may bombard +us from the woods with rocks!" warned Joe Clausin.</p> + +<p>"Just let 'em try, that's all. We'll chase the stone thrower to a +standstill, and then he'll be sorry he wandered away from his happy home +this night!" Bobolink declared, ferociously.</p> + +<p>So they walked along in detached groups, many eyes were on the alert, and +listening ears bent to catch some sign of a lurking foe.</p> + +<p>Once or twice they heard signals being exchanged deep in the woods, +evidently by the scattered cohorts of Ted; but while valiant, the members +of the Fox Patrols were wise and prudent as well, copying the cautious +attributes of the wary animal after which their new organization had been +named.</p> + +<p>They declined to explore the dense forest, seeking a foe that might only +be bent on luring them along, until ready to pounce on them in a body, to +make them prisoners of war.</p> + +<p>And so finally the march came to an end, with all hands satisfied that +the last meeting of the little host of new scouts had been attended by +several of the most exciting circumstances that ever befell the boys of +Stanhope.</p> + +<p>Paul and his chum walked on together, until reaching the first home they +said good night. But neither again brought up that subject which had been +worrying Jack Stormways for so long a time.</p> + +<p>If Paul had conceived any sort of an idea in connection with the strange +disappearance of the old coins, he kept it to himself.</p> + +<p>Once, however, on the way home after leaving Jack, he stopped to clap his +hand down vigorously on his knee, and whispered to himself:</p> + +<p>"Now, I wonder if that could possibly be so?"</p> + +<p>But no matter what idea had struck him, further words didn't come to tell +whether his thoughts were connected with Jack's personal trouble; or on +the other hand if the annoying enmity of Ted Slavin, Ward Kenwood, and +their would-be scout troop, was still on his mind.</p> + +<p>Nevertheless, as Paul passed up to the front door of his home, and +stopped a minute to look up at the bright moon sailing across the eastern +heavens, he considered that he had good reason to feel more than +satisfied with the magnificent results already attending the new methods +of the Boy Scouts.</p> + +<p>On the following day he sent off the letter containing a check which his +father gave him in place of the money, so that it might not be lost.</p> + +<p>Then followed a period of anxious waiting, during which many of the +members of the Stanhope Troop No. 1 felt touches of envy at sight of +their rivals parading the streets, decked out in the full regalia of +Scouts, and carrying themselves with the proudest of airs.</p> + +<p>They knew that Ted and Ward were busily engaged in drilling their +followers in many of the devices prominently mentioned in the manual +book. For that matter, though, it did not require regulation suits of +khaki to excel in those same things; and so the Foxes also studied and +experimented, and burned candles at night in the endeavor to learn all +that was possible of those various accomplishments.</p> + +<p>There was a great difference in the boys of the town.</p> + +<p>Few who were of the proper age but who belonged to one or the other of +the troops; and people were beginning to notice how much more manly they +carried themselves, and how anxious they seemed now to get credit marks +at home.</p> + +<p>Parents upon meeting never failed to talk about this wonderful change, +and express hopes that it would last.</p> + +<p>"The best thing that ever happened, barring none, I think," was what the +old minister declared, at a meeting of the Women's Club; "and it deserves +to be encouraged. Why, you ladies should take advantage of this wave of +reform, to get these lads interested in keeping the streets of the town +clean. Give me fifty willing workers among the boys, and I warrant you +there will never be a stray piece of paper blowing around. They'll +provide receptacles for trash, and see that everybody uses them."</p> + +<p>And so it went around, and everybody seemed delighted at the innovation. +Only a few skeptical old fogies shook their heads, and declared that it +was too good to last, and that they about expected to see the boys of +Stanhope transplanted to the heavens in a body presently, since their +wings must be sprouting.</p> + +<p>About this time it came to the ears of Paul that the banner which the +peace-loving Quaker, Mr. Westervelt, had offered for the most proficient +troop of scouts along the Bushkill, had been placed on exhibition in the +window of a jewelry store over in the manufacturing town of Manchester.</p> + +<p>He and Jack wheeled over that very day to inspect the coveted trophy. +When they saw what a beauty it was, their hearts thrilled with new +aspirations.</p> + +<p>"Worth fighting hard for, eh, Paul?" observed Jack.</p> + +<p>"I should say, yes," replied the other, delight written in big letters on +his face, pressed so close to the glass; "and I reckon it would do our +fellows lots of good just to run down here to look at that dandy banner. +I must tell them all about it, and have them see it for themselves."</p> + +<p>"A bully good idea. You know how to get a fellow to put his best licks +into any job he undertakes," declared his chum, admiringly.</p> + +<p>"Humbug!" scornfully replied Paul; "why, it's as easy as falling off a +log. Don't you feel more like straining every nerve in the effort to win +that prize, after seeing how handsome it is? Well, I just try to believe +every fellow is more or less like I am. That's the whole secret. Yes, +Stanhope must work hard to catch up with the other fellows."</p> + +<p>There were several boys standing around, also gaping at the fine snowy +banner, upon which as the card under it, went on to state, was to be +embroidered with colored silk the totem of the leading patrol of the +successful troop.</p> + +<p>These fellows could not help knowing who the strangers in town were; and +it was also easy for them to guess what had brought Paul and Jack down +there. More than a few times had they seen these Stanhope boys competing +on the athletic field, either in baseball, or football. And of course it +was always good form for Manchester lads to "josh" any would-be rivals.</p> + +<p>"Yes," said one of the natives, with a grin, "up in that corner is where +the eagle is going to be painted. And every time we go on a hike we'll +carry that banner at the head of the procession."</p> + +<p>"They say," remarked another, with pretended innocence, "that poor old +Stanhope is getting up a troop, and even hopes to have a try for this +beauty. Now, what do you think about the nerve of that, fellows?"</p> + +<p>"Oh! well, the more the merrier," came from a third, whom Paul knew to be +the scout leader of the "Eagles" in person, "and after all, we don't mind +showing these tenderfeet scouts how to do stunts. None of us want to be +hogs, boys. There's room enough for all, even if some do have to eat +the husks."</p> + +<p>Paul had to laugh out loud at this.</p> + +<p>"Say, you're on to us, all right, Manchester," he said, turning around. +"Yes, we've come down here just to take a peep at this great prize. Of +course we'd like mighty well to say we meant to win it; but we're too +modest for that. The most we admit is that we mean to make a try for it. +Of course we haven't got much show against two such veteran troops as +Manchester and Aldine; but we want to get all the fun out of the game we +can. And you won't begrudge us that, Claypool?"</p> + +<p>"Sure we won't, Morrison," returned the other, frankly, thrusting out +his hand; "as I said before, the more in it the better. It will make our +victory look bigger."</p> + +<p>"Glad to see you're so dead sure of winning out," laughed Paul; "whenever +the Stanhope boys go into anything they always work harder if they have +big odds against them. But all the same that's a bully good banner, and +no matter whether it has an eagle, the head of a beaver, or that of a +fox worked on it in colored silk, it's going to be something we'll all +be proud of as Boy Scouts."</p> + +<p>"That's well put, Morrison; though you might just as well get it out of +your head now as later that the Manchester fellows will ever let any +crowd come in here and take that dandy flag away. Why, our fellows know +ten times as much about scout tactics as your greenhorns do now."</p> + +<p>Claypole did not mean to be overbearing; when he said this he really +believed it to be an actual fact.</p> + +<p>"That's very true," said Paul, quietly, as he and his chum prepared to +mount their wheels for the return journey; "but Thanksgiving is still +more than two months off; and Claypole, I give you my word, we've got +some of the smartest tenderfeet in the Stanhope troop you ever heard +of. Ta-ta, boys!"</p> + +<p>Of course, when Paul and Jack told what they had seen, every fellow +wanted to make the run over to Manchester to look for himself. And, +just as Paul had expected, they came back home more than ever enthused +with the hope and prospect of winning that royal banner for the Stanhope +troop.</p> + +<p>At the next meeting the talk was all about the prize, and a vote was even +taken to ascertain to whom the honor of being the banner bearer might +fall, in case the victory was awarded to Stanhope. Wallace Carberry +turned out to be the lucky standard bearer.</p> + +<p>All of which was just what clever Paul wanted. He had infused a new +stimulant into the veins of his comrades. And at their next outdoor +rally, when various contests were undertaken to discover who showed the +most skill, he found that the very atmosphere seemed to be surcharged +with electricity; for the boys labored to excel as they had never done +before; but it was because each one believed that upon his shoulders +alone devolved the duty of bringing that beautiful prize to Stanhope.</p> + +<p>Four days later the expected suits arrived, much sooner than even the +most sanguine had anticipated.</p> + +<p>Then there <i>was</i> a time.</p> + +<p>The usually quiet and peaceful streets of the town were fairly filled +with khaki-clad warriors, strutting up and down, exchanging military +salutes, and arousing the admiration of all the girls, who came forth +to gaze and applaud.</p> + +<p>It was a great day for Stanhope. A stranger visiting there for the first +time might think some military academy must have taken up fall quarters +near by, and granted full liberty to its uniformed hosts.</p> + +<p>If there were those who had been hesitating about joining either of the +troops, a decision must certainly follow the first glimpse of those +gallant uniforms.</p> + +<p>That night many a lad ate supper as an honored guest at his father's +table; for surely the wearer of a uniform must be entitled to unusual +privileges.</p> + +<p>Of course the word had gone around for a meeting of the Stanhope No. 1. +But it was not to be held at the Shipley barn—oh! no, those boys had +had "quite a sufficiency," as Bobolink said, of their former quarters; +and Bluff admitted that his father would not dare use the building again +that year for his tobacco crop.</p> + +<p>Jason Carberry, father of the twins, had asked as a favor that they make +use of his big smithy; and since the night air was cool, Paul had +accepted this generous proposition of the blacksmith on the spot.</p> + +<p>So that was where they came together, a uniformed organization, at last.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XIII" id="CHAPTER_XIII"></a>CHAPTER XIII</h2> + +<h3>"FIRE!"</h3> + + +<p>"Man the bellows, somebody."</p> + +<p>"Yes, stir up the fire in that forge, William. It's the coldest September +night on record, and that's a fact!" exclaimed Bobolink, as he pushed +the lively member of the Carberry team toward the smouldering fire left +by the blacksmith when he gave over his capacious smithy to the Boy +Scouts for their meeting.</p> + +<p>"M-m-my dad s-s-says he once lost his t-t-t-tobacco c-crop in +S-s-september!" observed Bluff, shaking his head as he pushed toward +the fire.</p> + +<p>The boys had had a fine meeting.</p> + +<p>Besides the twenty-two in their new uniforms, four new recruits had been +present, to drink in with eager ears all that passed, and sigh for the +day to come when they too might shine forth in such resplendant suits.</p> + +<p>Already was there much rivalry shown in the many competitions which the +young scout leaders had instituted. There was a class on aviation, +another that had taken up the mysteries of camping with all its +fascinating details; a third chose photography as the most entrancing +subject, and exhibited many pictures that were to be entered in the great +contest of the county for the banner.</p> + +<p>Then several boys had doubled, for surely the knowledge of cookery went +hand in hand with that of camping; while a good stalker could at the same +time enter for a merit badge in the path-finding line.</p> + +<p>Besides, though the season was late for swimming, several fellows who +knew just what their best accomplishment might be, had qualified to +enter this class.</p> + +<p>On the whole the meeting had been a most interesting one. Every scout +was burning with enthusiasm, and many were the resolutions that Stanhope +must have what Bobolink called a "show-in," with regard to that coveted +banner, which was to fall to the leading patrol of the county.</p> + +<p>They were now almost ready to "break camp" for the evening, and before +doing so indulged in a little general talk. Many had ideas which they +wished to advance, in order to discover what the attitude of their +comrades might be.</p> + +<p>"Mr. Chairman," said Wallace Carberry, when he found a little lull in the +buzz of conversation, "I have a proposition I'd like to put before the +meeting before we disband."</p> + +<p>"Hear! hear!" shouted several of the boys, notably those who had been +seen in close confab with Wallace, and hence probably in touch with his +scheme.</p> + +<p>"All right, Number Seven; let's hear what it is," replied Paul, readily.</p> + +<p>Every member of each patrol had a number. These began with the scout +leader, who of course had to take the "initial sack," as Bobolink, still +baseball wild, put it. Jack, as his assistant in control, came as Number +Two; Bobolink next; Bluff captured Four as his distinguishing feature; +Nuthin' being Five, and the twins the next pair, for it would never do to +separate William and Wallace, while Tom Betts was Eighth and last.</p> + +<p>"If the gentlemen present will give me the floor, with the privilege of +three minutes in which to explain what I have in mind, I will be glad to +comply."</p> + +<p>Wallace was very precise in his way of putting things. This did not +happen only when in school, or as he stood up to address a meeting of +his chums. He could not unbend his dignity even under the most trivial +conditions.</p> + +<p>William was just the reverse; and so full of frolic and fun that the boys +always declared the pair to be unequally matched, since in disposition +they were exact opposites.</p> + +<p>And yet under it all there was the same abiding affection that generally +may be found between twins.</p> + +<p>"Hear! hear!" shouted the boys once more.</p> + +<p>"Let's have it, Wallace, old sport. It's bound to be a jim-dandy idea!" +declared a loud voice that seemed to spring from the ceiling; but no one +was deceived, for they knew only too well how Bobolink could throw his +voice pretty much where he pleased.</p> + +<p>"Silence!"</p> + +<p>When Paul, who in the absence of a regular scout master, occupied the +chair, uttered this one word every sound ceased; and after that there was +no excuse for Wallace to hesitate longer.</p> + +<p>"Some of us have been talking it over, Mr. Chairman, and we would +respectfully request that you name an early date when we can go out into +the woods for several tests of skill. There is much keen rivalry among a +number of us already, which can only be settled by an open trial. First +of all there is the interesting water-boiling test of woodmanship. We +want to know who is the leading light in that class so we may push him +forward to enter the general competition with other Boy Scout troops. Am +I understood, Mr. Chairman?"</p> + +<p>"I think you have made your meaning plain, and the one particular +competition you mention happens to be the most interesting of all," +replied Paul.</p> + +<p>"Then may we hope that you will name an early day for the trial to come +off? Unfortunately school begins shortly now, and outside of Saturdays +and holidays the several Fox patrols may not have much chance to practice +before the grand trial comes off. Make it as early as possible, Mr. +Chairman."</p> + +<p>"How would to-morrow do?" asked Paul, only too anxious himself to +ascertain how the boys would "toe the mark."</p> + +<p>Wallace looked at his backers, and there were vigorous nods in answer to +the question seen upon his face.</p> + +<p>"It seems to be the unanimous consensus of opinion, Mr. Chairman, that +to-morrow would suit first rate. Please give us the hour for assembling, +and you can depend on our being on deck," Wallace remarked.</p> + +<p>"Two o'clock ought to answer. That will give us plenty of time to try out +a lot of stunts I shall arrange for."</p> + +<p>"Where shall we meet?" asked Jud Elderkin.</p> + +<p>"H-h-how about our b-b-barn, fellows?" queried Bluff, grinning.</p> + +<p>There was an instantaneous howl of derision, and every right hand went up +so that the thumb and forefinger might compress a nose.</p> + +<p>"Another year might do, Bluff!" called one.</p> + +<p>"What isn't fit for storing tobacco can't be a proper meeting place for +respectable Boy Scouts!" declared another, energetically.</p> + +<p>"Oh! he's only bluffing, fellows; don't mind him!"</p> + +<p>"In fancy I can smell it now," sang another, mockingly.</p> + +<p>"We'll meet just outside this very blacksmith shop, and at two sharp," +declared the chairman, decisively; "and any scout who is tardy will +be given one or more bad marks that he must carry as a load in the +competition. Punctuality is a leading trait in Stanhope Troop No. 1, +you understand. Any other proposition?"</p> + +<p>The boys began to talk among themselves, and for a short time there was +a constant buzz that sounded like a big hive of bees.</p> + +<p>Jack found himself in contact with Paul while this was going on. He had +been doing his duty to the best of his ability as he understood it; and +while the meeting was in progress had proven conclusively that he had a +thorough knowledge of the many things a full fledged scout must know.</p> + +<p>Jack meant to graduate from the tenderfoot class in the shortest possible +space of time. Any scout may do this by being diligent in the pursuit of +various lines of woodcraft.</p> + +<p>"Well," said Jack, as he pushed alongside his chum, "this has been a +dandy meeting, all right. And there are four new fellows knocking at the +door; with perhaps more to follow, when Stanhope learns what great times +we have."</p> + +<p>"Yes, and I guess we'll need new recruits right along. You know that some +of the boys will fall by the wayside soon after the novelty has worn +off," remarked wise Paul, who delighted in studying human nature as he +saw it around him.</p> + +<p>"Listen! fellows! The fire alarm!" shouted Joe Clausin, just at that +instant.</p> + +<p>Every voice was hushed.</p> + +<p>Clear upon the night air rang out the sound of a tocsin—the stroke of a +hammer upon a steel rim from a locomotive wheel, and which was hung aloft +in the only firehouse in Stanhope.</p> + +<p>It was a thrilling sound at any time, and especially to a company of +boys newly enlisted in the great cause of humanity—of lending a hand +to neighbors who might be in trouble. So after several more clear, +resounding strokes had pealed forth, calling the volunteer department +out to fight the fire demon, one scout started wildly for the double +doors of the smithy.</p> + +<p>He was immediately followed by others, and in almost the twinkling of an +eye the Carberry blacksmith shop was emptied of its late noisy crowd.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XIV" id="CHAPTER_XIV"></a>CHAPTER XIV</h2> + +<h3>JACK'S CHANCE</h3> + + +<p>"Wow! look at that, will you?"</p> + +<p>"It's a barn most likely!"</p> + +<p>"Don't you believe it. I can see the roof of the house! Say, I believe it +must be that old Bradley place! Come along, fellows!"</p> + +<p>"There are the firemen on the run! They'll have old Rescue No. 1 on the +jump in a jiffy. Hey, fellers, let's get busy, and pull the hose cart for +'em!"</p> + +<p>"Bully idea. Lead the way, Paul! It's up to you to show us how!"</p> + +<p>With these and many more cries the Boy Scouts bore down on the building +that sheltered the lone fire department of the town. This consisted of +a cast-off engine in good repair which had been purchased from some big +city, where they were installing an auto in place of horse power for +propelling their machines; and a hose reel, the latter to be drawn by +a line of men.</p> + +<p>Of course the assembling firemen were only too glad of the offered aid. +To have a score of husky boys appear so readily on the scene, ready for +business, was in the line of a "snap."</p> + +<p>Accordingly, while some of the men got the horses hitched to the engine, +and others started the fire going, the hose cart was rushed out, and its +long rope eagerly seized by the waiting boys.</p> + +<p>Paul was at the end of the line, for a scout leader must live up to his +reputation as a general, no matter what the emergency.</p> + +<p>"Pull!" went forth the cry, and immediately the hose reel started off in +the direction where a flash of fiery red announced that the excitement +was centred.</p> + +<p>Nothing could please such an energetic lot of lads more than a chance to +make themselves useful in this way. They pulled with a will, and passed +along the road leading out of the town, on a wild run.</p> + +<p>The one who had declared that it was the old Bradley house that was on +fire must have had the situation well in mind. Perhaps he lived in that +neighborhood, and was better able to judge than the balance of the boys. +At any rate all of them had by now made sure of the fact.</p> + +<p>Paul remembered that a family, in which were quite a number of children, +had lately come to town, and taken the big ramshackle building.</p> + +<p>The thought gave him a thrill, and inwardly he found himself hoping that +none of them might be caught in that fire-trap.</p> + +<p>"There comes the old machine!" shouted the fellow who, not being able to +get a grip on the rope by which the hose wagon was drawn, trotted in the +rear, and made out to push.</p> + +<p>Yes, they could hear the shouts of the excited fire laddies now, and also +catch the sound of galloping horses.</p> + +<p>Looking over his shoulder, Paul saw a medley of moving lights, evidently +the lanterns carried by the volunteers. These were doubtless clad in +their old toggery and fire hats, the foreman with his silver trumpet in +evidence, without which no respectable fire would think of allowing +itself to be quenched.</p> + +<p>And a rising column of sparks attested to the fact that the fire in the +engine was in full blast, so that steam would be ready by the time the +scene of operations was reached.</p> + +<p>"One side, boys, and let them pass! Give them plenty of room!" called +Paul.</p> + +<p>He had seen that old engine booming along to a fire on many an occasion, +and remembered that the driver, Hank Seeris, was inclined to be a +reckless hand; for as a rule the machine was wobbling from side to +side, and threatening to overturn at any minute.</p> + +<p>Up to this date that catastrophe had never happened; but Paul remembered +the old saying that "a pitcher may go to the well once too often;" and he +had fears.</p> + +<p>It proved that they were well grounded too, after the hose reed had +safely negotiated the last bend in the road, and the burning dwelling was +in plain sight.</p> + +<p>"Look at them coming, full tilt! They will be over at the turn!" shrieked +Bobolink, who, being near the tail end of the double line could observe +what was taking place without hindrance.</p> + +<p>Immediately there arose a chorus of loud shouts, as of warning. But +apparently Hank Seeris must have been indulging in more liquor than was +good for him; or else he happened to be in an unusually reckless state.</p> + +<p>"They're going over!" howled Bobolink.</p> + +<p>"Smash!"</p> + +<p>"Oh! there goes our only engine to the scrap heap!" exclaimed Jud +Elderkin, in dismay; for his father happened to be the foreman, and it +looked just then as though the gallant fireman might be without a job.</p> + +<p>Paul ran back, as did most of the boys, thinking that something terrible +must have happened.</p> + +<p>The plunging horses had been pulled down, and a man was already sitting +on the head of each to keep them from kicking further. There are +generally some wise persons present in such a calamity, who know just +what ought to be done.</p> + +<p>Willing hands were already unhitching the horses, so that they could be +taken out of the way, and the ditched engine upraised.</p> + +<p>"Where's Hank, the driver! Is he hurt?" asked some one; and Paul +recognized the old minister, who must have been on the way home from +visiting when the alarm burst out, and hence he had accompanied the fire +fighters, eager to lend a hand at the rescue work.</p> + +<p>"Here he is, and just comin' to, after being knocked senseless. Hank +ain't hurted, I reckon," answered a citizen who had run with the machine.</p> + +<p>"How about the engine—is she much damaged?" asked the foreman, as men +set about raising the heavy Rescue No. 1.</p> + +<p>"Out of business for this trip, Elderkin. She'll never work again till +she's gone down to the city for repairs," came the answer.</p> + +<p>A groan of dismay went up.</p> + +<p>"That settles the fate of the old Bradley house, then," declared many, as +they saw the flames and smoke apparently increasing.</p> + +<p>Everybody was now anxious to get on the scene, and the engine was left in +charge of a watcher, while the crowd rushed along, exchanging views of +the accident, and the chances of saving the building by means of a bucket +brigade.</p> + +<p>The foreman proved himself to be the right man in the right place. He +instantly organized a double line of men and boys, leading from the creek +near by, up to the house that was burning.</p> + +<p>Every imaginable species of bucket and tin pail was pressed into use. Men +and boys invaded the kitchen and captured all sorts of utensils, from +milkpans to butter firkins.</p> + +<p>These were put into use, and passed along as rapidly as those at the +creek end could plunge them in, and fill them with water.</p> + +<p>At the other terminus the foreman and his assistants took the water +pails, and dashed the contents here and there as opportunity arose.</p> + +<p>The Boy Scouts were nearly all somewhere in the line, and working +valorously. For the time being they utterly forgot they were dressed in +their new suits of khaki, and that the pails slopped over continuously, +soon soaking them to the skin.</p> + +<p>Cheered on by the appeals of their leader they never flinched. It was the +first chance Paul had of seeing how his enlisted followers could forget +self, and rise grandly to an occasion.</p> + +<p>When any one showed signs of tiring he was quickly crowded out of the +line by another eager willing worker. Indeed, there seemed to be three +applicants for each job; and had there been more buckets several lines +might have been formed to make use of that accommodating creek.</p> + +<p>Jack, after a little, found himself pushed aside by another scout, who +wanted to exercise his muscles, and could wait no longer.</p> + +<p>Seeing a group around some children, and hearing sudden cries from a +woman, Jack hurried across the lawn. Somehow he seemed to fear that +new trouble had broken out; and when he saw a half-clad figure wringing +her hands, and shrieking, he realized that his suspicions were going to +prove true.</p> + +<p>"What is it?" he asked, of another scout, coming away from the group.</p> + +<p>"Her baby. She says it is in the house!" replied the boy, whose face was +white with the horror of it all.</p> + +<p>"What?" cried Jack; "did she forget her own baby, then?"</p> + +<p>"She thought her husband had it. He's a sick man too. See, that's him +they are holding back there. He wants to go in for the baby, and they +won't let him. Oh! Jack, I'd like to do it, but I'm afraid of fire. I +just dassent!" sobbed the boy.</p> + +<p>Jack waited to hear no more. His blood seemed to be on fire, and his +teeth came together with a click.</p> + +<p>Another moment and he was in the group, eagerly plying the almost +distracted mother with questions as to which room her baby had been in. +Fortunately Jack had once known a boy living in the old Bradley mansion; +so that the interior of the house was not strange to him.</p> + +<p>"Our bedroom—it is the corner one where the tower stands. The one that +has the alcove!" the lady managed to cry, as she caught his arm, and +looked, oh, so pleadingly, in his boyish, determined face.</p> + +<p>After that Jack would have risked anything in the attempt to save that +innocent little one. He rushed off without saying a word. Several put +out a hand to stop him, under the belief that it was useless, since that +portion of the building seemed to be a mass of flames by now. But Jack +dodged them just as he did when running with the ball on the football +field.</p> + +<p>When he dashed into the house, disappearing in the volume of smoke that +poured from the open doorway, a groan went up from the great crowd; for +they doubted as to whether he would ever be seen alive again.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XV" id="CHAPTER_XV"></a>CHAPTER XV</h2> + +<h3>THE HONOR BRAND</h3> + + +<p>"He's gone!"</p> + +<p>"Who was that boy?" called the foreman of the fire company, as he came +running up, waving his speaking trumpet.</p> + +<p>"Jack Stormways, the lumber man's boy!" some one answered.</p> + +<p>"Well, he's a good one, all right; but I'm sorry for his mother!" said +the experienced fire-fighter, as he looked anxiously at the flames +pouring out from several windows directly under the room next the tower.</p> + +<p>Paul had dropped out of the line. He could not pass another bucket after +seeing the chum he loved so well plunge into the doomed building. From +right and left he heard many things spoken, and presently understood what +it was induced Jack to attempt what seemed so like a foolhardy thing.</p> + +<p>So it would have been, had the object of Jack's attempt been the securing +of valuables, no matter what the amount. But a human life counts for +more than earthly riches; and a brave soul never stops to consider the +risk when a fellow being is in peril of a terrible fate.</p> + +<p>Jack found himself in the midst of dense smoke as soon as he plunged +across the doorsill. He had foreseen this, and with a wisdom beyond his +years made simple preparations to combat the evil.</p> + +<p>On the way to the door he passed close by one who carried a bucket +of water, and some happy inspiration caused him to snatch out his +handkerchief and dip it into the cool liquid, not wringing it out to +any extent.</p> + +<p>This he clapped over his nose, so that in breathing the wet cloth would +keep much of the suffocating vapor from being drawn into his lungs.</p> + +<p>His eyes began to smart furiously. By the time he was half way up the +stairs he could not see a thing around him save murky clouds of smoke, +lighted by the tongues of flame that darted like serpents out of many +places.</p> + +<p>He staggered up still further, and fell on the landing. But gaining his +feet again he pushed on, still heading in the right direction. Only for +the knowledge he possessed regarding the interior of the building, Jack +would have lost his bearings then and there. The result must have been +serious indeed.</p> + +<p>Along the hall he went. It seemed to grow hotter the further he pushed; +but even that did not daunt him. Once enlisted in a good cause he must +go on, no matter what faced him. Had not Paul said words to that effect, +after telling them what it meant to be a tried and true scout?</p> + +<p>And here the opportunity had come to him not half an hour after the +thrilling words were spoken!</p> + +<p>Those outside while still sending the buckets of water along, in the +effort to save one portion of the large house, were waiting to see what +came of Jack's attempt at rescue.</p> + +<p>"He's lost!" declared one, as the fire broke out in a new place; "see, +that's the tower burning now, and she said the baby was in the room next +there."</p> + +<p>"Poor old Jack! to think it should be him to go!" groaned Bobolink; "see, +Paul, there's his father passing the buckets along. He don't even know +his boy is in the old shack! Oh! my, whatever did he take chances like +that for?"</p> + +<p>"Because he couldn't stand and see that poor mother shrieking for her +baby. Because he's got the strongest heart of us all! That's why!" +declared Paul, his voice vibrating with love for the chum he might never +see alive again.</p> + +<p>And Bobolink said to himself:</p> + +<p>"By the jumpin' Jehosaphat, I believe Paul would have gone if Jack +hadn't. He's lookin' at that house now like he wanted to run right in +and tear it to flinders."</p> + +<p>"There he is at the window!" whooped a man's heavy voice.</p> + +<p>Instantly every eye ranged along the front of the building, wherever the +columns of smoke permitted. And many a finger was pointed at the one +where a waving hat served to draw attention.</p> + +<p>"He's shouting something. Keep still, everybody!"</p> + +<p>A dead silence immediately ensued. Only the roaring and crackling of the +hungry flames could be heard, as every ear was strained to catch what +it was the imperiled boy was saying.</p> + +<p>"He's got the baby—look! he's holding her up!"</p> + +<p>A shriek came from the agonized mother, and she fell on her knees with +clasped hands.</p> + +<p>"Listen to what he says!"</p> + +<p>"Go to back of house—get ladder to window there!" called Jack huskily, +at the top of his voice.</p> + +<p>"Hurrah! we understand, old fellow! We'll have you out of that yet!" +whooped Bobolink, starting on the run around the end of the mansion.</p> + +<p>"A ladder—bring it around, boys! Let's save the brave youngster!" howled +the tall foreman.</p> + +<p>The ladder happened to be up against the building at a point where the +flames had now burst forth, driving the fire-fighters back. Himself, the +foreman led in a bold forward rush to capture the required ladder; nor +was he to be denied, scorning the efforts of the licking tongues of fire +to daunt him.</p> + +<p>Then, with a swarm of followers, he pushed around the corner. Here, +to be sure, there did seem to be less of smoke and blaze, owing to the +direction of the night wind.</p> + +<p>Now they were placing the ladder. It reached up to a window, and if only +Jack would show himself all might be well. Seconds were like an eternity +to those who crowded below, every face upturned, and every eye ranging +along the side of the house.</p> + +<p>The fire was pushing in this direction too, for it suddenly burst out +of a broken window. From many pairs of lips there burst a groan. Well +did they know that every second counted against the boy, who was +doubtless groping his way along halls and through rooms filled with +that overpowering smoke.</p> + +<p>"There he is!"</p> + +<p>It was like a sudden electric shock, that cry. The clarion notes of a +bugle would not have thrilled that vast crowd one half so surely as did +the appearance of a head at a window on the left.</p> + +<p>Jack had been shrewd enough to pick out a room that was further away from +the devouring flames. A hoarse shout went up at sight of him.</p> + +<p>"He's got the baby too!" was the tenor of that victorious cry; and it +was as though every man and boy and other person present felt a personal +interest in the success of Jack's daring venture.</p> + +<p>The precious baby was saved; yes, he was hugging the bundle to his +breast; and during a lull in the clamor they plainly heard the lusty +cries that proceeded from that shawl-wrapped package. Those were +doubtless the most blessed sounds that ever reached the strained ears +of the praying mother.</p> + +<p>Quickly was the ladder lifted and rushed along the wall of the house +until it stood beneath the window where Jack had shown himself.</p> + +<p>The foreman himself mounted as soon as it was in position. But Jack +refused to hand over his burden, nor could Mr. Elderkin insist. It was +only right that the one who had saved the little darling should have the +pleasure of placing her in the arms of the frantic mother.</p> + +<p>But he could and did guide Jack's feet as they sought the rounds of +the friendly ladder, so that presently the boy, with singed hair, and +begrimed with smoke, was lifted to the ground.</p> + +<p>Hardly had Jack landed than a pair of arms encircled both him and the +baby; for in that happy moment the mother realized what she owed this +brave lad; and her heart was brimming over with gratitude.</p> + +<p>Such shouts as went up then! Those still coming to the scene must have +thought the wearers of the fire hats had succeeded in running a line of +hose into a position where victory was assured.</p> + +<p>Again the bucket brigade got busy, working with renewed zeal, though +but little hope of saving any portion of the big building now remained. +But every one was roused up to fever pitch by the excitement of the hour. +And Jack's valiant work had helped inspire them to renewed deeds of +endeavor.</p> + +<p>Paul led his chum away, for Jack was almost exhausted. Then came Mr. +Stormways on the run, having just learned what his boy had done. He +seized Jack in his arms, and shed tears over him; though at the same time +his heart must have swelled within him with satisfaction that one of +his brood had acquitted himself so well in a crisis that called for a +cool head and nerves of steel.</p> + +<p>The flames kept on eating into the old building. It was now doomed, and +the fire laddies confined their efforts to saving any furniture that +could be carried out.</p> + +<p>Paul called his scouts around him, at the request of the old minister. +They were rather a sorry looking group, though just as full of a desire +to assist as ever. The fine new uniforms were bedraggled with mud and +water. Several had holes burned in their coats, and that of Jack was +a sight to behold.</p> + +<p>But who cared? After all, the uniforms were but an insignia of their +connection with a great organization. New or old they stood for a +principle; and gallantly had Stanhope Troop No. 1 responded when the +need arose.</p> + +<p>The old and highly respected minister, whose heart was filled with a +great love for the rising generation, shook hands with each and every +scout, declaring that he was proud of the privilege.</p> + +<p>"Don't mind the soiling of your new uniforms, lads. Every mark found upon +them to-morrow must serve as a badge of honor to the wearer. After this +it will be the tried and true scout who can point to a burnt hole in his +smart coat, and say 'I got that the night of the great fire up at +Bradley's!' And what shall I say of this fine member of your patrol who +so bravely risked his own life to save that of a mother's baby? Only that +his own mother has reason to thank God to-night because of such a son. We +all love him!" and a tear fell on Jack's hand as the old man squeezed it.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XVI" id="CHAPTER_XVI"></a>CHAPTER XVI</h2> + +<h3>THE FIRE TEST</h3> + + +<p>"All here, Paul!"</p> + +<p>Jack saluted as he said this, and smiled to see the look the scout leader +gave his scorched and discolored uniform.</p> + +<p>Although Jack had spent an hour and more that morning trying to clean up +his suit and leggins, they showed many signs of the hard service to which +they had been put on the previous night.</p> + +<p>Several of the fellows carried cameras. They had signed for the +photographic test, and hoped to get some fine views of the troop in +action. These would possibly be entered for competition when the other +commands in the county lined up to strive for leadership in the last +great event—the winning of the banner.</p> + +<p>Presently the town clock struck the hour.</p> + +<p>"Fall in!"</p> + +<p>Two by two they marched out of town. People came to the doors to watch +them; and many a girl waved her handkerchief vigorously. But there was no +response. Much as some of the lads might have liked to raise a hat, and +send back an answering salute, they had already learned how to keep their +eyes to the front, on penalty of being given bad marks that might tell +against them later on.</p> + +<p>More than one parent looked to see how the boy nearest their hearts bore +himself. Proudly they watched the long double line swinging down the +street, keeping excellent step, considering how little time they had had +for drill.</p> + +<p>Other boys there were who stood on the corners and mocked. Of course +these were the followers of Ted Slavin, envious of the popularity already +attained by Paul's patrol. Some of them had been at the fire, and +witnessed the deed of daring carried out by Jack Stormways. Jealous of +the other troop they tried to taunt them by various cries; but without +success.</p> + +<p>However, most of them did not venture to tag after the marching corps. +They knew that even the wonderful patience of these fellows would have +its limit, and that a sudden turn might be made upon the tormentors that +could hardly prove pleasant for the minority.</p> + +<p>Out of the town limits they went, still keeping step. Ted and Ward +trailed behind, but there was no more taunting done.</p> + +<p>"They mean to follow, and see what we are up to," said Jack, when he came +alongside the leader again.</p> + +<p>"Well, we can't stop them from doing that, I suppose. The woods are free +to all. Let them look. If they can pick up a few pointers, well and good. +When we lead, you know we can afford to laugh at those who follow," +returned the other.</p> + +<p>"Sure, because they'll never catch up with us in a year," laughed Jack.</p> + +<p>For a full mile they continued, never once breaking ranks.</p> + +<p>"We're nearly there, fellows. You're doing fine, I tell you. Keep it up +through to the end. Why, you march like veterans already!"</p> + +<p>In this fashion did the scout leader warm every heart, and cause those +who were beginning to tire of the jaunt to grit their teeth, and resolve +that nothing must be allowed to interfere with the completion of the +march.</p> + +<p>"Left wheel!" came the command, as the van drew abreast of an opening +where a wagon road entered the woods.</p> + +<p>Still those two curious ones trailed in the rear, determined to ascertain +what it was that took the Fox Patrols out of town this day.</p> + +<p>Presently, surrounded by the giant trees, still green with their summer +foliage, Paul gave the command to halt and break ranks.</p> + +<p>Immediately the twenty-six lads began fraternizing. Those owning cameras +started to look around for openings where some promising view offered. +But most of the scouts clustered around the leader, eager to hear what +the programme of the day would embrace.</p> + +<p>"First comes the fire test. There are a dozen fellows who have come +prepared to qualify for that. And I think we shall have an interesting +competition. Here, all who have hatchets get busy, and cut wood."</p> + +<p>Paul himself led the way, for he delighted in using the little camp axe +which he often "toted" into the woods, when hunting or camping.</p> + +<p>The sound of chopping soon resounded through the timber, and by degrees +quite a pile of wood had been accumulated. But all this was simply to +loosen up the muscles of the competitors; for they were not to be allowed +to use any of this fuel, which was for the main campfire.</p> + +<p>Once this had been started, Paul distributed a dozen tin kettles that had +been brought along. These were all of the same size. Moreover, they had a +plain mark two-thirds of the way up, which was to limit the amount of +cold water from the near-brook which they must contain.</p> + +<p>"Here are five matches for each one of you. Every fellow is placed on his +honor not to have a single other one in his possession. You are not to +use any kind of paper in kindling your fires. Just imagine that you are +adrift in the wilderness, where a newspaper is never seen. And in the end +when a kettle begins to boil the owner of it must shout and raise his +hand. I will have inspectors appointed whose duty it will be to see that +all is fairly done."</p> + +<p>"Don't we get more than these five matches?" asked one of the +contestants.</p> + +<p>"That is all. And remember, that if two are tied when the quart of water +boils, the fellow who can show the most <i>unused</i> matches comes in ahead. +That is a valuable point, for it proves that he knows how to conserve his +resources. A match is sometimes of priceless value to a man lost in the +big timber."</p> + +<p>"Tell us again what we must do, Paul."</p> + +<p>"Form a line right here. When I say 'go,' every fellow dart off to some +place he has in mind. With your hatchets you are to chop wood, and get a +fire started as quick as you can. Then place your kettle on it, and keep +on adding fuel until the water boils. I will time every contestant +myself, and keep a record. But this is just a preliminary trial. We'll +have another later on. Ready, all?"</p> + +<p>The twelve contestants lined up, while the others watched operations. +Even the two outsiders had kept getting closer, so as to understand all +that was done. And as Ward had his gold watch in his hand it was evident +that he intended to do a little timing himself.</p> + +<p>"He wants to see how our best compares with what some of his fellows will +do," remarked Jack, to Paul.</p> + +<p>"All right. He's welcome. The more the merrier. If they have any fellow +who is more at home in the woods than Wallace Carberry for instance, I'd +just like to know it," returned the other, promptly.</p> + +<p>"How about you, Paul? I guess Wallace would stand a mighty poor show if +he ran a race with the head scout," returned the second in command.</p> + +<p>"That's something we've never settled yet. Wallace and I must have a +chance at each other some day; but not yet. Now watch them scurry around. +Every fellow has his mind made up where he can cut wood easiest. I've +made them bring in all loose stuff, you see, so that they start on an +even thing. Here goes!"</p> + +<p>Paul raised his hand, and exclaimed:</p> + +<p>"Go!"</p> + +<p>Immediately the dozen lads darted frantically off. Several came near +having a collision right in the start, which would have been fatal to +their chances for winning out; since the water in their kettles must have +been spilled; and according to the rules of the contest they could not +refill the same without journeying to the creek, which Paul had made sure +was fully fifty yards distant.</p> + +<p>It was a laughable, as well as interesting sight.</p> + +<p>Having reached the various places mentally selected as the scene of their +intended operations in fire building, the boys set down their kettles, +and commenced to feverishly whack away at dead branches, or other wood.</p> + +<p>In several instances two of them happened to pick out the same place, and +naturally there was considerable rivalry between them, as well as an +exchange of remarks intended to irritate and delay.</p> + +<p>"Look at Wallace, will you!" observed Jack, presently; "nearly all the +others have smoke going, but he's chipping away as steadily as you +please. Why, he seems in no hurry at all. I guess he doesn't want to +come in ahead!"</p> + +<p>"Wait, my boy," laughed Paul. "You don't know that sly fox. He's up to +all the dodges at fire making, and believes in a good start. Some of +those smokes never will amount to much, for they just struggle along, and +threaten to go out because it takes all the puffing the fellows can give +to keep them alive. Now he's going to strike up. Only one match needed +with Wallace, you see."</p> + +<p>"And how his blaze jumps! You were right; he made sure he had enough fine +kindling first, before starting in. Now he's adding larger stuff; and +what's this he's doing with those stones?"</p> + +<p>"What do you suppose?" said the scout leader, nodding his head +approvingly. "Making a little fireplace where he can perch his kettle, +and have the hottest part of his fire under it. Note also that the +opening is in the direction of the breeze. That allows the flame to be +fanned. Wallace will never have to blow out his cheeks and puff to keep +his blaze going."</p> + +<p>By this time some of the contestants were bobbing their heads to +ascertain just how Wallace had done it; and made haste to follow suit. +All were willing to take pattern from a past master who knew the wrinkles +of the game.</p> + +<p>One upset his kettle, and despairing of having any show, withdrew from +the race.</p> + +<p>Eleven fires kept on burning, some of them under protest, apparently, +for they did not give much promise of landing their unlucky builders as +victors.</p> + +<p>"How long is it?" asked Jack, presently, as certain signs caught his eye +that told him the end was near.</p> + +<p>"Just nine minutes; but—"</p> + +<p>"Look at Wallace," cried Jack; "he's raising his hat. There goes an +inspector to see. He nods his head. The water must be boiling; and who +would have thought it? Hurrah for the Carberry Twin! Look at Ted and +Ward! They act as if they thought there was some trickery, for they're +running up to see. I guess they've tried this game, and come in under the +wire in about fifteen minutes. Hello! there's Bluff calling out. Good +boy! He's going to run Wallace a race next time. But I'd like to see you +make the test, Paul?"</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XVII" id="CHAPTER_XVII"></a>CHAPTER XVII</h2> + +<h3>CLEARING SKIES</h3> + + +<p>Paul made no reply to this remark of his chum.</p> + +<p>Having studied the charms of outdoor life always, he knew that he would +be placing his friends under a heavy handicap if he ever attempted to +compete with them in woodlore.</p> + +<p>True, just as he said, Wallace was somewhat of an unknown quantity; for +he, too, seemed to have a deep love for everything connected with life in +the forest, and never tired of reading books that told of pioneers and +their ways.</p> + +<p>The scout leader immediately started some of the boys along another tack. +They were given a chance to find a lost trail, to detect all manner of +signs such as would be apt to tell how long previously some one had +passed that way; and to discover where the tracks came out of the creek, +upon the bed of which the unknown had walked quite some distance.</p> + +<p>Of course, Paul had made the trail himself in the morning, running out +here on his wheel so as to prepare the ground. And when they all failed +to find out just how the party had left the creek, since the marked +tracks did not seem to appear anywhere along the banks, he pointed to +where the limb of a tree hung down over the water.</p> + +<p>"That's the ticket!" cried Bobolink, excitedly. "See, fellows, how it's +skinned where his shoes scraped along it."</p> + +<p>"As sure as shooting he climbed up into that tree!" declared one, +excitedly.</p> + +<p>"Then scatter, and examine the ground around the trunk!" said Paul.</p> + +<p>A minute or so later a happy whoop announced that one of the searchers +had discovered the wished-for signs; and away the whole troop went on +a trot, following the leader.</p> + +<p>Meanwhile the photographers managed to get in some of their efforts, +possibly unbeknown to the rest. Exposures where the subjects are +unconscious of their posing always turn out best; since they avoid +stiffness, such as ruins so many otherwise interesting pictures.</p> + +<p>Here, with the woods for a background, Paul, acting by agreement as +temporary scout master, drilled his followers in scout law, sign, salute, +and the significance of the badges which they wore, all of them, of +course, of the tenderfoot type, since few had as yet started to qualify +for any higher plane.</p> + +<p>Signal flags had been brought along; and a class in semaphore work proved +that some of the members of the troop were making rapid progress along +that line. They had mastered the Morse code, too; and had the occasion +arisen might have sent messages over the wire, although probably none +save Paul could have received the same, unless the words came painfully +slow.</p> + +<p>The afternoon passed almost before they realized it; and more than a few +declared that the sun must have dropped like a plummet, when they found +twilight creeping upon the forest.</p> + +<p>Both Ted and Ward had long since gone away, as though disgusted. They had +tried to sneer at the work of Stanhope Troop No. 1; but every one knew +this humor was assumed; and that secretly they were eating their very +hearts out for envy.</p> + +<p>No doubt there would be a hot time among their followers, when the +leaders endeavored to drive them to beat the record Wallace Carberry +had set in his fire starting, and water-boiling test.</p> + +<p>"Suppose you come to supper with me, Paul," suggested Jack, when they +were more than half way back to town, with the double column moving along +like clockwork, every right leg thrust out in unison, as though forming a +part of a well-regulated machine.</p> + +<p>Paul looked quickly at him when Jack said this.</p> + +<p>"Oh! I can see through a millstone, when it has a hole in it," he +remarked.</p> + +<p>"Which is one way of saying that you can guess I have a motive in asking +you?" returned the other, smiling queerly; "well, I have, in fact, +several. In the first place my mother told me to ask you. I rather think +she wants to pump you about that affair last night. Father wouldn't tell +her all she wished to know. Then again I'm still all broken up about +those lost coins; and I thought perhaps you might have guessed the answer +to the riddle."</p> + +<p>"What's that? More of them gone, Jack?" asked Paul, lowering his voice, +so that the two scouts at the tail end of the line might not hear.</p> + +<p>"Don't know yet. Didn't have the nerve to go up into my den since this +morning. To tell the truth that place has lost all charm for me. Whenever +I find myself there I get to shivering, and looking around, just like I +half expected to see a ghost step out, and pick up one of those miserable +coins right before my very eyes—ugh! it's horrible to feel that way, and +I used to be so fond of my den, too."</p> + +<p>"Oh! I hope and expect you will be again, Jack, when we've settled this +little thing. You say none of them were ever taken in the night?" said +Paul, earnestly; while his knitted brows told how much he felt concerned +over the mystery.</p> + +<p>"Certainly not. Always in broad daylight. That's the queer part of it," +returned the other, promptly.</p> + +<p>"Sure, seeing that they always go in the daytime, and when you're away +from home, too. Anybody else going to be there to-night?"</p> + +<p>"To supper—oh! no. Karl went off after breakfast, to visit our uncle for +a few days before school commences. I took him to the train myself, and +then mustered up enough courage to climb up there, and once more count +the coins," went on Jack.</p> + +<p>"Six there then, eh?" asked Paul.</p> + +<p>"Just as last night. And I purposely left the door unlocked."</p> + +<p>"Both door and window open in the bargain?" asked the other; at which +Jack looked puzzled.</p> + +<p>"Of course; though that wouldn't matter at all; for any fellow could turn +the knob, and walk in," he replied.</p> + +<p>"But the door was open, just like a plain invitation to enter, should +anybody think of going up to see—say that again, please," continued +Paul.</p> + +<p>"Well, I do say it again, though I can't understand why you should make +that a point worth mentioning. Still, I have confidence in you, Paul. If +anybody can get at the root of my trouble it's going to be you, old +fellow."</p> + +<p>"I hope you prove a true prophet. As for myself I'm not saying anything +just yet, one way or another," smiled Paul.</p> + +<p>"Yes, but I really believe that you've found out something that gives you +a pointer, Paul. Your face tells me that. You're a wonder about following +a trail in the woods. And I believe you see light in this darkness around +me!" and Jack looked eagerly into the face of his chum as he said this.</p> + +<p>"All I'm going to confess is that I believe I'm on the trail, and that +it seems to be getting warmer the further I go. Just hold your horses +a little while longer, Jack, and perhaps I may be able to tell you +something."</p> + +<p>"The way you smile gives me new courage, old fellow. Oh! I will be so +glad if only it turns out all right. But here we are at the smithy. Shall +you dismiss the troop here, Paul?"</p> + +<p>"Yes. The boys must be pretty tired after last night's work, and this +hike; as well as the many stunts they went through with," and the +temporary master scout presently gave the order to break ranks, and head +for home.</p> + +<p>"Drop in at my house so I can tell my folks not to expect me to dinner," +said Paul, as they approached his home.</p> + +<p>There was not the slightest objection to the programme as arranged. His +parents trusted Paul fully, knowing that, while as fond of fun as the +next lad, he never did things likely to get him into trouble.</p> + +<p>"Now, first of all," remarked Paul, after they were indoors again; "let's +go up, and make sure that anything has happened."</p> + +<p>The door to Jack's den stood wide open, inviting any one to enter.</p> + +<p>Jack had a match lighted in his hand, and with this he quickly touched +the wick of a lamp. Paul heard him draw a long breath as he approached +the spot where the little box lay upon the table desk at which stood the +chair used by the owner of the den when taking his leisure here.</p> + +<p>He bent over, and seemed to be counting the coins. They dropped back into +the receptacle one by one, and with such a ringing sound that even Paul +was able to keep tally. Then Jack turned an anxious and white face +around.</p> + +<p>"Paul, there are only four here. Two more have gone!" he said.</p> + +<p>"Yet you came up here and counted them; you are positive of that?" +demanded Paul.</p> + +<p>"I counted them, and there were six. Five times I did it, to be sure; yet +you saw that there were only four just now?"</p> + +<p>"You came up here after you saw Karl off on the train?" persisted his +chum.</p> + +<p>"Yes, after I returned from the station. But what makes you ask that? +Tell me why you are grinning so, Paul? I know I'm awfully dull just now, +but who could blame me under the circumstances? Please speak up!" Jack +insisted.</p> + +<p>"Why, don't you see, this clears Karl completely. Six here while he was +riding away on the train this morning; and two taken when he is fifty +miles away! Don't that satisfy you it wasn't your brother, after all, +Jack?"</p> + +<p>And Jack dropped down in that chair, letting his head fall in his hands, +while a great joy overspread his face.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XVIII" id="CHAPTER_XVIII"></a>CHAPTER XVIII</h2> + +<h3>CARLO DOES HIS TURN</h3> + + +<p>"Paul, you're a wizard, I do believe!" said Jack, after a bit, as he +looked up at his chum.</p> + +<p>"Well, I hardly think so. This thing was easy; and ten to one you'd have +thought of it sooner or later. For how could Karl have anything to do +with the bad business while he was up at your uncle's?" laughed the +other, with his customary modesty.</p> + +<p>"But if not Karl, then who got my old coins?" persisted Jack, smiling +now.</p> + +<p>"Well, I'm not quite ready to say. I've got two ideas I'm chasing after +now. Give me just a little more time on that, will you, old fellow?" +replied the visitor, as he dropped down on a cot, and let his eyes rove +along the exhibit of college colors illuminating the walls.</p> + +<p>He drew the little box that held the coins toward him. When Jack was not +observing, Paul took the contents out, one by one, and seemed to be +examining them closely. He even scratched one with his finger nail, and +the result appeared to please him, for he chuckled softly. Evidently he +had made a discovery which he deemed important.</p> + +<p>Jack, having finished some little task with which he had busied himself, +came back to his chum.</p> + +<p>"See here, Paul," he remarked; "I'm not going to ask you to tell me who +it is you suspect; but do I know him?"</p> + +<p>"Sure," replied his chum; "and perhaps after we've found out the +wonderful secret, you may even find it in your heart to look on it as +a joke, and forgive him."</p> + +<p>"You don't say? Perhaps, though, I might hardly feel like forgiving a +fellow who would be mean enough to sneak up here so often, and take my +old coins. Think of the ugly feelings he's made me have toward my own +brother. I'll never look Karl in the eye after this without feeling +conscience-stricken. I don't know about forgiving him so easy as all +that," grumbled Jack.</p> + +<p>"Oh! well, don't cross a bridge till you come to it. That's a good motto +for you and for me. Perhaps there are times when I feel the need of it. +Perhaps there's one right now," and Paul shrugged his shoulders as he +spoke, half laughingly.</p> + +<p>"There, I knew that something had gone wrong with you lately. I've +watched you when you thought I wasn't looking, and I've seen you frown. +Suppose you take your old chum into your confidence, Paul? What's +happened? Any trouble at home? Are you bothered over the Boy Scout troop +we've been organizing? Is it about your school affairs?"</p> + +<p>Paul shook his head each time the other brought forward a suggestion.</p> + +<p>"You're a most determined fellow, Jack," he said, good naturedly; "and +perhaps I hadn't ought to speak of such a thing to anybody; but we've +been chums so long, and misery likes company, you know."</p> + +<p>"Then you <i>are</i> in trouble; and you mean to confess to me? Thank you, +Paul, for what you say. I don't think I ever had any cause for worrying +that I didn't come straight to you for comfort. And I always got it, +too."</p> + +<p>"Even when you and Dorothy had that nasty little spat that began to look +serious until I just happened to find the note that made all the trouble, +and forced Eli Kosmer to confess he wrote it. You remember that time, +Jack?"</p> + +<p>"I guess I do. Dorothy often speaks of it to this day; for we're good +friends, and always will be. But see here, why do you just happen to +mention that business? Oh! I begin to see now," added Jack, as Paul +turned red in the face, and laughed in a rather constrained way.</p> + +<p>"I shouldn't wonder but what you did. I'm sure I've denied every other +cause you could think of," he said, sighing heavily.</p> + +<p>"It's Arline then. She's been doing something. Yes, I remember now that +I saw her out riding with Ward Kenwood only yesterday. Say, that dude has +been saying something that wasn't true about you, Paul, I'd just wager +anything. He's gone and poisoned her ears with a yarn. It'd be just like +the sneak!"</p> + +<p>"Just go slow, Jack. You're saying something that you can't prove. Of +course I believe myself that Ward wouldn't stop at anything like that; +but without the least proof I can't accuse him of it," Paul said, +severely.</p> + +<p>"But you could ask Arline?" his friend went on.</p> + +<p>"Could I? Well, when a girl chooses to turn me down without a hearing, +and even smiles when she drives past me in the company of a fellow she +knows I detest, and whom she has often said she disliked, what then? +Think I would so far forget myself as to get down on my knees, and beg +her to take me back into favor? Bah!"</p> + +<p>"Is it so bad as that then? Oh well, there are other girls just as pretty +as Arline; and you've always been a great favorite with them, Paul; but +hold on, why not let me try to straighten this thing out? You've helped +me all right; and tit for tat is fair play."</p> + +<p>"H'm! how do you think you could do anything, Jack? I don't suppose you'd +care to go straight to her, and ask her point blank what I'd done to make +her treat me so cruelly? I shouldn't think of allowing that at all?"</p> + +<p>Paul tried to display an air of indifference; but it was poorly assumed; +and his chum knew full well that he was much more pained at these strange +actions on the part of Arline than he cared to admit.</p> + +<p>"Oh! there are ways and ways. For instance, you know that Dorothy is one +of the crowd of high school girls Arline goes with. Ward's sister Mazie +is another; and that might account for her being at his house so much. +Now, suppose you let me tell Dorothy. She'll keep it a dead secret, and +in some way manage to get a confession. Say you will, Paul!"</p> + +<p>"Have it your own way, old fellow. I'm just about ready to wash my hands +of the whole business. Besides, I've really too many irons in the fire to +be bothering over the silly notions of girls."</p> + +<p>It was bravely put, but did not deceive Jack even a little bit; for he +happened to know just how very fond his friend was of the particular girl +in question.</p> + +<p>"All right, then. Consider that settled, and I won't say any more about +it until I can report progress," remarked the latter.</p> + +<p>"Let's talk of other things than my poor affairs. You insisted on +knowing; and wouldn't take no for an answer. Hello! there's Carlo asking +to come in again. Shall I let him past the door, Jack?"</p> + +<p>"Why, of course. This is his den as well as mine. I keep sugar on tap, so +as to put him through some of his paces. Here Carlo, how's your sweet +tooth coming on?" and Jack snapped his fingers in a peculiar way.</p> + +<p>Immediately the educated dog squatted on his hind quarters, sat upright +with his forepaws drooping appealingly, and waited, cocking his eyes in +a humorous way at his young master, who had opened a drawer in his desk.</p> + +<p>"Just one piece left. Somebody else likes sugar as well as Carlo, I +guess. Well, here you are, now. On trust, boy, on trust!"</p> + +<p>So saying he laid the piece of sugar upon the nose of the dog, balancing +it so there could be no falling off.</p> + +<p>Carlo, knowing what was expected of him, sat there like a drum major, +quivering with eagerness, yet not daring to move as long as he failed to +hear the command.</p> + +<p>"Say, isn't he a sport, all right, Paul? Don't he sit up like a soldier? +Look at his eyes fixed on me. Did you ever see such agony?"</p> + +<p>Paul was laughing now.</p> + +<p>"He's speaking with his eyes, and begging you not to stretch it out too +far, Jack. Have a little mercy on the poor beggar. Look at his tongue +coming out and reaching up. I think he just wants to taste that sugar. +Give it to him now!"</p> + +<p>"Well, Carlo knows that he can't expect to have anything on trust; but +it's a different thing when it's paid for!"</p> + +<p>With the last two words, spoken in a natural tone, Carlo became +galvanized into sudden action. He had received the cue for which he was +waiting so patiently. Immediately he made an upward spring; the lump of +sugar was thrown into the air, and as it came down one quick snap secured +it, after which there was a crunching of canine teeth, and a look of +bliss appeared on Carlo's dog face.</p> + +<p>"There's the supper gong. Come on down to the bathroom and wash up, Paul! +And you come, too, old dog. No more sugar here; see, the drawer is empty. +Carlo never comes up here without sniffing at that drawer, and looking at +me knowingly. Go ahead, Paul, and I'll put out the lamp."</p> + +<p>So they went downstairs, and after a while sought the dining room, where +Paul met both parents of his chum, as well as a gentleman who was +visiting Mr. Stormways.</p> + +<p>"Mr. Jared Pender, an old schoolmate of mine, and with whom I made +several voyages abroad years ago," said Mr. Stormways. "He is in the +employ of the Government now, and has to make visits all over the +country, you know."</p> + +<p>Paul had once met a gentleman who was a post-office inspector, and +somehow took it for granted that Mr. Pender might be engaged in some +similar business; at any rate it concerned him not at all he concluded, +just what the gentleman's private affairs might be, and he gave the +subject little thought.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XIX" id="CHAPTER_XIX"></a>CHAPTER XIX</h2> + +<h3>THE WARNING OVER THE WIRE</h3> + + +<p>After supper the two boys once more ascended to the snuggery near the +roof.</p> + +<p>There was no further reference made to either the disappearance of the +old coins, or Paul's little heart trouble with his girl chum.</p> + +<p>They had a number of books loaned them by the good old minister and which +were full of interesting facts connected with the wonderful Boy Scout +movement, especially over in England, where it originated.</p> + +<p>Paul was deeply interested in picking out all features that would appeal +to American lads. Until they had found the right party to take the +position of troop master he wished to play the part of scout leader in +such fashion that no one could pick a flaw with his management.</p> + +<p>Usually it is some adult to whom this important position is entrusted +from the start; Paul, however, had long been known to be so deeply +interested in many of the branches which concern life in the open, that +his mates were only too glad to have him occupy the exalted position of +leader for the time being.</p> + +<p>When they knew as much as Paul did, they believed they would be well +qualified to pass for a first-class scout's assignment.</p> + +<p>So Paul, with the assistance of his comrade, was selecting many +interesting competitions. By means of these the boys could be tested as +to their knowledge of those things so important to the boy scouts.</p> + +<p>He made many charts showing the different footprints of wild animals, as +well as those of the domestic cat and dog. By following the tracks of +a rabbit a most interesting as well as instructive story could be made +out. It was possible just from the marks on the ground, or the snow, to +tell how the animal had been frightened into wild flight, by what sort of +enemy it had been pursued, where the swoop of owl or eagle had brought +specks of blood upon the leaves or white snow, and finally the picked +bones of poor bunny would reveal the secret of the windup of the chase.</p> + +<p>So, in every case, the student of nature could weave a story out of +the marks discovered. It was so in the days of the Indian, when old +Leatherstocking and his long-barreled rifle were leading factors in the +life of the wilds. Daniel Boone and his pioneers used to read such signs +as easily as any boy might the pages of this book. And the deeper any lad +dips into such fascinating studies the more he wants to learn.</p> + +<p>When half past nine came Paul said he must be going.</p> + +<p>"I've had a jolly evening of it, Jack, and enjoyed every minute with you. +When we get the boys together again we can have half a dozen competitions +going on at once," he said as he arose and stretched himself.</p> + +<p>"That's so," replied the other, following suit; while even Carlo arched +his broad back, and prepared to follow them downstairs; "and the best +of this thing is that the more you go into it the greater it gets. I'm +fairly wild to keep it up."</p> + +<p>Just as the boys reached the lower floor the telephone bell rang, and +Jack, being near, stepped over to the small table in the hall on which +the receiver rested.</p> + +<p>"Yes, sure, he's here. Hold the wire," Paul heard him say, as he smiled; +and then turning to his friend Jack continued: "here, Paul, take hold. +Somebody wants to talk with you. Says he called up your house, and they +told him you were over at my home."</p> + +<p>Paul of course wondered who could be wanting him so positively that he +even followed him over to the Stormways house.</p> + +<p>"Hello! hello!" he said, quietly.</p> + +<p>"That you, Paul?"</p> + +<p>"It's Bobolink, I guess," remarked Paul, for the benefit of his chum who +stood by, listening curiously.</p> + +<p>"That's right," continued the voice over the wire.</p> + +<p>"What's doing to make you chase me up this way, Number Three?" Paul went +on.</p> + +<p>"That's the trouble; I just don't know for sure. But when I caught Ted's +voice among the bunch I said to myself, they're up to no good; and I bet +it's Paul they are laying for."</p> + +<p>"Hey! what's that? Who's laying for me, and where?" demanded the startled +boy.</p> + +<p>"Listen, and I'll tell you all I learned. 'Taint much, but I know that +critter so well that I wouldn't put it past him to try and knock you out, +so that all our drilling in the woods would be upset, and his crowd get +an advantage."</p> + +<p>"Oh! bosh! What's this you're giving me, Bobolink?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, I expected you'd say that. Think I'm stringing you, don't you, +Paul? But I'm not, all the same. Listen again. Perhaps Ted and two of +his cronies have gone and dressed up in some old Hallowe'en toggery until +they look like a set of bears or hyenas just to frolic around a bit. +Well, mebbe they have; but tell me just why they are hiding close to +<i>your</i> place?" continued the talkative yet determined Bobolink.</p> + +<p>"When did you see them?" demanded the other.</p> + +<p>"Not more'n eight minutes ago, Paul. Was comin' home myself. Been over +to Bluff's house to fix up some surprises we expect to play on all you +fellers later on, and show you what we know about this scoutin' business. +On the way home I turned in and passed your house. Often come that way, +you know," and the speaker paused as if for breath, or to hear Paul admit +the fact.</p> + +<p>"Sure. Go on, you slow turtle. You've got me keyed up now to my top-notch +curiosity. Give us the rest of the yarn," said Paul, eagerly.</p> + +<p>"Yarn! H'm! there you go, making out I'm hatching up a story. But take my +word for it, Paul, three fellers are hidin' in the bushes close to your +place, and expectin' some one to pass along in the dark. They started to +jump out at me, and then I heard Ted's voice growlin' to 'em to fade +away, that it wasn't the right one. Thought I'd just ask you if you could +explain what it meant. When your mother told me you was over with Jack I +saw a light, and that's what."</p> + +<p>"Well, I'm glad you told me, Bobolink. A good scout is always on the +alert to do his comrade a clever turn; and I won't forget this. That +all?"</p> + +<p>"But now I've told you, Paul, aren't you goin' to slip around the back +way, and let them fellers take it out waitin'? Three to one is too much. +They'll do you up, and make out 'twas only horseplay. Please give 'em the +slip, Paul. We need you in our business, you know."</p> + +<p>"I'll see about it, Bobolink. Thanks, good-bye!" and Paul switched off.</p> + +<p>"Well, what's all this about?" asked Jack, as his chum turned toward him, +with a frown on his face, and a gleam in his eye that the other knew +stood for grim determination.</p> + +<p>"He says there are three fellows lying in wait in the bushes near my +place, all rigged up in their Hallowe'en toggery; and that he believes +they know I am over at your house. That's all," remarked Paul, with a +little nervous laugh, and a clinching of his hands.</p> + +<p>"Good gracious! you don't say; three of them waiting to pounce on you! +Did he seem to know who they were?" asked Jack, looking worried.</p> + +<p>"Well, you might guess that easy enough," replied Paul, scornfully.</p> + +<p>"Ted Slavin and some of his ugly ducklings?"</p> + +<p>"Bobolink says he recognized Ted's voice. And, I suppose my warm friend +Ward is one of the others. He never loses a chance to get a dig in at +me."</p> + +<p>"I don't know," returned Jack, thoughtfully; "to tell the honest truth I +hardly think he can be one of the bunch, because his sister took Arline +home with her to supper; and I guess Ward couldn't be coaxed out while +<i>she</i> is there."</p> + +<p>Paul winced, but said nothing.</p> + +<p>"Oh! well, it doesn't matter much after all. They're a lot of cowards, or +else they wouldn't be concerned in such a low game. You can give them the +slip by going around the back way," and Jack chuckled at the thought of +those silly fellows waiting an hour or two for the expected victim who +never came, and then going home in sheer disgust.</p> + +<p>Paul shook his head.</p> + +<p>"Now, that's just what Bobolink said, too; but I've made up my mind that +I'm not going to sneak home, like a dog with his tail between his legs," +he said, shutting his teeth hard together.</p> + +<p>"You mean that you'll take the street that leads to the front of your +house? Oh I well, they'll hardly tackle us when they see there are two," +remarked Jack.</p> + +<p>"And by that you mean you expect to go along. I won't let you do anything +of the kind. Even if they allowed us to pass by, don't you think they'd +be apt to take it out of you when you returned alone? No, I'm your +superior officer, and I order you to stop right here where you belong; +do you understand, Jack?"</p> + +<p>"Well," grumbled Jack, shaking his head as if convinced against his will; +"I know you too well to try and go up against you when your mind's made +up; but just the same I think it's a mean shame that you won't let me +walk home with you. Think if they did jump out at us what a jolly time +we'd have handing 'em more than they expected."</p> + +<p>"Give it up, old fellow. But I tell you what I can do. You remember that +baseball bat of mine that's been lying over here so long? I'll carry it +home now, and save you the trouble, thank you," nodded Paul.</p> + +<p>"Bully! a good idea. Here it is behind the door. And Paul, don't spare +the measly bunch; but whack 'em good and hard."</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XX" id="CHAPTER_XX"></a>CHAPTER XX</h2> + +<h3>SUCH GLORIOUS LUCK</h3> + + +<p>Paul walked down the street, swinging the baseball bat carelessly, and +softly whistling to himself.</p> + +<p>He left the street on which his chum's house fronted, and presently came +to his own thoroughfare.</p> + +<p>"H'm!" he said to himself, as he boldly turned in here; "looks kind of +half dark for a fact; but that always suits fellows up to a mean dodge. I +musn't hit too hard, for this is an awful tough old bat, that has brought +me in more than a few home-runs. Well, it's helping me make one now," and +he actually snickered at the conceit.</p> + +<p>As he advanced he braced himself for the expected fray. Of old he knew +Ted Slavin was a muscular fellow, capable of enforcing obedience from his +slavish followers.</p> + +<p>What was that? He certainly heard the sound of voices a little further +along. And somehow one of them seemed to give Paul a strange feeling; +for he was positive that it was a girl's tones; and he recognized them +too!</p> + +<p>Ward Kenwood was taking Arline home; and for some unknown reason chose to +select this very street as a part of his route, although it was a little +out of the way.</p> + +<p>How strange that they should all come together just at that very +identical spot, where the trio of ambushed boys were crouching, ready to +spring out.</p> + +<p>Ah! Paul caught sight of something moving close by. He felt sure that it +must be the concealed fellows, launching their boom. Yes, now he could +make out their figures as they emerged from the bushes on the jump.</p> + +<p>Some one screamed. It must be Arline, frightened by the appearance of +these ugly, uncouth forms dancing upon the pavement.</p> + +<p>Instantly the greatest confusion existed, with the ambushers attacking +Paul, to shout in consternation when he began to thump them heartily on +the legs and backs with his baseball bat; and the girl standing there +trying to shut out, with her clasped hands, the strange sight, seen so +dimly in the half darkness.</p> + +<p>The patter of feet down the street told only too well where her protector +had gone; but he was valiantly calling lustily for help as he ran.</p> + +<p>Met by such a determined opposition, overwhelmed by the shower of punches +and whacks that seemed to be freighted with painful reminders; and +startled by the cries of the fleeing Ward, not to mention the little +shrieks of Arline, the three boys who had been the cause of all this +excitement soon had enough.</p> + +<p>"Skip out, fellers!" roared Ted, as he almost doubled up when the +swinging bat came with considerable force against his ribs.</p> + +<p>The others were only too willing to obey. Away they clattered after the +fleeing Ward, who, hearing what he took to be a hot pursuit, let loose +more vigorously than ever, still crying for assistance.</p> + +<p>Paul was laughing now, for the comical side of the thing seemed to have +occurred to him. He took out a match and struck it. As the light flamed +up, Arline, who had by now ceased her cries of alarm, possibly guessing +the truth, stared at the face of the victor.</p> + +<p>"Oh! Paul! is it you?" she said; and somehow he seemed to understand that +she was more than glad of the opportunity to make up with him.</p> + +<p>Boylike he pretended to hold back, and as the light went out, leaving +them once more in the gloom, he remarked:</p> + +<p>"Yes, those fellows were lying in wait for me. They expected to give +me a sound thumping; but I was warned and ready. I'm sorry that you were +annoyed by the row, Miss Blair. I'll stay here with you until your +company comes back. I think he must have gone for help!" this with some +bitterness and scorn.</p> + +<p>She moved closer to him. Possibly the darkness made her afraid; and then +again some other cause may have influenced her.</p> + +<p>Paul felt her hand on his arm, and was thrilled when she said:</p> + +<p>"Please don't mention him to me again. Oh! what a miserable coward, to +run off and leave a girl that way. Won't <i>you</i> take me home, Paul?"</p> + +<p>He could not say anything for a minute, he was so overcome. And perhaps +Arline thought he must still be angry because she had treated him so +shabbily of late.</p> + +<p>"Please, please do, Paul. I want to tell you how sorry I am for believing +what came to me in a roundabout way. I'll never forgive myself, never!" +she went on, clinging to his arms.</p> + +<p>Paul could hold out no longer.</p> + +<p>"Of course I will, Arline, and glad of the chance. Come on before anybody +hurries out to see what all this noise means."</p> + +<p>So they walked down the street together, Paul with his faithful bat +tucked under one arm, and a pretty girl clinging, oh! so confidingly +to the other.</p> + +<p>But the boys of Stanhope often made more or less of a noise on the +streets after dark, being filled with exurberant spirits; and so no one +thought it worth while to investigate what all the racket meant.</p> + +<p>Paul heard what had been carried to the ears of Arline, and had no +trouble in proving to her complete satisfaction that he was entirely +innocent of the charge.</p> + +<p>"And to think that I allowed myself to believe it," said the girl, almost +crying; "oh! Paul, will you ever forgive me? Nothing can ever make me +listen to anything wrong about you again. I wonder if he had a hand in +hatching that wretched story up. If I knew it I would tell him to his +face what I thought of him!"</p> + +<p>"You mean Ward. Please don't do that. I really can't believe any fellow +would be so mean and low. It must have been just accident that coupled my +name with that affair. But I'm satisfied if you say we're going to be +just as good friends as ever," Paul said, warmly.</p> + +<p>"Better than ever, I hope, Paul. I've had my lesson. It will never happen +again, I promise you," she answered, pressing his arm as she spoke.</p> + +<p>So Paul saw her safely to her door, and then said good-night; but Arline +insisted upon shaking hands with him; and the tingle of his fingers as he +walked down the street made him laugh with joy.</p> + +<p>"What luck!" he kept saying to himself, as he made out to shake his own +hand; "and what a mess of it Ward made of his chances. He thought to have +the laugh on me if we met, and here the shoe is on the other foot. Oh! +I'm not complaining a little bit. Everything's coming my way now."</p> + +<p>Nothing further happened on his way home. But when he reached the house +his father met him with the announcement that Jack was holding the wire, +and waiting for him.</p> + +<p>"On deck there!" he said, briskly, and heard an exclamation of relief.</p> + +<p>"How is it, Paul? Anything doing? Seemed to me I heard an awful racket +over your way; but the nine-forty train was just coming in at the +station, and drowned it out. Did they tackle you, son?" demanded Jack, +eagerly.</p> + +<p>"Did they? Well, I guess some! Ask Ted," chuckled the one addressed.</p> + +<p>"You're laughing, and that tells me you enjoyed the circus. What did you +do to poor old Ted and his cronies, Paul?" entreated the other.</p> + +<p>"I could tell you easier what I didn't do to 'em, Jack. I gave the boys +about every style of punch and jab I could think of, and with my home-run +bat too. Oh! make up your mind they're going to be a sore lot in the +morning. And if you run up against Ted, just sniff the air for arnica. My +word for it, he'll empty the bottle to-night on his bruises."</p> + +<p>"Bully! bully! and again bully! I would have rushed to assist you only +you made me promise to keep my hands off; and you're my superior officer, +you see. Besides, I reckoned that with such a hunky-dory bat you'd be +able to give just pie, which you did, Paul."</p> + +<p>"But the half hasn't been told yet," went on the narrator.</p> + +<p>"What! do you mean there's a sequel to this story?" asked Jack, burning +with eagerness apparently, to hear.</p> + +<p>"I guess that's what it is. Listen. Ward was just taking a young lady +home. He chose to pass along our street, though now he wishes he hadn't; +for they arrived just when Ted and his backers jumped out of the bushes. +She screamed, and her escort sprinted down the street for help. After I +had punched and pounded the three Hallowe'en left-overs from last year +until they faded away, I had the pleasure of seeing the young lady to her +door, yum! yum!"</p> + +<p>"Hurrah! and I bet all differences are patched up again between you!" +cried Jack.</p> + +<p>"Everything is lovely, and the goose hangs high," sang Paul.</p> + +<p>"Meaning poor old blundering Ward. He showed himself for a coward to +the girl he's sweet on. Oh! my, oh! me, how is the mighty fallen. +Congratulations, good friend, and then more of them. So the clouds have +disappeared along your horizon, just as they did on mine. I only wish I'd +had a hand in clearing your skies."</p> + +<p>"So you did. You kept that baseball bat of mine until the right minute +came. Only for that my name might have been mud," laughed Paul.</p> + +<p>"And if you'd only open your heart now, and give me a hint about the +fellow you believe has been playing that trick on me with my old +coins—"</p> + +<p>"Just you wait a little. It's coming soon. So-long!" and with a click the +connection was cut off.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXI" id="CHAPTER_XXI"></a>CHAPTER XXI</h2> + +<h3>THE MEETING</h3> + + +<p>"How are you, Paul?"</p> + +<p>It was Mr. Jared Pender who came out of the post-office as Paul happened +to be passing the next day, and addressed the boy he had met on the +preceding evening at the house of the Stormways.</p> + +<p>"Why, how do you do, Mr. Pender? Been at work, I see," replied Paul, with +a suggestive look in the direction of the post-office.</p> + +<p>The tall dark gentleman looked a little perplexed, and followed Paul's +glance. Then an expression of understanding passed over his face.</p> + +<p>"Ah! yes, I see, you are a good guesser, Paul. But please do not mention +the fact to any one. We Government officials sometimes have to work +<i>sub rosa</i>, as the saying is; that means without any one knowing what we +are at. You understand, Paul?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, sir, I guess I do; but I hope there's nothing wrong here at our +post-office. We all think the world of Mr. Mygatt, and his clerks," said +Paul.</p> + +<p>"Oh! don't mention such a thing. We have to investigate many times just +to discover how smoothly things are going on. Isn't that Jack's dog +coming out with a package of papers in his mouth? Has he actually been +down for the mail?" went on the gentleman.</p> + +<p>"That's Carlo, all right. Sometimes they give him the mail when there are +no letters, as you see."</p> + +<p>"And will he carry the bundles home safely, without stopping to play with +other dogs, or to fight?"</p> + +<p>"Oh! Carlo knows his duty. He never forgets what is expected of him. +There, sir, look at him halting for a minute at the open door of the +butcher shop, to wag his tail, and peep in. It smells mighty inviting to +him, I wager; but will he go in? Not much. See, there he goes along, +heading straight for home. If another dog picked a fight with him, Carlo +would lay that package down, give the cur a good licking, then pick the +papers up again, and trot along."</p> + +<p>"I see you know his traits well, Paul," remarked the gentleman, smiling.</p> + +<p>"Some of them, but not all. He's a great dog, all right, and Jack's fond +of him."</p> + +<p>"I suppose money couldn't buy him, then?" suggested Mr. Pender.</p> + +<p>"It would be useless to try it, sir, I think. Will you stay long with Mr. +Stormways?"</p> + +<p>"That I cannot say. My business may be completed in a day, and it may +keep me in this vicinity for a week. That depends on circumstances. You +have been around more or less, Paul; do you happen to remember seeing a +large red touring car, with a khaki-colored cover, and occupied by two +men, one of whom has a glass eye?"</p> + +<p>Paul stared at the tall gentleman, as though he thought at first the +other might be joking him; but seeing not a ripple of a smile on the dark +face, he changed his mind.</p> + +<p>"Why, no, sir; I can't seem to remember seeing that particular car. Of +course red ones are common; but most of them have black tops, if any at +all. Some friends of yours, Mr. Pender?" he remarked, naturally.</p> + +<p>The gentleman allowed just a twinkle to appear in the corners of his eyes +as he nodded his head, and said:</p> + +<p>"Well, er—yes, very particular friends of mine, Paul, and whom I would +be glad to see again right now. If you happen to sight such a machine, +and I am still at my old friend, Stormways, I wish you would let me know +about it."</p> + +<p>"I certainly will, sir; and perhaps you'd like me to speak to the +gentlemen, and tell them how anxious you are to see them?" Paul went on; +at which the other gave a laugh.</p> + +<p>"I see you are on to me, my boy. You guess that such is the very last +thing I would want you to do. Now, I'm going to take you into my +confidence, Paul," he went on, bending his head lower, and giving a quick +glance around.</p> + +<p>"Yes, sir; that's very kind of you, Mr. Pender," said the lad, smiling.</p> + +<p>"Oh! I don't know. I have an axe to grind in doing so; for I believe +that you can be of assistance to me. The two men in that motor car are +criminals, for whose capture I have come to this part of the country, +Paul."</p> + +<p>"Goodness! that sounds interesting, sir. What have they been doing?" +asked the young scout leader, with boyish curiosity brimming over.</p> + +<p>"I won't tell you that, Paul; but they are wanted by the Government. And +sometimes we agents have to go about our business with great caution, in +order to discover enough evidence on the suspects to convict. So, above +all things, I do not wish to alarm these clever gentlemen unduly, lest +they manage to hide, or get rid of the only burden of proof. In other +words, as a common expression has it, I want to get them with the goods +on. You understand?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, sir; I think I do. And if I see or hear anything about that red +car, I'll tell you. But is it true that you and Jack's father were chums +long ago?"</p> + +<p>"That's the positive truth, my boy," replied the agent, nodding; "why, we +took several voyages together, and had lots of queer adventures. I never +dreamed that my wild old friend Alan would settle down to this humdrum +life, as a lumber merchant, and the head of a family. But I suppose it +all came of his meeting a girl. And after knowing his fine wife I don't +blame him a bit; though I've kept right along in the same old groove, and +see more or less of adventure."</p> + +<p>"He's a mighty fine man, and they think lots of him here," declared Paul, +who was amazed to learn that his chum's parent could have, once upon a +time, been reckoned a wild blade.</p> + +<p>Paul walked on with his lips puckered up as if whistling, and his face +filled with the new interest that had taken possession of him.</p> + +<p>He had read accounts in the papers of Boy Scouts being concerned in many +useful enterprises; and he wondered whether he and his patrol might not +find a chance to assist the officers of justice in rounding up a couple +of rogues who had apparently broken the laws of the land.</p> + +<p>Then other things came up to draw his attention elsewhere.</p> + +<p>He ran across boys on the street, who asked dozens of questions about the +many interesting features of the new organization.</p> + +<p>These were often lads who had begun to think of uniting with one of the +rival troops; and Paul was only too glad to give them all the information +in his power.</p> + +<p>They wanted more recruits, provided the applicants were of the right +sort. Those their committee rejected might find solace in joining forces +with Ted's crowd, who, not being at all particular, would receive them +with open arms.</p> + +<p>That afternoon there was another meeting in the woods, at which every +member of Stanhope Troop No 1, as they now determined to call their +organization, did his best to be present.</p> + +<p>Paul had given several of the boys duties to perform, that were part and +parcel of the grand scheme to whip his company into first-class shape in +a shorter time than it had taken any other troop.</p> + +<p>Reports were received and filed of numerous things done which would count +in the final summing up. These were to be accompanied by vouchers from +the persons interested, which could be filed away for inspection when the +committee appointed by the giver of the fine banner looked through the +records of the several patrols competing for the prize.</p> + +<p>Andy Flinn and Philip Towns reported that they had cleaned up the +beautiful green in front of the town high school, and which was generally +known as the campus. It was kept mowed by the town authorities; but +numerous scraps of paper and trash, blowing hither and thither in the +wind, gave it an unsightly appearance.</p> + +<p>"Never forget that you have taken our campus under your protecting care, +Numbers Three and Four of the Gray Fox patrol," said the head scout, +after reading the report; "of course it is always your privilege to +enlist smaller boys in the job, if you can do so without actually hiring +them. That is expressly forbidden."</p> + +<p>Then came Wallace Carberry and Tom Betts, telling how they had started +a crusade to cover the entire town with receptacles to contain stray +rubbish. Half a dozen cans had already been ordered, each one of which +was to have in startling red letters the significant picture of a staring +eye, and followed by the words, "Eat Trash!"</p> + +<p>"We've got a contribution box ready, and every scout is privileged to +drop in pennies and nickels that he has earned. No others accepted; and +no larger amount at one time from any boy desired. Have already enough to +pay for two of the cans; and hope to increase the order soon!"</p> + +<p>Cheers greeted this announcement. Others, who had heard about the good +work being started by Numbers Seven and Eight of the Red Fox patrol, +arose to announce that their mothers had promised to throw all sorts of +opportunities for earning money in their way, if it was to be devoted +to such a fine purpose.</p> + +<p>"The Women's Club is to bring this thing up at its next meeting. My +mother says it shames them to know that the boys of the town are taking +such a leading part in cleaning it up," said Bobolink, when he found an +opening.</p> + +<p>"Who's next to report?" asked Jack, who had charge of this end of the +meeting; while the "honorable secretary" made notes, and filed away the +various papers submitted.</p> + +<p>Immediately all eyes were turned toward Bobolink and Bluff, which team +was known as Three and Four.</p> + +<p>Bluff started to rise, when a groan greeted him; but he was not dismayed.</p> + +<p>"Our r-r-report will be d-d-delivered b-b-by my c-c-confederate!" he +simply said, and subsided with a grin, as though he thought he had +hoodwinked his friends.</p> + +<p>Bobolink arose slowly. When he chose he could be very tantalizing; though +in an emergency none might excel him in speedy action. But when he had +something to tell that he knew was being eagerly awaited, he liked to +keep his chums in suspense just as long as he dared.</p> + +<p>Immediately all sounds died away. Every one seemed to know that Numbers +Three and Four had been delegated to attempt an actual scouting trip that +morning, into a hostile territory, so as to learn what progress a rival +camp was making in the various degrees of efficiency.</p> + +<p>They had already heard about Manchester, and a few believed that they +would have little difficulty in excelling that town when it came down +to an actual test.</p> + +<p>With Aldine it was different. From all sources had come hints to the +effect that the troop in that town was working most faithfully, with an +eye on that coveted banner. And every scout in Paul's patrol felt wild to +know how much truth there might be in these reports.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXII" id="CHAPTER_XXII"></a>CHAPTER XXII</h2> + +<h3>SCOUTING IN EARNEST</h3> + + +<p>"Hurry up, old molasses! Winter's coming."</p> + +<p>"Hit up the pace, won't you, please, Bobby?"</p> + +<p>Bobolink grinned. This was apparently just what he liked. When, however, +he saw a restless movement among some of the more impatient, as though +they were stooping down to gather chips to shy at him, he knew the time +had come to open those sphinx-like lips, and speak.</p> + +<p>"Mr. Chairman, ladies and gentlemen," he began, when a roar interrupted +him, so that he pretended to hastily remedy his error—"I mean just +gentlemen; I have the honor to report that your committee waited on the +brothers of the Aldine troop, though unbeknown to their keenest scouts, +and watched the entire operations at their called meeting this morning."</p> + +<p>"Good! Fine! Keep it up, Old Leatherstocking!"</p> + +<p>"We learned that they are working like mad to excel in all the arts that +interest the scouting fraternity. Competitions were being run off in +every branch of the woodcraft business. We saw fires started, camps made, +trails followed, boats mended, fish flies tied, rods that had been made +by single members; we heard of all sorts of clever things that were being +done in Aldine that would give the troop marks in the grand round-up. We +listened to splendid speeches from the really efficient scout master, and +our hearts warmed within us toward the gallant foe against whom we must +soon be pitted; just as our bones ached because we had to squat there +high up in that tree over their camp, like a couple of roosting monkeys."</p> + +<p>"Hear! hear! Bully for our monkeys! They're all to the good!" shouted +some of the more demonstrative boys, waving their hats wildly.</p> + +<p>Bobolink stopped to give a few melancholy dabs at his thighs, just as +though they still ached from the long service in the tree; while Bluff +managed to emit a series of sympathetic groans.</p> + +<p>Then the orator took up his theme again; and when Bobolink chose he could +even run Wallace Carberry a warm race on the school rostrum.</p> + +<p>"Some people might think that it was hardly fair in us to spy on our +rivals; but we are running our troop under strictly military rules. It's +always fair to try and find out what you are going to be up against when +entering a competition. We are badly handicapped, because both of these +other troops in the county have been working all summer; and we've got to +come up from behind in our attempt to capture the prize. That's right, +isn't it, fellows?"</p> + +<p>"Sure! We only want to know if they're going to make a big fight; or +whether they expect to have a walk-over. Besides, I happen to know that +there was a Bald Eagle from Aldine watching us work yesterday. He had +a field glass, and was hidden where he could see all that went on."</p> + +<p>It was Jud Elderkin who made this astonishing declaration; and what he +said created quite a stir among the assembled scouts.</p> + +<p>"All right. We didn't go there expecting to steal any of their thunder, +fellows," said Bobolink.</p> + +<p>"Of course not," asserted the nearest scouts.</p> + +<p>"Well, how did you find it?" demanded William.</p> + +<p>"I didn't see that they had anything on us. Of course they did lots of +things better, because they've had a heap more experience; but there's +time between now and Thanksgiving for the scouts of the Stanhope troop to +get a move on, and shake all rivals out of their boots. That's all," and +Bobolink made a sudden duck to get out of the lime-light.</p> + +<p>"Hurrah! Well done, Three and Four of the Red Fox patrol! Whenever we've +got any more climbing to do, we know where to get the monkeys!" cried +William, with a mock bow in the direction of the blushing Bluff, and the +grinning Bobolink.</p> + +<p>"I congratulate the scouts on the way they carried out their mission. It +was worthy of the annals of Cooper. May I ask how they learned just where +the camp of the Aldine Troop was to be pitched?" asked Paul.</p> + +<p>Bluff was no longer to be repressed; but sprang erect.</p> + +<p>"I d-d-discovered that they always w-w-went to a p-p-particular +p-p-place; and w-w-when we s-s-saw that noble tree, why, we j-j-just +l-l-looked at each other, and s-s-shook hands. Then we c-c-climbed up +before the f-f-first eagle f-f-flew that way. T-t-thank you gentlemen +f-f-for your k-k-kind attention."</p> + +<p>"Wow! he got that in pat, all right. When Bluff makes up his mind to +hustle he can beat the band. I move a vote of thanks to these most +efficient scouts," said Wallace, pushing forward.</p> + +<p>They were given with a will; after which other reports came to show what +was being accomplished in numerous lines.</p> + +<p>The troop photographers produced their prints, which were passed around +for examination, and brought forth an abundance of good words. To see +themselves in the new suits of khaki made many a fellow's heart thrill +with pride.</p> + +<p>"We must have a meeting every day up to the beginning of school," +declared the acting scout master, finally; "for these busy Eagles have +stolen a march on us while we slept; and we've just got to hustle now to +catch up."</p> + +<p>"But we've got some mighty fine things to our credit already, and don't +you forget it, boys. I haven't heard of a horse being stopped, and a +child's life saved over in Aldine or Manchester," declared Wallace, with +a proud glance toward Paul.</p> + +<p>"Or any account of the rival troops attending a fire in a body, and +working to beat the band until their new uniforms were next to ruined," +spoke up Nuthin'.</p> + +<p>"I guess the boys of Manchester must feel pretty small when they listen +to the story of how a Red Fox scout walked right into a burning building, +and snatched up a baby that had been forgotten; hey, how about that, +fellers?" shouted William, pointing his finger at Jack.</p> + +<p>"We're hitting up the pace. We're going strong, and bound to make things +hustle right up to Thanksgiving Day! Every fellow do his level best to +bring that banner home to Stanhope!" cried Jud Elderkin.</p> + +<p>"We can do it!" yelled half a dozen in chorus.</p> + +<p>"Why, its easy money, boys. Just organized, and not a second class scout +in the troop yet, but look at what we've done. Give us a little time, +and we're going to make the Beavers and Bald Eagles, and all the rest +of 'em, sit up and take notice!" avowed Nuthin'.</p> + +<p>"And wait until you hear the inspiring sound of my bugle, which I expect +to have at the next meeting," said Bobolink, proudly.</p> + +<p>"Huh! that won't h-h-hold a c-c-candle to my d-d-drum!" declared Bluff, +waving his arms wildly, as though he could already imagine the great fun +in store when that instrument came to hand.</p> + +<p>And so the meeting broke up, with the scouts disbanding for the day. Some +lingered to try once more the various stunts that interested them most. +It seemed as if every fellow's heart might be wrapped up in the desire to +win that coveted trophy, and bring the banner to his home town.</p> + +<p>Strange to say there had not been a single mention of the other Stanhope +organization. None of them believed that Ted and Ward would be able to +make the least show in the competition. They knew the habits of these +fellows only too well. As a rule, they never won, save through trickery; +and in the eyes of the committee appointed by the donor of the banner, +anything that smacked of double dealing would be rigidly barred from the +game.</p> + +<p>Paul and Jack, as usual, walked home together, arm in arm.</p> + +<p>As the recognized leaders in the movement that had so lately struck the +boys of Stanhope, they must always have much to talk over.</p> + +<p>Besides that, they had their own personal affairs to discuss.</p> + +<p>"Well," said Jack, finally, when they found that they were alone, the +nearest comrades being far behind on the road; "the four coins are still +there in the snug little box, Paul."</p> + +<p>His companion looked quickly at him.</p> + +<p>"You carried out my suggestion then?" he asked.</p> + +<p>"Yes. The door has been closed and locked all day. Even the window was +shut down and fastened," replied Jack.</p> + +<p>"That made the little den as tight as a drum, eh?" laughed his chum.</p> + +<p>"I should say it did. If any one got in there to-day he would have to +slip through the keyhole," came from Jack.</p> + +<p>"Unless he happened to have a duplicate key," Paul went on, seriously. +"And since you found the four coins there that could hardly have +happened. Sure you counted four, are you?"</p> + +<p>"That's positive," returned his companion; "but to tell the truth I did +get a little scare. At first I counted only three."</p> + +<p>"But you found the fourth all right, Jack?"</p> + +<p>"Oh! yes," replied the other. "It was gummed fast to the side of the box. +I had to scrape it off before I put it back. But when do you mean to tell +me what you know about this strange affair, Paul?"</p> + +<p>"I guess to-morrow," answered his chum.</p> + +<p>"Bully for you. I'll be glad to get it off my mind. What do you want me +to do, Paul, in the meantime?"</p> + +<p>"Nothing," came the ready response.</p> + +<p>"Shall I leave the den shut up as it is, then?" demanded Jack.</p> + +<p>"Until I see you in the morning, yes," laughed Paul. "Don't be surprised +if I pop in on you unexpectedly. Perhaps I may not want any one to see me +go in your house, and so I might come by the back door."</p> + +<p>Jack looked at him in a whimsical way and shook his head.</p> + +<p>"You've got me guessing, all right, my boy," he declared.</p> + +<p>Paul instantly changed the subject, after a way he had.</p> + +<p>"The boys are getting on fine in that water boiling test, aren't they? +Four had it in nine minutes, and Wallace beat his own record by nearly +half a minute. That is going to be one thing Stanhope must excel in," he +said.</p> + +<p>"Yes," remarked Jack, falling in readily enough with his companion's +desire to "talk shop," "and those photographs couldn't well be beaten. +What a lot of new and interesting facts some of the trackers have dug out +of the trails they followed. The papers read fine. Paul, I really begin +to believe we're going to make a strong bid for that banner."</p> + +<p>Paul did not reply, and on Jack turning his head to ascertain why, he +found his chum staring at a red automobile that had just whizzed past!</p> + +<p>It had a khaki-colored top!</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXIII" id="CHAPTER_XXIII"></a>CHAPTER XXIII</h2> + +<h3>THE RED CAR</h3> + + +<p>"What's the matter with you, Paul?"</p> + +<p>Jack asked this question, for of course he could not understand why his +chum should take such a deep interest in any automobile that passed them +on the road.</p> + +<p>"Did you happen to see inside that red car as it went by?" asked Paul, +turning eagerly on his friend.</p> + +<p>"Why, er—yes, I did chance to be looking over your shoulders just then; +I was a little afraid the wheels might graze you," admitted Jack.</p> + +<p>"Do you know the machine, then?" asked the other, in some suspense.</p> + +<p>"Don't believe I ever saw it before; but then, what of that? Don't dozens +pass along here every day, that come up from the city? It's common to see +a strange car, even if it has got a khaki-colored top, instead of a plain +black one. Hey, Paul! what ails you?" demanded Jack.</p> + +<p>"It wasn't Colonel Strange, was it?" asked the other; for the gentleman +mentioned happened to possess a red auto.</p> + +<p>"Of course it wasn't, because his car has a black top; and besides, +neither of the two men was the fat colonel," replied Jack, immediately.</p> + +<p>Paul had learned something already.</p> + +<p>"Then there were two men in it, you say?" he went on, casually, as though +much of his interest had abated.</p> + +<p>"Yes, and one of them was staring at me to beat the band. Perhaps he has +lost a boy, and thinks I look like him. Don't let him kidnap me, will +you, Paul?" went on Jack with pretended anxiety, as he clung to his +companion's arm.</p> + +<p>"Say, look there, the car's stopped. I believe they're waiting for us!" +declared Paul, in some excitement.</p> + +<p>"Well, that's what gave me such a scare, you see. That's why I'm shaking +all over, Paul. But in union there is strength; and I'm going to hang on +to you, if he tries to coax me to get aboard. I'm not in the long lost +class."</p> + +<p>"Oh! come along, and let's see what they want. He's leaning over the top +now, and keeps beckoning to us."</p> + +<p>Paul started on a run. He could feel his heart beating very hard; indeed +it was strange, he thought, that his companion did not hear it pounding +away, and make some sort of remark.</p> + +<p>The chance that he had been hoping for seemed to be within his grasp. Not +only had he discovered a car that answered the description of the one +mentioned by Mr. Pender; but the occupants were plainly desirous of +obtaining information of some sort, and had selected him and Jack as the +ones most likely to give it.</p> + +<p>As he hurried on, he tried to control himself. It would never do to show +more than natural curiosity in his actions. If these two men were the +ones the gentleman stopping at Jack's house wanted to find, they must be +smart enough to read his secret, unless he took warning.</p> + +<p>No sooner had he come abreast of the car than looking up he found himself +staring into the dark face of a man who had a cruel look about him. What +thrilled Paul, however, was the fact that one of his eyes was undoubtedly +artificial. He had guessed this fact when Jack stated that the party +<i>stared</i> so at him.</p> + +<p>All doubt was gone now, and he understood that by the strangest of luck +he had come upon the parties for whom Mr. Pender was searching. The +official must have known that they were headed this way for some purpose +or other.</p> + +<p>"Live around here, bub?" asked the man with the glass eye, as he looked +piercingly at Paul.</p> + +<p>"Yes, sir; in Stanhope," replied the boy, surprised himself to find how +steady his voice turned out to be under the trying circumstances.</p> + +<p>"How far ahead is that place?" continued the man.</p> + +<p>"About half a mile, sir. You can see the steeple of the Methodist church +after you turn that bend ahead," and Paul pointed with a steady finger.</p> + +<p>"Huh! I wonder now if either of you happen to know a Mr. Solus Smithers?" +and as he put the question the man shot a quick glance toward his +companion; at which the shorter party nodded his big head, and grinned +approvingly.</p> + +<p>Paul turned to his chum.</p> + +<p>"Say, Jack, isn't that the name of the man who took the old Grimes farm +up at the milldam?" he asked, though he knew positively that it was so.</p> + +<p>"Smithers—why, yes, I reckon it is. Is he a tall man, with a hooked +nose; and does he dip snuff?" queried Jack, innocently enough.</p> + +<p>"That's Solus to a dot. You see, boys, he's from North Caroliny, where +even the wimmen use snuff, only they rub it on their teeth with a stick. +Now, mebbe one of you boys would be so obligin' as to direct us to the +shortest way to where this old mill stands," continued the man with the +bogus orb.</p> + +<p>"I guess the quickest way to get there is to drive through Stanhope, and +pick up the Deerfield road on the other side. It's only a few miles off; +but the road turns lots of times to avoid the hills."</p> + +<p>Paul noted that the taller man seemed to invariably look to his companion +for support. It was as though they worked in common, and neither wished +to become responsible for action without the other's assent.</p> + +<p>After an interchange of low words, which the boys did not catch, the +spokesman once more turned around. He held a silver half dollar in his +hand.</p> + +<p>"Here's something for your trouble, boys. But look here, ain't there +another way to get to that old abandoned mill without going through the +town? To tell you the truth we lost our number away back, and might get +hauled up because we can't show a tag on the back of the car."</p> + +<p>Paul had already noticed this significant fact. It is the business of a +scout to take note of even trifles. One of the tests of memory is to look +in at a store window for just one full minute; and then, going away, make +out as complete a list of articles it contained as is possible.</p> + +<p>And still, he did not believe that this was the true reason these men +disliked passing through Stanhope if it could be avoided. Perhaps they +had some suspicion that Mr. Pender was visiting there; and did not want +to take chances of his meeting them face to face.</p> + +<p>"Sure there is," broke in Jack, who saw no reason why he should not +believe the artful excuse given; for Jack did not know all his chum had +learned about these parties; "after you pass the bend yonder, just turn +to the left. You can't miss the road, for its got a big maple tree right +at the junction. We call that the Grapevine Road, because it twists and +turns so; but it will fetch you out right at the old dam, mister."</p> + +<p>Many a time had Jack himself walked along that same winding path when +coming home with a string of bass, taken in the mill pond. It was longer, +to be sure, but there were some fine apple trees on the way; and the walk +through the dense woods was so much more enjoyable on a hot summer day +than the open stretch that marked the other route.</p> + +<p>The man flipped the coin in the air, and as it fell at Paul's feet he +felt constrained to stoop and pick it up. To do anything else might have +aroused the suspicions of the man who stared. And at the worst it meant +another contribution toward the various funds which the boys were raising +for many purposes.</p> + +<p>Boys as a rule have little objection about receiving "tainted money." And +while Paul understood that these men had been breaking some of the laws +of the land, he was not supposed to know the particular way in which +their money had been gained.</p> + +<p>"Much obliged for the information, boys; and please don't report us in +town as being short a license tag. We'll get a new one just as quick as +we can. So-long!"</p> + +<p>As the shorter fellow started the machine his companion waved his hand at +the two chums on the road, both of whom of course returned the salute.</p> + +<p>Jack watched his friend out of the corner of his eye as they walked on. +Perhaps he was entertaining a dim suspicion that Paul might be keeping +something from him.</p> + +<p>But he asked no questions; and the other volunteered no information. A +scout is supposed to know when to hold his tongue, especially when in +the company of his superior officer; and so Jack let the matter drop.</p> + +<p>"See, they've turned in, all right, Paul," he said, as he pointed to the +broad marks of heavy tires leaving the main road, and passing under the +spreading maple that stood at the junction with the Grapevine.</p> + +<p>"That's so," returned Paul, apparently not in the least interested; and +yet as they continued to walk briskly toward home he frequently turned a +wistful look over his left shoulder, as in fancy his thoughts followed +those two strangers up to the old farmhouse at the mill pond.</p> + +<p>Who was this Solus Smithers? Could he be in league with these two men +whom the Government expert was sent to watch? Paul remembered that he had +heard several people talking about the man and his ways. He seemed to +have plenty of money, yet he made no effort to farm the place he had +rented that summer.</p> + +<p>As soon as they reached town he started to accompany his chum home, +hoping to have an opportunity to see Mr. Pender in secret.</p> + +<p>Catching sight of that gentleman walking down for the evening mail, +he made some excuse and broke away from Jack; who looked after him in +bewilderment, grieved because Paul, for once, seemed to be keeping some +secret from him.</p> + +<p>Mr. Pender presently came out of the post-office. He had a letter in his +hand, and was apparently much displeased at what it had contained.</p> + +<p>"Why, hello! Paul, my boy! Glad to see you. How is the patrol coming on? +Some day you must allow me to watch your manoeuvers up there in the +woods. I'm deeply interested in all such goings-on, you know," he said, +shaking hands, heartily.</p> + +<p>"Yes, sir; I'll ask the boys for permission to invite you," began Paul.</p> + +<p>"Were you looking for me, my boy?" asked the other suddenly, his keen +eyes having doubtless detected something in the manner of the young +scout master that gave him his idea.</p> + +<p>"Yes, sir, I was," replied the one addressed.</p> + +<p>"I wonder now if, on the top of bad news from Washington, you could be +about to bring me new hope. Have you learned anything you want to tell +me, Paul?"</p> + +<p>"I've seen that red auto, and talked with the gentleman who has the glass +eye!" said the boy, trying in vain to keep his eager voice from trembling +with excitement.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXIV" id="CHAPTER_XXIV"></a>CHAPTER XXIV</h2> + +<h3>A CALL FOR HELP</h3> + + +<p>Mr. Pender swooped down and seized Paul's hand, which he squeezed so +heartily that he almost made the tears come to the boy's eyes.</p> + +<p>"That sounds good to me, my boy. Please tell me about it. Where was it at +the time? And do you think it can have gone beyond Stanhope? I hope you +didn't give the gentleman any idea that you had ever heard a word about +him or his car?"</p> + +<p>"Oh! I give you my word, sir, that they never dreamed I knew a thing +about them. A scout has to learn how to keep his feelings in check, you +see, Mr. Pender. I acted just as naturally as Jack did; and he knew +nothing."</p> + +<p>"Well, tell me about it now, please."</p> + +<p>Stopping at the corner, Paul started in to relate all the incidents +connected with that meeting on the road. The gentleman hung upon every +word. He certainly looked pleased, and Paul realized that he had done +something worth while. To his credit be it said that never once had he +entertained the thought of receiving any sort of reward for his services.</p> + +<p>"All this is of the greatest importance to me, my boy. I am frank to +tell you that the successful capture of those two men you have so ably +described, thanks to your scout training, will mean much to me. And +depend upon it, if success rewards my efforts, I shall certainly remember +that you gave me very valuable assistance in the undertaking."</p> + +<p>"Then you think I might have a reward, don't you, Mr. Pender?" he said.</p> + +<p>"I most positively do, and right now and here I'm willing to promise +you—"</p> + +<p>"Wait a little, Mr. Pender. There's only one thing you could do to pay me +for the little assistance I have been to you. Some time later on, after +you get back to Washington, write me a letter on your official paper, +stating just what aid the Boy Scouts of the Red Fox patrol were to you +in furthering the ends of justice. That's all any of us could accept, +sir."</p> + +<p>"By Jove! I'm proud to know such boys, and proud to shake hands +with the fine scout leader at their head!" exclaimed the Government +representative, as he cordially thrust out his digits.</p> + +<p>But "once bit, twice shy"; and Paul shook his head as he caressed his +fingers.</p> + +<p>"Excuse me, won't you, Mr. Pender; but once at a time is enough. I expect +to have a lot of use for my right hand to-night, sir," he laughed.</p> + +<p>"Oh! pardon me, my dear boy!" cried the other, "I was forgetting that it +wasn't the hand of a tiller of the soil I squeezed. I'll be more careful +next time. But your news was so unexpected, coming at a moment when I had +received some depressing information by mail, that I quite forgot myself. +Please continue to keep these facts to yourself for a little while +longer, Paul."</p> + +<p>"Yes, sir; until you give me leave to speak I won't tell anybody, not +even my own folks at home. And if we are so fortunate as to get that +letter from you, Stanhope Troop will have a big advantage over other +competitors. You know, sir, we are competing for an elegant banner; and +the other patrols have been working all summer; so that we've just got to +get busy if we hope to have a show in."</p> + +<p>"I don't care if they've been going along a year, I'd be willing to wager +that Stanhope will win the prize. That shows what faith I put in the +leader of the Red Fox patrol. Nothing is going to ever hold you back. I +can see the spirit glowing right now in your eyes," and Mr. Pender nodded +his head wisely as he said this.</p> + +<p>Paul turned red under the praise.</p> + +<p>Mr. Pender was apparently anxious to know all he could about the place +around the abandoned mill.</p> + +<p>"Have you seen this party named Solus Smithers?" he asked, presently, as +they walked slowly on in company.</p> + +<p>"Yes, sir; several times. He's a very tall and thin man, with a face I +never liked. He's driven some of us boys away from the mill pond this +last summer. We have always fished there, and nobody ever said a word; +but he acted as if he had an idea some of us would steal his old house. +He even brought out a gun once, and warned three fellows off. After a +while no one cared to go up there. Some of the boys even said they +believed the old man was daffy, and that he might shoot if anybody made +him real mad."</p> + +<p>"Oh! yes; I see; and he didn't want trespassers on his farm, eh? Does the +mill pond stand on the ground he's rented?" asked the gentleman.</p> + +<p>"Oh! yes, and all the ground around there. It must cover four hundred +acres, but most of it is in woodland, you see, sir," replied Paul, +promptly.</p> + +<p>"Can you tell me what Smithers looks like, Paul?"</p> + +<p>"He's very tall, stoops quite a lot, uses snuff like they do down in +North Carolina, and has small blue eyes and a queer nose. Some of the +boys say it looks as if it had been broken. That man in the red car knew +it when Jack called it a hooked nose, sir."</p> + +<p>Mr. Pender slapped his thigh as though in great glee.</p> + +<p>"Well, this is great luck, sure enough. From your description I believe +that I know this Mr. Solus Smithers, though that isn't his name at all. +It keeps on getting better and better, the deeper I grub. And if all +turns out well, I shall owe you a heavy debt, my dear boy."</p> + +<p>"Make it up in that letter then, sir. The stronger the better. And if you +happen to need any further assistance don't hesitate to call on us. We've +got some dandy trackers in the Red Fox patrol; and it would have to be a +pretty smart fellow to pull the wool over their eyes, sir."</p> + +<p>"Good for you, Paul," said the gentleman, warmly; "always ready to sound +the trumpet for your comrades; but if the truth were told I reckon I'd +find the scout leader at the top of the bunch when it came to a knowledge +of woodcraft."</p> + +<p>"Please don't, sir," pleaded Paul.</p> + +<p>"Jack has been confiding to me all about how you've always been deeply +interested in outdoor life," went on Mr. Pender; "but as you have told +me all you know about this red car that has gone along the Grapevine +Road, headed for the old mill pond, I believe I'll have to leave you. +Take my hand, won't you, Paul? I promise to be good, and not put on +pressure, though my heart is very warm toward you, lad."</p> + +<p>So Mr. Pender hurried away.</p> + +<p>Paul turned back. He had noticed an air of unusual excitement inside the +post-office, and his curiosity was stirred. While Mr. Pender and his +strange mission was in the foreground, of course, he had been able to pay +little attention to anything else; but now that this was shelved he could +not resist the inclination to return, and ask what made the people stand +around in knots as though exchanging views.</p> + +<p>He discovered Ted Slavin and three of his friends jabbering away just +inside the door, and heard one of them exclaim:</p> + +<p>"Course we will go along; it'd be a big feather in our cap, fellers, if +we'd be the ones to bring him back."</p> + +<p>"Yes, send out word for the boys to get together, Ted. We'll show 'em +what we fellers that has hunted since we was knee high, know about +follerin' a trail!" another remarked.</p> + +<p>"Let up, you; d'ye want to give the whole snap away? See who's here!" +whispered Ted; but in such a hoarse tone of voice that Paul could not +help hearing.</p> + +<p>Of course his curiosity was still further aroused. Whatever could have +happened in quiet Stanhope, to cause all this gathering of people, and +such earnest consultations?</p> + +<p>He saw Chief Billings, who was in charge of the police force in the town, +leaving the post-office, and noted that a large delegation trailed after +him.</p> + +<p>Could it be possible that the local authorities had in some manner become +aware of the fact that law breakers were abroad in the land? Was Mr. +Jared Pender, the Government expert, about to have rivals in the field? +When those cronies of Ted spoke of following a trail could they have had +any reference to the track of the wonderful red automobile with the +khaki-colored top; and occupied by the two parties whom Mr. Pender wished +to catch, as he said, "with the goods on?"</p> + +<p>Paul hoped not. It would complicate things very much; and in the +confusion the rascals might manage to slip away. Paul had known Chief +Billings to undertake a clever piece of business before now; but never +succeed in accomplishing one.</p> + +<p>Some one banged into him as he turned a corner in the building.</p> + +<p>"Why, hello! Paul, that you?" said a voice.</p> + +<p>It was Si Growdy, who claimed to be a nephew of old Peleg, but who had +never been known to be recognized by the crusty old farmer. He clerked +in one of the general stores, of which Stanhope boasted several big ones, +where everything, from a package of pins to a coffin could be purchased.</p> + +<p>"What's all the row about, Si?" demanded the acting scout master, as he +seized hold of the clerk, to head him off; for Si seemed to be in a hurry +as usual; he worked for a man who was a driver, and had to give an +account of every minute of his time.</p> + +<p>"Ain't you heard nawthin' about it, Paul? Where you ben all this +afternoon?" was the way the clerk answered one question with another.</p> + +<p>"Up in the woods with the scouts, doing stunts. But tell me what's gone +wrong? Another robbery at the jewelry store; or has some one sneaked +away with one of the coffins your house carries?" pursued Paul.</p> + +<p>"If anybody ever got off with a pin that didn't belong to 'em at our +emporium, the fact ain't never been known. I've seen the boss chargin' +customers with the cracker they eat when samplin'. We got orders to make +light weight if they buy. But about this rumpus; they's a child lost!" +said Si.</p> + +<p>"Who's child?" asked Paul, instantly deeply interested.</p> + +<p>"Mr. Boggs' little Willie. The Chief was just in to talk with him. He's +all broken up over it, because you know, he uses a crutch, and can't help +hunt."</p> + +<p>Paul knew Mr. Boggs assisted the post-master in his duties; and many a +time had Paul chatted with the pretty little chap who played around the +building while his father was assorting the incoming mails. Willie Boggs +had always been a universal favorite. He was the sweetest child in all +Stanhope, and everybody loved him.</p> + +<p>Paul was shocked at the news. Still, he hoped it might not be as bad as +Si said.</p> + +<p>"Where did it happen? How do they know? Who saw little Willie last? What +has been done to find him?" he fired at the clerk like the discharge of +a Gatling gun.</p> + +<p>"Glory! expect me to tell the hull story, with my boss asettin' there +inside the store, watchin' the clock, an' dockin' me for every minute I'm +late? All right, who cares? And besides, Paul, p'raps that troop of yours +might be useful in follerin' the tracks of poor little Willie," Si went +on.</p> + +<p>"Where, when, how?" demanded the scout master, resolutely.</p> + +<p>"This mornin' it happened. Willie went with Annie Spooner to get some +leaf mould in the edge of the woods, for her ma's flowers. She came back +just at noon an' sed Willie had strayed away in the woods."</p> + +<p>"Did anybody go to look for Willie?" asked Paul.</p> + +<p>"Three boys went out to bring him in. They hunted high an' low, but he +wa'n't there. Then a dozen people set out to search the woods. Just now +they come back to say Willie ain't to be found high nor low. That stirs +the big chief some. He 'low he knows how the thing's to be did; and so +he's agoin' to organize a hunt for the lost child. That's all. Now, let +me get back to my slave tasks, Paul."</p> + +<p>"And night coming on," murmured Paul, as he looked out of the door to +where people were assisting the crippled Mr. Boggs across the square in +the direction of his nearby home, where his wife was no doubt waiting +eagerly for some news of the missing darling.</p> + +<p>Si Growdy shot out of the door, and headed in the direction of the store +where he gave his valuable services daily from seven in the morning until +late in the evening, for a miserable pittance.</p> + +<p>Paul walked thoughtfully out of the post-office. He was tired from his +exertions of the afternoon; but all that was immediately forgotten when +he mentally pictured the weeping mother in that little cottage where the +honeysuckle climbed above the door. Then he thought of the terror of the +little fellow, wandering about in the great woods with night coming down, +and all sorts of strange noises arising to chill his blood.</p> + +<p>"I'll do it!" exclaimed Paul presently; "the chance is too good to be +lost. Why let Ted and Ward have the inside track? Just as soon as I can +send word around we'll test our new system of bringing a bunch of the +Fox scouts together. And then, if the boys are willing, we'll try and +discover where Willie Boggs has wandered. It's a glorious opportunity to +find out if what we've learned is worth having. Here goes then, to send +out the call for help!"</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXV" id="CHAPTER_XXV"></a>CHAPTER XXV</h2> + +<h3>A CAMP IN THE WOODS</h3> + + +<p>"Why, Paul, what's all this hurry mean?"</p> + +<p>"I just want to get a few bites of supper, mother, and then rush off. +I've sent out the call for a hurry meeting of the patrol. Some people +call it the emergency signal. Every one of the scouts knows what it +means. Those who can get out will be gathering here inside of half an +hour."</p> + +<p>"But it must be something very unusual that urges you to do this. You've +been on the go all afternoon, and I don't know that it is wise to bolt +your supper in such a style, just to be ready to greet the boys when they +arrive."</p> + +<p>"Mother, you don't understand. Father hasn't come back from his afternoon +round of visits, has he? Then you couldn't possibly know," went on Paul.</p> + +<p>"Know—what, my son?" questioned his mother, seeing that the boy was +worked up more than usual.</p> + +<p>"We're going to organize a searching party. Perhaps some of the scouts +may be smart enough to get on the track. It's poor little Willie Boggs, +mother."</p> + +<p>"Searching party—Willie Boggs! Is the child lost?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, and has been ever since before noon, in the big woods. You see it's +just beginning to get dark now. Think of the poor little fellow wandering +perhaps miles off in the woods. What if a storm should come up?" and +Paul's manner told how he felt.</p> + +<p>"But there are no wild animals large enough to injure the child. The most +he could suffer would be exposure to the night air; that and the fright +of finding himself alone. Oh! it is a terrible thing though; and little +Willie is all his poor father has left. It would kill him if anything +happened," declared the good lady, whose heart was very tender.</p> + +<p>"Now you see why I'm in such a hurry to get a bite, mother. Every minute +might count, for perhaps he is wandering further and further away. You'll +let Jane get me something in a jiffy, won't you, now?" continued the +eager lad.</p> + +<p>"Gladly, and help her too, after you have told me more. How do you boys +expect to look for the child in the blackness of those woods?"</p> + +<p>"Every scout will carry a lantern, with which we have practiced signal +wig-wagging until we are able to send messages back and forth. Besides +that, we can form a long line across the woods, and comb nearly every bit +of it, looking into every stack of brush and waste to see if Willie has +lain down. And mother, think if we should just find him, how glad you'd +be that we went out!"</p> + +<p>"Indeed, I should! I shall pray that you succeed, my boy. And it does you +great credit that you are so earnest in your desire to help others. Sit +down, and I'll wait on you myself," and Mrs. Morrison bustled away toward +the kitchen as she spoke.</p> + +<p>As Paul was hastily devouring his supper, for he was as hungry as a wolf, +who should come in but the doctor. And of course he had to be told; +though Paul's mother took this task upon herself, giving the boy a chance +to eat.</p> + +<p>Through the window Paul could see that already several fellows had +gathered; and other lanterns were meanwhile coming like giant fireflies +through the gathering gloom of the night.</p> + +<p>The prospect of bringing his scout troop into action for such a good +cause was particularly pleasing to the boy who temporarily filled the +office of leader. Spurred to do their very best by a recollection of the +vows they had so recently taken, the members of Stanhope Troop might be +depended on to bring credit to their organization.</p> + +<p>By the time Paul issued from the house there were a full dozen of his +chums present. He was glad to see that all the original charter members +forming the Red Fox patrol were on hand. They happened to live closer +than others who had joined later; and boys of a particular community +generally flock together.</p> + +<p>Immediately a great hubbub ensued. Those who did not know what all the +fuss was about had to be "put wise," as William said. And Paul was called +upon to explain his plans for the tracking of little Willie Boggs, who +had become as a chip on the torrent, a wanderer in that mysterious +forest, the end of which few Stanhope fellows had ever reached in their +wanderings up over the hills.</p> + +<p>There were now fourteen present, and Paul determined not to wait for any +more of the troop to come to time.</p> + +<p>"Fall in!"</p> + +<p>Down the street they marched, the lanterns flickering as they swung to +and fro.</p> + +<p>No wonder people, rushing to the doors as shouts arose, began to ask +eagerly if the lost child had been recovered.</p> + +<p>"It's the Boy Scouts; and they're going out to join the hunt!" some one +shouted.</p> + +<p>"Oh! they're about a mile behind Ted and his crowd!" jeered one fellow +who must have had leanings toward the Slavin party; he had been detected +in cheating so often in every game boys played that for months now he +found himself left severely alone by decent fellows, and it was reported +had applied for admission to the patrol Ward and Ted were getting up.</p> + +<p>Out of the town, and straight to the spot where the lost boy had last +been seen Paul led his squad. He knew that it would be only a miracle if +the many feet that had trod the ground over would have left any trace of +the child's little shoes; but he still had hopes that the training some +of his scouts possessed would bring more or less success.</p> + +<p>The unique sight of all those lanterns on the road had attracted many +people, so that when they arrived at the spot Paul had in mind, fully +thirty followed, a number of them boys who came only to make sport of the +scouts.</p> + +<p>"Spread out, fellows," said the scout leader, quietly, "and examine every +foot of ground. If you find a single impression of Willie's little shoe, +give the signal, and I'll come; but hold your places every one."</p> + +<p>Immediately the scene became an animated one. Lanterns flashed hither +and thither, swinging close to the ground; while young eyes searched +diligently for a trace.</p> + +<p>In less than five minutes the signal sounded, and Paul hurried over to +the one who had given the same. Jack was at his elbow, and between them +they examined the mark, to ascertain in what quarter it pointed.</p> + +<p>Then the advance was taken up in that direction.</p> + +<p>Again came the thrilling cry that told of a new footprint that had been +found.</p> + +<p>This time it was Wallace Carberry who had made the discovery. He talked +so intelligently about it that Paul determined to keep him close by. +Wallace would be a valuable advisor in case he and Jack disagreed at any +time as to what the signs meant.</p> + +<p>So they went on for an hour, finding a footprint now and then to +encourage them. These came at more frequent intervals when they got far +enough away to avoid the trampled soil where the crowd had hunted all the +afternoon.</p> + +<p>Those who had followed were now missing. They had seen that the scouts +meant business, and did not care to wander so far from town. Hence, Paul +presently found that he and his patrol had the woods almost to +themselves.</p> + +<p>Several times though he had seen other lanterns wandering around, and +guessed that these were carried by some of the Slavin crowd, also +diligently combing the woods in the hope of being the lucky ones to +find the missing boy.</p> + +<p>The chief of police and his party had gone off in an altogether different +direction.</p> + +<p>"How long can we keep this up, Paul?" asked Jack, when they had been +moving on for two hours, with no end in sight.</p> + +<p>"Don't know, but we ought to be able to put our best foot forward just +as long as that little fellow does, don't you think?" replied the other, +reproachfully.</p> + +<p>"Why, of course, and don't think I'm showing the white feather so early +in the game. I've made up my mind never to go back until he's found. Why, +we can camp right in the woods if it comes to it. And that would be a +bully experience for every Fox in the bunch. Think of having to make beds +out of branches! Ain't I glad some of us brought our camp hatchets +along."</p> + +<p>"And Jack, it would leave us in a good position to take up the hunt again +in the morning; for you see we'd be right on the ground where the little +chap passed along. Suppose you call out again. He might hear, and +answer."</p> + +<p>Jack obeyed, and repeated the name of Willie in a loud voice again and +again. But only the echoes of the great woods answered. If the boy were +within reach of that cheery hail he must be wrapped in the sleep of +exhaustion, and unable to reply.</p> + +<p>Finally Jack ceased to call, for he was growing very husky.</p> + +<p>The search still went on with unabated zeal, each boy trying to vie with +his mates in the endeavor to make some new discovery. Paul examined every +faint print of that little foot, desirous of fixing the time it was made. +Wallace joined him in this, and it was clearly shown that hours must have +elapsed since the child passed that way.</p> + +<p>"Still, he may be within fifty yards of where we are. Let's keep at it as +long as we can, and only camp when some are too tired to go on," declared +Paul, greatly disappointed to think that they had thus far been baffled +by hard luck.</p> + +<p>It was astonishing to see how far the little fellow had wandered; but +fear always lends wings to the feet; and all the while Willie doubtless +really believed he must be heading toward home.</p> + +<p>And Paul noted another fact that somehow gave him new interest in the +enterprise. By degrees the trail had swung around to the left, as is +nearly always the case when grown persons are lost; and the principle +seemed to hold good in the case of even a child.</p> + +<p>In itself this was not strange; but Paul knew that if they kept on for +another hour the chances were they would come upon the old mill pond, +nestling in the valley. The fact caused him to remember his friend Mr. +Pender; to once more mentally see that red motor with the khaki-colored +top; and to picture the two strangers who had asked him so many +questions.</p> + +<p>Was this really an accident, their being drawn out toward the farm of the +unneighborly Sol Smithers; or might it turn out to be the working of +destiny?</p> + +<p>He was aroused by a call that he had been expecting to hear for some time +now.</p> + +<p>One of the scouts felt forced to admit that he was "all in." They had +done manly work to keep up the tramp all this time, being but boys at +best.</p> + +<p>It meant that camp must be made, and the balance of the night spent there +in the woods, waiting for day to come to renew their search.</p> + +<p>Poor little Willie was destined then to pass still more hours, surrounded +by the terrors of the black and unknown forest. But probably by this time +he must be so exhausted through his unusual exertions that he was dead to +the world in sleep; so it would not matter very much.</p> + +<p>Soon all was bustle as the fourteen lads began to make ready to spend a +time in open camp. The sound of hatchets made pleasant music, as branches +were cut, and beds made close to the fire that had been started.</p> + +<p>Some of the smaller lads were so utterly exhausted that they just dropped +to the ground, and went to sleep. Paul and Jack passed around to see that +these wornout fellows did not lie too near the blaze; and that they were +fairly comfortable.</p> + +<p>In an hour's time it seemed as though every one were taking solid comfort +after such rude fashion as could be devised. One of the boys had brought +his camera along, keen to secure novel effects; and without warning he +set off a flash that gave him a picture of the slumbering heroes on their +lowly beds, that would be ever afterwards treasured as invaluable.</p> + +<p>At the brilliant illumination several sat up, and one even gave a cry of +alarm, thinking perhaps that lightning had struck a tree close by; but +with the coming of darkness again they settled back.</p> + +<p>But Paul could not sleep. He was only waiting until some of the more +restless souls quieted down. Then he and Jack, together with Wallace, +meant to again tackle the job of seeking for further imprints of those +worn little shoes among the dead leaves, and in the soft soil under the +giant trees.</p> + +<p>Somehow Paul believed that the hunt was bound to carry them to the very +door of that farmhouse on the mill pond. He was induced to suspect this +because the last time they had examined the small shoeprints, the mark of +a much larger foot had appeared beside it; and after mature deliberation +he and Wallace came to the conclusion that some man, walking through the +forest, had discovered the trail of the child, <i>and was following it</i>!</p> + +<p>He looked around him. As near as he could tell every one of the tired +scouts was slumbering soundly.</p> + +<p>So Paul silently arose, touching Jack on the shoulder, who immediately +gave Wallace Carberry the signal.</p> + +<p>The three uttered no word, but moving softly back from the circle of +firelight, carrying their almost exhausted lanterns, made ready to once +more start out into the depths of the wood; with the lonely farmhouse now +rented by the surly Sol Smithers just half a mile further to the north!</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXVI" id="CHAPTER_XXVI"></a>CHAPTER XXVI</h2> + +<h3>WHAT WOODCRAFT TOLD</h3> + + +<p>"There it is again, Paul!"</p> + +<p>"As sure as you live we're being followed, boys!" and Wallace allowed his +voice to rise just above a hoarse whisper when he made this energetic +remark.</p> + +<p>The three were crouching in the bushes.</p> + +<p>As yet Paul had not caught a glimpse of the object which seemed to +disturb both of his friends; but he was looking sharply now.</p> + +<p>"Why, yes, I do believe you are right, fellows," he said, calmly.</p> + +<p>"Well, you take it mighty cool, I must say," declared Jack.</p> + +<p>"Because I see no reason to get flurried over such a little thing, boys," +was what the leader replied.</p> + +<p>"Little thing, when you know Ted Slavin and a bunch of his toadies came +up here to get all the glory they could out of this business! Don't you +understand, Paul, that if they thought they could down us, they'd just as +lief waylay us in the woods, and put an end to all our expectations?"</p> + +<p>This was a very unusual way of talking for Wallace, but it only went to +show how the boy was worked up over the situation, and made nervous by +the continuous strain.</p> + +<p>"But how do you know those moving figures are Ted and Ward, or even any +of that crowd?" demanded Paul.</p> + +<p>The others hesitated, and finally Jack remarked:</p> + +<p>"Well, for a fact we don't know; but you remember we saw signs that even +you declared proved what I'm saying—that some of those fellows have +wandered as far as this."</p> + +<p>"Yes, that's a fact. I'm not apt to forget it. Now, how many figures have +you seen dodging along back there, just as if they didn't care to be +seen—yet?"</p> + +<p>"How about it, Wallace?" queried Jack, doubtfully.</p> + +<p>"Two, anyhow; I'm sure of that," came the hesitating reply.</p> + +<p>"Yes, at least two, Paul," the other echoed.</p> + +<p>"And we are three. That's one reason why I don't see any reason for +getting nervous over the discovery," observed the leader, his voice now +apparently showing a trace of humor that was bubbling up near the +surface.</p> + +<p>"But where there are two there may be more, Paul?" objected Jack.</p> + +<p>"Yes, possibly eight or ten more," went on the calm leader.</p> + +<p>"Goodness! and you say there is no need of our worrying?" exclaimed +Wallace.</p> + +<p>"Yes, explain what you mean, old fellow. Eight or ten would give us a +warm time don't you think?" demanded Wallace, gripping Paul's arm +fiercely.</p> + +<p>"Hardly, if they were all sound asleep around a dying campfire, dead to +the world," quoth Paul, chuckling now.</p> + +<p>But the others uttered low but vehement exclamations.</p> + +<p>"Don't you see what he means, Wallace?" asked Jack.</p> + +<p>"Sure. What a couple of fools you and I were," came the scathing reply.</p> + +<p>"We've been followed by two of our own boys. They must have watched us +crawl out of camp, and not wanting us to have all the fun, here they come +creeping after us. What shall we do, Paul?" Jack queried in the other's +ear; for the flitting figures were now very near.</p> + +<p>"Open our arms and welcome the recruits. If they're just bound to join +forces with us, why should we make any kick. I'm glad of it."</p> + +<p>Then raising his voice a little, Paul continued:</p> + +<p>"Hey! there!"</p> + +<p>They could hear the murmur of voices. Evidently the two shadows were +talking it over, and must have arrived at some quick conclusion, for +presently same a hail.</p> + +<p>"Hello! Paul, Jack!"</p> + +<p>"It's Bobolink, for one," muttered Jack, immediately.</p> + +<p>"Then it's a sure thing William is tagging along," said Wallace.</p> + +<p>"Come on, both of you fellows. No danger!" called Paul, softly.</p> + +<p>After that assurance the shadows boldly advanced, and quickly joined the +three who stood under the spreading oak.</p> + +<p>It proved just as Jack and Wallace had predicted, for the newcomers +turned out to be William and Bobolink. They were chuckling, as though +considering it a good joke.</p> + +<p>"Thought you'd give us the quiet sneak, and gobble all the glory +yourselves, hey?" said the latter, as they bustled up; "but William and +myself had it all fixed. We were on to your curves, all right."</p> + +<p>"Yes," broke in William, just there; "didn't we see you with your heads +together a lot, and wasn't we wise to what was in the wind. Bobolink was +awake, and it was my turn to snooze. He gave me a kick in the seventh rib +that made me think a comet had dropped on me. But we showed up game. Now, +what's doing, fellows; and do we get a grab at the scout?"</p> + +<p>"If you both feel like trotting around a whole lot more, why you're just +as welcome as a shower in spring," asserted Paul, promptly.</p> + +<p>"I should say, yes," declared Jack; "and if the whole bunch could stand +the racket we wouldn't have crept away like we did. But most of the poor +fellows are all in, and dead tired, and we thought it would be a shame to +invite them to hike some more."</p> + +<p>"Did you bring your glim along?" asked Paul.</p> + +<p>"Our lanterns? Well, William didn't want to, but I insisted. I knew that +if we missed you fellows, and lost ourselves in the bush, they'd come in +mighty fine for company," returned Bobolink.</p> + +<p>"Then let's light up. After that we'll spread out, and try to find the +trail," with which remark Paul set the example.</p> + +<p>Presently five lanterns glowed like giant fireflies.</p> + +<p>"Think it lies in this direction, Paul?" asked William.</p> + +<p>"I'm sure of it. After that man's track came alongside the print of the +little chap's shoe, there was no more wandering about; but it struck +straight ahead. That told me the trail was heading for a house," came the +ready reply.</p> + +<p>"A house. Say, is there any other place up here but the old farm +alongside the mill pond? I don't seem to remember any," remarked +Bobolink.</p> + +<p>"And that's just where I expect we'll bring up sooner or later," observed +Paul.</p> + +<p>"Then why not put for the old place at full speed right away?" suggested +William, always impetuous.</p> + +<p>"To do that we'd have to drop the trail again. And besides, what does +an hour, or even two of them, matter in the end? Slow but sure is the +successful scout's motto, boys. Hello I look here, what's this?"</p> + +<p>Paul thrust his lantern down close to the ground. Bending over to look, +the others could see the plain impression of a child's little shoe. It +was heading due north, just as many similar tracks had been of late.</p> + +<p>"Now if you look at this you'll see it's nearly crushed out by the big +print of a man's foot; while just beyond the child has stepped into the +impression made by the man. That can mean only one thing; the two were +going on in company, and for a minute he let go the little one's hand, so +that first the child was in front, and then behind."</p> + +<p>"I guess you're right, Paul. But see here, what does this mean? The small +track has dropped out altogether," remarked William.</p> + +<p>"That is where the big fellow picks the boy up in his arms, and is +carrying him," said Wallace, before Paul could answer.</p> + +<p>"Right you are, that is just what happened. To tell the truth I don't +know why he didn't do that before. He must have been toting some bundle +along, and couldn't well carry the boy too. Come back a bit. I want to +look around," and Paul retraced his steps until he had reached the spot +where a confusion of tracks met his gaze.</p> + +<p>He followed the man's trail a few paces, and found himself under a tree. +Raising his lantern he carefully examined the bark of the trunk, and +finding several fresh scratches, pursued his investigations still higher.</p> + +<p>One accommodating limb grew rather low. In fact a man could, by reaching +up his arms, clasp it easily; and that was what Paul believed had been +done.</p> + +<p>"Give me a push, somebody; and then hand up my lantern," he said, +clasping his arms about the tree as well as he was able.</p> + +<p>Ten seconds later William was handing him up the light; after which Paul +began to ascend slowly, looking about him as though constantly on the +watch for signs that would tell another had preceded him.</p> + +<p>"All right; it's here. I'm coming down, fellows," he soon called out.</p> + +<p>Reaching that friendly lower limb he held something in view.</p> + +<p>"Take hold of this, Bobolink, and handle it carefully, because we don't +know what's in the package. It might be dynamite!" he remarked.</p> + +<p>"Oh! I hope not!" exclaimed the one in whose arms the bundle reposed; and +he did not look any too happy at the prospect ahead.</p> + +<p>"Don't be silly," said Paul, as he dropped beside them. "But whatever +it may be, we might as well hide it in a new place. Then if the fellow +should come back here to get it, he's going to meet with a +disappointment, that's all."</p> + +<p>"But what d'ye think it is?" argued the one who clasped the large package +in his arms, though with evident reluctance.</p> + +<p>"That is none of our business just now. It may be honest enough, and we'd +get into a peck of trouble if we peeked. So let's just chuck it in some +hollow stump as we go along, and muffle our trail behind us so he can't +find where we put it. Later on I think I know some one who will be glad +to look into what it contains."</p> + +<p>"Perhaps I do too," remarked Jack; and the two chums looked at each +other, with mutual astonishment marked on their faces.</p> + +<p>"Oh!" remarked Paul, "are you on, too? Did he tell you the secret?"</p> + +<p>"I happened to pick up an envelope he dropped, and wondered whose it was; +so I went around, asking. He laughed when I came to him, and told me +a little bit of news that surprised me. But Paul, he asked me not to +breathe a word, even to you. That was a mean joke, when you knew all +along," Jack complained.</p> + +<p>"Remember the red car on the road, and the two men in it?"</p> + +<p>"Oh! did they have anything to do with his coming up here? Yes, now that +I think of it, you were pretty much excited over that same red car. You +guessed something then, didn't you, Paul?"</p> + +<p>"He had asked me to watch out for a red car with a khaki-colored top, +that might have two men in it, one of them owning to a glass eye."</p> + +<p>"Good gracious!" said Jack; "that tall chap did have a bogus eye, for a +fact. And when you left me in town you hurried around to the post-office +to find Mr. Pender, didn't you? I see it all now. He never came home for +supper, as far as I know. I reckon he must have got a rig of some sort, +and put out for the mill pond. But what about Solus Smithers—they asked +after him, you know?"</p> + +<p>Paul pointed to the marks on the ground.</p> + +<p>"Unless I'm wrong those are his tracks. I noticed that he had big feet at +the time he came out and ordered us to clear away from the pond, and +threatened us with his gun. Yes, perhaps he got home to find visitors +waiting for him," Paul observed, just as though he could read all these +things from the trail.</p> + +<p>"Then we go on, do we?" asked Bobolink, eagerly.</p> + +<p>He had been listening to what passed between his two comrades, and while +it was partly Greek to him, enough of the truth filtered through to give +him a creepy sensation, as though cold water were being poured down his +back.</p> + +<p>Bobolink was no coward though, and while he shivered it was more through +a delicious frame of mind over the chance of an adventure than because +he felt fear.</p> + +<p>"Straight on, as long as these lanterns hold out. I see yours has begun +to flicker already, William. There, it's puffed out; and my own isn't +near as strong a light as it was."</p> + +<p>Paul seemed to be a true prophet, for inside of five minutes the lanterns +"gave up the ghost," the last to expire being that of Jack.</p> + +<p>"What's doing now?" demanded Jack.</p> + +<p>"Gather up all the matches in the crowd. Then I'll strike them one by +one," was Paul's immediate response.</p> + +<p>This emergency torch lasted for a little while. Finally the last match +was gone, and still they were some distance away from the mill pond.</p> + +<p>"Listen," said William, suddenly; with a thrill in his voice; "whatever +do you suppose that is?"</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXVII" id="CHAPTER_XXVII"></a>CHAPTER XXVII</h2> + +<h3>TED FINDS SOMETHING</h3> + + +<p>"Sure it wasn't an owl?" asked Paul, when a full minute had passed away, +without their hearing a repetition of the sound that had reached the ears +of his comrade.</p> + +<p>"Didn't sound like it. I kind of thought it was somebody calling for +help!" said Bobolink, quivering with the suspense caused by the +situation.</p> + +<p>They stood in a group, listening eagerly. The night wind stirred the tops +of the tall forest trees softly, and even this gentle sound boomed on +their strained nerves like the strokes of a bass drum.</p> + +<p>"Oh! there! Didn't you hear it that time?" whispered Bobolink.</p> + +<p>"I guess we did," replied Paul; "and you're right in saying it is +somebody shouting. But all the same I don't feel sure it was a call for +help. Let's remember, fellows, that Ted and his crowd must be somewhere +about up here. And you know from past experiences what dodges he's up to +when he wants to play a trick on anybody."</p> + +<p>"Do you mean he'd like to draw us off by shouting that way, while some +of his fellows went along to the farmhouse, and got the lost boy?" asked +William.</p> + +<p>"That would be just like Ted. He's as full of tricks as an egg is of +meat," Jack took it upon himself to say at this juncture.</p> + +<p>"Well, what are we going to do about it, boys?" asked Wallace.</p> + +<p>"I leave it to Paul; whatever he says ought to be good enough for me," +replied Wallace.</p> + +<p>"And me," came from the others without hesitation.</p> + +<p>"Thanks, fellows. I hope that my plan will prove the best after all. But +don't blame me if I should make a mistake. Let's head for the road, which +I take it ought to be somewhere over yonder," remarked Paul, pointing +through the darkness.</p> + +<p>"The road, eh? I see, you mean that once we get on that we'll have it +easy all the way to the pond. That suits me all right. Count William in."</p> + +<p>"Yes, seeing that our lanterns are out, and not a match in the crowd, I +guess the sooner we get our feet planted on the highway, the better for +our noses. I've barked mine already against a tree, and another dose will +spoil my classic beauty," grunted Bobolink, rubbing tenderly at the spot +in question.</p> + +<p>"Then come along, the rest of you," said Paul, starting off.</p> + +<p>"Seems to me it's getting lighter," announced Wallace, presently.</p> + +<p>"Mebbe our eyes are used to it, that's what," Bobolink remarked.</p> + +<p>"Mine are closing up right fast, I warn you, fellers," said William; "and +before long it's going to be a case of the blind leading the blind. That +branch took me across the face. Hey! ain't that the same old shout?"</p> + +<p>"Sounds like it; but much nearer," returned Paul, with a vein of +uncertainty in his voice, as if he might be commencing to doubt whether +they were doing the right thing in paying no attention to the calls.</p> + +<p>"Oh! I guess I know what it means," remarked Jack; "I've been trying to +make it out all along. That's sure a different voice. Some of Ted's crowd +have got separated, and they're just trying to get together again. You've +heard quail calling, after being flushed and scattered. How, Paul?"</p> + +<p>"Perhaps you've struck it, Jack. Anyway, we are on the road here, and had +better push straight along to the pond first."</p> + +<p>"Right enough," uttered Bobolink, as he broke through a cordon of brush, +and jumped out on the highway, though it might be only an apology for a +road after all, being scantily used; "and after that experience it's +going to be something big that drags me into the woods again."</p> + +<p>The little group stood there for a minute to recover their wind, which +had been more or less exhausted in the last desperate push through the +dark woods.</p> + +<p>"Ready to move on, fellows?" demanded Paul, who had apparently not +changed his mind, and was more than ever bent on covering the last lap +lying between themselves and the pond.</p> + +<p>Jack and Wallace fell in on either side, and the march was begun. Since +the other pair did not wish to be left behind, they were forced to +accompany themselves to the movements of the trio.</p> + +<p>Thus they walked perhaps a full hundred yards along the winding road, +with the stars showing overhead, and the black mysterious woods flanking +them on either side.</p> + +<p>The shouts had apparently ceased; at least none had been heard since the +five lads reached open territory.</p> + +<p>Again it was Bobolink who caught a sound of some sort.</p> + +<p>"Tell me again I'm hearing owls, will you, fellows? If that ain't a +gasoline wagon climbing a hill ahead there I'm off my guess," he +whispered.</p> + +<p>"Chug! chug!" came the plain sound, as the air current veered more toward +the point toward which they were heading.</p> + +<p>"I know that hill," Paul observed, as if talking to himself; "it's just +this side of the mill pond. That means the car is coming this way. The +two gentlemen are separating themselves from their dear friend, Solus +Smithers. Why, I wonder? Would Mr. Pender have anything to do with it?"</p> + +<p>"Wow! did you see that?" gasped Bobolink, proving that his plaint about +his eyes closing up could hardly be based on solid ground.</p> + +<p>"Somebody struck a match, and it went out! Whoever it is, he's on the +road just ahead of us, fellows!" whispered Jack.</p> + +<p>"Back up into the scrub here. Quick! for perhaps he's got another match!" +said Paul, following up his words by instant action.</p> + +<p>They managed to cower down in the brush, though Bobolink muttered +something to the effect that he had received another jab in the +neighborhood of his wretched eyes.</p> + +<p>"Look! he's done it, Paul, just as you said he would!" whispered Jack.</p> + +<p>"Yes, he's shielding it from the breeze till it gets strong. There—well, +what d'ye think of that, fellers?" gasped William.</p> + +<p>"It's Ted!" muttered Wallace, staring hard at the figure that seemed to +be huddled up on the road a little distance away.</p> + +<p>"What do you suppose the silly goose is doing on his knees?" came from +Jack.</p> + +<p>"He's found something, and he's looking at it. See, now he's managed to +open it up. Seems to me like a leather bag, boys," Wallace managed to +wedge in with.</p> + +<p>"Just what it is, old cat eyes. A hand bag! Now, however did that thing +happen to be lying there in the road? Nobody ever comes up here but +Solus, and he isn't the one to own a bag like that."</p> + +<p>"The red car," said Paul, as Jack seemed to hesitate.</p> + +<p>"That's it, as sure as you live. Dropped out of the machine; and by +jinks! the fellers are comin' back to look for it. Never missed it till +Sol got home!" his chum declared.</p> + +<p>All this talk between the five boy scouts was carried on in the lowest of +whispers. The sound of their voices would not have carried twenty feet; +and the kneeling Ted was several times that distance away.</p> + +<p>Besides, he seemed to be so fascinated by what he had discovered in the +leather grip that he had eyes and ears for nothing else just then.</p> + +<p>"The motor is coming closer!" remarked Wallace, as the sound of the +engine was borne more distinctly to their ears.</p> + +<p>"Sure. She's just at the top of the rise, and now it's down-grade. Reckon +she'll be here in a minute. Push back further, fellows."</p> + +<p>"Look! Ted hears it now! He's jumped up! Seems like he just don't know +what to do, cut and run with the bag, or wait till the car gets there. +Hey! watch that, will you?" gasped William.</p> + +<p>"He threw the bag as far as he could into the woods!" said Jack.</p> + +<p>"That looks like he meant to try and keep it," suggested Jack; "I imagine +that the leather grip holds something that took Ted's fancy. But all the +same I reckon it isn't going to be easy sledding for him. Will he run, +fellows?"</p> + +<p>"He's debating that same question now; but it's too late. He waited just +half a minute too long," Paul remarked, as a sudden flash of dazzling +light shot around a bend a short distance ahead, and the red car with the +khaki-colored top came into view, making fairly fast time.</p> + +<p>They could dimly see the inmates apparently surveying the road ahead with +the utmost eagerness, as though anxious to make a discovery. The loss of +that bag must have rather upset their plans, and given them a jolt.</p> + +<p>Every one of the five hidden scouts crouched low, so that their faces +might not be discovered by that fierce white glow.</p> + +<p>Plainly to their ears was borne the shouts of the men in the machine, as +they discovered the figure of Ted on the road. The Stanhope bully had +evidently made up his mind that the bag was well worth struggling for, +and that he must make some sort of a fight to retain possession of it.</p> + +<p>Paul could guess what his plan of operations would be. He had seen Ted +play innocent more than once before, when caught in the act of doing some +mean thing. And as a rule the fellow could carry out the game fairly +well.</p> + +<p>But he was up against a different proposition now; and these keen-eyed +men were not apt to be hoodwinked so easily as a parcel of schoolboys.</p> + +<p>Ted stood there, looking at the car that was bearing down upon him.</p> + +<p>No doubt he had assumed the innocent air of a rustic, and tried to make +himself appear as stupid as he could. The two men in the red car were no +longer calling, for they had seen that the boy on the road showed no +signs of wanting to run.</p> + +<p>As they bore down upon the spot the car slowed up, and came to a full +stop within a few yards of the waiting Ted. Every scout lying in the +screen of bushes held his breath as he listened to catch what was going +to follow.</p> + +<p>"Say, gimme a ride, mister?"</p> + +<p>That was Ted speaking, before either of the men could say the first word. +Indeed they were too busy clambering out of the car to surround him, and +cut off any chance of escape, to think of anything else.</p> + +<p>Without answering they bore down on Ted, and he found himself confronted +by two eager faces, while a rough hand clutched his arm.</p> + +<p>"He ain't got it, Brad!" exclaimed the shorter of the pair, as though +disappointed over something.</p> + +<p>"Hey, what'd you do with it, son?" demanded the taller traveler, looking +furiously at Ted, though pretending to speak gently.</p> + +<p>"With what, boss? I ain't got nothin' that belongs to you, sure I ain't!" +whimpered the boy; and Paul came near to chuckling at the way Ted put on +the agony.</p> + +<p>"We lost a leather bag out of the car. I saw it after we turned into this +here twisting side road just back a piece. We've looked over every foot +between here and the mill pond, and ain't seen it. I'm going to ask you +again, son, what did you do with it?"</p> + +<p>The man did not threaten, as yet, but there was something deep down in +his voice that seemed to tell of all sorts of terrible things that might +happen to the boy unless he came to time, and confessed.</p> + +<p>But at any rate Ted was game. His covetous nature had been aroused by +something he had glimpsed inside of that same bag; and he did not mean to +give it up unless pushed to the last resort.</p> + +<p>"Ain't seen no bag, mister, 'deed an' I ain't," he whimpered; "I got a +lantern here, an' I was ahuntin' a little boy that was lost from home. +Lots of other fellers in the woods adoin' that same. But my light give +out. Then I struck this here road. I'm clean tired out, mister, and I'd +like to get a ride home, if so be you're goin' my way. A bag, mister? +Sure I ain't knowin' nawthin' about no bag. Cross my heart if I do. Gimme +a ride to Stanhope, mister, please!"</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXVIII" id="CHAPTER_XXVIII"></a>CHAPTER XXVIII</h2> + +<h3>FORCED TO TELL</h3> + + +<p>The two men looked at each other.</p> + +<p>Apparently they hardly knew whether to believe Ted or not. Paul saw them +put their heads close together, as though exchanging confidences. Then +the tall fellow once more whirled on Ted, who had been standing on one +leg, with a most forlorn look upon his face.</p> + +<p>"We both think that you lie, son," said the man who was minus one of his +optics, as he thrust his face close down to that of Ted, as though he +would look straight into his heart; but this was something that no one +else had ever succeeded in doing, and the attempt did not prove very +successful.</p> + +<p>"Tell him who we are, Brad," growled the shorter of the twain, who looked +angry enough to devour the unfortunate Ted.</p> + +<p>So the one called Brad took something out of his coat pocket that made +a peculiar jingling noise, and held it up before the boy.</p> + +<p>"D'ye see them, son? We call 'em bracelets, and they're meant to go on +the wrists of criminals. D'ye understand now? We're officers of the law, +and we've just made a grand haul. But some of the evidence has slipped +away from us. It's in that same bag you picked up on this here road. +Now, don't you dare deny it again, or we'll take you into town with these +pretty toys clasped on your wrists. I'm going to give you another chance +to tell us, son. Where did you put that bag?"</p> + +<p>Ted winced and whined. He showed all the signs of injured innocence. +Surely he must have made up his mind quickly that the contents of the +bag were well worth taking all sorts of chances for.</p> + +<p>"Ain't seen no bag. Sure I'd be on'y too glad to tell you, mister, if I +had. All I wants to do is to go home. I'm tired, an' nigh sick with all +this huntin' for that kid," he whimpered.</p> + +<p>The man suddenly pounced on him, and despite Ted's struggles and +entreaties, he seemed to succeed in accomplishing his purpose. At any +rate the concealed scouts heard a snap; and when Ted reeled back he was +holding his two hands close together in a suspicious way, and staring at +something that seemed to be in the nature of a connecting link.</p> + +<p>"Now you are in for it," said the tall man, shaking his head +threateningly as he stood over the prisoner; "we'll have to take you to +town, and put you in the lockup as an accessory after the fact. D'ye hear +that, you young fool? And all because you refuse to help honest officers +of the law in their legitimate business. Why, you may get ten years at +hard labor, yes, twenty. Better tell all you know, and perhaps we'll let +you off."</p> + +<p>"You can do anything you like to me, mister, but I ain't agoin' to say +what I don't know. Ain't seen any bag of no kind. Cross my heart if I +have. I'm willin' to help you hunt for it, even if I am dog tired. Don't +you believe me, mister? Sure, I wouldn't lie to you. What would I be +wantin' with a bag; we got plenty at my house. Ted Slavin's my name, and +I live in Stanhope. Gimme a ride, mister, if you're goin' that way, won't +you?"</p> + +<p>Again the two men talked together, while Ted watched them out of the +corner of his eye. He might even have tried to run but the fact that +his hands were fastened together with that steel chain prevented such +a thing.</p> + +<p>Once more they turned upon him, and the tall man pointing down, +thundered:</p> + +<p>"You've been kneeling in the dirt!"</p> + +<p>Ted glanced down at his trousers involuntarily; but even then he was not +taken off his guard.</p> + +<p>"I fell ever so many times after my lantern went out. See here, mister, +how I scraped the skin off my hand. That's the honest truth I'm givin' +you!" he cried.</p> + +<p>Undoubtedly it was, but all the same the men showed no signs of yielding.</p> + +<p>The taller one, called Brad by his companion, deliberately detached one +of the lamps from the car. With this he bent down to examine the road.</p> + +<p>"He'll see the marks of the bag!" whispered Bobolink to Paul.</p> + +<p>"Watch him while I scurry along the road a bit, to see if he left it," +was what the man said, and then moved down toward the spot where the +five boys lay in hiding.</p> + +<p>When he came opposite them they hardly dared to breathe, lest his keen +ears catch the sound, and he pounce upon them.</p> + +<p>But he went past, scouring the road closely, and looking for some sign of +the missing bag. They saw him pass on, and the light grew dim. Meanwhile +Ted sat down on a log, and seemed to be very dejected and forlorn. Once +or twice when the shorter man was not looking Paul saw him glance around, +as though sizing up the chances for a sudden plunge into the forest.</p> + +<p>"He's coming again," said Bobolink; and the brilliant glow from down the +road bore evidence of the truth of this remark which was whispered in +Paul's ear.</p> + +<p>Brad walked hastily back, and soon rejoined his companion, with whom he +talked earnestly for a minute.</p> + +<p>"Get up!" he said, turning to Ted, and giving the boy a kick that made +him climb to his feet hurriedly, groaning with pain.</p> + +<p>"Bring him along into the woods, Wash!" the tall man continued, turning +aside.</p> + +<p>"Oh! what are you goin' to do?" cried Ted, in real or pretended terror, +as he caught hold of the man's coat, and sought to hold him back.</p> + +<p>"You'll find out right soon, son. Before we're done with you perhaps +you'll wish you'd told us about that ere bag us the beginning. We're just +going to make it warm for a feller of your size. This night air has made +you too cold to speak up; but we'll fix all that, I reckon; we know how +to do it, don't we, Wash?"</p> + +<p>"Do we? Well, I should smile we did. But they's no need of our goin' far, +old man. This here is a right smart tree, and looks like it might answer. +'Sides, they seems to be lots o' loose wood lyin' 'bout this part!"</p> + +<p>Paul felt a chill pass over him. Could it be possible these rascals meant +to torture Ted until he told; or were they just trying to frighten him? +If it came to the worst they just could not stand by and see such a thing +done.</p> + +<p>Ted, of course, was considerably worked up when he heard what the shorter +fellow said. It was so very plain he could not mistake the meaning.</p> + +<p>"Say, mister, you wouldn't go to hurt a poor feller what never done you +no harm, now, would you? Wish I on'y knowed where I could find a bag; I'd +get it for you like hot cakes. Please don't smoke me. I ain't a ham, +mister, an' I never done you any harm. Let me go, won't you? I'll never +come up here again, sure I won't. And I'll promise to bring you all the +bags in our house, mister."</p> + +<p>Paying no attention to his pleadings and his groanings the men stood Ted +up against a tree. Then the rope brought from the car was wrapped around +both boy and tree several times.</p> + +<p>"Get busy, Wash, and scrape up all the dead leaves you can find. Then +begin and pile up some brush and stuff. Oh! yes, it's a cold night, but +we ain't agoin' to let a poor critter what's lost his way, suffer. Here +you, stop that snifflin'. Time enough to beller after it begins to hurt."</p> + +<p>He struck Ted again in the face, making his nose bleed. Paul had crept +out from the brush and commenced to approach the spot. He knew that the +other four scouts were probably close on his heels.</p> + +<p>Every boy's heart beat like a trip hammer with excitement. They bit their +lower lips to keep from shouting out loud, such was the strain upon them. +But not one had the least thought of turning back. With such a leader, +how could they?</p> + +<p>The shorter ruffian was scratching right merrily among the dead leaves, +making all the noise he could, so as to impress the prisoner with a sense +of his perilous condition. While he worked he kept talking, half to +himself, and no doubt uttering all sorts of terrible threats calculated +further to alarm the boy.</p> + +<p>"We forgot one thing, Wash," said the other man, suddenly.</p> + +<p>"What was that?" asked the one on his knees.</p> + +<p>"To search the varmint. I might as well do it right now, while you go on +getting his jacket warmer ready."</p> + +<p>At first Ted tried to make all the resistance possible; but this only +brought quick punishment in the shape of ugly blows and threats. So Ted +had to stand and allow the other to have his way.</p> + +<p>A minute later the man uttered a loud cry.</p> + +<p>"Look here, Wash, what did I say?"</p> + +<p>He was holding something up. Seen in the light from the lamp belonging +to the red car it looked very much like a fat wad of greenbacks, tied +together with a cord.</p> + +<p>Wash sprang up, and bent over to examine the object in the light. Then he +laughed harshly.</p> + +<p>"It's the boodle, all right, Brad. He found the bag, sure as thunder! And +now he's <i>got</i> to tell, or it's all up with him!"</p> + +<p>Both men turned furiously on the bound boy. Ted had held out against all +odds up to this critical point; but of course he must admit himself +beaten, now that they had found the evidence in his pocket.</p> + +<p>Nearer crept Paul, with his chums tagging close at his heels. And nobody +thought to look beyond the line of brilliant light cast by the lamp which +rested on the ground at the foot of the tree. Fortunately its powerful +rays were directed away from the quarter occupied by the creeping Boy +Scouts.</p> + +<p>"Now, I reckon you're agoin' to tell all you know about that ere bag, +son?" said Brad, in a terrible voice.</p> + +<p>"I guess I'll have to, mister. I was just holdin' out to see if so be you +was what you says. Now I know you be, and I'm ready to tell the hull +thing if you'll only let me go free. I don't want to be smoked, just yet +anyway," Ted whined.</p> + +<p>"You did find the bag, then?" demanded the other.</p> + +<p>"Yep, that's what I did."</p> + +<p>"And took this wad of dough out of it?" pursued the other, savagely.</p> + +<p>"It looked too nice to throw away, so I cabbaged it, mister. Wisht I +hadn't now."</p> + +<p>"What became of the bag after you took this out—go on, now, and tell, +or—"</p> + +<p>"Oh! I throwed that away, mister, right over here in the woods somewhere. +If you look around you'll find her close by. Please let me go when you +dig her out!" said Ted, really alarmed now for his safety.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXIX" id="CHAPTER_XXIX"></a>CHAPTER XXIX</h2> + +<h3>THE CAPTURE</h3> + + +<p>Paul knew where that bag was.</p> + +<p>By the strangest chance in the world he was kneeling alongside it just +then. In creeping forward so as to draw closer to the scene of action, +and avoid the rays of light cast by the car lamp, he had happened to put +his hand on some object that felt soft to the touch; and he guessed what +it must be.</p> + +<p>What if the tall man came straight toward that spot, looking for the +missing object? Dared they rise up and defy these two scoundrels? If some +one cast Ted loose would he join forces with them, and make common cause +against the ruffians?</p> + +<p>Judging from what he knew about the fellow, from past experiences, Paul +thought no dependence could be placed on Ted. As likely as not if his +hands were free, he would seize the very first chance to snatch up the +bag and scamper off, leaving the others to bear the brunt of the men's +anger.</p> + +<p>But perhaps they would not have to face the tall chap just yet. He seemed +ready to start into the bushes across the way first, taking the lamp with +him.</p> + +<p>"Keep on piling up the trash, Wash. Get him surrounded good and plenty. +For if we don't run across that bag mighty soon we're bound to make it +warm for this Smart Aleck. But don't put a match to the heap till I get +back. I wanter see the fun, you understand."</p> + +<p>"Oh! mister, it's just like I was tellin' you. I stood in the road and +guv the bag a throw when I see your light over the top of the hill. She +jest <i>must</i> be close around here somewhere," Ted wailed.</p> + +<p>"If Brad finds her, all well an' good; but if he don't—well, you'll have +a sweet time soon, that's all," growled the shorter man, still on his +knees, and engaged in scraping more leaves together.</p> + +<p>"If you on'y would let me, I'd stand on the road jest where I was when +I throwed the old bag. Then you could figger where she landed. Let me +loose, won't you, mister? I told you the truth this time; and you're sure +to find that bag. They'll be wonderin' what's become of me at home, sure +they will. I got a mother, and she thinks a heap of me, she does. You +wouldn't break her heart, mister, by smokin' a poor boy?"</p> + +<p>"Aw! dry up! you fooled us once, but you can't do it no more. It's the +bag, or your hide gets a singein', my fine feller. That'll do for you, +now."</p> + +<p>The man had a temper as short as his stature; and Ted dared not stir him +up any further. So he hung there alongside the tree, watching the glow +of the lamp further up the road.</p> + +<p>And as he stood in this disconsolate position, he suddenly became aware +that something was taking place just beyond the kneeling Wash.</p> + +<p>Perhaps, had his hands not been so snugly fastened together with that +horrid steel chain, Ted might have tried to rub his eyes, under the +impression that they were deceiving him; for he saw a face in the dim +light, a face that looked wonderfully like that of Paul Morrison.</p> + +<p>Some foolish boys would have been so thrilled by the prospect of relief +that they must have called out, and thus betrayed the creeping rescuers. +Ted chanced to be built on different lines. He stared and blinked, but +gave utterance to no sound.</p> + +<p>He saw other moving figures close on the heels of the leader. Then he +understood that Paul was not alone, but some of his Red Fox patrol must +be in attendance.</p> + +<p>Closer still crept the newcomers. If Ted's heart ever warmed toward a +living being it surely ought just then; when these lads, whom he was +wont to regard as his bitter rivals, and enemies in everything at school, +took such chances simply because they could not see a Stanhope boy in +trouble.</p> + +<p>Wash kept muttering to himself as he worked. The rustle of the leaves, +and the crackling of the brush as he dragged it forward, kept him from +hearing such sounds as might have been made by the tenderfeet scouts, who +had not yet learned just how to do these things as might an Indian or an +experienced woodsman.</p> + +<p>Paul was on his knees now, and still rising, with Jack a close second.</p> + +<p>They were not three feet behind the man who labored. A single plunge +forward must send them full upon his back.</p> + +<p>Some thought of his companion possibly crossed the mind of Wash just +then; for he suddenly turned his head.</p> + +<p>Of course he could not help but see what was behind him.</p> + +<p>"Now!" whooped Bobolink and William in a breath.</p> + +<p>There was a simultaneous movement on the part of the five lads. Wash, +taken by surprise, could not get up on his feet. He had his hands full of +brush at the moment, and this also handicapped him about making any +effective use of the weapons Nature gave him.</p> + +<p>He had just time to shout the name of his companion when the avalanche +struck him, and he was bowled over as neatly as ever a football tackle +got his man.</p> + +<p>Paul knew that they could easily manage this one fellow. The trouble +was Wash did not happen to be alone. When the tall ruffian came dashing +quickly to the spot there was no telling what he might not do.</p> + +<p>"Hold him down, you twins. Don't let him break loose. The rest of you +follow me!"</p> + +<p>Even while speaking Paul scrambled to his feet. He heard the mad patter +of feet as Brad came dashing toward the spot, shouting in his excitement, +and doubtless believing that the prisoner had turned upon his captor.</p> + +<p>"Let me loose, Paul; quick, twist this rope around the tree!" shrilled +Ted, who saw a chance to escape the punishment that had been hovering +over his head.</p> + +<p>Paul caught the end of the rope. Four times did he dash around that tree, +in about as many seconds; then Ted, finding his bonds loose, squirmed +free.</p> + +<p>But Brad was now on hand, filled with astonishment and fury. Whichever +way he turned the rays of his car lamp he seemed to discover fresh moving +figures. The woods seemed to be full of enemies. They must be hiding +behind each and every tree, ready to pounce upon him.</p> + +<p>Already he could see that his partner was writhing on the ground, held +down by an unknown number of strangers. In his eyes it might be these +advancing figures each and every one must be a deputy sheriff, eager to +have a hand in his arrest. So terror makes cowards of the best of men; +and Brad turned to flee.</p> + +<p>"Surrender!" shouted a voice behind him.</p> + +<p>It was Paul calling out, but just then the alarmed culprit could not tell +the voice of a boy from that of a hyena. Some one had called upon him to +surrender, and the dread word conjured up all sorts of terrible +conditions.</p> + +<p>Into the darkness of the woods he would have plunged, regardless of the +shock that must follow a collision with an unseen tree. But he did not +go far. A figure arose straight in his path, and opened a pair of arms, +into the embrace of which the fleeing rascal ran.</p> + +<p>Before the lamp fell to the ground and went out Paul had one glimpse of +a face.</p> + +<p>"It's Mr. Pender, fellows! Brad's nabbed!" he could not help shouting.</p> + +<p>Jack, realizing the need of more light, instantly flew over to where the +car was standing, and detached the second lamp. With this he hastened +back. Wash was still struggling; but the two boys had him on his face, +where his superior strength was of little avail; and were sitting on him +to keep him quiet.</p> + +<p>When they rushed over to where Mr. Pender had been seen struggling with +the taller of the ruffians, they found that he had subdued Brad; for the +other was glaring down at a pair of steel bracelets which outshone those +he had so pleasantly snapped on the wrists of poor Ted.</p> + +<p>There was no more fight in him.</p> + +<p>When the other man had been treated to a similar present, they were +allowed to sit upon the ground and exchange words of doleful regret, +while Mr. Pender went the rounds, and gravely shook hands with each one +of the Boy Scouts.</p> + +<p>"You've done me a good turn, boys, a mighty good turn. I was just on my +way to the mill pond to arrest these chaps when I saw a light ahead, and +creeping up, witnessed this interesting sight. When I've found that bag +now, I imagine I'll have the case against these two worthies clean cut," +he said.</p> + +<p>Upon which Paul quietly stepped over into the bushes and fished out the +article in question, which he delivered to the officer.</p> + +<p>From Brad's pocket was taken the wad of bills which Ted had thought to +purloin from the bag before he threw it and the rest of its contents +away.</p> + +<p>"This is counterfeit money, boys, made from the plates in the bag. They +were taking these things to Solus, who had written them that he had +secured a nice quiet retreat where they might work undisturbed. So you +see, my boy," said Mr. Pender to Ted, "if you had made way with this +it must have gotten you into a peck of trouble from the start. You're +lucky to get out of it as easy as you do."</p> + +<p>Ted was looking anything but cheerful.</p> + +<p>"Oh! I knowed it was bad money all the while, sir, but I wanted to take +it to the chief of police in town. I ain't ever goin' to run up against +Paul Morrison and his crowd no more, after this white way they treated +me. Not much. I'm goin' to turn over a new leaf after this. But please, +mister, get that key from him, and take these things off. Makes me squirm +to just feel 'em. But, mister, I'm glad I didn't have to smoke, after +all," and that seemed to be the burden of Ted's thanksgiving.</p> + +<p>As to his ever turning over that promised new leaf, well, Paul believed +they were more apt to find potatoes growing on apple trees than that +such a wonder should come about.</p> + +<p>"But I'm not satisfied yet, boys," said the Government agent; "there's a +third one to get; Solus Smithers, who is known to me by another name. +Now, I wonder if I could leave these two prisoners in charge of several +of you, while the rest went with me in the car? I'll make use of the +rope, so they just can't possibly get away."</p> + +<p>It was presently decided that William, Wallace and Bobolink should stay, +also Ted if he cared to remain. Paul and Jack would accompany Mr. Pender, +so as to render any assistance needed. They could also bring back little +Willie Boggs, should he be found under the roof of the old farmhouse by +the mill pond.</p> + +<p>"The worst of it is I don't know how to handle a machine," remarked the +gentleman, after they had stepped out on to the road.</p> + +<p>"Both of us do, sir," remarked Paul; "so if you will jump aboard we'll +soon be off."</p> + +<p>"Well, I'd just like to learn if there is anything you Boy Scouts don't +know how to handle?" observed the pleased agent, as he saw the two lamps +put back in position, though only one was allowed to remain lighted.</p> + +<p>It took them but a short time to draw close to the farmhouse by the pond.</p> + +<p>Mr. Pender jumped out and advanced through the darkness toward the door. +Just as he reached it the boys, looking, saw it open. Then the voice of +Sol Smithers came plainly to them.</p> + +<p>"Wall, did yuh run acrost the bag, Brad? I guessed 'twas on'y layin' down +the road a piece. But what yuh mean apushin' in on me thetaways?"</p> + +<p>"You're my prisoner, Silas Westover. Don't try to run, or it will be the +worse for you. I have plenty of help and your place is surrounded. Wash +and Brad are already in irons. Hold up your hands!" came in the stern +voice of Mr. Pender.</p> + +<p>Of course the man who had called himself Solus Smithers did not offer any +resistance, and he was quickly made a prisoner. When he found later that +one man, assisted by a parcel of Boy Scouts, had captured three desperate +characters, he was about as mad as a hornet; but it was too late then +to remedy matters.</p> + +<p>Paul and Jack immediately started a search for the missing Willie Boggs. +The youngster was discovered fast asleep on a cot, just as the man who +had found him in the woods had lain him down.</p> + +<p>And when Mr. Pender saw this he nodded his head, and declared that +because Solus had shown that he possessed a tender heart, for all his +assumed fierceness, he would make it as easy for him when the case to +trial, as he could.</p> + +<p>After Mr. Pender had searched the place, and accumulated what evidence +he needed, all of them got into the car, Willie still sound asleep. Then +they started over the road for Stanhope.</p> + +<p>The town was reached at just one o'clock. At police headquarters Mr. +Pender delivered his three prisoners for safe keeping. After that Paul +again took the red car out to bring in the remainder of the patrol, for +they were miles away from home.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXX" id="CHAPTER_XXX"></a>CHAPTER XXX</h2> + +<h3>FOUND OUT AT LAST</h3> + + +<p>"Why, hello! Paul! I didn't hear you ring. Did you fly in through the +window?"</p> + +<p>Jack sprang up from the easy chair he had been occupying in the library +of his own home, when his chum suddenly appeared before him.</p> + +<p>It was about ten o'clock on the morning following the hunt for the lost +boy; and the remarkable occurrences that had accompanied it up in the +woods above Stanhope.</p> + +<p>"Oh! you know I told you I might slip in by the back door this time; and +that is just what I did," replied Paul, speaking in an unusually guarded +tone.</p> + +<p>"That's a fact!" exclaimed Jack, beginning to show signs of excitement; +"and I remember that at the same time you promised—"</p> + +<p>"I'd try my best to solve the puzzle about those disappearing old coins, +and tell you to-day," said his chum, breaking in. "Well, perhaps I may, +though my most promising clue has turned out a bit of a fizzle."</p> + +<p>"But you have another up your sleeve, you said?" continued Jack, eagerly.</p> + +<p>"Yes, I believe I have," Paul admitted. "Some time later, when we get +this queer affair off our hands, I want to talk with you about a lot of +things connected with this scout movement. I got some good ideas from a +bunch of papers left at our house for me. Guess who remembered us in +such a bully way?"</p> + +<p>"Give it up. I might mention every gentleman in town, and then some," +laughed Jack; "for they're all watching what we're doing, with interest. +But go on and tell me who it was, Paul."</p> + +<p>"Mr. Peleg Growdy," came the surprising answer.</p> + +<p>"Well, you don't say?" exclaimed his chum, delight showing in his voice; +"so the old man has really seen a great light, has he? I guess he's +taking more interest in our troop than anybody else in town. That night's +work was the best thing that ever happened for the boys of Stanhope, as +well as for Peleg. I take off my cap to him after this, Paul."</p> + +<p>"But wait; that isn't all. You know that Si Growdy is a nephew of his? +Well, he's without a home no longer. Peleg sent for him, and they had a +long talk. Si told me this morning that he's really been adopted by his +uncle, and is going to make his home with him. What d'ye think of that, +Jack?"</p> + +<p>"Just immense, that's what," declared his companion, slapping a hand on +Paul's shoulder; "I'm glad we went there and cleaned up the old man's +dooryard. Some of the boys thought it silly at the time; but they +understand things better now. He was just needing something like that to +touch his heart. Up to then he thought all boys were pests. We opened his +eyes some, eh?"</p> + +<p>"That's right, we did. But about those coins!" said Paul, smiling once +more.</p> + +<p>"Yes, first tell me who it was you suspected that has turned out +innocent?" asked his chum.</p> + +<p>"There he lies yonder, sleeping, with one eye open and watching us!" +remarked Paul, pointing across the room.</p> + +<p>"What! Carlo! You actually suspected him of taking my coins? Why, Paul, +whatever put that notion into your head?" demanded Jack, in sheer +astonishment.</p> + +<p>"Well," returned Paul; "perhaps it was silly, but then you've taught him +to fetch a basket from the baker's, and do lots of stunts. I didn't know +but what the sly old chap might be helping himself to your coins, and +palming them off on the butcher for a supply of bones."</p> + +<p>"That would have been the limit!" gasped his friend. "But you found out +that he was innocent, did you?"</p> + +<p>"I finally went in and talked with Mr. Griggs; but he said Carlo just +came in once in a while, looking so pitifully at him, that he didn't have +the heart to refuse a bone. So none of your lost coins have gone into his +till, Jack."</p> + +<p>"Oh! that would have been the queerest thing ever, had he done it. But +now about the other clue you have—tell me about it, Paul," continued +the anxious one. Paul had seated himself where he could keep an eye down +the street in front of the house. And while his chum was talking he had +smiled as if he might have discovered something out there that pleased +him very much.</p> + +<p>"Come right up to your den with me, Jack, and leave Carlo shut in here," +he said, rising; "and when we get upstairs open the window to air the +room. Then I shall ask you to let me hide there behind something, while +you go downstairs, pass out, and along the street in plain view."</p> + +<p>"Say, that's a mighty queer thing to do," ventured the other.</p> + +<p>"It's all a part of my plan. You must leave the door of the den open too. +And Jack, after you get around the corner I want you to sneak back to the +rear of the house, and come up again, crawling into the den here, if +everything is quiet."</p> + +<p>"Oh! all right, if you say so, Paul," Jack observed; "but you've sure got +me guessing to beat the band, right now. Here's the window open. Now +shall I get busy, and meander off?"</p> + +<p>"Right away. Please carry it out just as I said. You ought to be back +here inside of six or seven minutes; and I guess that will be time enough +before the circus begins, Jack."</p> + +<p>So the owner of the little den at the top of the house gave his chum one +last look of bewilderment, and turning, hastened down the stairs.</p> + +<p>Paul, with a glance around, chose a certain corner for his hiding-place. +Here he could see without exposing himself to view; and squatting down he +prepared to await developments.</p> + +<p>A minute later he got up, and moved an old screen partly across the +floor, so that it hid the open door. When Jack returned, he could crawl +alongside the hiding boy without showing himself to any one in the room, +or beyond the window.</p> + +<p>Hardly had five minutes crept by when Paul heard a slight sound. It came +from the stairs, and he smiled, knowing that his chum had lost no time in +carrying out his part of the plot.</p> + +<p>So Jack came sliding in, and was soon nestling down at Paul's side, +brimming over with curiosity, yet deterred from asking questions by the +fact that Paul had put up a warning finger.</p> + +<p>Several more minutes passed by, when Jack was thrilled to see something +moving in the direction of the partly open window. It seemed to be a +long cane fishing rod, that had a dark colored lump at the end of it.</p> + +<p>The rod continued to advance slowly into the den. It was, of course, in +the hands of some one perched in the window of the attic belonging to the +empty house so close by; and Jack could easily guess now who that person +must be.</p> + +<p>Scissors Dempsey, once his friend, but latterly a crony of Ted Slavin!</p> + +<p>Now the end of the rod seemed to hover above the little box containing +all that were left of Jack's old coins. And even as he and Paul looked +they saw it descend until the light box was tilted partly over, when the +point of the long rod was pushed into it vigorously. Jack was reminded +somewhat of a human hand groping about. And then, as the fishing pole was +rapidly withdrawn, he saw one of his few remaining old coins sticking to +the black lump at its terminus!</p> + +<p>The game was now clear. Scissors, inspired by a love of fun, or a desire +to mystify Jack, perhaps make him suspect that one of his chums was +taking the coins, had come every day into this empty house belonging to +his father. Whenever he found the window in Jack's den open he amused +himself with this strange fishing.</p> + +<p>Paul beckoned to his chum, and then silently crept out of the den, which +he was easily enabled to do, thanks to the screen he had placed to cover +the open door.</p> + +<p>Once down on the next landing Jack clutched his sleeve.</p> + +<p>"Well, would you dream of such a thing as that?" exclaimed the latter, +nearly ready to explode with laughter, yet feeling a bit angry at the +same time. "What under the sun d'ye suppose he's doing such a stunt for, +Paul?"</p> + +<p>"We'd better put it up to Scissors," replied the other, quickly.</p> + +<p>"Then you suggest waiting for him as he comes out, and telling him we +know all about his fishing for my coins?" asked Jack.</p> + +<p>"Come along. He might be satisfied with just one to-day. You see it's +getting harder, with so few left in the box," and Paul led the way +downstairs again.</p> + +<p>"But what's he got on the end of that pole?" demanded his chum.</p> + +<p>"I think it must be a lump of rather soft tar, or pitch," came Paul's +answer, readily enough. "I found a little on one of the coins left the +last time we examined them; and you said that the fourth stuck to the +side of the box. Yes, that's what it is. Now, let's wait over by the +front door, for that's the way he goes in."</p> + +<p>Five minutes later the front door of the empty house opened, and a tall +boy, with spindly legs, came slily out. He stopped to turn a key in the +lock. Then, as he wheeled, it was to find himself facing two fellows who +were probably the very last boys in Stanhope he expected to see.</p> + +<p>"Just in time to explain how you came to think of that clever little +fishing dodge of yours, Scissors," remarked Paul; "and to give back all +those old coins you've been raking in so smartly. Thought it lots of fun, +didn't you? And meant to twist my chum up so he'd think one of his own +crowd had been taking them?"</p> + +<p>"Yes," Jack said, in turn, looking as angry as he could; "and if you +don't turn every blessed copper piece over to me right away, there's +going to be trouble at your house, understand that, Scissors?"</p> + +<p>The guilty one turned red in the face. Then he laughed as though he +wanted to consider it a joke.</p> + +<p>"Oh! come off!" he exclaimed, with a gesture of disgust; "can't you take +a little fun, Jack? Of course I meant to give 'em all back again, after +I'd had my sport out of the game, and got the last coin. They're upstairs +here, right now. Come along in, and I'll show you. The slick trick is +gone up in smoke now, anyway; since you got on to my curves. But I +wouldn't make such a big fuss over nothing."</p> + +<p>"It wasn't the coins, because they don't count for much; but just think +how I felt at even suspecting that some fellow who was my friend had been +taking them," said Jack, as he and Paul followed Scissors into the empty +house.</p> + +<p>And from the sneer on the other's face as he looked back, Paul was +inclined to believe that this was just what he had been doing the thing +for. He disliked Jack as much now as he had once cared for him; and would +probably enjoy nothing better than to see him turn on some friend, +perhaps even his best chum.</p> + +<p>The coins were found, as he had said, in a marble-bag in the attic. While +Jack was counting them, Paul knelt at the window, and experimented with +the long fishing rod he found on the floor. He discovered that he could +manage to tilt the little box on the table quite easily, though it needed +some labor before he brought one of the coins across the open space, +glued to the pitch at the point of the rod.</p> + +<p>"All there, ain't they?" demanded Scissors.</p> + +<p>"Yes," replied Jack; "though so sticky I'll have to wash them in +something like benzine. Perhaps you did do it for a lark, Scissors; but +I'll make sure that a screen is in that window whenever it's open after +this."</p> + +<p>"Huh! I guess the feller that invented this racket could get up somethin' +just as good if he wanted," and that was all Scissors ever said about +it to the boy he had wronged.</p> + +<p>Jack, having recovered his property, did not care to do anything further +about the robbery. Later on Scissors himself told his cronies, thinking +it to his credit; and they more than a few times tried to joke Jack about +his disappearing coins. But he took it all in good humor, and after a +while the thing was apparently forgotten, because the boys of Stanhope +had many other things of importance to engage their undivided attention.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXXI" id="CHAPTER_XXXI"></a>CHAPTER XXXI</h2> + +<h3>WELL DONE STANHOPE TROOP!—CONCLUSION</h3> + + +<p>Days and weeks passed.</p> + +<p>In season and out, the boys of industrious Stanhope Troop worked. Never +had the good people known such a wave of enthusiasm to sweep over the +town on the Bushkill. It seemed as catching as the measles, this spirit +of energy, and a desire to do things worth while, which had taken +possession of most of the boys.</p> + +<p>Parents got together, and conferring, admitted that this new fad was by +all odds the best thing that had ever happened. They determined to +encourage it to the limit. Even those who were doubtful at the start, +found themselves obliged to admit that never before had Stanhope +presented such a clean appearance; and not within the recollection +of the oldest inhabitant had boys been so obliging.</p> + +<p>After the Stanhope Troop had been fully received into the National +organization an efficient scout master was finally secured in the person +of a young man by the name of Alec Gordon. He had lately come from +visiting across the water, where he had enjoyed the personal acquaintance +of several leading lights in the scout movement in England. Besides that, +he was naturally fond of the woods, and best of all, filled with a deep +love for the boy of to-day.</p> + +<p>Under his guidance the troop prospered, and made rapid progress along the +lines started by Paul. The only trouble about the whole matter was that +Mr. Gordon, being a traveling man, was liable to be called away just when +his presence might be most needed.</p> + +<p>Several times this had occurred, and feeling the need of leaving a deputy +to fill his place, he put it up to the boys themselves. Of course there +had not been a dissenting vote; and Paul was elected to play the part of +guide, should an emergency arise; and in this way he became assistant +scout master of the troop.</p> + +<p>They need have no fear concerning his ability to fill the rôle. He +had proven equal to the task before now; and there were not a few, +particularly among those acknowledging the magical Red Fox as their +totem, who secretly cherished a belief that Paul knew more about the +secrets of Nature than any <i>two</i> mature scout masters.</p> + +<p>Every chance that offered the scouts were abroad, as busy as bees in the +honey season; only instead of laying up sweets these energetic chaps +sought new information. They followed the trails of fox, 'coon and +rabbit; they watched the habits of the noisy crows holding a caucus in +the woods; they kept company with the red squirrel and the frolicsome +chipmunk as they stored away the chestnuts and juicy hickories for their +winter's supply of food.</p> + +<p>And on every occasion they labored to make themselves perfect in those +branches of wood lore, and the knowledge of useful things, which they +expected would play a prominent part in the approaching competition.</p> + +<p>Just as Paul and Wallace had predicted, it was found that nearly every +fellow had a love for Nature and her wonderful secrets somewhere in his +system; even though with a few this breath had to be fanned vigorously in +order to keep it alive.</p> + +<p>Of course they were annoyed again and again by Ted Slavin and his envious +followers; for the bully of the town had drifted back to his old ways, as +might have been expected.</p> + +<p>When peaceful tactics failed to stop these malicious tricks, the scout +master personally appealed to the authorities, and a warning was issued +that, for a time at least, dismayed the disturbers of the meetings. But +when they could do so in secret, they never lost an opportunity to play +some sly trick.</p> + +<p>Another thing that had been anticipated came to pass. This was the utter +failure of Ward's cronies to maintain any interest in the duties of +scouts. Those twelve cardinal virtues that must at all times be held up +before the fellow who expects to become and remain a Boy Scout in good +standing, failed to appeal to these rough and ready chaps. It would +indeed require a revolution in boy nature to make Ted Slavin, or his +crony, Scissors, trustworthy, loyal, helpful to others, friendly, +courteous, kind, obedient to his superior officers, cheerful, thrifty, +brave, clean and reverent!</p> + +<p>Just a few days before Thanksgiving the scout master came to Paul with +the distressing news that he had received an imperative summons from his +firm to go out on the road; so that it would debar him from being present +when the long-looked-for-competition took place.</p> + +<p>"But," said Mr. Gordon, as he shook Paul by the hand earnestly; "I firmly +believe that you will be able to fill my place so well that my absence +will not make the slightest difference," and Paul, of course, simply said +he would do his best.</p> + +<p>The fellows of Stanhope Troop knew full well what that "best" meant.</p> + +<p>But as the boys of Manchester Troop and that of Aldine as well, learned +through some of their energetic scouts, what a strong bid these patrols +of the Fox were going to make, in the hope of winning that coveted +banner, they seemed to be stirred to make new endeavors.</p> + +<p>Paul managed to keep advised of pretty much all that was going on; since +this was a part of a scout's duty; though no mean advantage was ever +taken of the rival camps—he would not stand for that. In a quiet way he +had learned how their meetings became more frequent, and the desire to +excel, that had threatened to dwindle away for lack of rivalry, grew more +keen.</p> + +<p>Paul was glad of it. Competition is the life of trade; but it also +encourages boys to do their level best. There would be a brave fight for +that banner; and no walk-over. The troop that won it might well be proud +of the honor. And Paul was still full of faith. He watched his scouts go +through their various interesting stunts with a growing conviction that +they must stand at the head when the day came for the meeting, and the +report of the committee appointed to make the test was declared.</p> + +<p>He knew that fortune had been very kind in allowing himself and Jack to +make a heavy score in favor of Stanhope Troop. The stopping of the +runaway horse, and the saving of the baby at the fire would bring them +many points. Then there was the wonderful letter from Washington, on +official paper too, in which Mr. Jared Pender told the story of how much +he had been helped by the Red Fox patrol in his task of capturing those +desperate rascals who were flooding the whole country with their bogus +money.</p> + +<p>But Paul was determined that, aside from the help afforded by these +glorious deeds, the boys of Stanhope should excel all others in their +knowledge of woodcraft, and the valuable things every boy with red blood +in his veins should possess.</p> + +<p>So they kept up the good work after the scout master had left them.</p> + +<p>Long since had Bobolink received his bugle, and William his drum. Both +proved very able in managing these musical instruments, and the shrill +notes of the one, and the roll of the other, had become very familiar and +acceptable sounds in Stanhope these fall days, when the first snow made +its appearance.</p> + +<p>Already had they planned a great camp for the next summer, and there was +talk of a grand hike into the almost unknown, to them, country far to the +north. What strange adventures were destined to befall them during this +eventful outing, together with the fun that William and Bobolink afforded +the troop, will be recounted in the next volume, to be called: "The +Banner Boy Scouts on a Tour; or, The Mystery of Rattlesnake Mountain."</p> + +<p>Even at school the teachers noticed that things seemed to move along much +more smoothly than ever before. Some of them were inclined to suspect +that a miracle had been wrought in boy nature; until it was shown that +there were still quite a number of transgressors, and that not one of the +bad ones belonged to the scouts. That opened their eyes, and after such +evidence they were one and all heartily in favor of the organization that +kept lads interested, taught them every noble duty that would make them +better men later on, caused them to be manly, heroic, self-confident in +time of sudden peril, and able to stand up for their rights.</p> + +<p>Thanksgiving came at last.</p> + +<p>The entire county showed a keen interest in the rivalry of the three +troops for leadership. Each had its sturdy backers, who believed their +home company to be the best; and hence when the choice of situation fell +to Manchester, it looked as though nearly the entire population of +Stanhope and Aldine had also gathered to cheer their favorites on.</p> + +<p>The competition was keenly contested. A dozen different events had been +scheduled some time back by the committee, as the more important elements +that would enter into the struggle; and the scout master of each patrol +had been notified, so that he might select those most competent to +succeed.</p> + +<p>Scout master Gordon, and later on his deputy, Paul, had been working with +those who excelled in these various lines. Nothing was left undone to +make them proficient in their work. When the critical time came, and +before the eyes of thousands they lined up before the committee to take +the test, Paul believed that success was sure to come.</p> + +<p>Football was in the air for the afternoon; but that morning every school +flag fluttered in that densely packed field where the arena was laid. +Scores upon scores of pretty girls clapped their hands, and sang +patriotic songs that had reference to their particular town, whenever +a Stanhope, a Manchester or an Aldine competitor started to prove his +superior knowledge of the arts of woodcraft.</p> + +<p>Wallace Carberry brought the first honors to the Red Fox patrol. He had +his quart of water boiling a full minute before either of his rivals; +and retired amid thunderous applause. Wallace would show up in several +other events, for he was the mainstay of Paul's contesting delegation.</p> + +<p>Then came other interesting object lessons. Many present failed to +understand altogether what they signified; but they were patriotic, and +ready to cheer the victor to the echo.</p> + +<p>On account of the lateness of the season several events that might have +taken place at another time were debarred, such as swimming, fishing, and +sports peculiar to the good old summer time.</p> + +<p>Nevertheless, there were plenty of others equally as interesting. Three +boys entered as contestants in the rapid photography class. They took a +snap shot at a given word, darted into separate prepared dark rooms, +developed their plates, dried the same, each after his own fashion, and +presented a completed picture before the other competitions were done.</p> + +<p>Meanwhile three others showed just how a scout should learn to follow a +difficult trail, where all manner of obstacles stood in the way. While +the crowd could not fully understand just how this was done, the +committee seemed unanimous in awarding the victory once more to Wallace, +for he had not made a single error, and he finished ahead of his rivals.</p> + +<p>Others were set to work tying ten difficult knots, and the fun waxed fast +and furious as they worked their nimble fingers, keeping an eye on each +other the while.</p> + +<p>In another place three tents were given to squads of boys from each +patrol, and at the word they set to work to erect the same, dig a water +drain in case of rain, and have everything in "apple-pie" shape. The +committee gave plain warning that it was not speed alone that would count +here, but the general ship-shape condition following the carrying out of +the conditions.</p> + +<p>And again the boys of the Stanhope Troop came in winners by a good +margin.</p> + +<p>Manchester drew a prize when the contest of landing a big fish came on. +A boy played the part of the fish, and fought with all his strength and +cunning to keep from being reeled in. But big Carl Evans, the Manchester +fisherman, proved to be too strong and able for those who competed, and +had his fish landed minutes ahead.</p> + +<p>The archers then took a turn. Here Aldine presented a clever expert, who +had made this his especial hobby for some years. He could not be headed, +though the other fellows from Stanhope and Manchester really made a very +creditable showing.</p> + +<p>One of the most interesting exhibitions of the morning, and one that +excited considerable cheering, was the "first aid to the injured."</p> + +<p>A boy was supposed to have fallen overboard into the river. In each case +several contestants pretended to drag him out, placing him face downward, +with his arms above his head, and his face a little to one side. Then one +of the rescuers knelt astride the body, allowing his hands to press upon +the spaces between the short ribs. By pressing downward the air was +forced from the other's lungs, to creep in again when this was relaxed; +and in this fashion an artificial respiration was induced that should +grow stronger as minutes passed.</p> + +<p>Of course, as no boy was so accommodating as to fall into the cold waters +of the Bushkill for the occasion, the contestants finished at the same +time. The committee, after mature consultation, awarded the victory to +the team accomplishing their work in the most business-like fashion. +Aldine was so fortunate as to receive the award, and her people shouted +themselves hoarse.</p> + +<p>In athletics the three competing troops proved very nearly even; and +brought out rounds of cheers as they followed one another in carrying +out the several events scheduled.</p> + +<p>Possibly when William proved his great superiority as a camp cook, by +making the batter, and cooking a luscious flap-jack long before any other +fellow could accomplish the feat, his victory was the most popular one of +the day. Fully five score of fellows made motions to prove they were +starved, and that a bite from the airy pancake would possibly serve as +a life saver. But after the committee had tested it, William calmly +devoured the balance, to the tune of mingled groans and cheers.</p> + +<p>Last of all came the wig-wagging contest, when boys sent and received +messages fashioned by the committee, the nature of which was unknown at +the other end. In this Stanhope again made a record that put her boys in +the van, for Paul had secured and studied the army manual on using the +signal flags, and to good advantage.</p> + +<p>After the twelfth and last event had been completed, the committee went +into session, examined the papers they already held, and finally +announced that Stanhope had carried off the prize with six clean events, +the others being equally divided between the two clever troops from the +other towns.</p> + +<p>It was undoubtedly a popular victory, judging from the record-breaking +volume of noise that greeted the announcement. What else the chairman +would have said, with regard to the great good the establishment of these +patrols had brought to the county, was drowned in the wild clamor.</p> + +<p>Paul, acting for the absent scout master, accepted the beautiful banner +presented by the good old Quaker who loved peace above all things. He was +immediately swept off his feet, and carried in triumph around the field, +waving the emblem that would from that hour stamp the Stanhope Troop as +the Banner Boy Scouts of the county.</p> + +<p>Little Paul cared that some frowned, or that Ward Kenwood sneered as the +procession marched past. Close by he could see the happy face of Arline, +together with those of his parents; and it satisfied him to know that +through his unflagging perseverance he had been able to land his scouts +in the van.</p> + +<p>Other trials and contests would doubtless have to be encountered; but +with that banner to encourage then the Fox patrols could meet each +emergency as it arose, and struggle on through difficulties to a glorious +success.</p> + + +<p>THE END</p> + + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's The Banner Boy Scouts, by George A. 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You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: The Banner Boy Scouts + Or, The Struggle for Leadership + +Author: George A. Warren + +Release Date: December 9, 2005 [EBook #17266] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE BANNER BOY SCOUTS *** + + + + +Produced by David Garcia, Mary Meehan and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net + + + + + + + + + + The Banner Boy Scouts + + Or The Struggle for Leadership + + By GEORGE A. WARREN + + + + +THE WORLD SYNDICATE PUBLISHING CO. +CLEVELAND, O. NEW YORK, N.Y. + +Copyright, MCMXII + +by CUPPLES & LEON COMPANY + +_Printed in the United States of America_ + + + + +CONTENTS + + +CHAPTER + + I A Meeting in the Barn + + II What it Means to be a Boy Scout + + III The Disappearing Coins + + IV The First Scout Leader + + V Checking a Coward + + VI A Strange Suggestion + + VII The Trap that Peleg Set + + VIII Turning the Tables + + IX "Well Done, My Boy!" + + X An Unexpected Offer + + XI Caught Napping + + XII The Rival Troops + + XIII "Fire!" + + XIV Jack's Chance + + XV The Honor Brand + + XVI The Fire Test + + XVII Clearing Skies + + XVIII Carlo Does His Turn + + XIX The Warning Over the Wire + + XX Such Glorious Luck + + XXI The Meeting + + XXII Scouting in Earnest + + XXIII The Red Car + + XXIV A Call for Help + + XXV A Camp in the Woods + + XXVI What Woodcraft Told + + XXVII Ted Finds Something + + XXVIII Forced to Tell + + XXIX The Capture + + XXX Found Out at Last + + XXXI Well Done, Stanhope Troop!--Conclusion + + + + +PREFACE + + +My Dear Boys: + +Knowing that ninety-nine lads out of every hundred love outdoor life +above all else, I have taken it upon myself to give you a series of +what I hope will prove to be clean, wide-awake, up-to-date stories, +founded upon a subject that is interesting our whole nation--the Boy +Scouts of America. You know what a hold this movement has taken upon +the rising generation of our broad land. There never was anything like +it before--there never may be again. + +At first many people made the mistake of believing that it was simply a +new military order, and that boys who joined were to be taught the duties +of soldiers, and learned how to fight. They know better now. It is really +the greatest movement for Peace ever started. Not only that, but the lads +who belong to this vast organization are taught how to be manly, self +reliant, brave, courteous, kindly and steadfast. + +When you examine the roster of the officers who have loaned their names +to help along the good cause you will find such honored signatures as +those of President William Howard Taft, ex-President Theodore Roosevelt, +and many others dear to the hearts of our boys. + +This glorious field opens up a very tempting opportunity for a series of +stirring stories concerning the fortunes of _real_ Boy Scouts, who have +gone into the movement heart and soul, with a desire to excel in all they +undertake; and at the same time enjoy themselves hugely. I only hope and +trust that you may be pleased with what you read in this book, about the +doings of the Red Fox Patrol, of Stanhope Troop, and that the story +will do you much good. + +Yours faithfully, + +George A. Warren. + + + + +THE BANNER BOY SCOUTS + + + + +CHAPTER I + +A MEETING IN THE BARN + + +"All here now, Paul!" + +"Call the roll, somebody, won't you?" + +"Keep quiet, fellows, please!" + +"Shall I strike a match, Paul?" + +"Not on your life, Bobolink. That crowd of Ted Slavin's is out, looking +for us. Somebody must have leaked, or else Ted was tipped off. We've got +to be mighty cautious, I tell you, if we want to give them the slip." + +"S-s-say, d-d-don't you k-k-know we've got a fi-fine b-b-barn on our +p-p-place, fellows?" + +"For goodness sake; won't somebody please pound Bluff Shipley on the +back, and make him bite his twisted tongue, so he can talk straight?" +cried a pleading voice. + +"Listen!" + +There must have been a streak of authority in the tone used by Paul +Morrison when he spoke this last word; every one of the other six boys +crouched there, craning his neck, and listening to catch the unusual +sound that had apparently reached the trained ears of their leader. + +The woods surrounded the boys on all sides, gloomy, and full of +mystifying noises. + +Yet Paul knew full well just what every one of the sounds meant. An owl +called mournfully to its mate from a hollow tree. Katydids and merry +crickets added their shrill music to the chorus of that late summer +night. Even a colony of tree frogs solemnly chanted their appeal for +"more rain." + +During the day just ended six fellows in the thriving town of Stanhope +had received urgent telephone calls from Paul, who was an only son of the +leading doctor in the place. + +And each boy had promised to meet him at the Three Oaks by the time the +clock in the church steeple had struck eight. + +It was even now booming out the hour. + +When the last stroke died away, the most impatient among the gathered +boys moved restlessly. + +"Follow me, fellows," said Paul, in a low, thrilling tone. + +"Where are we heading for?" queried one, who had as yet failed to express +his feelings in the matter. + +This was Wallace Carberry, the sober member of the pair known far +and wide as the Carberry Twins; his mate, William, being his exact +counterpart in every particular, when he chose to repress the +good-natured grin that usually marked his fate. + +"To the Shipley barn; single file; and silence is the watchword!" + +Paul Morrison had long enjoyed the confidence of his comrades in most +matters pertaining to outdoor sports. A healthy lad, both in mind and +body, he was never so happy as when studying the secrets of Nature in +wood and meadow; or in playing any of the various strenuous games to +which all boys with red blood in their veins are addicted. + +And when he sent out his mysterious request that some of his most +intimate friends meet him on this night, as he had a communication +of importance to put up to them, the greatest curiosity made itself +manifest. + +Paul never suggested ordinary things. More than once he had engineered +some game that brought honor and glory to the boys of Stanhope; and +remembering these satisfactory "stunts" of old, it was no wonder these +fellows had come to the place of meeting without a single exception. + +With Bluff Shipley close upon the heels of the leader, and Robert Oliver +Link, whose name had long since been corrupted into Bobolink, bringing +up the rear, the seven lads trailed through the woods, following some +path with which they were evidently more or less familiar. + +Several times Paul gave a recognized signal that caused every one of the +bunch to stop short, and turn his head on one side in the endeavor to +discover whether hostile footsteps could be heard in their rear. + +But although there were doubtless many rustling sounds, the boys laid +these to the bright-eyed little denizens of that strip of woodland. Too +often had they watched the chipmunks and red squirrels hunting for nuts +under the already falling leaves, not to know that the forest was peopled +with these harmless animals. + +After five minutes more there loomed up before them the dark outlines of +a huge barn that seemed rather out of place here on the border of the +woods. + +This belonged to the father of Bluff, who, being a prosperous tobacco +grower in this valley, used the place to cure the product of his broad +fields, after it had been harvested in the fall. + +Paul had been carrying some sort of package in his hand, and the boys for +some time amused themselves in guessing its nature. When he took off the +paper it stood revealed as a lantern, ready for lighting. + +"Show us the way inside, Bluff. Then we'll have a little light on the +subject," remarked the leader, with a last anxious searching look around; +as though he still entertained suspicions that their march to the old +barn might have been observed by some of the hostile Slavin crowd. + +Ted Slavin had long been known as the bully of Stanhope; for it seems +that there never yet existed a village or town without some big chap +exercising that privilege. He was a fighter, too, and able to hold his +own against the best. Besides, Ted had shown some of the qualities that +indicate a natural leader; though he held the allegiance of those who +trailed after him mostly through fear, rather than any respect for his +manly qualities. + +His leading crony for the past year had been Ward Kenwood, son of the +wealthy banker who was also a leading real estate owner in the place. +Once upon a time Ward would have scorned the thought of associating with +Slavin and his crowd; but an occasion had arisen whereby he had need of +a strong arm to even up a score, and once he found himself indebted to +Ted he kept on in the bully's company. + +His rivalry in many fields with Paul had much to do with his throwing his +fortunes in with the other fellows. And nothing pleased him more than to +be able to upset any calculations the latter entertained. That explained +why Paul was anxious to avoid a meeting with the Slavin crowd on this +particular night, when he was brimming over with a great idea. + +Once the boys had entered the barn, Bluff secured the door, after which +a match was quickly lighted. + +"Now, here we are, safe and sound, and not an enemy around. Suppose you +open up, Paul, and get this load off our minds," said Albert Cypher, who +seldom heard his own name among his friends, but was known far and wide +as Nuthin'. + +But what else could a lad expect who was so unfortunate as to find +himself afflicted with such a name as A. Cypher? + +"Yes, what's it all mean, Paul? You haven't even taken me in, you know, +and I'm as much in the dark as the next fellow," remarked Jack Stormways, +reproachfully; for being Paul's closest chum he might have expected to +share his confidence. + +"Wait a bit. We might as well make ourselves comfortable while we're +about it. I'll sit down on this box, and the rest of you gather around on +the floor. I've got a big proposition to make, and you want to listen +carefully." + +"T-t-take c-c-care of the lantern, f-f-fellows; my d-d-dad's w-w-wanting +this old barn f-f-for his t-t-tobacco crop, and he'd b-b-be some put out +if it b-b-burned just now!" came from Bluff. + +Finding perches on various low piles of waste left over after the +shipment of the last crop, the six lads gathered around Paul, eagerness +stamped on every beaming face. + +"Now, what's the idea that struck you this time, Paul?" demanded +Bobolink. + +"I'll tell you without any beating around the bush, fellows. The thought +came to me that Stanhope was away behind the times. Other towns not +nearly so big, have one or more troops of Boy Scouts. Why shouldn't we +get up one here?" and Paul waited to hear what the response would be. + +The six who sat in a ring looked at each other as though stunned by the +proposal. It was strange, indeed, that no one had up to this time taken +a lead in advancing such a thing. + +"Bully idea, Paul!" ejaculated Jack, slapping a hand on his knee +enthusiastically, as though it appealed to him most decidedly. + +"Well, I declare, to think that nobody ever mentioned such a grand +movement before. Count me in right from the start!" said Wallace +Carberry--sober Wallace, who usually measured his words as though they +were golden. + +"And me too," observed Bobolink. + +"Ditto for William!" called out the other Carberry Twin, grinning with +delight. + +"G-g-guess I'd make a bully good t-t-tenderfoot!" + +"That's the best thing you ever thought up, old chap," came from Nuthin'. + +"Hurrah! every county heard from, and not one contrary word. It looks +as if there might be something doing right soon around this region," +declared Paul, naturally pleased because his proposition had met with +such unanimous satisfaction. + +"Tell us more about it, please. I've read about the Boy Scouts; but my +mother would take a fit if she thought I was practicing to become a +soldier. You see, I had an older brother, who enlisted to go out with +some of the boys when we had our little fuss about Cuba and the +Philippines; and poor Frank died in camp of typhoid fever. I'll have a +hard time winning her over, and the dad, too," remarked Bobolink, sadly. + +"Well, that's where you make a big mistake, Bobolink. Over in England, +where the Boy Scout movement started, it has some connection with the +army, because there, you see, every fellow expects at some time to serve +his country as a soldier, or on board a naval vessel. But here in +America, the movement is one for peace." + +"Then what's all the doings about?" asked Nuthin', as if puzzled. + +"I know, and Paul is right about it," came from Wallace Carberry, always +quite a reader of newspapers and magazines. + +"Let him tell then. I'm for the game, no matter what it means," cried +Bobolink. + +"And I think Bluff knows something about it, for he said he would do for +the lowest grade of scout, which is the tenderfoot. But I don't think any +of you are qualified to take even that degree; for a tenderfoot must +first be familiar with scout law, sign, salute, and know what his badge +means; he must know about our national flag, and the usual forms of +salute due to it; and be able to tie some seven or eight common knots. +How about that, Bluff?" + +"N-n-not guilty!" promptly answered the one addressed. + +"Say, that sounds interesting any way. Tell us some more about this, +Paul!" exclaimed William, always eager to hear of anything that smacked +of novelty. + +"Well, there are two more degrees a fellow can climb up to, a +second-class scout, and a first-class scout, full fledged. After that, if +he wants to keep right on there are merit badges to be won for excelling +in angling, athletics, camping, cooking at the campfire, taxidermy, first +aid to the injured, handicraft, life saving, path-finding, and a lot +more." + +"Now you've got me stuck on this new game," cried Bobolink, excitedly. +"The more you explain the better I like the idea. Me for the Boy Scouts, +fellows!" + +"Hear! Hear! Paul, the idea is yours, and we vote unanimously that you +occupy the exalted position of scout master--I know that every troop has +to have such a head, and you're better fitted for the job than any fellow +in town!" + +"Yes," laughed Paul, "but unfortunately, I believe a scout master has to +be over twenty-one years of age." + +"Who knows the ways of the open like our Paul? He's the right man in the +right place. Say, are there any books on the subject, that we can get, +and learn more about this thing?" asked Wallace, who seemed to be +particularly well pleased. + +"I've already sent for a manual, and expect it by to-morrow; when we can +find out all about it. But wishing to be posted when I put the question I +went over the river to Aldine to-day, and saw some of the boys there who +belong to the Scouts. They made me more anxious than ever to start a +patrol in our home town." + +"But I've seen something about a troop?" remarked Jack Stormways, who, +Paul thought, seemed unusually sober for a boy ordinarily light-hearted. + +"Yes, a troop takes in say, three local posts called patrols, each of +which has eight members. It is known by a number, as Troop One of Boston; +and each minor organization takes a name of some animal, such as wildcat +or fox. If it is called Fox, every boy belonging to it is supposed to be +able to bark like a fox, so as to be able to signal a comrade while +scouting in the woods." + +"Ginger! but that does sound interesting," declared William. + +"It's j-j-just immense, that's w-w-what!" was Bluff's opinion. + +"Listen! I heard a laugh as sure as anything!" exclaimed Paul, lifting a +hand to indicate silence; and every one of the group assumed an attitude +of expectancy. + +As they waited there suddenly came a tremendous crash, as some object +landed forcibly against the wooden side of the old barn. It was instantly +followed by a second bang, and others came quick and fast, until the +noise might be likened to a bombardment from a hostile battery. + +"It's the Slavin crowd!" called Bobolink, excitedly jumping to his feet. +"They followed us here after all, and have been listening to every word!" + +"All hands to repel boarders!" shouted Paul; and with a cheer the +seven boys rushed over to the door, out of which they sprang, bent +on retaliating on their tormentors. + + + + +CHAPTER II + +WHAT IT MEANS TO BE A BOY SCOUT + + +"Where are the stone throwers?" shouted the merry member of the Carberry +Twins, as he danced up and down, eagerly trying to discover some moving +object in the surrounding darkness. + +"Gone like smoke, I guess," laughed Paul, who had really expected +something of this sort, judging from past experiences with these same +tormentors. + +"Look there, I can see something moving yonder. Get ready to give a +volley!" cried Nuthin', pointing as he spoke. + +"H-h-hold on, f-f-fellows, d-d-don't fire yet! It's only our old d-d-dun +cow!" gasped Bluff, excitedly; as he waved his arms up and down after the +manner of a cheer captain at a college football game. + +"They've lit out, that's what," grumbled William, who felt as though +cheated. + +"All right, then. It's just as well, for a fight would be a mighty poor +way of preparing to join the scout movement. You'll learn what I mean +later on when you hear the twelve points of the law that every fellow +must subscribe to," observed Paul, seriously. + +"What d'ye mean, Paul?" demanded Bobolink, quickly. + +"Yes, tell us right now what the twelve rules are," said William. + +"I know, for I read all about them a few days ago," remarked Wallace, +readily. + +"All right, then, suppose you call them off. What does a scout promise to +be if allowed to wear the uniform, Wallace?" asked the leader. + +"To be trustworthy, loyal, helpful to others, friendly, courteous, kind, +obedient to his superiors, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean and reverent." + +"Why, it doesn't say a single word about fighting!" ejaculated William. + +"Because a scout must never fight save as a last resort, and then only to +save some weak one from punishment. He must be brave to face danger, to +stop a runaway horse; or jump in and keep another from drowning. Do you +get on to the meaning of this movement, fellows?" asked Paul, eagerly. +The more he read about it the greater became his desire to have a hand in +organizing a Stanhope troop that might compete with those of Aldine and +Manchester, two rival towns, both on the opposite side of the Bushkill +River, the former a few miles up-stream, and the latter the same distance +down. + +"We do, and I tell you I like it better and better the more I hear of +it," said Jack, earnestly. "Why, I just had an idea it meant being junior +soldiers, and drilling so as to be ready to invade Canada, or repel the +yellow peril when the little Japs swarmed across the Pacific. Count me +in, Paul." + +"If I can pass the examination I'm going with you, sure," observed +William. + +"All right, but if they take you in just remember that you've got to quit +your playing tricks on everybody, William," declared the other Carberry +Twin. + +"Listen to him, will you? He's feeling hard on me just because dad gave +him a touch of the cane last night, thinking it was me. As if I was to +blame for looking like my brother," the other said, plaintively, though +chuckling at the same time. + +"You know you fixed it so he'd pounce on me. I'm always in hot water +because you must have your fun. 'Taint fair, and I'd have to be an angel +not to kick. Oh! I hope you get to be a scout, because then I'll have +some peace," declared Wallace; but all the others knew very well what a +deep and abiding affection there really lay between the Carberry Twins. + +"Let's go home now. No use staying any longer out here, with Ted Slavin +and his cronies hanging around, ready to bombard us again. Besides, I +guess Paul wants to wait till he gets his book before telling us any more +about the game." + +"Right you are, Nuthin'. I only wanted to see how the land lay, and if +you took to the idea. I'm satisfied already that it's going to make a +hit, if we can get a few more fellows to join in with us," said Paul. + +"I know one good recruit I can drum up--Tom Bates," spoke up Albert. + +"And a good addition to the seven now here. That would make our first +patrol," echoed the leader, quickly. + +"How about inviting some of the Slavin crowd to join us?" asked Bobolink. + +"Well, perhaps we might pick a couple there; but I think you'll have to +be getting up early in the morning to manage it," replied Paul, +meaningly. + +"What's that?" asked William. + +"Just this. Ted Slavin has heard our plans. You know that he never likes +to see anybody else pull down the plums. What will he do right away, +fellows?" + +"Go and see his shadow, Ward Kenwood, and get him to put up the money to +start the ball rolling. My word for it that inside of a week there'll be +two rival Boy Scout troops in little old Stanhope," remarked Jack +Stormways. + +"Say, that would be great, if the other crowd only acted on the square," +ventured William. "We could have all sorts of contests between us. But +I know Ted Slavin too well to believe he'll ever subscribe to the twelve +rules Wallace mentioned. Why, he'd have to be made all over again to do +that." + +"Look here, Paul, if a fellow has to live up to the rules, however could +the members of Ted's company be taken into a troop of Boy Scouts?" asked +Bobolink, who always sought information. + +"I don't believe they ever could. Still, there's no law in the land to +prevent any lot of boys from forming a patrol, and calling themselves +scouts. That's my way of looking at it," was the answer the leader gave. + +The lads were now on their way home, the lantern having been secured, and +extinguished, lest it invite another bombardment on the part of their +tormentors, doubtless still hovering somewhere nearby. + +No further attack came, however, for which some of them were possibly +sorry, particularly William and Bluff, who delighted in strenuous action +at all times. + +On the border of the town the seven separated into three groups, the +twins going off arm in arm, Bluff, Bobolink and A. Cypher forming +another; while Paul and his particular chum made up the third. + +"Well," said Paul, as they headed for the house of his comrade, which +chanced to come before his own, "what do you think of my scheme, Jack?" + +"Immense, that's what. I'm only astonished that nobody else took up with +the idea before. Poor old Stanhope seems to be away behind the times, +Paul." + +"Well, I don't know. We've had lots going on this summer to take up our +time; and then most of us were away during part of the vacation. There +are other towns just as slow to catch on," returned the other, loyal to +the place of his birth. + +"But now that the ball has been started rolling, just watch how fast it +gathers force. I know how you go at these things. And of all the fellows +I ever met, you are the one best fitted to lead in this thing, if I +understand the game right. Why, it's just going to fit in with the things +you've preached and practiced for years." + +"That's why it appealed so strongly to me, after I really understood what +the many duties of a scout were supposed to be. But what's the matter +with you, Jack?" + +"Eh? With me? Oh, nothing much, Paul." + +But the other knew better, for he had noticed a frown come over Jack's +usually smiling countenance more than once that evening, when the other +thought he was not observed; and from this Paul felt positive his chum +was worrying about something. + +"Of course, if you think it best not to take me in on it, I'm the last +one to bother you, old chap," he went on, when Jack interrupted him. + +"It wasn't that, Paul, not in the least. To tell the truth I've been +thinking it over, and just about made up my mind that I must tell some +one, or I'd never sleep easy. And of all my friends you're the one +closest to me. Yes, I'm going to confess that there is something that +puzzles me, and fills me with alarm." + +"Say, is it as bad as that, Jack? But how is it you don't want to go to +your own folks? You've got one of the best dads I ever knew, and your +mother, well, few are in the same class with her." + +"That's just it, Paul. I'd hate to have either of them know anything +about this trouble." + +Paul swung his friend around so that he could see into his face; for they +were just passing a street lamp at the time. + +"Oh! I can look you in the eyes, old fellow. It isn't anything +disgraceful I've been doing, not at all. But you see," and again that +frown darkened Jack's brow as unpleasant things presented themselves +before his mind's eye, "it's a family affair, I'm afraid, and must be +kept quiet." + +"Now you _have_ got me to guessing good and hard. Suppose you tell me +what it's all about. I hope your brother, Karl--" and there Paul stopped, +for by instinct he seemed to feel that he had guessed the truth the first +shot. + +Jack had given a huge sigh that seemed to well up from his heart. + +"Yes, it's about Karl, only I do hope that it will prove a false alarm, +because I just can't believe he'd do such a rotten thing," the other went +on, slowly. + +"But he's only a little fellow after all, Jack?" + +"That's so, but old enough to know better. You shall hear it all, and +then perhaps you'll advise me what to do," went on Paul's chum, with +a vein of relief in his voice, as though he felt better already, after +deciding to share his trouble with another. + +"That's right, and you know that it goes no further, Jack." + +"Karl got into some mischief a week ago, and to punish him father cut off +his allowance of spending money for a whole month. Now, Karl belongs to a +boys' club, and I heard that at their last meeting the other day he paid +up his dues, and seemed to have plenty of money. The question that is +bothering me is, where did he get it?" + +"Oh! is that all? Why, you forget that your brother is a bright chap; and +I imagine you'll find he's been earning it some way or other; or perhaps +his mother gave it to him. But see here, there's more back of this than +you've told me?" declared Paul, suddenly. + +"There is," replied his chum. "Listen now, and for goodness sake I hope +you can cheer me up some, by explaining a mystery that's bothering me. +It's about those old coins Uncle Reuben sent to me two years ago. There +are some twenty-one in the lot. They're copper coins, you know and I +don't suppose worth much. I've always kept them in a little open cedar +box on my table up in the den; you've spoken about them more than once." + +"Sure, I remember all about them; but you don't mean to say--" and there +Paul stopped, almost afraid to voice the thought that flashed before his +mind. + +"Yes, a bunch of them have gone in a mighty queer way. Why this morning +there were just fourteen left; but to tell the truth I was afraid to go +up there at supper time when I came in after our last game of ball on the +lot, to see if any more had disappeared." + +"Say it plainly, Jack. Some one is taking your old coins, sent by your +uncle, and you're just afraid it's Karl, tempted to get some money in +that way. But where could he sell them, do you think?" + +"There's old Doc. Thomes, who keeps stamps and curios for sale. I've seen +some coins in his window often. He would know the value of these, and +perhaps be willing to pay something for them. Oh! it's just awful even to +suspect my brother of being guilty of such a mean thing. I hate myself +for allowing it, and have made up my mind just to hide the rest away, and +never say a word." + +"No, I wouldn't do that, Paul. In the first place it isn't fair to Karl." + +"Fair? What can you mean? I wouldn't ever say a word to him, never!" + +"That's just it, but you would _think_ it always; and if he is innocent, +why you see what a shame that would be. No, you ought to learn the truth, +even though determined to keep your mouth shut afterward. In justice to +Karl, you _must_ know!" + +"I believe you are right, old fellow. And I'm going to be guided by what +you say. Come in with me, won't you?" pleaded Jack. + +"Yes," answered Paul, promptly. "On condition that you take me up to your +den, where we can talk without being disturbed." + +"You have an object in saying that. I believe you want to see for +yourself if any more of my coins have disappeared?" declared the other. + +"I acknowledge the corn, for that is just what I wanted to learn, Jack." + +"I suppose the sooner I take the bull by the horns, the quicker we can +learn the truth; so come on in," and taking his chum by the arm Jack led +the way boldly up to the door of the Stormways' house. + +They managed to pass upstairs to the third floor without attracting any +attention, the family being gathered around a table in the living room, +reading. + +No sooner had the lamp been lighted, after the door was closed, than Paul +stepped over to the table desk which he knew so well. + +Just as Jack had said, there was a little cedar box standing in plain +view, and the coins it held attracted his eye. + +Slowly and deliberately he proceeded to count them, while his chum +awaited the result with abated breath, and his eyes turned in another +direction. + +"Well?" said Jack, hoarsely, when he saw that the other had dropped all +of the coins back, one by one. + +"You said there were fourteen left this morning, didn't you, Jack?" + +"Yes, and now?" + +"I find just eight here, that's all!" came the answer that caused the +wretched brother of young Karl Stormways to shiver and sigh dismally. + + + + +CHAPTER III + +THE DISAPPEARING COINS + + +"Just thirteen gone now," said Jack, as he bent over to look for himself. + +"Of course you know what they were, those that are missing?" suggested +Paul. + +"I have a list of the bunch somewhere; made it out one day just for fun. +Yes, I think I could tell them again; but I never would have the heart to +accuse old Doc. Thomes of buying stolen coins; and the thief--never!" + +"I didn't mean that, Jack; you mistook me. Suppose I had that list, and +rooting over all the little boxes he keeps his coins in for sale, found +every one of the missing ones there?" + +"Yes, and then what?" asked the other, greatly affected, though watching +his chum's face eagerly, as though something seemed to tell him Paul +would find a way out of the difficulty, such was his faith in the other. + +"Why, perhaps you might buy the whole lot back, for almost a song, and +never say a word." + +A hand crept out and squeezed Paul's warmly; and there were tears in the +eyes of Jack Stormways as he made answer. + +"Just like you, old fellow, to cheer me up like that. Here, let me hunt +up the list for you. But promise that you won't whisper one little hint +to a living soul. Oh! Karl, how could you?" + +"Hold on, don't judge him before you know. Believe him innocent until you +find proof otherwise. I guess you'll learn that one of the first things a +scout has to do is to believe in his brothers and friends through thick +and thin, until the proof has become positive, or the guilty one +confesses. And another thing, Jack, in case the worst comes true, it's up +to us to make sure that such a miserable thing never happens again. We +must save the one in error, save him through kindness and sympathy. How +old is Karl?" + +"A little over ten." + +"Too young to join the troop then, for all boys have to be twelve or +over, according to the rules, I was told. But they have younger fellows +in the bunch over at Aldine, I'm sure. One I saw strutting around in a +uniform looked like a kid of eight or nine. Never mind; I believe it'll +all come out right yet. Perhaps some servant may have taken them?" said +Paul, wishing to buoy up his chum's spirits. + +"We only have one, and she's been with us ever since I was born. No use +thinking Maggie would touch a single thing," declared Jack, quickly, with +a shake of his head. + +Paul sauntered about the room for a few minutes. Apparently he was +glancing at the numerous college pennants and other things that were +upon the walls; but in reality he found himself wrestling with the +strange puzzle that was giving his chum so much concern. + +Presently he stood by the window, which was partly open. + +"Who owns the Dempsey house now, Jack?" he asked, indicating the building +next door. + +"Oh! it is still for sale," replied the other. "They don't want to rent +it again, you know, and ever since that last party moved out of town and +left things looking so bad, Mr. Dempsey has kept it closed up." + +"When he lived here, you and Scissors used to be something of chums, +didn't you?" Paul went on. + +"Well, yes," the other admitted, "when we were smaller. But ever since +Scissors started going with the Slavin crowd I've cut him dead." + +"I wish I lived as close to you as this," Paul observed. "Why, we could +nearly shake hands across the gap. I don't suppose Scissors ever drops in +to see you nowadays?" + +"I should say not," laughed Jack; "why, we've been at swords points now +for a year and more, and never even speak as we pass each other." + +"Oh! well, of course then it would be silly to think of suspecting him," +remarked Paul as he sat down again. + +But nevertheless, many times his eyes seemed to turn toward that partly +opened window, and then in the direction of the low desk where the box of +coins stood. + +"Scissors" Dempsey had come by his nickname because of a peculiar trick +he had of keeping his knees stiff when walking. Long ago one boy had +likened his long legs to a pair of scissors, and quick to take up a +humorous name like this, his mates had called him nothing else in years. + +"Well, it's a mighty funny thing where that bunch of old copper coins +has gone to!" remarked Jack, presently, unable, it seemed, to think of +anything else just then. + +"I believe this den of yours is hardly ever locked," remarked Paul, +presently, "and all persons can come up here whenever they choose. I've +even often found your dog Carlo sleeping here. Why, if any friend calls +to see you, and wants to wait till you come home, he just meanders up +here as he pleases, and amuses himself looking over your books and +magazines. Isn't that so, Jack?" + +"Sure. My mother says this is Liberty Hall, judging from the way all my +chums go and come. But what's got you now? Do you think some other chap +may have fallen into the nasty habit of helping himself to my coins, +either to swell out his own collection, or to sell them to Doc. Thomes?" + +"Oh! hardly that, although it seems possible. But don't worry too much +about it, Jack. I'm sure we'll discover the truth sooner or later." + +"Anyhow I'll have eight to hide away; part of a loaf is better than no +bread," remarked the other, dejectedly. + +"Oh! I wouldn't put them away, not just yet, anyhow, Jack." + +"But, my goodness, perhaps I'll lose all of my coins if I leave them +around like this any longer on my desk!" + +"That's so, but don't you see if you hide them, it shuts us off from ever +learning who is taking them." + +"Oh! I see. You mean to catch him at it some time; is that the idea, +Paul?" + +"Nothing less. I'll drop in at the old dealer in curios to-morrow, and +find out if he has any that are on this list. Listen, there's somebody at +the door!" + +"It's only Carlo, scratching to get in. Open the door, please, Paul." + +As the other did so a large Newfoundland dog stalked solemnly in, paid +little heed to either of the occupants of the den, but snuggled down in +a corner, where there was an old cushion, evidently placed there for his +especial use. + +"My! he's getting fatter than ever," remarked Paul, surveying the bulging +sides of the shaggy canine, as he curled himself up as if to sleep. + +"I believe he is, the scamp. I see it when I put him through his paces +with all the tricks I taught him. He's getting too logy, and has to be +told three times before he'll do a blessed thing. But about this wretched +matter, Paul--you won't say anything to your folks, will you?" + +"Not for the world. It's your secret, and I'd never leak a word without +your permission. But I must be off now. Leave things just as you always +have done; and don't shut or lock the door here any more than before. +I've got to do some studying over this Boy Scout affair when I get +back. Whitson loaned me some pamphlets, but I didn't have time to read +them through." + +Jack accompanied his friend down to the front door. Here Karl, having +heard them descending the stairs, joined them; and so far as Paul could +see there was no change in the boy's manner. If he had done wrong he must +be clever enough to hide the guilt that lay in his heart, and put on a +bold face. + +"Remember!" was all Paul said as he squeezed Jack's quivering hand, +before jumping down the steps, boy fashion. + +It was enough to encourage the sorely distressed lad, for he had the +greatest faith in Paul Morrison, the doctor's son, that any boy could +ever place in a comrade; nor had the other ever failed to equal his +expectations. + +"I really believe Paul will do it," he was muttering to himself as he +slowly went upstairs again to the den, with its decorations of college +flags, and pictures of camping, canoeing, outdoor sports such as baseball +and football struggles, and kindred things so dear to the heart of almost +every growing lad; "yes, I believe he will if anybody can. But I wish he +had let me hide the rest of them away. It seems like putting temptation +in the way of a weak brother. But he told me I wasn't even to believe +Karl took the coins, and _I won't_!" + +Nevertheless, Jack Stormways must have passed a miserable night; for the +anxious eyes of his mother noticed his distressed looks when he came down +to breakfast on the following morning. + +"You don't look well, son," she observed, as she passed her cool hand +across his fevered brow; "I think you ought to step in and see Doctor +Morrison some time this morning, and let him give you something." + +"All right, mother; but it's only a little headache," he protested, for +like all boys he disliked the thought of being considered sick. + +Her eyes turned solicitously toward him many times during the meal, +for she saw that Jack was unusually dull, and took little part in the +conversation. + +But it seemed that Karl made up for his brother's lack of energy, for he +was more than ordinarily inclined to be merry, and told numerous jokes he +had heard from his fellows in the boys' club he had joined. + +Jack mentioned that they were about to organize a Boy Scout patrol; and +very naturally his mother looked a bit serious at this news, until he +explained some of the really excellent points connected with such an +association; when her face cleared at once. + +"If that is what the movement means then the sooner a patrol is organized +in Stanhope the better. There are a lot of boys who would be vastly +benefitted by such uplifting resolutions," she declared, with some show +of enthusiasm. + +"Yes, mother, you are right," said Mr. Stormways, just then. "Things have +been going from bad to worse in our town of late, and the fathers are +beginning to wonder where it will end. Only yesterday I met old Peleg +Growdy. You remember the old fellow, for we stopped at his place when we +were out riding, and had a drink at his well." + +"Yes, and a most singular old man he was. I really couldn't say that I +was much impressed with his looks or conversation," replied the lady, as +she poured another cup of coffee for her husband. + +"All very true; but he minds his own business if let alone; and after all +I find that he is a well educated man, up in most questions of the day. +But the boys, or some of them at least, have for a long time considered +old Peleg a fit subject for practical jokes. They change the lines on his +team, given half a chance, and annoy him in every way possible. Really, I +don't wonder he is bitter about it." + +"But you had something in mind, father, when you said that you met him?" + +Mr. Stormways looked at Jack. + +"That is true, my son; and do you know, the first thought that came to me +was one of pleasure to feel absolutely sure no boy of mine would disgrace +himself in plaguing an old man who had never harmed him." + +Jack felt a glow in the region of his heart at this show of confidence; +and resolved that more than ever would he merit it; but somehow he could +not help looking out of the tail of his eye toward Karl, to find that the +color had mounted to his forehead, and that he seemed embarrassed. + +Was he thinking just then of the coins; or did he have some knowledge of +the practical joke that had been played on old Peleg Growdy? + +"Now, tell us what it was, Alan," said Mrs. Stormways, encouragingly. + +"Well, perhaps in one way it may have been looked upon as something +humorous, but it annoyed the old man very much. Last Sunday he went out +to let his pigs run loose in the lot, as is his habit. When he pulled +the rope that opened the little door in the back of the pen, he was +astonished to see the queerest lot of porkers dash away that human eyes +had ever beheld." + +Karl was snickering by now, showing that he must have some knowledge of +what was to come. + +"No two pigs looked alike. The boys had crept into the pen in the night, +with a lantern, and some pots of paint taken from Mr. Rabow's shop, and +painted the whole drove in every color imaginable. One, he said, looked +like the American flag. Another had four legs of different hues; a third +was striped yellow and green, and so it went. Imagine the old man's +amazement as he saw them kicking up their legs, and tearing around like +mad; for the sun had reached the turpentine in the paint, and made it +burn tremendously." + +Karl gave a shout, and even Mrs. Stormways could not repress a smile, +though she felt that it was wrong. + +"I heard about it from one of the boys, father; I don't want to tell his +name, you see, because it might get him into a scrape," said Karl, as he +managed to get his breath again. + +Jack breathed easier, since he knew now that his brother had not been +concerned in the adventure; still, there was that other thing--but he had +promised Paul not to believe, or even suspect, anything so early in the +game. + +"I admit that it does seem ludicrous; and no doubt if I had been there I +must have been strongly tempted to laugh at the comical spectacle those +six pigs must have presented. But it is the spirit of the thing that +looks so bad. Growdy never harmed a boy in his life, he says, and only +wants to be let alone; but they went out of their way to play a malicious +trick on the old man. It took him the whole of Sunday to scrape that +paint off the hides of his pigs; which I consider a pretty hard +proposition. And I repeat what I said before, that I'm pleased to know +a son of mine would not be guilty of so mean a trick." + +Karl left the table just then, and his brother fancied that he looked a +bit confused, as though his conscience were troubling him, but then Jack +hoped he might be mistaken. + + + + +CHAPTER IV + +THE FIRST SCOUT LEADER + + +Paul had said that he would be away the greater part of the day, his +father having asked him to go to the city on an important errand. + +Consequently there was no opportunity for the two chums to confer upon +any of the matters that were interesting then. + +But all the boys had agreed to meet at the house of Nuthin' that evening, +to plunge deeper into the subject of organizing at least one scout patrol +in Stanhope. + +As usual Paul called for Jack, and as the latter's parents knew what was +on tap, there was no opposition shown to his going out. + +"Has anything happened to-day?" whispered the visitor, as he was joined +by Jack in the hall. + +"Yes, I was out a lot with the fellows, and doing some chores around; but +I mustered up enough courage just before supper to go upstairs," replied +the other, his voice giving plain warning as to what was to follow, for +it showed the strain. + +"And counted the coins again, perhaps to find them short, eh, Jack?" + +"Well, you said there were eight, and now I can count only six. Why, it's +getting to be a regular clock-like piece of business. And after what +father said this morning, too." + +"What did he say?" asked Paul. + +"Come along. I'll tell you while we're on our way," and Jack gave a +nervous look over his shoulder, as though afraid lest his brother pop +out on them unawares. + +As they walked slowly along the road he spoke in the affectionate manner +in which Mr. Stormways had declared his utmost faith in the honesty and +integrity of his two boys. + +"But you're not sure that Karl has anything to do with the disappearing +coins. Other boys may have been up there to-day?" suggested his friend, +quickly. + +"I asked mother, and she said she didn't remember that any one had come +to see me. No, the more I think about it the worse I feel. But I guess +you didn't have any time to see old Doc. Thomes before you went to the +city, did you?" + +"That's just what I did, dropped into his shop, told him I was going down +to New York on business for dad, and asked if I could do anything for +him." + +"Oh! how bright of you, Paul. And what did he say to that?" + +"It seemed to quite tickle the old chap. He said he had a little package +he wanted to send in to a dealer on Fourteenth Street, and would be glad +if I took it to him, instead of his sending it by express." + +"A package, Paul; did he say what it contained?" demanded the other, +almost holding his breath with sudden alarm. + +"Yes, a lot of old coins he had been buying lately. Now, hold your +horses, Jack, my boy. He hadn't made it up yet, and I helped him do it. +There wasn't one of the same kind yours are. He bought the collection of +Chinese and Japanese coins old Captain Crocker owned. His widow had no +use for them, and needed the money." + +"Oh, you gave me a scare, Paul; but I'm glad you saw them, for I'd always +imagine mine must have been in the lot; not that I care a bit for the old +things now; but it was the thought, you know, the terrible suspicion." + +"Yes, and while about it I managed to see every old coin Doc. has in his +shop, for he was pleased to let me root around. And Jack, not a single +one of your missing pieces has he got, depend on it." + +"Oh! well," remarked Jack, arousing himself, "let's try and forget my +troubles for a while. Unless I get it off my mind I'll lie awake again, +and then your father, the doctor, will give me some medicine that tastes +even worse than what he did to-day. Did you get that manual you sent for, +Paul?" and the speaker resolutely shut his teeth hard together as if +determined to keep his mind off the harassing subject. + +"Yes, it's in my pocket, and seems to be full of meat, too. I haven't had +much chance to soak it in, but what I did read interested me a whole +lot," returned the doctor's son. + +"Well, I thought of a friend I had over in Manchester, and this afternoon +I took my wheel and jumped down there, crossing by the bridge. Just as I +hoped, Landy is a member of the troop there, and he gladly told me all he +knew about the business. I'm more than ever tickled at the idea of our +having a branch up here, to compete with the neighboring towns. He told +me something more that we might consider, too." + +"What was that, Jack?" + +"You remember Mr. Silas Westervelt, the Quaker of Manchester?" + +"Sure. I've often talked with him, and my father is their family doctor," +replied Paul, readily enough. + +"It seems that he's become interested in this scout movement, which +he endorses through and through. The result is that he has offered a +beautiful banner to the organization that can show the highest degree of +efficiency, and the greatest number of merit marks by Thanksgiving day. +It's being made now, down in the city." + +"That counts us in, then, for we'll have plenty of time to get busy +before the day of turkey rolls around, eh, Jack?" + +"Oh! we'll be in the contest all right, even if we are counted in the +'also ran' class. These other fellows have been camping this summer, and +must be up in many of the things that count. But then, they haven't got +Paul Morrison at the head as scout leader, and that means everything in +our favor," declared Jack, warmly. + +"Please cut that out after this. It's true that I've always been deeply +interested in many things connected with life in the woods; but you see +that's only one part of a good scout's credit marks. In fact, there's +hardly one thing in all the trades and professions that is omitted from +the list. Only he must _excel_ in all he undertakes. And soon we will +have to find a young man over twenty-one who will act as our scout +master." + +"Hold up, there's Bobolink hurrying to catch us; and he acts as if he +might be the bearer of important news," remarked Jack, who had heard a +hail from the rear, and turned his head to see a flitting form. + +The other came up, panting heavily. + +"Say, you fellows must have the seven league boots, the way you get over +ground. And just after I've gone and made away with a monstrous supper, +too," he managed to say, between gasps. "Let me get my breath, and I've +got something to tell you." + +"Is it about Ted Slavin and his cronies?" asked Paul, suspiciously. + +"Hit it the first shot," returned Bobolink; "who told you?" + +"Why, I haven't heard a word; only I thought that if there was anything +going on, Ted would be apt to have a finger in the pie," returned the +other, grimly. + +"Well, he has, all right, as usual. Anyhow his mouthpiece, Ward Kenwood, +has, and it's the same thing. I was taking something in to the dominie at +our church (my mother is at the head of a committee, you know) when he +asked me if I was going to join the new Boy Scout patrol that was being +organized in Stanhope." + +"Whew, but those fellows don't believe in letting the grass grow under +their feet, do they? Never thought a thing about it till they heard us +talking matters over; and here they're getting all the credit for being +first in the field," and Jack shrugged his shoulders ruefully as he +spoke. + +"Didn't I say we'd have to get up early in the morning if we hoped to +keep from taking their dust? No matter what else you can say about them, +Ted and his crowd are alive, and wide-awake fellows all the time," +returned Paul. + +"Well, the minister was some surprised when I told him all about it. He +said he was delighted, and I guess he meant it too. The more patrols the +better for the community, he said. And he seemed to know all about the +meaning of the thing, for he showed me several books along the subject, +that he promised to lend us." + +"Bully for him!" cried Jack, with perhaps more energy than reverence; +but had the genial old man heard the words he would have felt highly +complimented, knowing that whoever succeeds in getting the approval of +live, wide-awake boys must consider himself fortunate indeed. + +"There's Nuthin's house," remarked Bobolink, just then. + +"And Tom Bates going in, with the Carberry Twins. I hope we can enroll +a dozen good fellows for a start. The rest will flock over after a bit, +when they get to know what fine times we expect to have," remarked Paul. + +They found that there were just a dozen present, counting A. Cypher, who +as host was much in evidence. Besides Tom Bates, the new boys were Philip +Towns, Jud Elderkin, Joe Clausin and Andy Flinn; the latter of Irish +parentage, but well liked, even though his widowed mother had to take +in washing to provide food for the numerous mouths dependent on her. + +Andy was a particularly bright boy, and many declared that he had a +future before him, if only he kept away from the one curse of his +father's life, rum. But as he hated the very word drink, there seemed to +be little danger that he would be apt to follow in the footsteps of the +brilliant man who had fallen so early in life, and left a family nearly +destitute. + +"Meeting please come to order," called Paul, after he had been pushed +into a chair to serve as temporary chairman. + +Soon the boys began to go into the details of the projected troop, its +meaning, what good it might be expected to accomplish, and everything +connected with the Boy Scout organization. + +Paul read page after page from the book he had brought, while the others, +including the parents of A. Cypher, listened, and applauded at times, as +some particularly fine point happened to strike them. + +"That ought to do for the present," said Paul, finally, as he closed the +book and beamed upon his mates; "and now, what do you think, fellows?" + +"I'm just wild to get started, and more so than ever after hearing all +about the hundreds of fine things scouts can do. I'm a crank on making +fires, and I guess I'd qualify right easy for the championship in that +tournament!" exclaimed William Carberry, his face aglow. + +"Yes, and I remember the time he nearly burned our house down, trying to +start a blaze without a match. He got the fire all right; but there was a +lively time around there, until the bucket brigade arrived, and slushed +things down. Oh! you can believe William; he's some on the fire racket," +remarked the other Twin, at which there was a roar from those present. + +"I move that we write out just what we intend to do, and that all the +fellows in the room sign it as charter members. Then we'll try to double +our dozen by a week, and rush things along. We already have enough for +the first patrol and half a second. If we expect to compete with those +other troops in the struggle for supremacy we've got to be awake and +doing." + +"You never said truer words, Paul. What sort of a binding agreement had +we ought to get up?" asked Bobolink, pretending that it was Tom Bates who +spoke; for really the boy had a wonderful gift of ventriloquism, and +often amused himself, and his friends as well, by sending his voice into +strange places, to the wonder of those who were not aware of his tricks. + +"I thought that over, and wrote out what I believed would cover the +ground. If you listen now, I'll read it to you," returned the chairman. + +"Hear! hear ye! All keep silent while our honored chairman reads the +document to which we expect to subscribe our names and seals!" called +William, pompously. + +What Paul had written was simply that those whose names were found below +had united themselves together with the idea of forming a troop that +could be connected with the regular Boys Scout organization as +incorporated. + +Then every boy present wrote his name beneath the agreement, after which +they went into executive session, the parents of A. Cypher being kindly +but firmly requested to retire from the room, while the election of +officers proceeded, and other necessary steps were taken to perfect the +first patrol. + +So the first patrol of Stanhope Troop was organized, and consisted of the +eight originators of the scheme. It was decided to call this the Red Fox +patrol. As fast as others were arranged for they could take on such names +as Gray Fox, White Fox and even Black Fox. + +Later on they hoped to secure a scout master, but just now with Paul and +Wallace brimming over with woods' lore, the lack of such an officer would +not bother them. + +The meeting ended in Paul being placed in the honored position of scout +leader, with the second position being thrust on Jack Stormways, though +he declared that Wallace Carberry was far better qualified to fill it +than he ever could be. + +But Paul was satisfied to have it so. Jack was his favorite chum; and he +would be thrown much in his company. Besides, the desire to study up the +rules, and perfect himself in all that an assistant scout master should +know, might for a time at least take Jack's thoughts away from the +subject of his trouble at home. + +Before the boys left they were summoned to the dining room, where +refreshments were placed before them; and when the meeting did finally +break up every fellow felt deep down in his heart that an important step +had been taken toward raising the standard of living among the rising +generation of Stanhope. + +Finally, as the hour had grown fairly late it was suggested that they +leave in a body, since all military organizations did this. + +"And," continued the one who had put this idea forward, "while we have +nothing to do with the army itself, we expect to be governed by certain +military rules. What say, fellows?" + +"Fall in! fall in!" + +Out of the door they marched, and down the steps, two by two; Bluff +Shipley, who was paired with Nuthin', being the lone straggler in the +rear, since his mate remained at home. + +If he experienced the slightest sense of dejection at being compelled to +walk without a side partner, it was of very brief duration. + +Outside it was very dark, and this condition seemed more or less +heightened by the fact that the eyes of the young scouts had become +accustomed to the glow of the rooms they had just left. + +Consequently there was more or less chance of some one tripping on the +steps, and pulling others down with him. + +"'Ware the fourth step; it's shaky and may throw you, boys!" sang out +Nuthin'. + +Hardly had he spoken than the first pair executed a beautiful forward +bow, and went down in a heap from the lower step. + +"Look out there! A rope!" + +Paul had just barely time to give utterance to this warning when the next +pair found the obstruction for themselves, and came plunging down on top +of those already landed. + +Two more were close behind, so nearly upon the heels of the second pair +that it was really impossible for them to avoid following in their wake. +Thus there were by this time six struggling figures at the foot of the +steps, while the balance of the patrol huddled just above, looking with +amazement at the dimly seen spectacle. + +From somewhere near by, possibly the shelter of some bushes, came gurgles +of boyish laughter, and jeering words in assumed voices. + +No need to tell Paul and his friends to whose kind attention they owed +this unexpected downfall. Ted Slavin and his backers had not been idle +while the new patrol was being organized in the home of Nuthin'. They had +fastened a stout rope across the lower step, and succeeded in tripping +half of their rivals. + +Paul managed to scramble to his feet, hardly knowing whether to laugh, or +get angry at this practical joke on the part of the opposition. + + + + +CHAPTER V + +CHECKING A COWARD + + +"It's that Slavin crowd!" exclaimed Jack, as he gained his feet. + +"Let's capture some of them, then!" shouted William, always ready for +battle, as was also Bluff Shipley, whose hands were never bothered with +impediments as was his speech. + +A rush was made for the bushes, and retreating footsteps announced the +hasty departure of the enemy. + +None of the new scouts seemed to care about following very far. They knew +Ted of old, and feared lest they be drawn into a trap, so that their last +condition would be really worse than the first. + +"No damage done, after all," remarked Paul, as he brushed off his +clothes; while the others gathered around, and Nuthin' came down to +secure the treacherous rope. + +"Barked my shins some, now; and sooner or later I've just got to take it +out of that crowd!" muttered William, limping around, and shaking his +head. + +"Better do it soon, then," observed Bobolink, "for after you've taken +the oath of allegiance to the scouts you dassent tackle a feller without +losing marks." + +"H'm! is that so?" grunted the injured member, regretfully; for to be +deprived of the boon of fighting would be taking some of the joys of life +away from the pugnacious Carberry twin. + +"Fall in again, boys!" said Paul, cheerily. + +"Not the same way, I hope, captain!" ventured Bobolink; at which there +was a laugh, and the incident seemed closed. + +The boys had no doubt but that their rivals must have been observing much +that went on in the lighted rooms, possibly also trying to catch what was +being said. + +"What of it?" demanded Paul, when some one suggested this; "if they heard +what I read out of that manual so much the better. Let them subscribe to +those rules, and life will be worth living alongside Ted and his +cronies." + +"But you see they just can't!" declared Bobolink, quickly. + +"Which is to say they won't. All right. Once we get out troop formed, +public sentiment will be on our side. If they try to worry us the good +people of Stanhope, backed by the Women's Club, will see to it that the +nuisance is stopped. Isn't that so, Paul?" remarked Jack, with conviction +in his voice. + +"Them's my sentiments, as some character in fiction used to remark. We +can afford to laugh at all these little plans to annoy us. Of course, if +they go too far, why we may have to turn and do something ourselves," +said Paul, seriously. + +"Bully! Hasten the time!" cried William, ceasing to limp for the moment +in his new delight. + +"Oh! but Paul doesn't mean a regular give and take fight. If we pitch in +at all, I'm afraid it'll have to be doling out punishment in the way the +good dad does when he plies the stick and says it hurts him worse than it +does the bad kid," declared Bobolink; at which there was a roar. + +On the following day there was more or less skirmishing about town by +various eager lads, seeking recruits for the rival troops. + +Paul was as busy as a beaver, and at several points conferred with some +of his followers. He had sent for more manuals, besides a price list of +uniforms, and other equipments necessary to the complete organization of +the Fox Patrol and Stanhope Troop No. 1. + +Leading citizens began to take an interest in the movement, as they +grew to understand its true significance. Stanhope seemed to be fairly +sizzling with a new and novel energy. Even the meeting of the Women's +Club that afternoon was given up partly to a discussion of the merits of +the Boy Scout wave then sweeping over the land; and ladies who had been +decidedly averse to such a thing found their eyes opened to its +beneficial accompaniments. + +As was to be expected, the recruiting was not confined to Paul and his +chums. Ted Slavin and Ward Kenwood were just as vigorously employed; and +several times in the course of the day the rivals ran across each other +while engaged in thus drumming up new subjects for initiation. + +On such occasions there was apt to be something in the way of verbal +fireworks passing between the opposing scouts. Ted Slavin seldom knew how +to bridle that tongue of his; and Ward Kenwood seemed to be in a nasty +humor himself. + +To tell the truth there had long been a sort of rivalry between Paul and +Ward over the smiles of pretty Arline Blair; and latterly the high school +girl seemed to be giving young Morrison more than his share of her +company. + +That afternoon about four o'clock, as Paul and two of his chums were +passing along one of the side streets of the town they came upon a scene +that caused a sudden halt. + +The blustering voice of Ted Slavin was what first drew their attention; +and it seemed to come from around the next corner. Then followed a +quavering voice, pleading in its tone. + +Paul looked at his friends, and his brow darkened. + +"It's old Mother Martha, the market woman who sells things in her little +stall around here. And some of those mean skunks are plaguing her, like +they often do, she tells me, stealing her apples, and laughing at her, +because she's lame with the rheumatism, and can't chase after 'em!" said +William, who happened to be one of the trio brought to a halt so +suddenly. + +"Come on, then; we can't stand that!" exclaimed Paul. + +The boys hurriedly turned the corner, to find that what William had +suggested seemed to be the actual truth. + +Ted and a follower were hovering near the poor old woman. The fact that +Ted was contentedly munching a red apple told that he had already made +his hawk-like descent on the stand of the market woman, and was now +seeking to distract her attention so that his companion might also swoop +down to seize a prize, when they would go off, laughing uproarously, as +though they considered it a huge joke. + +Paul was on the bully in a flash, and almost before Ted knew of his +presence he had torn the apple from his grasp and hurled it far away. + +"Get out of this, you coward!" exclaimed the scout leader of the new +patrol, as he gave Ted Slavin a push; "I'm going to speak to the chief of +police about the way you rob this good woman, and see if he won't stop +it. You ought to be ashamed of yourselves, both of you!" + +William and Bluff were for jumping at the two offenders, and giving them +a lesson then and there; but with both arms Paul held his fire-eaters +back. + +"Let 'em come on, if they want to mix up with us. We can take care of +two, and think it a picnic. P'raps even three wouldn't be too much, if so +be you want to try it on, Paul Morrison. Huh! there comes another bunch +of your sissies. Seven against two might make it too interestin', so we'd +better skip out, Scissors. But you just wait, that's all. I don't forget +you laid a hand on me; and some time I'm going to take it out." + +"Oh! suit yourself, Ted," answered the other, promptly. "I'm ready to +have a go at you when you're ready, if you force me to the wall. I'm not +a fighter, but when I see a couple of rowdies treating a poor old woman +like you did, it makes me see red." + +With derisive jeers the pair faded away as several boys came running to +the spot, having seen the group, and guessing from the presence of the +two rival leaders that there must be something doing. + +Their indignation was boundless when they learned what new meanness the +coming of Paul and his two chums had interrupted. + +It required considerable persuasion on the part of the scout leader to +prevent an immediate chase of the culprits. + +"Let them go this time," said Paul, impressively; "but I'm going to see +what can be done to put a stop to this rowdyism. It gives the boys of +Stanhope a bad name all around. I told Ted I'd speak to Chief Billings +about it." + +"You won't get any too much satisfaction there," remarked wise Nuthin'; +"because, you see the Chief owes his position to the political influence +of Mr. Kenwood; and as Ward runs with Ted he won't dare do anything for +fear of offending the head of the party. We've just _got_ to find a way +ourselves to change things." + +"Well, I'll ask my father about it. Perhaps he can suggest a plan. He +used to be a boy himself once, and never forgets it either," was Paul's +conclusion, as they each bought an apple from the old woman to make her +forget her recent trouble, and then walked away, followed by her earnest +thanks. + +"Say, but time just crawls along," observed William, dolefully; "because, +you see, I'm dying to get to work and win some of them merits you told us +about. Just set me the stunt of making water boil over a fire I have to +kindle, and I'll do it in three shakes of a lamb's tail. The rest of you +will be left hull down. And then there's lots of other jobs that look +good to me. Let's get a move on, and start the ball rolling. When's the +next meeting, Paul?" + +"To-night, and once more at the barn where we were first. This time +I figure on having nearly twenty present, and that will make things +interesting." + +"Same hour as before--eight o'clock?" asked Bobolink. + +"Yes. And if any of you feel that you are qualified to take the +examination for the first degree, so as to become real tenderfeet in the +Scouts, why, I'll be in trim to put you through your sprouts," announced +the leader. + +"That hits me," declared William; "for I've been studying to beat the +band, and believe I'll pass muster with flying colors. Me for the +tenderfoot class!" + +"And I've just used up a whole ball of twine tying all those measly +knots," declared Nuthin'; after which his face brightened when he added: +"but I can do every one just like an old jack tar. My dad was once a +sailor you know, and that's where I've got the bulge on the rest of you. +So-long, boys; I'm going home to try again." + + + + +CHAPTER VI + +A STRANGE SUGGESTION + + +"Who goes there?" + +"A scout of the Red Fox Patrol!" + +"Advance scout, and give the countersign!" + +A figure came shuffling forward, bent over, and whispered a word in the +ear of the sentinel at the door of the old tobacco barn. + +"Correct! Pass in, scout!" said the one on guard, solemnly. + +But William chose to loiter by the door, and watch the gathering of the +clans, for the boys arrived rapidly after that, usually in pairs. + +"Where's the other twin?" asked Paul, seeing William alone. + +"Unavoidably detained, Captain. May be on deck later. Here comes another +bunch," and William stepped aside to allow the sentry to halt Andy Flinn, +who had arrived in company with Jud Elderkin, the latter as tall and thin +as the former was fat and pudgy. + +"Pass along, gentlemen," sang out William, after the pair had +successfully stood the test; "the animals went in two by two; the +elephant and the kangaroo!" and as usual there was a laugh at this +sally, which applied so aptly to the couple just entering. + +"All here now, Paul," announced Jack Stormways, counting noses in the +light of half a dozen lanterns provided by Mr. Shipley, the owner of the +barn. + +For an hour routine business was transacted. + +There were just twenty-one names on the roll now, and all present saving +two, Wallace Carberry and another. It was decided to organize two patrols +at once, the first to be under the charge of Paul as scout leader, while +Jud Elderkin took the Gray Fox crowd. + +The more the assembled lads learned concerning the duties and sports of +the Boy Scouts, the greater became their enthusiasm. As the evening +progressed they were fairly bubbling over with excitement, and it began +to look as though the success of the new movement were already assured. + +But Paul knew that it must be a constant fight between the natural +rough-and-ready, give-and-take spirit which almost every boy inherits +from his ancestors, and the new idea that would have him a hero without +being a bully or a brawler. + +And he was not surprised when, later on, just before they thought of +breaking up the meeting, William got the floor on the question of a +personal privilege, and threw a bombshell into the camp. + +"I'm going to ask a favor of you fellows," he said; "and you can help me +break even with that old rooster as well as have some fun. D'ye think +you can stand the racket?" + +The others crowded around, for they knew very well that when William had +anything to propose it usually meant some frolic. But Paul noticed to his +surprise that the joker seemed worked up far more than he could ever +remember seeing him before, and he scented trouble ahead. + +"Who is it this time, William? Tell us about it, old fellow! Of course +we're bound to stand by you through thick and thin. That's one of the +first duties of a scout, you know. Speak up, and give us a tip!" + +It was Jud Elderkin who said this; but that he voiced the sentiments +of pretty much the entire group could be judged from the chorus of +exclamations that greeted his aggressive speech. + +"It's that old grumpy miser, Peleg Growdy," said the orator, waving his +hands to emphasize his words. "He never had any use for boys, you know, +and often says he wonders why the pests were ever born. I don't remember +doing him any mean thing in my life, but he's got it in for the whole +creation of boys, I expect." + +"What did he do to you?" + +"Yes, tell us, William. We'll stand by you, never fear." + +"He needs a good lesson, the old skinflint. Tell us what happened!" + +William grinned, for he saw that he had already captured the hearts +of his comrades, and had small need to fear they would let him seek +satisfaction alone. + +Jack Stormways was as deeply interested in the outcome as his chum Paul. + +He remembered all his father had said at the breakfast table on the +preceding day, in connection with this same man Growdy. + +William was proceeding to thrill his hearers some more. To hear him talk +one might imagine his father was a celebrated lawyer instead of the town +blacksmith, for William had a smooth tongue. + +"I guess all of you know by this time what some fellers did to Growdy's +pigs last Saturday night, painting 'em to beat the band? It's the talk +of the town, and lots of folks says that it serves the old crusty just +right. But I was tucked away in my little bed alongside t'other twin that +night, as snug as two bugs in a rug; and consequently had my little +_alibi_ ready to prove I wasn't in the bunch that paid him that sly +visit." + +"Oh! we all know who did it, never fear!" cried Joe Clausin. + +"He spells his name T-e-d!" echoed Bobolink. + +"All right. Because some bad boys played that joke on old Growdy he seems +to have it in for every mother's son in Stanhope. I met him on the road +this afternoon when I was out with a light wagon after some feed. He was +on the way to town to deliver a big load of truck. Everybody's entitled +to half the road; ain't that the law, fellers?" + +"Sure it is, William; but that mean man wouldn't budge for you, hey?" +said Jud. + +"Not for an inch. Just hauled up there taking two-thirds of the road, and +started to light his pipe. I was in a hurry to get along, and thought +I could just squeeze by; but I made a mistake, and my wagon got upset in +the ditch. He went on, grinning at my trouble, and never offering to +raise a hand to help me out." + +Exclamations of indignation arose on all sides. + +"He needs another lesson, boys!" + +"Say the word, William, and we're with you. Guess I might think up a few +ways for you to get even with the old skinflint!" + +Paul saw that they were rapidly being swayed by their feelings of natural +resentment. He had no particular reason for liking Peleg Growdy any more +than the balance of the group; but the lesson of returning good for evil +had taken full possession of his soul. + +Once he would have been only too ready to join in with his chums in +redressing what seemed to be a positive wrong; but somehow it was +different now. + +Before he could speak, however, Jack had elbowed his way into the midst +of the excited lads, his face full of determination. + +"Wait a bit, you fellows, before you decide what you're going to do. +I want to tell you something that ought to interest you." + +"All right, Jack; speak up. Any objection to joining in with us and +having a little fun while we help a brother even up his score?" demanded +a voice. + +Then Jack repeated as well as he was able the conversation that had taken +place at the breakfast table in his house. He went even further than +this, for it happened that he knew something about the old man's past. + +"Peleg Growdy is a crabbed old chap, I admit; but perhaps you wouldn't +blame him so much if you knew the trouble he has had." + +"What was that?" asked one boy. + +"His wife and two children were burned to death when his house caught +fire many years ago. Another child grew up to be a man, and committed +some crime that made him run away. His last one, a daughter, was killed +in a railroad wreck. Ever since then the old man shuns people, and just +works as if he never wanted to know a living soul." + +"That's tough, for a fact!" admitted one boy, slowly. + +"But it don't excuse him for hating all boys. What business did he have +sitting there and taking two-thirds of the road, to let William upset in +the ditch trying to pass him?" demanded Jud, still rebelling. + +"Oh! well, that's a rule of the road that isn't always carried out. For +instance, the loaded vehicle is generally given _more_ than its half; and +William admits he was going light, while the old man carried a heavy +load," said Jack. + +"Yes, that's so," grunted William, unable to hold out against such logic. + +"And perhaps, if he told the actual truth, William would admit that there +was room enough for him to pass, if he had been a little more careful!" + +"Sure; but I was in a hurry, you understand; and didn't see that the edge +of the ditch was crumbly. But he laughed, I tell you, and that riled me!" + +"And now you want to bring a dozen and more of your friends down on his +place to commit some prank that will make him dislike boys more than +ever. It's all wrong, I tell you, fellows, and for one I refuse to lend +a hand," and Jack folded his arms as though his mind were made up once +and for all. + +Paul saw that they were very near a division that might be fatal to the +future good of the cause. He wondered whether he could swing the crowd +to the other side, like the pendulum of a clock. It would take +considerable eloquence, as well as all his powers of leadership to +accomplish it; but the crisis was upon them, and he would be false to +himself if he did not meet the issue squarely. + +"Will you listen to me, fellows?" he said, quietly, stepping forward to +occupy the place just vacated by Jack, and managing to whisper to the +other in passing: "back me up for all you're worth, and we may win the +day!" + +"Of course we will! You're the scout leader, Paul, and when you hatch up +any game it's sure to be worth the powder. Let her go!" came from Jud, +who seemed to be a sort of ringleader in this little rebellion in the +camp. + +"All right, boys. I'm going to make a proposition that will take your +breath away; but I have strong hopes that after what you've listened to +from that manual to-night, you'll be ready to back me up," continued +Paul. + +"We believe in you, Paul. You never fooled us yet; and you never will. +What's your queer game?" asked Bobolink, ready to swing over already, +such was his faith in the one they had elected their leader. + +The boys crowded around Paul, more than eager to hear what his proposal +might turn out to be; for novelty always appeals to the average lad. + +"All of you know that old Peleg keeps his dooryard in a horrible +condition. Why, my mother says she doesn't believe it has been cleaned +up in years; and he hardly ever takes the trouble to even put his wagons +and that old buggy in the shed. It's a disgrace to the town to have him +so near. I've heard that the women talked about asking him to do +something to make it look cleaner." + +"He's a stubborn old man, and can't be driven, my dad says," remarked +Jud. + +"Now here's what I'm going to propose. You know he's pretty deaf, and +can't hear much that goes on. He used to have a savage dog, but it died +a couple of weeks ago, and since then he's been trying to get another, +but so far without success. Get that?" + +"Yes, but go on, Paul," demanded Bobolink. + +"Let's go over to Peleg's in a body," continued the scout leader; "and +while he sleeps clean up that dooryard of his so that in the morning +he'll just rub his eyes and begin to think the fairies have paid him +a visit in the night. And when he learns who did it perhaps he may feel +something like you did, William. Don't you see, _it'll be rubbing it in +good and hard_!" + +Paul waited to see how his suggestion took. + +The boys stared at each other in amazement. It is doubtful whether a +parcel of wide-awake lads ever before had such a novel proposition made +to them. And perhaps it was the sensational character of the appeal that +stirred them more than any desire to return good for evil. + +"Count me in that job, Paul," said Jack positively. + +He had timed his interruption with exceeding cleverness. Boys are like +sheep, and given a bell wether they will follow blindly where the leader +goes. + +"Me too!" cried Bobolink, quickly. + +"Ditto! I'm for the game just as Paul says!" exclaimed Nuthin'. + +And every one in the crowd followed suit, laughing at the idea of their +turning the tables on the old farmer in such an unheard-of fashion; +though several doubtless secretly scoffed at the project, and only agreed +because it seemed to be a necessary evil if they wanted to become Boy +Scouts. + + + + +CHAPTER VII + +THE TRAP THAT PELEG SET + + +"There's Growdy's shack and barns!" + +"Don't seem to be anything stirring, fellows!" + +"Look out for a trap. Once bitten, twice shy. Perhaps he's just laying +for some fellers to come along, and play some more paintin' job trick. +I heard that he said he would find some way to stop the nuisance!" + +This from "Red" Betts, who was known as a cautious chap, and able to +vanish at the first sign of danger better than any fellow in town. + +"Suppose we hold up here, and send out scouts to see how the land lies? +That's the military way of doing it," ventured Bobolink. + +"A good idea, and I appoint you, Bobolink, with Jud Elderkin, to carry +out the little business," remarked Paul, in a low tone. + +"Trot along, you chaps; the rest of us will bunk right here alongside +the road and wait till you report," and suiting the action to his words +William dropped in his tracks. + +A brief time elapsed, and then the pair of spies returned. + +"Not a single light in the house, and the coast clear, fellows; so come +on!" and Jud waved his long arms as though enjoying his brief assumption +of authority to the limit. + +It would have doubtless astonished the old farmer had he chanced upon the +scene just then. A young moon hung in the western sky, and while giving +little light, still the figures of some score of stooping boys might have +been discovered, advancing in broken formation along the road. + +The leader silently opened the gate leading to the dooryard of Growdy's +place. His barns stood near the house, so that the confusion which +reigned was all the more noticeable. Its equal had never been known +around Stanhope; and could only be expected in the case of a place where +a woman's influence for cleanliness had been totally absent during the +past ten years. + +Over to the stable went some of the boys. + +Paul had talked it all over with them as they walked, and each knew what +part he was to take in the general clean-up. + +To some of them it was simply another form of a lark. Boys are queer +creatures even to those who imagine they know them well. They must be +doing something all the time. Once get them started in the right +direction, and they will labor just as sturdily to bring about a good +object, as under other conditions, they would work to play a joke. It all +depends on how they begin. And thanks to the sagacity of Paul, he had +succeeded in interesting them in the novelty of his proposal. + +Some secured rakes and hoes, and began to systematically gather up the +scattered loose material that covered the place, ankle deep. Others +pushed the wagons, and the old dilapidated buggy, back into the shed in +systematic order. + +They worked like busy bees, chuckling, whispering and evidently getting +considerable fun out of the strange frolic. + +Paul himself went over the job to make sure that it had been thoroughly +done, and that nothing remained uncared for. + +Up to this time fortune had favored the busy workers, since no sound had +come about to betray their presence. + +"How is it, Paul?" asked Jack Stormways, as he ran across the other in +making his rounds. + +"About at the end. The boys are putting the old tools back where they +found them; and then we can go home. It's the best half hour's work +any of us have done for a good while, I tell you, Jack." + +"Some of the boys don't seem to think it quite so funny now as when they +started in. They say they can't see where the pay is going to come in, +and have begun to grumble," whispered the other. + +"Perhaps it never will, and again, who knows what might come out of this? +Anyhow, the ladies will be glad to see this dirty place clean for once. +Some others I know may take a notion that if Old Growdy can clean up they +ought to. Listen! what in the world is that?" + +A rattling of tin pans came to their ears, as if one of the boys in +prowling around had accidently upset a bench on which a milk bucket and +some flat tinware had been airing. + +"That settles it! He'll hear all that row and be out on us in a jiffy!" +said Paul, annoyed because the affair had not gone off according to +schedule. + +"Look! there's a light sprung up inside the house. He's getting his +trousers on, all right, and the sooner we skip out the better!" declared +Jack. + +The boys now came running from every direction, while sounds from within +the nearby farmhouse told that Old Peleg must be switching on his heavy +boots. + +So Paul, knowing that the only thing left now was a hasty flight, gave +the signal arranged for. It meant every fellow for himself until they +had put a reasonable distance between themselves and the seat of danger. +Then they could meet at a given place, and go home, laughing over the +whole affair, and wondering what Peleg would think when he saw what a +miraculous transformation had taken place while he slept. + +Paul happened to be the very last to run away. Instead of passing out by +way of the gate as most of the others did, Paul started to pass over the +fence at an inviting point, where two of the bars seemed to be down, and +he could gain the adjoining woodlot, from which he might reach the road +at his pleasure. + +But alas! the best of plans often go amiss. And that gap that yawned in +the fence proved a delusion and a snare. + +Hardly had Paul made the jump over the two lower bars than he found +himself suddenly jerked down, and his head came with a crash on the +ground, causing him to see a myriad of stars. + +Nor was this all. An unknown power at the same time seemed to lift his +lower extremities up in the air at least two feet, so that he appeared to +be trying to swim on dry land. + +For a moment he was puzzled to account for this remarkable happening; +but as his head cleared a bit, and the stars ceased to shoot before his +mental vision, he began to get an idea as to what had happened. + +Apparently the fellows who had painted the farmer's pigs on the other +night must have entered his place from the woods, and through this gap +in the fence. + +Old Peleg had remembered, and anticipating another invasion sooner or +later, he had succeeded in arranging some sort of ingenious trap on the +spot. + +In jumping Paul had set off the trigger, with the consequence that a +noose had instantly tightened around his ankles, and a hogshead partly +filled with stones, starting to roll down the slope, had drawn his legs +upward. + +Well, at any rate there he was, clinging to the grass, and with an unseen +force pulling at his elevated feet, so that he was helpless to assist +himself. + +It was very funny, no doubt, but Paul hardly felt like laughing, just +then. He tried to wriggle around so as to get at the loop, in the hope +that he might loosen the same; but all his efforts were wasted. + +Old Peleg had builded better than he expected when he set that trap in +which to catch his tormentors. + +He was coming now to see the result of his cunning. No doubt he had heard +the tremendous rattle as the bulging barrel of stones started to roll +down the slope after being liberated; for even a deaf man could hardly +have missed that racket. Lantern in hand he was even now hobbling along, +chuckling in anticipation of what he would find in his trap. + +Closer came the limping farmer. Paul saw now that he held a vicious black +whip in his right hand, while gripping a lighted lantern in the other. + +Laughter in the distance told that the boys had all taken themselves off. +They could not suspect what a dire calamity had befallen their leader, or +a rescue party must have certainly been formed. + +Another minute and Peleg had arrived at the fence, and bending over held +the lantern so that its light fell upon the figure of his captive. + +"Gut ye, have I? Mebbe ye'll try to paint some critters of mine agin, an' +mebbe ye won't!" said the farmer, as he raised the ugly black whip which +he held, with the evident intention of bringing it down good and hard on +the helpless boy. + + + + +CHAPTER VIII + +TURNING THE TABLES + + +"Wait, Mr. Growdy!" Paul hastened to exclaim. + +The old man laughed harshly as he flourished the whip. Perhaps he had +never struck a boy before in all his life, and hardly knew how to begin; +but his temper was plainly disturbed, and he meant to make a start. + +"What should I wait fur, when I cort ye in the very act? Paint my +critters red, white an' blue, will ye? P'raps ye wanted to pull all the +feathers out o' my flock o' chickens this time, an' think it funny. Sarve +ye right if I gi'e ye a dozen stripes!" + +"Mr. Growdy, I did you a favor once!" said the prisoner of the trap, +wishing to keep the old man as long as possible from starting operations. + +"Say ye so? Wall, this wipes it out then. Who air ye, anyway?" + +The farmer bent lower, and thrust his lantern so that its light would +fall upon the face of the boy. Immediately he uttered a grunt, for it was +plain that he had recognized his captive. + +"So, it's ye, is it, Paul Morrison? This is some surprise, seein' as +ye're the last boy I'd expect to be up ter sech meanness. What d'ye think +yer father'll say w'en he hears 'bout this?" + +"I guess he'll laugh, and say it was about the cutest trick ever played +on you, Mr. Growdy," came the immediate answer; "but please get me down +from this. Perhaps the blood will all run to my head. Tie my hands if you +want, and fix it so I can't run away; but I couldn't stand this long." + +"So ye think yer father'd larf, do ye? I never wud 'a' b'lieved Doctor +Morrison was the kind o' man to encourage practical jokes on anybody," +grumbled the old man, plainly at a loss to understand what was meant. + +"Well, he isn't, and I'd be sorry to have him know I was guilty of such +a thing. But you're barking up the wrong tree, Mr. Growdy, I give you my +word we none of us had any trick in mind when we came here to-night." + +"Then what took you in my dooryard here; for I heard a pack runnin' away +when I kim out of the house? Tell me that, Paul," insisted the farmer; +but the hand that held that cruel looking whip had fallen to his side, +which was a good sign. + +"I'll be only too glad to do so if you let me up. Tie my hands, my legs +too if you want, sir; but I'm getting dizzy from having my head below +my heels." + +Peleg stooped still closer. He again held the lantern down so that he +could look into the face of his prisoner; after which he did something +that Paul had hardly expected--bent over, seized the rope connected with +the laden hogshead, and pulling hard succeeded in casting the loop that +had just encircled Paul's ankles, over a post of the fence. + +"Get up, Paul!" he said, grimly, yet with a flicker of curiosity in his +wrinkled face; as though a dim suspicion that there might be something +out of the ordinary back of this, had begun to take possession of his +mind. + +Paul regained his feet, a little wobbly to be sure, for he had +experienced a bad fall, and his head felt rather tender where it had +come in contact with the hard ground. + +"Thank you, Mr. Growdy. And now I'm going to tell you something. Perhaps +you will find it hard to believe me, and again you may not just +appreciate our way of taking matters in our own hands, when the request +of the women of Stanhope didn't have any effect. Look around your +dooryard, Mr. Growdy. Do you see anything changed here?" + +The farmer held up the lantern, and what he saw caused him to utter an +exclamation. + +"Ev'ry one o' 'em gone, by hokey! If so be ye've smashed all my rigs, +Paul Morison, I'll have the law on ye, as sure as my name's Peleg +Growdy!" he roared, aghast at what he deemed a serious discovery. + +"Come with me, Mr. Growdy. Notice as you go that this place doesn't look +much like a pigpen now. In fact, I calculate it's as clean as any +dooryard around Stanhope. Even the ladies can drive past now without +being shocked. And Mr. Growdy, if you will take the trouble, sir, to look +under that wagon shed, you'll see every one of your vehicles just where +they should be when not in use!" + +The old man stared, as well he might. + +"By gum!" Paul heard him mutter; and the words seemed to express the +situation so well that the boy could hardly keep from laughing outright. + +Finally the puzzled farmer turned and looked at the lad who stood there +beside him. Easily might Paul have made his escape at any time now; but +that was really the last thing he thought of doing. He would much rather +remain and see the bewilderment of Peleg Growdy reach its conclusion. + +"Look here, Paul, what's this hull thing mean?" finally demanded the +farmer. + +And Paul, remembering the fact that the old man was hard of hearing, +raised his voice as he thought fit when making reply. + +"Do you want me to tell you the whole thing, sir?" + +"I sartin do, every word. Blest if I kin make head or tail out o' it. +Reckons as how them leetle fairy twins ye read about must 'a' ben workin' +wile I slept; er else I'm dreamin' things that caint be true." + +"Listen, Mr. Growdy," Paul went on. "Perhaps you may not know that we +have started a troop of the Boy Scouts here in Stanhope. Some twenty of +us have joined, and later on we hope to get uniforms, and other things +needed, when we have earned the money to buy them. Those boys you heard +running away were my friends and comrades, every one going to be a true +scout." + +"Soldier bummers then, out on a raid, and ready to kerry off everything +they kin lay hands on," grumbled the old man, still unable to grasp the +true condition of affairs. + +"At a meeting to-night in Mr. Shipley's barn we made further progress +looking to perfecting our organization. But boys will be boys, you know; +and one of our number asked the rest to help him get even with you, +because you forced him into the ditch this afternoon, upsetting his +wagon." + +Old Growdy moved uneasily. + +"I was real sorry to see William do that. If he'd only waited till I +lighted my pipe I 'spected to pull out a leetle more, so's to let him git +by; but he was that impatient he must push on," he said. + +"Just as I thought. Well, Mr. Growdy, one of the rules of the scouts is +that a member must never return an evil deed by another of the same kind. +I proposed that we try to make you change your mind about detesting all +boys. So we came here, not to paint your pigs as some other fellows did, +I'm told; not to let your stock loose, or run off with your wagons; but +to clean up your dooryard, and give you the greatest surprise of your +life when you came out in the morning!" + +"Sho! now. That takes the cake!" + +"When one of my chums upset that bench by accident, and the pans fell +with a racket, of course it gave the whole thing away, and we started to +run; but unfortunately I happened to drop into your nice little trap, and +you found me upside down. That is all, Mr. Growdy. Do you want to whip me +now, or take me in to the lockup, which?" + +Peleg Growdy found himself strangely thrilled as he looked into that +frank, smiling face of Paul Morrison. + +For almost a full minute they stood thus. + +Then Peleg spoke. + +"Reckon as how them comrades o' yers must 'a' gut a long start by now, +Paul. S'pose ye see if ye kin ketch up with 'em, son." + +That was all, but as Paul hurried off he was conscious of a strange +feeling deep down in his breast; and he felt sure that after all it had +paid. Peleg Growdy at least had met with the surprise of his life. After +this possibly his ideas of juvenile depravity might undergo a violent +change; for such positive natures as his usually swing from one extreme +to the other, just like the pendulum of a grandfather clock. + +Paul did not catch up with his fleeing comrades, for they had secured +too good a start. When he reached the rendezvous, however, he found them +there, one and all, and wondering what could have happened to detain him. + +Loud were the expressions of astonishment as he calmly announced that +having been caught in a trap, he had held a face to face talk with Peleg +Growdy himself; when he managed to relate the whole surprising adventure +the boys were stunned at the possible consequences of their little prank. + +Those who had considered it only in the light of a joke began to see that +Paul had something deeper in mind when he proposed such a thing. + +All the way home Paul was kept busy repeating some of the things he had +said to the irate farmer. It gave those lads something to ponder over +when by themselves. Possibly they had never before realized what a +powerful lever for good such a method of returning a grudge may become. + +Paul himself was delighted. Even if nothing more came of it he could look +back to the little adventure with satisfaction such as Ted Slavin and +his cronies might never feel with regard to their prank. + +And the next morning Paul was not at all ashamed to relate the entire +circumstance at the breakfast table. He felt amply repaid when he saw the +look of pride upon his mother's face, as she turned her eyes, filled with +unshed tears, upon him and said gently: + +"I am glad you did it, Paul. I know the history of poor Peleg Growdy; and +surely he has had enough of trouble during his life to make him different +from the rest of his kind. The milk of human kindness has perhaps been +dried up in his breast; yet who knows, my boy, but that you may have set +him to thinking by that one little act of yours. I shall never fear for +you, Paul, whatever betides." + +His father, the doctor, was a man of few words; but that morning when he +was going off on his round of visits he did an unusual thing--took Paul's +hand, and gave it an affectionate squeeze, while the look that +accompanied the action needed no further explanation. + +And Paul was many times satisfied. + +That day and others saw a growing buzz of excitement in the town of +Stanhope. It seemed as though nearly every boy over the age of twelve, +yes and even under, might be filled with a burning zeal to join the new +troops that were being started under two different scout leaders. + +Ward Kenwood had entered heart and soul into the work, which seemed to +appeal to him; but there were those who secretly believed he was more +concerned about opposing his rival, Paul Morrison, than in building up +a second troop of scouts that would be a credit to the place. + +Ted Slavin, of course, worked hand in glove with his friend, Ward. If +money counted for anything they had no reason to complain; for inside of +a week there blossomed out numerous boys clad in the new khaki uniforms +that distinguish the Boy Scouts everywhere. + +Some of Paul's friends felt grieved because they had failed to get their +equipments as soon as the others; but nothing could disturb the scout +leader. + +"You'll see that they are bound to meet up with a snag when they apply +for admission to the real organization. They can't subscribe to many of +the rules. Then again you know that the real scout scorns to receive his +uniform as a gift. Everything he owns must be earned. But most of us are +nearly ready to send for suits. Wait a little longer. The race is not +always to the swift." + +In this fashion then did wise Paul bring peace to the troubled hearts of +those anxious ones. Never a member of the new Fox Patrols that sought an +interview with the scout leader but who came away feeling that there was +not a cloud in the sky of their future. + +In this manner a week, and then ten days, drifted along, with the opening +of school looming up in the near future. + +Paul had almost forgotten the troubles of his chum when one day he had +the fact suddenly brought to his attention again, as Jack came upon him +with a face upon which rested the same old cloud of anxiety and grief. + + + + +CHAPTER IX + +"WELL DONE, MY BOY!" + + +"There, some more gone, Paul!" + +"But it's nearly ten days since we talked it over last, and then there +were, let me see, I believe six coins left," returned the other, quickly. + +"That's true enough. And I can see now that you're wondering why none +have been taken all this time, up to to-day," remarked Jack, as he came +alongside his chum, who was looking in at a window where sporting goods +made a brave display. + +"Will Carlo hang around and wait for you a bit?" asked Paul, looking with +a smile toward the big Newfoundland dog that had been trotting at the +heels of his young master, carrying a basket, in which were several +packages from the store. + +"Sure. He's well trained, and that is one of the smallest of his stunts, +as you know. See, he has laid the basket down, and stands guard over it. +I dare any dog in Stanhope to try and take it away. Now, you want to know +about my poor old batch of coins!" + +"I'm waiting to hear, old fellow," said Paul, tenderly; for he could see +that his chum was once again highly charged with emotion. + +"I thought I'd try a scheme unbeknown to you," began the other, slowly. + +"Perhaps I can guess what you did--was it that you locked the door of +your little den, Jack?" + +"Well, now, you are a champion guesser, for that was just what I did, +every day up to this one--shut down the window, locked the door, and +never went up there once," replied his comrade, with surprise written +on his face. + +"And nothing was missing?" + +"Not a coin. I counted six myself this morning when I went upstairs just +to get something out of the snuggery." + +"Did you forget to lock it after you, Jack?" + +"No; but an idea came to me. At the time I thought it a bright one; but +now I'm more than half sorry I ever tried it." + +"Oh! then you left the door unlocked again on purpose?" + +"Yes, and with the window open, at that. The invitation was plain +enough," murmured Jack, with dejection in his voice and manner. + +Paul seemed to ponder over the matter; and indeed it was quite enough to +try any boy's wits. + +"Do you happen to know if any fellow called to see you to-day while you +were out?" he asked, presently. + +"Now, I thought of that, and asked both my brother and Maggie to pay +particular attention to it, if any boy stopped over, hoping I would come +in." + +"Nothing doing?" + +"It's kind of queer, but do you know, for a wonder not a single fellow +has been at our house this blessed day. Generally half a dozen call to +see me, you know, to borrow books from my library, or talk over matters +connected with our school society. It just looks as if everything wanted +to mix me up worse than ever, and make me think--" + +"Never mind what it makes you think," interrupted Paul, quickly, +squeezing the arm of his chum affectionately; "let's get down to facts. +You know I promised that I'd find out the truth about this matter; and +while up to now I've given it mighty little attention, don't think that +I've forgotten, Jack." + +"I don't; only it bothers me to understand how you can ever expect to +find out who's taking my old coins, if I've made a mess of it; and living +in the house at that!" rejoined the other, with bewilderment plainly +visible on his face. + +"Leave that to me. I repeat my promise, and if everything else fails why, +what's going to hinder my hiding up there behind some of your stuff, +where I can see for myself what happens?" + +"Oh!" exclaimed Jack, "that would be a clever idea; but much as I want to +know the truth, I'm afraid to!" + +"Well, you've got to get over that feeling. No matter what happens it's +far better to know the worst; for then it may be remedied. I've heard my +father tell of many a desperate case where only heroic treatment, as he +called it, brought his patient through. We've just got to try it here, +Jack, old fellow. Hello! what d'ye suppose all that row's about?" + +"Sounds to me like a runaway horse, from the shouts," declared Jack, +quickly forgetting his own personal troubles in the new excitement. + +"Look! There's the runaway, and coming this way around the corner. Oh! it +was nearly over that time! My heart was in my mouth!" cried Paul. + +"There's some one in the wagon, Paul, a little child!" almost shrieked +Jack; for the clamor was deafening by now, and ordinary sounds could +never have been heard. + +No need to tell Paul that. He had just made the astounding discovery +himself, and was thrilled with sudden horror. + +It was a little boy who was tugging at the lines with a heroism worthy of +one twice his size; but such a young person could make no impression on +the hard mouth of that terrorized animal. + +In the sudden whirl around the corner the lad had come very near being +thrown but, and was even now unsteadily trying to regain his balance. + +Paul knew that it was an occasion for quick thinking, and even faster +doing! + +He bounded away from the side of his chum as though on springs, leaving +Jack standing there on the curb, filled with eager anticipation, and +fears. + +It was not _toward_ the rapidly advancing horse that the boy ran, but in +exactly the opposite direction, as though he were being chased. With the +wagon flinging about from side to side, and hindering the progress of the +runaway to some extent, Paul believed that he could almost hold his own +in the race. + +Little by little he meant to let the horse overtake him. Then, at just +the right second his chance would come to jump at the animal's head, +seize upon the lines close to the bit, and throw his entire weight upon +them. + +He knew that it called for good judgment, since the slightest mistake +would be apt to cost him dear. To be thrown under the iron-shod hoofs of +the galloping animal might mean making him a cripple for the rest of his +life. + +Even that possibility did not daunt Paul. He only saw the frightened face +of the little chap who so valorously clung to the lines, and shouted +shrilly at the top of his childish voice, as though expecting the usually +tractable horse to mind. + +A human life in peril--that was one of the cardinal points that must call +for action on the part of a true Boy Scout. He might refuse to engage in +a sanguinary battle with some rival who had dared him to a fight; but +under no conditions must he hold back when the chance offered to do a +good deed. + +Now the horse was just behind him, and still galloping furiously. If +anything, the animal was making more desperate headway than ever, for +the outcries on every side seemed to add to his fright. + +Every eye was focussed on the runner. One man in a vehicle had drawn in +his horse, and with white cheeks watched the remarkable scene. + +If any among that throng had reason to send up a silent prayer for the +safety of that daring lad just then, surely he might. For the man in the +buggy was Doctor Alan Morrison, Paul's own father! + +Five seconds passed, but it seemed an hour, a day, a life-time to that +man, as his heart ceased to beat, and he gripped the reins convulsively +in his clenched hands. + +Then the heavens seemed to almost split with the sudden outburst of wild +shouts that raced up and down that street. + +"He's done it! Hurrah! The boy's stopped him! Bully for Paul Morrison!" + +Men shouted, boys shrieked, while women embraced in their tears. The +tense strain was over, for willing hands had clutched the lines after +Paul's weight had brought the wild runaway to a staggering halt; and the +danger was past. + +Then ensued a wild scene, everybody trying to get hold of the boy who had +known what to do in an emergency, and not only that, but had done it. + +Confused, overwhelmed, Paul in the great confusion tried to flee; but +while he did manage to duck under many of the hands outstretched to +clutch him, it was only to dart into the arms of some one who pressed him +to his heart. + +And looking up the boy saw above him the face of one whom he loved--his +father, who had been a witness to his adventure. + +"That was well done, my boy; and I'm glad I saw it!" was all the good +doctor said; but Paul never forgot the proud look that accompanied the +words. + +It would return to him many times in the distant future, when he might be +tempted by the fascinations of the world to turn aside from the narrow +path which he had chosen to tread; and must ever be a guide and beacon +for his footsteps. + +Then came Jack, with William, Tom Betts and Bluff Shipley, all nearly +wild over the fact that it was their chum who had acquitted himself so +well. + +Before Paul could make his escape he found his hand gripped by the father +of the child in the wagon, who happened to be a prosperous farmer, with +whom Doctor Morrison was well acquainted. + +"I never could tell you what I think about this, my boy," he said, with +deep feeling. "The child's mother'll never forget you, be sure of that. +And it ain't right for me to offer you any reward for doing such a fine +thing; but I want you to buy something with this ten dollars, that every +time you look at it you'll remember little Tod Perkins, what owed his +life to you." + +"Oh! I couldn't think of it, Mr. Perkins. Why, it was just pie to me, you +know. Please don't make me take it!" said the boy, still more confused; +but the farmer had already turned away to embrace his child, and there +seemed nothing for it but to accept the gift. + +"Don't offend him by refusing, Paul; he means well, and perhaps you can +buy something with it that will serve as a reminder," said the doctor, +always trying to avoid hurting other people's feelings. + +"Why, sure, what's to hinder you buying your scout's uniform with it?" +declared William at this juncture. + +"You certain earned it, if anybody ever did work for what they got!" +avowed Bobolink, positively. + +"Oh! w-w-why wasn't it m-m-me?" wailed Bluff, in pretended grief. + +"Say, do you think you could have nailed that runaway horse, with such an +impediment twisting you up?" demanded Bobolink, grinning. + +"Well, boys, since you say so, I suppose then I'll just have to accept +it, and call my outfit earned by the sweat of my brow," laughed Paul, +taking out his handkerchief to wipe his face from its collection of +perspiration and dust. + + + + +CHAPTER X + +AN UNEXPECTED OFFER + + +Paul and his chum managed to break away finally, and walk toward the home +of the latter. Jack had his arm through that of the other, and it seemed +as though he felt happier over the recent exploit than the one who had +occupied the centre of the stage. + +"My heart seemed to be up in my mouth just when you made that grab for +the bit. I believe I would have fallen in a fit if you had gone under, +Paul," said Jack, with a big sigh, as he pressed the arm he held. + +"Well, I was a little worried myself that something might upset me just +then. But luck favored me, you know. I'm more than glad, because it would +have given my mother a bad shock if I'd been trampled on. But please drop +that subject, old fellow," said Paul, making a wry face. + +"I will, since you ask it; but they won't forget it in the town for a +long time. Such things happen only once a year or more around dull old +Stanhope. To-night we meet to see how many have the money earned for the +suits; and I'm glad to say I can cover my needs. You're doubly supplied +now, with this windfall." + +"Yes, and I wish I could help some other fellow out; but I'm afraid that +would be against the rules of the game. Here we are at your house, and +bless me if Carlo hasn't carried that basket of provisions straight back +to the kitchen door. Say, he _is_ a trump, sure enough, Jack." + +"Oh! that's dead easy for Carlo. Why, we often put a nickel in the +basket, and send him down to the bakery for a loaf of bread," laughed the +other. + +"And does he always get it?" asked Paul, looking suddenly interested. + +"I don't believe he's failed for six months. Of course Mr. Crusty knows +what we want, and wraps the loaf up so as to keep the dust off. Why, that +ain't the best of his tricks, by a long shot. I taught him when he was +hungry to go--" + +"Excuse me, won't you, Jack; there comes father, and I do believe he's +heading home long before his usual time. Perhaps he's afraid mother may +hear that something has happened to me, and would be anxious. I'd better +jump in with him, don't you think? Another time I'll hear all about the +wonderful stunts of Carlo." + +And so speaking Paul ran out to join his father in the buggy. + +Jack looked after him, and sighed heavily. It was not that he felt a +particle jealous of the recent exploit which his chum had engineered so +successfully; for envy was not one of his failings. But he did wish that +his mind was as free from anxiety and suspicion as that of Paul Morrison. + +For the mystery of those disappearing coins hung about his neck like a +millstone, nor could he ever know peace again until in some way it were +explained. + +What happened at the Morrison home when the doctor told the story of his +boy's heroism no one ever knew; for Paul was not the one to betray family +secrets. + +But Jack, who understood what an affectionate mother his chum had, could +easily imagine how she wrapped her arms about the boy, and pressed him +again and again to her bosom, thanking Heaven that the child she had +watched grow from babyhood until he was now almost as tall as his father, +should show signs of proving himself a worthy successor to the "good +Doctor," as every one knew him. + +That night the boys had the darkness to contend with when they started +for the place of meeting, though the late moon might show her smiling +face before the time came for them to return home. + +There were just twenty-two who reported at roll call that evening at +eight, and one need only glance around at the faces of the boys, both +large and small, to be positive that the enthusiasm, instead of dying +out, was increasing by leaps and bounds. + +When the meeting had been called to order, the one subject that +interested those gathered was the question of obtaining their uniforms +and other outfit. + +A warm discussion arose shortly when Jack asked for information +concerning the right of any scout to assist a fellow member who might be +behind in earning the necessary amount. + +Some believed one way, while others seemed to look at it in another +light, and not a few were, as Jack said, "on the fence." + +"Listen, fellows, and I'll tell you what I gathered from studying the +books on the Boy Scout movement loaned me by the minister. Here are +twenty or more of us, and we need just so much money for an outfit. Some +can show much more than they need, others fall short, although they may +have worked even harder. Is that plain?" and Jack looked around at the +eager faces as he put the question. + +"It certainly is," remarked Paul, smiling; "some are born rich, others +earn riches, and once in a while some lucky chap has the money stuck +right in his hand. I'm one of the last class. But go on, Jack; for I know +you've got a bright idea that may help us out of this hole." + +"The answer is easy, fellows. We must make a common fund. Then every +member can put in all he wants, so long as it has been honestly earned. +See my plan?" + +"Sure, and it goes. That's the answer to the problem. Let's try it out +and see how near we can come to the amount needed," said Jud Elderkin, +briskly; starting to pass around slips of paper and a pencil. + +"Put down what you can hand over to the general fund, each fellow; and +remember it means cash, to be delivered to-morrow, and not credit," he +announced. + +There was the utmost eagerness to carry out the idea, and before five +minutes had passed every boy had written his name on a slip of paper, +together with the full amount which he could contribute to the general +fund. + +"I appoint Jud and Bobolink a committee to canvass the vote, and count up +the amount subscribed," said Paul, as chairman of the meeting. + +It did not take very long, though the two boys were seen to go over their +figures several times in order to make sure there could be no error. + +"Look at the grins on their faces! Don't that tell the story, fellows! +Hurrah!" shouted Nuthin'. + +And when the amount was declared it was found that it far exceeded the +actual sum needed to purchase uniforms for the entire twenty-two scouts, +including hats and leggings. + +"Don't forget that I've just got to have a bugle, fellows. What use is it +to be elected bugler if you can't bugle?" exclaimed Bobolink. + +"And m-m-me for a d-d-d-d-d-drum!" echoed Bluff, excitedly; when he was +immediately pounced upon as usual, and pounded several times on the back. + +"Yes, do get Bluff something he can beat. I've heard him drum, and he's +just a corker at it. It keeps him from talking, you know," laughed Tom +Betts. + +"Hello!" exclaimed Nuthin' suddenly; "look who's here, fellows!" + +All eyes were immediately turned toward the door, and focussed upon the +figure that stood just within the barn, having entered while they were +boisterously exchanging these compliments. + +"Why, it's Mr. Growdy!" said Paul. + +"Old Peleg!" echoed Bobolink, in a hushed tone. + +One and all stared at the crusty old farmer, who for years had avoided +all boys as though he thought them a dangerous breed of animals which it +were safer to let severely alone. + +When Paul saw the amused smile creeping over the rugged and seamed face +of the old farmer he understood that Peleg had really experienced a +wonderful change of heart, dating from that night when the new Boy Scouts +cleaned up his dooryard as an object lesson. + +And now Peleg was coming slowly forward, looking a bit awkward; since he +had never been accustomed to facing an audience, and especially one +composed of boys. + +They made way for him, so that presently he found himself completely +surrounded by an eager throng. + +"Glad to see you, Mr. Growdy," said Paul, holding out his hand +impulsively; and to the surprise of the others it was eagerly seized upon +by the calloused fingers of the toiler in the fields; "these are the +friends I spoke to you about. And this is the Fox Patrol of the newly +organized Boy Scouts." + +Peleg grinned, and acknowledged the introduction by ducking his touseled +head. + +"Glad to meet ye, boys. I've be'n hearin' quite considerable 'bout what +ye was adoin' over here, an' I thort as how I'd jest drap in to see ye +all; sorter like returnin' yer call, so to speak!" he said, again +allowing a humorous look to appear upon his face. + +And somehow the boys instantly concluded that when Peleg allowed the +lines of his severe face to relax, he was rather a jolly old chap after +all. + +"Hurrah! Three cheers for Mr. Peleg Growdy!" exclaimed one of those who +felt relieved to think that his coming meant no trouble after all. + +But the farmer raised his hand. + +"Jest wait till I has my little say, boys. Now, at fust I was kinder +riled that a passel o' boys shud 'a' took me to task on account o' my +way o' lettin' things run loose like at my place. But I gotter thinkin' +her over, and by hokey if it didn't jest come home to me. Times was when +my dooryard was the puttiest around all Stanhope, with the flowers +abloomin', an' every scrap tidied up; but in them happy days Mandy an' +the kids was there, ye see; an' sense they was took it 'peared like I +never cared what things looked like; an' that's a fact, boys." + +The old man seemed to swallow something that threatened to choke him; and +then, while the boys hung on his every word, and wondered how they had +ever come to misunderstand him as they had, he went on: + +"But I kim to the conclusion, arter thet kind visit ye paid me, thet I +owed a duty to the community, and it warn't right for any citizen to let +his place look disgraceful. So arter this nobody ain't agoin' to be +ashamed to pass by the yard where Mandy 'tended the rose bushes, and her +tots played from morn to night. I jest drapped in here to thank ye right +hearty boys, for showin' me wot was wantin'. Arter this there ain't never +agoin' to be any trouble between me an' the boys o' Stanhope. They kin +count on old Peleg Growdy to contribute to every sport that goes to +cultivate the mind and body in the right direction!" + +He seemed a vastly different man as he stood there and said this, for his +head was thrown back, his eyes flashed, and his face was almost friendly +in its expression, the old haggard look having for the time being +disappeared. + +"Again I say, three cheers for Mr. Growdy!" called Joe Clausin. + +"Wait a bit, fellers. I got somethin' more to say," pleaded the old man, +once again lifting his hand to still the rising tumult. + +Paul smiled, for he could give a pretty shrewd guess as to what was +coming; and it certainly did him good to realize how their odd little +scheme was turning out to be such a glorious success. + +Every voice was hushed, and once more the throng waited for the farmer to +explain. + +"I've been ahearin' a good lot about wot ye're all adoin' with this Boy +Scout business. Kinder got me interested, an' I borried some books o' the +dominie jest so I could understand wot 'twas all about. An' I want to say +I like the ijee fust rate. If I hed any boys o' my own," and his voice +faltered right there, "I'd sure encourage 'em to jine in with ye. Seein' +as I ain't, an' on account o' the good turn ye done me t'other night, +boys, I'm goin' to ask a favor o' ye. I ain't got nary a kid to leave +my money to when I go; and so I hope ye'll let me pay for fittin' this +here Fox Patrol out with uniforms! That's my ijee, boys, an' it'll give +me great joy if so be ye take me up!" + +They looked at each other for a minute, speechless with astonishment. + +Then being real boys they found their voices with a rush. No need now for +Tom Butts or Joe Clausin to suggest three cheers. That old barn fairly +rocked with the volume of sound that burst forth, as every fellow swung +his hat in the air, and tried his best to give his feelings free rein. + + + + +CHAPTER XI + +CAUGHT NAPPING + + +"Silence!" + +The tumult died away as quickly as it had sprung into being, when Paul +held up his right hand and made this request. + +All being still again, he turned to the grinning old farmer, who was +doubtless getting more solid satisfaction out of this new experience than +he had obtained from any clever dicker or trade engineered in the last +ten years. + +"Mr. Growdy," said Paul, with considerable of feeling in his voice, "as +the present scout leader of Stanhope Troop No. 1 of the Boy Scouts, I +want to thank you sincerely for your generous offer. We all appreciate +the kindly spirit that causes you to make it to us. But unfortunately it +happens that the rules of our organization will not allow us to accept." + +Peleg's face fell several degrees at this. + +"Say, couldn't ye jest make an exception this time, boys?" he pleaded. +"I'll feel right hurt if I ain't 'lowed to help on this business some. +Wot's a hundred dollars beside the new speerit ye've managed somehow to +start up in me? If ye need more, by gum! ye kin hev it! I ain't no hog, +if I hev let the people think so this long time." + +"Sorry to say so, Mr. Growdy, but we can't accept. Besides, we have all +earned enough money now to pay for what we need, and expect to send away +to-morrow to get our suits," Paul went on; and even while he was talking +a bright idea came flashing into his brain. + +"Wall, now that's jest too bad, boys. I'd calkerlated to spend that +hundred on doin' a good deed, an' ye make me go back home with the same +hugged tight in my pocket. I'm sorry it cain't be did, I am, sure," +muttered the farmer, shaking his head, and acting like a child that has +been cheated out of some anticipated pleasure. + +"That doesn't follow, Mr. Growdy," said Paul, in a low but thrilling +voice; "if you have set your mind on using that hundred dollars to do a +good work, perhaps I might give you a hint where it would fit in mighty +well, and make your heart feel warm." + +"Hey! wot's that, Paul? I don't understand," exclaimed the man. + +"Down just beyond the outskirts of Stanhope there lives a poor widow +woman who, I'm told, is in danger of being put out of her home any day +now because she has been sick and unable to work so as to pay her rent. +If you went to her right now, Mr. Growdy, and put that wad of money in +her hand, I'm sure you'd never regret it, sir; and every boy here would +thank you just as much as if you paid for his uniform. Isn't that so, +fellows?" + +A chorus of shouts testified to the fact that Paul had hit upon a popular +idea for turning the sudden generosity of the hitherto miserly old farmer +to account. + +"Who is the woman?" asked Peleg Growdy uneasily. + +"Mrs. Jenks, who has three little children to support. Her husband was +killed in that blast some years ago, and she never recovered a cent from +the mining company, for they burst like a bubble," returned Paul. + +"By gum! wot d'ye know about that, now? I reckons as how she lives in one +o' my own cottages, which the real estate man, Stebbins, takes keer of +fur me. He was tellin' me about some tenant he'd have to put out; but I +never noticed more'n that the name was Jenks." + +"But now?" ventured Paul. + +"It won't be did! No, sir, not by a jugful. I got my team outside, an' +I'm goin' straight over to see the widder. I knowed her husband onct +too, an' I'm some 'shamed thet I didn't look her up afore," and Peleg +started for the door. + +"Hold on, Mr. Growdy!" called Paul. + +"Hey! wot's doin' now, boys?" demanded the old man, turning to grin again +at his new host of young friends. + +"You oughtn't to leave here, sir, without giving every boy scout the +privilege of shaking hands with you. I'm sure I speak for each fellow +when I ask that favor," returned Paul, stepping forward. + +Peleg was agreeable, though he blushed like a schoolboy as the scouts, +forming in line, walked past him, each seizing his horny hand eagerly, +and doing his best to make the old farmer wince with the warmth of his +squeeze. + +They gave him a parting cheer as he passed out, and the old fellow tried +to return the military salute to the best of his ability. + +"Well, what do you think of that?" asked Nuthin', when they were once +more gathered around their leader for the purpose of further discussion. + +"The finest thing that could possibly have happened. We had our frolic; +and see what it hatched. After this Peleg Growdy will never be the same +grumpy man he was in the past. No boy need longer hesitate to call out to +him on the street; for Peleg, I take it, has seen a great light, eh, +Jack?" and Paul slapped his chum heartily on the shoulder as he spoke. + +"My idea exactly," replied his chum, quickly. "And do you know it made me +feel bad the way he spoke of Mandy and the kids. Some of you fellows may +not know that he lost his wife and children in a fire that burned his +house down while he was away. I'm glad we did that job, and you deserve +the praise, Paul, because it was your own scheme." + +"Humbug! every one of you chimed in as soon as it was mentioned, and so +you're entitled to as much praise as I am. But about those uniforms, +boys--hadn't the scout tailor better get to work, going over his +measurements again? We want the suits to fit all right, you know." + +And in this way did Paul direct the attention of his comrades in another +quarter, because it was really unpleasant for him to be placed on a +pedestal, as though he were different from the rest of them. + +Amid much laughter and joking the measuring went on. Wallace Carberry +wielded the tape-line, and Bobolink put down the figures, being closely +patched so that no errors could possibly creep in. + +So engrossed were they in this interesting business, that no one paid the +least attention to their surroundings. + +And when a heavy shutter was slowly closed over the one large window of +the tobacco barn, the fact went unnoticed. + +In fact the meeting was about ready to disband, and one of the boys +started for the door to be in advance of his friends, when he made a +discovery. + +"Who locked this door, fellows?" he called, as he tried in vain to budge +the barrier. + +Of course this drew the attention of all the rest, and a rush was made +for the place of exit. One by one the boys tried to push the door open, +but even the stoutest of them failed to accomplish it. + +"Who was the last one in?" demanded Bobolink, furiously, as he retired, +worsted from the encounter, to allow another a chance at the door. + +"Old Peleg Growdy, to be sure; and the door wasn't fastened then. D'ye +suppose he did anything to it when he went out?" asked William, as he +tried to assist Jud, now straining and pushing in a useless endeavor to +move the heavy door. + +"That's nonsense," said Paul, as he pointed to the fact that the door +could not be locked, since it gave an inch or so each time the boys +pushed. + +"Ginger! it's got something braced against it outside, that's what!" +announced another fellow. + +"As sure as you're born it has!" echoed Bobolink. + +All doubt was dissipated just then, for a series of loud and derisive +shouts in boyish treble welled up from outside. + +"Shucks!" grunted Bobolink, in sheer disgust; "we've gone and let the +Slavin fellers have another crack at us. A nice lot of scouts we look +like, not to keep sentries on duty when we have a secret meeting. And now +they've got us cooped up here like a lot of old hens! Shucks! I say +again!" + +"Well, that's no reason we have to stay cooped up, is it?" demanded Jack, +as he turned to hunt around for some object which could be used for a +battering ram so as to force the barricaded door of the barn. + +"T-t-try the b-b-big wagon doors, fellows!" whooped Bluff. + +They did, but with no more success than had attended their puny efforts +against the smaller exit. Those who had been at work while they talked +must have done a good job, for the big doors were utterly immovable. + +"Do we have to stay in here until morning?" wailed Andy Flinn, in mock +despair. + +"Not much, if I have to climb up to the roof, and knock a plank off. Say, +those fellows must have been spying out here when I met them this +morning," said Bobolink. + +"Listen now, what d'ye suppose they're doing?" demanded Nuthin'. + +All remained in an attitude of expectancy, and could hear strange sounds +that seemed to come from under the boards forming the floor of the barn; +which building had not always been used for drying tobacco alone. + +"Now what d'ye suppose the sillies are poking poles under there, for?" +ejaculated William; "and just when I was going to propose that we pull up +a board, and crawl through the hole." + +"Whew! what's this mean? Say, fellows, if that don't make me think of a +blessed old skunk I don't know the odor when I meet it!" and Wallace drew +back as he was about to get down on his hands and knees to investigate +the meaning of the odd sounds under the barn flooring. + +Others got it quickly, and various cries arose, as the boys began to hold +their noses, and look around at each other. + +"It'll smother us, fellows, that's what!" gasped William, quite pale by +now; for the odor which a skunk leaves in its wake affects some persons +powerfully, though others hardly mind it at all. + +"I know!" Bluff managed to gasp, with a great effort; "there's a +f-f-family of s-s-skunks have their h-h-home under here. I've seen 'em, +b-b-but I never b-b-bothered the b-b-beauties. Oh! ain't it j-j-just +awful, f-f-fellows?" + +It certainly was. + +Stirred up by the poles wielded by Ted Slavin and his cronies, who must +have discovered the presence of the polecats when visiting the barn that +morning, and laid their plans accordingly, the little animals were using +the only means of defence against an enemy granted them by Nature. + +William actually keeled over, and his brother had to drag him to the +further end of the barn so that he might not get the full benefit of the +overpowering scent. + +"Something's just _got_ to be done!" cried Jack, himself not feeling any +too well under the infliction. + +"Here, help me lift this old beam, boys. We can make a battering ram out +of it, and burst a board off somehow. Never mind the damages; they can be +repaired easy enough. Two more get hold. Now, swing around this way. I +think the weakest place is in the rear. Keep back, the rest of you. Here +goes!" + +Five others had been only too willing to lend a hand when Paul called for +volunteers. The beam that had been lying against the further wall was +good and heavy; but that made it all the better as an engine for ramming +a hole through the boarded side of the barn. + +Amid the cheers of the scouts the novel battering ram was carried forward +with a will, and on the run. Some of the boys held up lanterns so that +those who were in the line of attack could see just where to strike. Even +poor overcome William managed to raise his head, and feebly wave a hand +of encouragement. + +The beam struck with tremendous force, and nothing in the way of a plain +ordinary boarding could withstand the impetus with which it was driven +forward. + +"Whoop!" yelled the scouts, as a big aperture appeared in the side of the +barn, and the route to liberty lay before them. + +They were not slow to avail themselves of the privilege either, but +hastened to scramble through the gap, carrying the lanterns with them. +William managed to get up enough steam to crawl outside, where he could +breath air that was not fetid, and filled with overpowering odors. + +Only Bluff looked back half regretfully at the haven of refuge they had +just quitted. For he was wondering how his father could ever manage to +efface that scent so that the tobacco, soon to be harvested, might be +hung up in that barn without detracting from its marketable value. + +And once out of the trap the Boy Scouts began to chase around, with +vengeance in their eyes; but as on previous occasions the wary enemy, +after accomplishing their mischief, had been wise enough to slink away. + + + + +CHAPTER XII + +THE RIVAL TROOPS + + +"How far do we have to go in this new plan of forgiving the enemy, Paul?" +asked William, who had by now fully recovered from his recent weakness, +and was burning with zeal to avenge himself upon their persecutors. + +"Yes, this thing has got to have a limit!" declared Jud Elderkin, as he +glared around at the moonlit scene, and no doubt imagined their rivals +hiding near by, where they could laugh at the disturbed group. + +Paul knew boy nature too well to stretch their patience beyond the +breaking point. He was astonished that such fire-eaters as Bluff, +William, and several more, could restrain themselves even as well as they +had. + +To keep them in hand the reins must be loosened a little; but only to +enable him to get a better hold later on. + +"Well, there's no positive rule, fellows; and so far as I can see I +believe the limit has already been passed, with us," he said, pleasantly. + +"Hurrah! that's the kind of talk!" cried the inflammable Twin. + +"Then you give us permission to pitch in, and whale the whole bunch the +next time they play one of their measly old tricks on us? Is that so, +Paul?" demanded Jud. + +"Oh! I only h-h-hope so!" came from Bluff. + +"Wait till the time comes, and perhaps I'll help you give them a +much-needed lesson. We don't want to play the worm part, always," +remarked Paul; "and now, boys, let's head for home." + +"Ta-ta, sweet little meeting-house on the edge of the woods; I'll carry +fond memories of you as long as this suit of clothes lasts, I guess," +said William, waving his hand mockingly backward toward the deserted +barn. + +"Watch out for some of those Slavin fellows on the road. They may bombard +us from the woods with rocks!" warned Joe Clausin. + +"Just let 'em try, that's all. We'll chase the stone thrower to a +standstill, and then he'll be sorry he wandered away from his happy home +this night!" Bobolink declared, ferociously. + +So they walked along in detached groups, many eyes were on the alert, and +listening ears bent to catch some sign of a lurking foe. + +Once or twice they heard signals being exchanged deep in the woods, +evidently by the scattered cohorts of Ted; but while valiant, the members +of the Fox Patrols were wise and prudent as well, copying the cautious +attributes of the wary animal after which their new organization had been +named. + +They declined to explore the dense forest, seeking a foe that might only +be bent on luring them along, until ready to pounce on them in a body, to +make them prisoners of war. + +And so finally the march came to an end, with all hands satisfied that +the last meeting of the little host of new scouts had been attended by +several of the most exciting circumstances that ever befell the boys of +Stanhope. + +Paul and his chum walked on together, until reaching the first home they +said good night. But neither again brought up that subject which had been +worrying Jack Stormways for so long a time. + +If Paul had conceived any sort of an idea in connection with the strange +disappearance of the old coins, he kept it to himself. + +Once, however, on the way home after leaving Jack, he stopped to clap his +hand down vigorously on his knee, and whispered to himself: + +"Now, I wonder if that could possibly be so?" + +But no matter what idea had struck him, further words didn't come to tell +whether his thoughts were connected with Jack's personal trouble; or on +the other hand if the annoying enmity of Ted Slavin, Ward Kenwood, and +their would-be scout troop, was still on his mind. + +Nevertheless, as Paul passed up to the front door of his home, and +stopped a minute to look up at the bright moon sailing across the eastern +heavens, he considered that he had good reason to feel more than +satisfied with the magnificent results already attending the new methods +of the Boy Scouts. + +On the following day he sent off the letter containing a check which his +father gave him in place of the money, so that it might not be lost. + +Then followed a period of anxious waiting, during which many of the +members of the Stanhope Troop No. 1 felt touches of envy at sight of +their rivals parading the streets, decked out in the full regalia of +Scouts, and carrying themselves with the proudest of airs. + +They knew that Ted and Ward were busily engaged in drilling their +followers in many of the devices prominently mentioned in the manual +book. For that matter, though, it did not require regulation suits of +khaki to excel in those same things; and so the Foxes also studied and +experimented, and burned candles at night in the endeavor to learn all +that was possible of those various accomplishments. + +There was a great difference in the boys of the town. + +Few who were of the proper age but who belonged to one or the other of +the troops; and people were beginning to notice how much more manly they +carried themselves, and how anxious they seemed now to get credit marks +at home. + +Parents upon meeting never failed to talk about this wonderful change, +and express hopes that it would last. + +"The best thing that ever happened, barring none, I think," was what the +old minister declared, at a meeting of the Women's Club; "and it deserves +to be encouraged. Why, you ladies should take advantage of this wave of +reform, to get these lads interested in keeping the streets of the town +clean. Give me fifty willing workers among the boys, and I warrant you +there will never be a stray piece of paper blowing around. They'll +provide receptacles for trash, and see that everybody uses them." + +And so it went around, and everybody seemed delighted at the innovation. +Only a few skeptical old fogies shook their heads, and declared that it +was too good to last, and that they about expected to see the boys of +Stanhope transplanted to the heavens in a body presently, since their +wings must be sprouting. + +About this time it came to the ears of Paul that the banner which the +peace-loving Quaker, Mr. Westervelt, had offered for the most proficient +troop of scouts along the Bushkill, had been placed on exhibition in the +window of a jewelry store over in the manufacturing town of Manchester. + +He and Jack wheeled over that very day to inspect the coveted trophy. +When they saw what a beauty it was, their hearts thrilled with new +aspirations. + +"Worth fighting hard for, eh, Paul?" observed Jack. + +"I should say, yes," replied the other, delight written in big letters on +his face, pressed so close to the glass; "and I reckon it would do our +fellows lots of good just to run down here to look at that dandy banner. +I must tell them all about it, and have them see it for themselves." + +"A bully good idea. You know how to get a fellow to put his best licks +into any job he undertakes," declared his chum, admiringly. + +"Humbug!" scornfully replied Paul; "why, it's as easy as falling off a +log. Don't you feel more like straining every nerve in the effort to win +that prize, after seeing how handsome it is? Well, I just try to believe +every fellow is more or less like I am. That's the whole secret. Yes, +Stanhope must work hard to catch up with the other fellows." + +There were several boys standing around, also gaping at the fine snowy +banner, upon which as the card under it, went on to state, was to be +embroidered with colored silk the totem of the leading patrol of the +successful troop. + +These fellows could not help knowing who the strangers in town were; and +it was also easy for them to guess what had brought Paul and Jack down +there. More than a few times had they seen these Stanhope boys competing +on the athletic field, either in baseball, or football. And of course it +was always good form for Manchester lads to "josh" any would-be rivals. + +"Yes," said one of the natives, with a grin, "up in that corner is where +the eagle is going to be painted. And every time we go on a hike we'll +carry that banner at the head of the procession." + +"They say," remarked another, with pretended innocence, "that poor old +Stanhope is getting up a troop, and even hopes to have a try for this +beauty. Now, what do you think about the nerve of that, fellows?" + +"Oh! well, the more the merrier," came from a third, whom Paul knew to be +the scout leader of the "Eagles" in person, "and after all, we don't mind +showing these tenderfeet scouts how to do stunts. None of us want to be +hogs, boys. There's room enough for all, even if some do have to eat +the husks." + +Paul had to laugh out loud at this. + +"Say, you're on to us, all right, Manchester," he said, turning around. +"Yes, we've come down here just to take a peep at this great prize. Of +course we'd like mighty well to say we meant to win it; but we're too +modest for that. The most we admit is that we mean to make a try for it. +Of course we haven't got much show against two such veteran troops as +Manchester and Aldine; but we want to get all the fun out of the game we +can. And you won't begrudge us that, Claypool?" + +"Sure we won't, Morrison," returned the other, frankly, thrusting out +his hand; "as I said before, the more in it the better. It will make our +victory look bigger." + +"Glad to see you're so dead sure of winning out," laughed Paul; "whenever +the Stanhope boys go into anything they always work harder if they have +big odds against them. But all the same that's a bully good banner, and +no matter whether it has an eagle, the head of a beaver, or that of a +fox worked on it in colored silk, it's going to be something we'll all +be proud of as Boy Scouts." + +"That's well put, Morrison; though you might just as well get it out of +your head now as later that the Manchester fellows will ever let any +crowd come in here and take that dandy flag away. Why, our fellows know +ten times as much about scout tactics as your greenhorns do now." + +Claypole did not mean to be overbearing; when he said this he really +believed it to be an actual fact. + +"That's very true," said Paul, quietly, as he and his chum prepared to +mount their wheels for the return journey; "but Thanksgiving is still +more than two months off; and Claypole, I give you my word, we've got +some of the smartest tenderfeet in the Stanhope troop you ever heard +of. Ta-ta, boys!" + +Of course, when Paul and Jack told what they had seen, every fellow +wanted to make the run over to Manchester to look for himself. And, +just as Paul had expected, they came back home more than ever enthused +with the hope and prospect of winning that royal banner for the Stanhope +troop. + +At the next meeting the talk was all about the prize, and a vote was even +taken to ascertain to whom the honor of being the banner bearer might +fall, in case the victory was awarded to Stanhope. Wallace Carberry +turned out to be the lucky standard bearer. + +All of which was just what clever Paul wanted. He had infused a new +stimulant into the veins of his comrades. And at their next outdoor +rally, when various contests were undertaken to discover who showed the +most skill, he found that the very atmosphere seemed to be surcharged +with electricity; for the boys labored to excel as they had never done +before; but it was because each one believed that upon his shoulders +alone devolved the duty of bringing that beautiful prize to Stanhope. + +Four days later the expected suits arrived, much sooner than even the +most sanguine had anticipated. + +Then there _was_ a time. + +The usually quiet and peaceful streets of the town were fairly filled +with khaki-clad warriors, strutting up and down, exchanging military +salutes, and arousing the admiration of all the girls, who came forth +to gaze and applaud. + +It was a great day for Stanhope. A stranger visiting there for the first +time might think some military academy must have taken up fall quarters +near by, and granted full liberty to its uniformed hosts. + +If there were those who had been hesitating about joining either of the +troops, a decision must certainly follow the first glimpse of those +gallant uniforms. + +That night many a lad ate supper as an honored guest at his father's +table; for surely the wearer of a uniform must be entitled to unusual +privileges. + +Of course the word had gone around for a meeting of the Stanhope No. 1. +But it was not to be held at the Shipley barn--oh! no, those boys had +had "quite a sufficiency," as Bobolink said, of their former quarters; +and Bluff admitted that his father would not dare use the building again +that year for his tobacco crop. + +Jason Carberry, father of the twins, had asked as a favor that they make +use of his big smithy; and since the night air was cool, Paul had +accepted this generous proposition of the blacksmith on the spot. + +So that was where they came together, a uniformed organization, at last. + + + + +CHAPTER XIII + +"FIRE!" + + +"Man the bellows, somebody." + +"Yes, stir up the fire in that forge, William. It's the coldest September +night on record, and that's a fact!" exclaimed Bobolink, as he pushed +the lively member of the Carberry team toward the smouldering fire left +by the blacksmith when he gave over his capacious smithy to the Boy +Scouts for their meeting. + +"M-m-my dad s-s-says he once lost his t-t-t-tobacco c-crop in +S-s-september!" observed Bluff, shaking his head as he pushed toward +the fire. + +The boys had had a fine meeting. + +Besides the twenty-two in their new uniforms, four new recruits had been +present, to drink in with eager ears all that passed, and sigh for the +day to come when they too might shine forth in such resplendant suits. + +Already was there much rivalry shown in the many competitions which the +young scout leaders had instituted. There was a class on aviation, +another that had taken up the mysteries of camping with all its +fascinating details; a third chose photography as the most entrancing +subject, and exhibited many pictures that were to be entered in the great +contest of the county for the banner. + +Then several boys had doubled, for surely the knowledge of cookery went +hand in hand with that of camping; while a good stalker could at the same +time enter for a merit badge in the path-finding line. + +Besides, though the season was late for swimming, several fellows who +knew just what their best accomplishment might be, had qualified to +enter this class. + +On the whole the meeting had been a most interesting one. Every scout +was burning with enthusiasm, and many were the resolutions that Stanhope +must have what Bobolink called a "show-in," with regard to that coveted +banner, which was to fall to the leading patrol of the county. + +They were now almost ready to "break camp" for the evening, and before +doing so indulged in a little general talk. Many had ideas which they +wished to advance, in order to discover what the attitude of their +comrades might be. + +"Mr. Chairman," said Wallace Carberry, when he found a little lull in the +buzz of conversation, "I have a proposition I'd like to put before the +meeting before we disband." + +"Hear! hear!" shouted several of the boys, notably those who had been +seen in close confab with Wallace, and hence probably in touch with his +scheme. + +"All right, Number Seven; let's hear what it is," replied Paul, readily. + +Every member of each patrol had a number. These began with the scout +leader, who of course had to take the "initial sack," as Bobolink, still +baseball wild, put it. Jack, as his assistant in control, came as Number +Two; Bobolink next; Bluff captured Four as his distinguishing feature; +Nuthin' being Five, and the twins the next pair, for it would never do to +separate William and Wallace, while Tom Betts was Eighth and last. + +"If the gentlemen present will give me the floor, with the privilege of +three minutes in which to explain what I have in mind, I will be glad to +comply." + +Wallace was very precise in his way of putting things. This did not +happen only when in school, or as he stood up to address a meeting of +his chums. He could not unbend his dignity even under the most trivial +conditions. + +William was just the reverse; and so full of frolic and fun that the boys +always declared the pair to be unequally matched, since in disposition +they were exact opposites. + +And yet under it all there was the same abiding affection that generally +may be found between twins. + +"Hear! hear!" shouted the boys once more. + +"Let's have it, Wallace, old sport. It's bound to be a jim-dandy idea!" +declared a loud voice that seemed to spring from the ceiling; but no one +was deceived, for they knew only too well how Bobolink could throw his +voice pretty much where he pleased. + +"Silence!" + +When Paul, who in the absence of a regular scout master, occupied the +chair, uttered this one word every sound ceased; and after that there was +no excuse for Wallace to hesitate longer. + +"Some of us have been talking it over, Mr. Chairman, and we would +respectfully request that you name an early date when we can go out into +the woods for several tests of skill. There is much keen rivalry among a +number of us already, which can only be settled by an open trial. First +of all there is the interesting water-boiling test of woodmanship. We +want to know who is the leading light in that class so we may push him +forward to enter the general competition with other Boy Scout troops. Am +I understood, Mr. Chairman?" + +"I think you have made your meaning plain, and the one particular +competition you mention happens to be the most interesting of all," +replied Paul. + +"Then may we hope that you will name an early day for the trial to come +off? Unfortunately school begins shortly now, and outside of Saturdays +and holidays the several Fox patrols may not have much chance to practice +before the grand trial comes off. Make it as early as possible, Mr. +Chairman." + +"How would to-morrow do?" asked Paul, only too anxious himself to +ascertain how the boys would "toe the mark." + +Wallace looked at his backers, and there were vigorous nods in answer to +the question seen upon his face. + +"It seems to be the unanimous consensus of opinion, Mr. Chairman, that +to-morrow would suit first rate. Please give us the hour for assembling, +and you can depend on our being on deck," Wallace remarked. + +"Two o'clock ought to answer. That will give us plenty of time to try out +a lot of stunts I shall arrange for." + +"Where shall we meet?" asked Jud Elderkin. + +"H-h-how about our b-b-barn, fellows?" queried Bluff, grinning. + +There was an instantaneous howl of derision, and every right hand went up +so that the thumb and forefinger might compress a nose. + +"Another year might do, Bluff!" called one. + +"What isn't fit for storing tobacco can't be a proper meeting place for +respectable Boy Scouts!" declared another, energetically. + +"Oh! he's only bluffing, fellows; don't mind him!" + +"In fancy I can smell it now," sang another, mockingly. + +"We'll meet just outside this very blacksmith shop, and at two sharp," +declared the chairman, decisively; "and any scout who is tardy will +be given one or more bad marks that he must carry as a load in the +competition. Punctuality is a leading trait in Stanhope Troop No. 1, +you understand. Any other proposition?" + +The boys began to talk among themselves, and for a short time there was +a constant buzz that sounded like a big hive of bees. + +Jack found himself in contact with Paul while this was going on. He had +been doing his duty to the best of his ability as he understood it; and +while the meeting was in progress had proven conclusively that he had a +thorough knowledge of the many things a full fledged scout must know. + +Jack meant to graduate from the tenderfoot class in the shortest possible +space of time. Any scout may do this by being diligent in the pursuit of +various lines of woodcraft. + +"Well," said Jack, as he pushed alongside his chum, "this has been a +dandy meeting, all right. And there are four new fellows knocking at the +door; with perhaps more to follow, when Stanhope learns what great times +we have." + +"Yes, and I guess we'll need new recruits right along. You know that some +of the boys will fall by the wayside soon after the novelty has worn +off," remarked wise Paul, who delighted in studying human nature as he +saw it around him. + +"Listen! fellows! The fire alarm!" shouted Joe Clausin, just at that +instant. + +Every voice was hushed. + +Clear upon the night air rang out the sound of a tocsin--the stroke of a +hammer upon a steel rim from a locomotive wheel, and which was hung aloft +in the only firehouse in Stanhope. + +It was a thrilling sound at any time, and especially to a company of +boys newly enlisted in the great cause of humanity--of lending a hand +to neighbors who might be in trouble. So after several more clear, +resounding strokes had pealed forth, calling the volunteer department +out to fight the fire demon, one scout started wildly for the double +doors of the smithy. + +He was immediately followed by others, and in almost the twinkling of an +eye the Carberry blacksmith shop was emptied of its late noisy crowd. + + + + +CHAPTER XIV + +JACK'S CHANCE + + +"Wow! look at that, will you?" + +"It's a barn most likely!" + +"Don't you believe it. I can see the roof of the house! Say, I believe it +must be that old Bradley place! Come along, fellows!" + +"There are the firemen on the run! They'll have old Rescue No. 1 on the +jump in a jiffy. Hey, fellers, let's get busy, and pull the hose cart for +'em!" + +"Bully idea. Lead the way, Paul! It's up to you to show us how!" + +With these and many more cries the Boy Scouts bore down on the building +that sheltered the lone fire department of the town. This consisted of +a cast-off engine in good repair which had been purchased from some big +city, where they were installing an auto in place of horse power for +propelling their machines; and a hose reel, the latter to be drawn by +a line of men. + +Of course the assembling firemen were only too glad of the offered aid. +To have a score of husky boys appear so readily on the scene, ready for +business, was in the line of a "snap." + +Accordingly, while some of the men got the horses hitched to the engine, +and others started the fire going, the hose cart was rushed out, and its +long rope eagerly seized by the waiting boys. + +Paul was at the end of the line, for a scout leader must live up to his +reputation as a general, no matter what the emergency. + +"Pull!" went forth the cry, and immediately the hose reel started off in +the direction where a flash of fiery red announced that the excitement +was centred. + +Nothing could please such an energetic lot of lads more than a chance to +make themselves useful in this way. They pulled with a will, and passed +along the road leading out of the town, on a wild run. + +The one who had declared that it was the old Bradley house that was on +fire must have had the situation well in mind. Perhaps he lived in that +neighborhood, and was better able to judge than the balance of the boys. +At any rate all of them had by now made sure of the fact. + +Paul remembered that a family, in which were quite a number of children, +had lately come to town, and taken the big ramshackle building. + +The thought gave him a thrill, and inwardly he found himself hoping that +none of them might be caught in that fire-trap. + +"There comes the old machine!" shouted the fellow who, not being able to +get a grip on the rope by which the hose wagon was drawn, trotted in the +rear, and made out to push. + +Yes, they could hear the shouts of the excited fire laddies now, and also +catch the sound of galloping horses. + +Looking over his shoulder, Paul saw a medley of moving lights, evidently +the lanterns carried by the volunteers. These were doubtless clad in +their old toggery and fire hats, the foreman with his silver trumpet in +evidence, without which no respectable fire would think of allowing +itself to be quenched. + +And a rising column of sparks attested to the fact that the fire in the +engine was in full blast, so that steam would be ready by the time the +scene of operations was reached. + +"One side, boys, and let them pass! Give them plenty of room!" called +Paul. + +He had seen that old engine booming along to a fire on many an occasion, +and remembered that the driver, Hank Seeris, was inclined to be a +reckless hand; for as a rule the machine was wobbling from side to +side, and threatening to overturn at any minute. + +Up to this date that catastrophe had never happened; but Paul remembered +the old saying that "a pitcher may go to the well once too often;" and he +had fears. + +It proved that they were well grounded too, after the hose reed had +safely negotiated the last bend in the road, and the burning dwelling was +in plain sight. + +"Look at them coming, full tilt! They will be over at the turn!" shrieked +Bobolink, who, being near the tail end of the double line could observe +what was taking place without hindrance. + +Immediately there arose a chorus of loud shouts, as of warning. But +apparently Hank Seeris must have been indulging in more liquor than was +good for him; or else he happened to be in an unusually reckless state. + +"They're going over!" howled Bobolink. + +"Smash!" + +"Oh! there goes our only engine to the scrap heap!" exclaimed Jud +Elderkin, in dismay; for his father happened to be the foreman, and it +looked just then as though the gallant fireman might be without a job. + +Paul ran back, as did most of the boys, thinking that something terrible +must have happened. + +The plunging horses had been pulled down, and a man was already sitting +on the head of each to keep them from kicking further. There are +generally some wise persons present in such a calamity, who know just +what ought to be done. + +Willing hands were already unhitching the horses, so that they could be +taken out of the way, and the ditched engine upraised. + +"Where's Hank, the driver! Is he hurt?" asked some one; and Paul +recognized the old minister, who must have been on the way home from +visiting when the alarm burst out, and hence he had accompanied the fire +fighters, eager to lend a hand at the rescue work. + +"Here he is, and just comin' to, after being knocked senseless. Hank +ain't hurted, I reckon," answered a citizen who had run with the machine. + +"How about the engine--is she much damaged?" asked the foreman, as men +set about raising the heavy Rescue No. 1. + +"Out of business for this trip, Elderkin. She'll never work again till +she's gone down to the city for repairs," came the answer. + +A groan of dismay went up. + +"That settles the fate of the old Bradley house, then," declared many, as +they saw the flames and smoke apparently increasing. + +Everybody was now anxious to get on the scene, and the engine was left in +charge of a watcher, while the crowd rushed along, exchanging views of +the accident, and the chances of saving the building by means of a bucket +brigade. + +The foreman proved himself to be the right man in the right place. He +instantly organized a double line of men and boys, leading from the creek +near by, up to the house that was burning. + +Every imaginable species of bucket and tin pail was pressed into use. Men +and boys invaded the kitchen and captured all sorts of utensils, from +milkpans to butter firkins. + +These were put into use, and passed along as rapidly as those at the +creek end could plunge them in, and fill them with water. + +At the other terminus the foreman and his assistants took the water +pails, and dashed the contents here and there as opportunity arose. + +The Boy Scouts were nearly all somewhere in the line, and working +valorously. For the time being they utterly forgot they were dressed in +their new suits of khaki, and that the pails slopped over continuously, +soon soaking them to the skin. + +Cheered on by the appeals of their leader they never flinched. It was the +first chance Paul had of seeing how his enlisted followers could forget +self, and rise grandly to an occasion. + +When any one showed signs of tiring he was quickly crowded out of the +line by another eager willing worker. Indeed, there seemed to be three +applicants for each job; and had there been more buckets several lines +might have been formed to make use of that accommodating creek. + +Jack, after a little, found himself pushed aside by another scout, who +wanted to exercise his muscles, and could wait no longer. + +Seeing a group around some children, and hearing sudden cries from a +woman, Jack hurried across the lawn. Somehow he seemed to fear that +new trouble had broken out; and when he saw a half-clad figure wringing +her hands, and shrieking, he realized that his suspicions were going to +prove true. + +"What is it?" he asked, of another scout, coming away from the group. + +"Her baby. She says it is in the house!" replied the boy, whose face was +white with the horror of it all. + +"What?" cried Jack; "did she forget her own baby, then?" + +"She thought her husband had it. He's a sick man too. See, that's him +they are holding back there. He wants to go in for the baby, and they +won't let him. Oh! Jack, I'd like to do it, but I'm afraid of fire. I +just dassent!" sobbed the boy. + +Jack waited to hear no more. His blood seemed to be on fire, and his +teeth came together with a click. + +Another moment and he was in the group, eagerly plying the almost +distracted mother with questions as to which room her baby had been in. +Fortunately Jack had once known a boy living in the old Bradley mansion; +so that the interior of the house was not strange to him. + +"Our bedroom--it is the corner one where the tower stands. The one that +has the alcove!" the lady managed to cry, as she caught his arm, and +looked, oh, so pleadingly, in his boyish, determined face. + +After that Jack would have risked anything in the attempt to save that +innocent little one. He rushed off without saying a word. Several put +out a hand to stop him, under the belief that it was useless, since that +portion of the building seemed to be a mass of flames by now. But Jack +dodged them just as he did when running with the ball on the football +field. + +When he dashed into the house, disappearing in the volume of smoke that +poured from the open doorway, a groan went up from the great crowd; for +they doubted as to whether he would ever be seen alive again. + + + + +CHAPTER XV + +THE HONOR BRAND + + +"He's gone!" + +"Who was that boy?" called the foreman of the fire company, as he came +running up, waving his speaking trumpet. + +"Jack Stormways, the lumber man's boy!" some one answered. + +"Well, he's a good one, all right; but I'm sorry for his mother!" said +the experienced fire-fighter, as he looked anxiously at the flames +pouring out from several windows directly under the room next the tower. + +Paul had dropped out of the line. He could not pass another bucket after +seeing the chum he loved so well plunge into the doomed building. From +right and left he heard many things spoken, and presently understood what +it was induced Jack to attempt what seemed so like a foolhardy thing. + +So it would have been, had the object of Jack's attempt been the securing +of valuables, no matter what the amount. But a human life counts for +more than earthly riches; and a brave soul never stops to consider the +risk when a fellow being is in peril of a terrible fate. + +Jack found himself in the midst of dense smoke as soon as he plunged +across the doorsill. He had foreseen this, and with a wisdom beyond his +years made simple preparations to combat the evil. + +On the way to the door he passed close by one who carried a bucket +of water, and some happy inspiration caused him to snatch out his +handkerchief and dip it into the cool liquid, not wringing it out to +any extent. + +This he clapped over his nose, so that in breathing the wet cloth would +keep much of the suffocating vapor from being drawn into his lungs. + +His eyes began to smart furiously. By the time he was half way up the +stairs he could not see a thing around him save murky clouds of smoke, +lighted by the tongues of flame that darted like serpents out of many +places. + +He staggered up still further, and fell on the landing. But gaining his +feet again he pushed on, still heading in the right direction. Only for +the knowledge he possessed regarding the interior of the building, Jack +would have lost his bearings then and there. The result must have been +serious indeed. + +Along the hall he went. It seemed to grow hotter the further he pushed; +but even that did not daunt him. Once enlisted in a good cause he must +go on, no matter what faced him. Had not Paul said words to that effect, +after telling them what it meant to be a tried and true scout? + +And here the opportunity had come to him not half an hour after the +thrilling words were spoken! + +Those outside while still sending the buckets of water along, in the +effort to save one portion of the large house, were waiting to see what +came of Jack's attempt at rescue. + +"He's lost!" declared one, as the fire broke out in a new place; "see, +that's the tower burning now, and she said the baby was in the room next +there." + +"Poor old Jack! to think it should be him to go!" groaned Bobolink; "see, +Paul, there's his father passing the buckets along. He don't even know +his boy is in the old shack! Oh! my, whatever did he take chances like +that for?" + +"Because he couldn't stand and see that poor mother shrieking for her +baby. Because he's got the strongest heart of us all! That's why!" +declared Paul, his voice vibrating with love for the chum he might never +see alive again. + +And Bobolink said to himself: + +"By the jumpin' Jehosaphat, I believe Paul would have gone if Jack +hadn't. He's lookin' at that house now like he wanted to run right in +and tear it to flinders." + +"There he is at the window!" whooped a man's heavy voice. + +Instantly every eye ranged along the front of the building, wherever the +columns of smoke permitted. And many a finger was pointed at the one +where a waving hat served to draw attention. + +"He's shouting something. Keep still, everybody!" + +A dead silence immediately ensued. Only the roaring and crackling of the +hungry flames could be heard, as every ear was strained to catch what +it was the imperiled boy was saying. + +"He's got the baby--look! he's holding her up!" + +A shriek came from the agonized mother, and she fell on her knees with +clasped hands. + +"Listen to what he says!" + +"Go to back of house--get ladder to window there!" called Jack huskily, +at the top of his voice. + +"Hurrah! we understand, old fellow! We'll have you out of that yet!" +whooped Bobolink, starting on the run around the end of the mansion. + +"A ladder--bring it around, boys! Let's save the brave youngster!" howled +the tall foreman. + +The ladder happened to be up against the building at a point where the +flames had now burst forth, driving the fire-fighters back. Himself, the +foreman led in a bold forward rush to capture the required ladder; nor +was he to be denied, scorning the efforts of the licking tongues of fire +to daunt him. + +Then, with a swarm of followers, he pushed around the corner. Here, +to be sure, there did seem to be less of smoke and blaze, owing to the +direction of the night wind. + +Now they were placing the ladder. It reached up to a window, and if only +Jack would show himself all might be well. Seconds were like an eternity +to those who crowded below, every face upturned, and every eye ranging +along the side of the house. + +The fire was pushing in this direction too, for it suddenly burst out +of a broken window. From many pairs of lips there burst a groan. Well +did they know that every second counted against the boy, who was +doubtless groping his way along halls and through rooms filled with +that overpowering smoke. + +"There he is!" + +It was like a sudden electric shock, that cry. The clarion notes of a +bugle would not have thrilled that vast crowd one half so surely as did +the appearance of a head at a window on the left. + +Jack had been shrewd enough to pick out a room that was further away from +the devouring flames. A hoarse shout went up at sight of him. + +"He's got the baby too!" was the tenor of that victorious cry; and it +was as though every man and boy and other person present felt a personal +interest in the success of Jack's daring venture. + +The precious baby was saved; yes, he was hugging the bundle to his +breast; and during a lull in the clamor they plainly heard the lusty +cries that proceeded from that shawl-wrapped package. Those were +doubtless the most blessed sounds that ever reached the strained ears +of the praying mother. + +Quickly was the ladder lifted and rushed along the wall of the house +until it stood beneath the window where Jack had shown himself. + +The foreman himself mounted as soon as it was in position. But Jack +refused to hand over his burden, nor could Mr. Elderkin insist. It was +only right that the one who had saved the little darling should have the +pleasure of placing her in the arms of the frantic mother. + +But he could and did guide Jack's feet as they sought the rounds of +the friendly ladder, so that presently the boy, with singed hair, and +begrimed with smoke, was lifted to the ground. + +Hardly had Jack landed than a pair of arms encircled both him and the +baby; for in that happy moment the mother realized what she owed this +brave lad; and her heart was brimming over with gratitude. + +Such shouts as went up then! Those still coming to the scene must have +thought the wearers of the fire hats had succeeded in running a line of +hose into a position where victory was assured. + +Again the bucket brigade got busy, working with renewed zeal, though +but little hope of saving any portion of the big building now remained. +But every one was roused up to fever pitch by the excitement of the hour. +And Jack's valiant work had helped inspire them to renewed deeds of +endeavor. + +Paul led his chum away, for Jack was almost exhausted. Then came Mr. +Stormways on the run, having just learned what his boy had done. He +seized Jack in his arms, and shed tears over him; though at the same time +his heart must have swelled within him with satisfaction that one of +his brood had acquitted himself so well in a crisis that called for a +cool head and nerves of steel. + +The flames kept on eating into the old building. It was now doomed, and +the fire laddies confined their efforts to saving any furniture that +could be carried out. + +Paul called his scouts around him, at the request of the old minister. +They were rather a sorry looking group, though just as full of a desire +to assist as ever. The fine new uniforms were bedraggled with mud and +water. Several had holes burned in their coats, and that of Jack was +a sight to behold. + +But who cared? After all, the uniforms were but an insignia of their +connection with a great organization. New or old they stood for a +principle; and gallantly had Stanhope Troop No. 1 responded when the +need arose. + +The old and highly respected minister, whose heart was filled with a +great love for the rising generation, shook hands with each and every +scout, declaring that he was proud of the privilege. + +"Don't mind the soiling of your new uniforms, lads. Every mark found upon +them to-morrow must serve as a badge of honor to the wearer. After this +it will be the tried and true scout who can point to a burnt hole in his +smart coat, and say 'I got that the night of the great fire up at +Bradley's!' And what shall I say of this fine member of your patrol who +so bravely risked his own life to save that of a mother's baby? Only that +his own mother has reason to thank God to-night because of such a son. We +all love him!" and a tear fell on Jack's hand as the old man squeezed it. + + + + +CHAPTER XVI + +THE FIRE TEST + + +"All here, Paul!" + +Jack saluted as he said this, and smiled to see the look the scout leader +gave his scorched and discolored uniform. + +Although Jack had spent an hour and more that morning trying to clean up +his suit and leggins, they showed many signs of the hard service to which +they had been put on the previous night. + +Several of the fellows carried cameras. They had signed for the +photographic test, and hoped to get some fine views of the troop in +action. These would possibly be entered for competition when the other +commands in the county lined up to strive for leadership in the last +great event--the winning of the banner. + +Presently the town clock struck the hour. + +"Fall in!" + +Two by two they marched out of town. People came to the doors to watch +them; and many a girl waved her handkerchief vigorously. But there was no +response. Much as some of the lads might have liked to raise a hat, and +send back an answering salute, they had already learned how to keep their +eyes to the front, on penalty of being given bad marks that might tell +against them later on. + +More than one parent looked to see how the boy nearest their hearts bore +himself. Proudly they watched the long double line swinging down the +street, keeping excellent step, considering how little time they had had +for drill. + +Other boys there were who stood on the corners and mocked. Of course +these were the followers of Ted Slavin, envious of the popularity already +attained by Paul's patrol. Some of them had been at the fire, and +witnessed the deed of daring carried out by Jack Stormways. Jealous of +the other troop they tried to taunt them by various cries; but without +success. + +However, most of them did not venture to tag after the marching corps. +They knew that even the wonderful patience of these fellows would have +its limit, and that a sudden turn might be made upon the tormentors that +could hardly prove pleasant for the minority. + +Out of the town limits they went, still keeping step. Ted and Ward +trailed behind, but there was no more taunting done. + +"They mean to follow, and see what we are up to," said Jack, when he came +alongside the leader again. + +"Well, we can't stop them from doing that, I suppose. The woods are free +to all. Let them look. If they can pick up a few pointers, well and good. +When we lead, you know we can afford to laugh at those who follow," +returned the other. + +"Sure, because they'll never catch up with us in a year," laughed Jack. + +For a full mile they continued, never once breaking ranks. + +"We're nearly there, fellows. You're doing fine, I tell you. Keep it up +through to the end. Why, you march like veterans already!" + +In this fashion did the scout leader warm every heart, and cause those +who were beginning to tire of the jaunt to grit their teeth, and resolve +that nothing must be allowed to interfere with the completion of the +march. + +"Left wheel!" came the command, as the van drew abreast of an opening +where a wagon road entered the woods. + +Still those two curious ones trailed in the rear, determined to ascertain +what it was that took the Fox Patrols out of town this day. + +Presently, surrounded by the giant trees, still green with their summer +foliage, Paul gave the command to halt and break ranks. + +Immediately the twenty-six lads began fraternizing. Those owning cameras +started to look around for openings where some promising view offered. +But most of the scouts clustered around the leader, eager to hear what +the programme of the day would embrace. + +"First comes the fire test. There are a dozen fellows who have come +prepared to qualify for that. And I think we shall have an interesting +competition. Here, all who have hatchets get busy, and cut wood." + +Paul himself led the way, for he delighted in using the little camp axe +which he often "toted" into the woods, when hunting or camping. + +The sound of chopping soon resounded through the timber, and by degrees +quite a pile of wood had been accumulated. But all this was simply to +loosen up the muscles of the competitors; for they were not to be allowed +to use any of this fuel, which was for the main campfire. + +Once this had been started, Paul distributed a dozen tin kettles that had +been brought along. These were all of the same size. Moreover, they had a +plain mark two-thirds of the way up, which was to limit the amount of +cold water from the near-brook which they must contain. + +"Here are five matches for each one of you. Every fellow is placed on his +honor not to have a single other one in his possession. You are not to +use any kind of paper in kindling your fires. Just imagine that you are +adrift in the wilderness, where a newspaper is never seen. And in the end +when a kettle begins to boil the owner of it must shout and raise his +hand. I will have inspectors appointed whose duty it will be to see that +all is fairly done." + +"Don't we get more than these five matches?" asked one of the +contestants. + +"That is all. And remember, that if two are tied when the quart of water +boils, the fellow who can show the most _unused_ matches comes in ahead. +That is a valuable point, for it proves that he knows how to conserve his +resources. A match is sometimes of priceless value to a man lost in the +big timber." + +"Tell us again what we must do, Paul." + +"Form a line right here. When I say 'go,' every fellow dart off to some +place he has in mind. With your hatchets you are to chop wood, and get a +fire started as quick as you can. Then place your kettle on it, and keep +on adding fuel until the water boils. I will time every contestant +myself, and keep a record. But this is just a preliminary trial. We'll +have another later on. Ready, all?" + +The twelve contestants lined up, while the others watched operations. +Even the two outsiders had kept getting closer, so as to understand all +that was done. And as Ward had his gold watch in his hand it was evident +that he intended to do a little timing himself. + +"He wants to see how our best compares with what some of his fellows will +do," remarked Jack, to Paul. + +"All right. He's welcome. The more the merrier. If they have any fellow +who is more at home in the woods than Wallace Carberry for instance, I'd +just like to know it," returned the other, promptly. + +"How about you, Paul? I guess Wallace would stand a mighty poor show if +he ran a race with the head scout," returned the second in command. + +"That's something we've never settled yet. Wallace and I must have a +chance at each other some day; but not yet. Now watch them scurry around. +Every fellow has his mind made up where he can cut wood easiest. I've +made them bring in all loose stuff, you see, so that they start on an +even thing. Here goes!" + +Paul raised his hand, and exclaimed: + +"Go!" + +Immediately the dozen lads darted frantically off. Several came near +having a collision right in the start, which would have been fatal to +their chances for winning out; since the water in their kettles must have +been spilled; and according to the rules of the contest they could not +refill the same without journeying to the creek, which Paul had made sure +was fully fifty yards distant. + +It was a laughable, as well as interesting sight. + +Having reached the various places mentally selected as the scene of their +intended operations in fire building, the boys set down their kettles, +and commenced to feverishly whack away at dead branches, or other wood. + +In several instances two of them happened to pick out the same place, and +naturally there was considerable rivalry between them, as well as an +exchange of remarks intended to irritate and delay. + +"Look at Wallace, will you!" observed Jack, presently; "nearly all the +others have smoke going, but he's chipping away as steadily as you +please. Why, he seems in no hurry at all. I guess he doesn't want to +come in ahead!" + +"Wait, my boy," laughed Paul. "You don't know that sly fox. He's up to +all the dodges at fire making, and believes in a good start. Some of +those smokes never will amount to much, for they just struggle along, and +threaten to go out because it takes all the puffing the fellows can give +to keep them alive. Now he's going to strike up. Only one match needed +with Wallace, you see." + +"And how his blaze jumps! You were right; he made sure he had enough fine +kindling first, before starting in. Now he's adding larger stuff; and +what's this he's doing with those stones?" + +"What do you suppose?" said the scout leader, nodding his head +approvingly. "Making a little fireplace where he can perch his kettle, +and have the hottest part of his fire under it. Note also that the +opening is in the direction of the breeze. That allows the flame to be +fanned. Wallace will never have to blow out his cheeks and puff to keep +his blaze going." + +By this time some of the contestants were bobbing their heads to +ascertain just how Wallace had done it; and made haste to follow suit. +All were willing to take pattern from a past master who knew the wrinkles +of the game. + +One upset his kettle, and despairing of having any show, withdrew from +the race. + +Eleven fires kept on burning, some of them under protest, apparently, +for they did not give much promise of landing their unlucky builders as +victors. + +"How long is it?" asked Jack, presently, as certain signs caught his eye +that told him the end was near. + +"Just nine minutes; but--" + +"Look at Wallace," cried Jack; "he's raising his hat. There goes an +inspector to see. He nods his head. The water must be boiling; and who +would have thought it? Hurrah for the Carberry Twin! Look at Ted and +Ward! They act as if they thought there was some trickery, for they're +running up to see. I guess they've tried this game, and come in under the +wire in about fifteen minutes. Hello! there's Bluff calling out. Good +boy! He's going to run Wallace a race next time. But I'd like to see you +make the test, Paul?" + + + + +CHAPTER XVII + +CLEARING SKIES + + +Paul made no reply to this remark of his chum. + +Having studied the charms of outdoor life always, he knew that he would +be placing his friends under a heavy handicap if he ever attempted to +compete with them in woodlore. + +True, just as he said, Wallace was somewhat of an unknown quantity; for +he, too, seemed to have a deep love for everything connected with life in +the forest, and never tired of reading books that told of pioneers and +their ways. + +The scout leader immediately started some of the boys along another tack. +They were given a chance to find a lost trail, to detect all manner of +signs such as would be apt to tell how long previously some one had +passed that way; and to discover where the tracks came out of the creek, +upon the bed of which the unknown had walked quite some distance. + +Of course, Paul had made the trail himself in the morning, running out +here on his wheel so as to prepare the ground. And when they all failed +to find out just how the party had left the creek, since the marked +tracks did not seem to appear anywhere along the banks, he pointed to +where the limb of a tree hung down over the water. + +"That's the ticket!" cried Bobolink, excitedly. "See, fellows, how it's +skinned where his shoes scraped along it." + +"As sure as shooting he climbed up into that tree!" declared one, +excitedly. + +"Then scatter, and examine the ground around the trunk!" said Paul. + +A minute or so later a happy whoop announced that one of the searchers +had discovered the wished-for signs; and away the whole troop went on +a trot, following the leader. + +Meanwhile the photographers managed to get in some of their efforts, +possibly unbeknown to the rest. Exposures where the subjects are +unconscious of their posing always turn out best; since they avoid +stiffness, such as ruins so many otherwise interesting pictures. + +Here, with the woods for a background, Paul, acting by agreement as +temporary scout master, drilled his followers in scout law, sign, salute, +and the significance of the badges which they wore, all of them, of +course, of the tenderfoot type, since few had as yet started to qualify +for any higher plane. + +Signal flags had been brought along; and a class in semaphore work proved +that some of the members of the troop were making rapid progress along +that line. They had mastered the Morse code, too; and had the occasion +arisen might have sent messages over the wire, although probably none +save Paul could have received the same, unless the words came painfully +slow. + +The afternoon passed almost before they realized it; and more than a few +declared that the sun must have dropped like a plummet, when they found +twilight creeping upon the forest. + +Both Ted and Ward had long since gone away, as though disgusted. They had +tried to sneer at the work of Stanhope Troop No. 1; but every one knew +this humor was assumed; and that secretly they were eating their very +hearts out for envy. + +No doubt there would be a hot time among their followers, when the +leaders endeavored to drive them to beat the record Wallace Carberry +had set in his fire starting, and water-boiling test. + +"Suppose you come to supper with me, Paul," suggested Jack, when they +were more than half way back to town, with the double column moving along +like clockwork, every right leg thrust out in unison, as though forming a +part of a well-regulated machine. + +Paul looked quickly at him when Jack said this. + +"Oh! I can see through a millstone, when it has a hole in it," he +remarked. + +"Which is one way of saying that you can guess I have a motive in asking +you?" returned the other, smiling queerly; "well, I have, in fact, +several. In the first place my mother told me to ask you. I rather think +she wants to pump you about that affair last night. Father wouldn't tell +her all she wished to know. Then again I'm still all broken up about +those lost coins; and I thought perhaps you might have guessed the answer +to the riddle." + +"What's that? More of them gone, Jack?" asked Paul, lowering his voice, +so that the two scouts at the tail end of the line might not hear. + +"Don't know yet. Didn't have the nerve to go up into my den since this +morning. To tell the truth that place has lost all charm for me. Whenever +I find myself there I get to shivering, and looking around, just like I +half expected to see a ghost step out, and pick up one of those miserable +coins right before my very eyes--ugh! it's horrible to feel that way, and +I used to be so fond of my den, too." + +"Oh! I hope and expect you will be again, Jack, when we've settled this +little thing. You say none of them were ever taken in the night?" said +Paul, earnestly; while his knitted brows told how much he felt concerned +over the mystery. + +"Certainly not. Always in broad daylight. That's the queer part of it," +returned the other, promptly. + +"Sure, seeing that they always go in the daytime, and when you're away +from home, too. Anybody else going to be there to-night?" + +"To supper--oh! no. Karl went off after breakfast, to visit our uncle for +a few days before school commences. I took him to the train myself, and +then mustered up enough courage to climb up there, and once more count +the coins," went on Jack. + +"Six there then, eh?" asked Paul. + +"Just as last night. And I purposely left the door unlocked." + +"Both door and window open in the bargain?" asked the other; at which +Jack looked puzzled. + +"Of course; though that wouldn't matter at all; for any fellow could turn +the knob, and walk in," he replied. + +"But the door was open, just like a plain invitation to enter, should +anybody think of going up to see--say that again, please," continued +Paul. + +"Well, I do say it again, though I can't understand why you should make +that a point worth mentioning. Still, I have confidence in you, Paul. If +anybody can get at the root of my trouble it's going to be you, old +fellow." + +"I hope you prove a true prophet. As for myself I'm not saying anything +just yet, one way or another," smiled Paul. + +"Yes, but I really believe that you've found out something that gives you +a pointer, Paul. Your face tells me that. You're a wonder about following +a trail in the woods. And I believe you see light in this darkness around +me!" and Jack looked eagerly into the face of his chum as he said this. + +"All I'm going to confess is that I believe I'm on the trail, and that +it seems to be getting warmer the further I go. Just hold your horses +a little while longer, Jack, and perhaps I may be able to tell you +something." + +"The way you smile gives me new courage, old fellow. Oh! I will be so +glad if only it turns out all right. But here we are at the smithy. Shall +you dismiss the troop here, Paul?" + +"Yes. The boys must be pretty tired after last night's work, and this +hike; as well as the many stunts they went through with," and the +temporary master scout presently gave the order to break ranks, and head +for home. + +"Drop in at my house so I can tell my folks not to expect me to dinner," +said Paul, as they approached his home. + +There was not the slightest objection to the programme as arranged. His +parents trusted Paul fully, knowing that, while as fond of fun as the +next lad, he never did things likely to get him into trouble. + +"Now, first of all," remarked Paul, after they were indoors again; "let's +go up, and make sure that anything has happened." + +The door to Jack's den stood wide open, inviting any one to enter. + +Jack had a match lighted in his hand, and with this he quickly touched +the wick of a lamp. Paul heard him draw a long breath as he approached +the spot where the little box lay upon the table desk at which stood the +chair used by the owner of the den when taking his leisure here. + +He bent over, and seemed to be counting the coins. They dropped back into +the receptacle one by one, and with such a ringing sound that even Paul +was able to keep tally. Then Jack turned an anxious and white face +around. + +"Paul, there are only four here. Two more have gone!" he said. + +"Yet you came up here and counted them; you are positive of that?" +demanded Paul. + +"I counted them, and there were six. Five times I did it, to be sure; yet +you saw that there were only four just now?" + +"You came up here after you saw Karl off on the train?" persisted his +chum. + +"Yes, after I returned from the station. But what makes you ask that? +Tell me why you are grinning so, Paul? I know I'm awfully dull just now, +but who could blame me under the circumstances? Please speak up!" Jack +insisted. + +"Why, don't you see, this clears Karl completely. Six here while he was +riding away on the train this morning; and two taken when he is fifty +miles away! Don't that satisfy you it wasn't your brother, after all, +Jack?" + +And Jack dropped down in that chair, letting his head fall in his hands, +while a great joy overspread his face. + + + + +CHAPTER XVIII + +CARLO DOES HIS TURN + + +"Paul, you're a wizard, I do believe!" said Jack, after a bit, as he +looked up at his chum. + +"Well, I hardly think so. This thing was easy; and ten to one you'd have +thought of it sooner or later. For how could Karl have anything to do +with the bad business while he was up at your uncle's?" laughed the +other, with his customary modesty. + +"But if not Karl, then who got my old coins?" persisted Jack, smiling +now. + +"Well, I'm not quite ready to say. I've got two ideas I'm chasing after +now. Give me just a little more time on that, will you, old fellow?" +replied the visitor, as he dropped down on a cot, and let his eyes rove +along the exhibit of college colors illuminating the walls. + +He drew the little box that held the coins toward him. When Jack was not +observing, Paul took the contents out, one by one, and seemed to be +examining them closely. He even scratched one with his finger nail, and +the result appeared to please him, for he chuckled softly. Evidently he +had made a discovery which he deemed important. + +Jack, having finished some little task with which he had busied himself, +came back to his chum. + +"See here, Paul," he remarked; "I'm not going to ask you to tell me who +it is you suspect; but do I know him?" + +"Sure," replied his chum; "and perhaps after we've found out the +wonderful secret, you may even find it in your heart to look on it as +a joke, and forgive him." + +"You don't say? Perhaps, though, I might hardly feel like forgiving a +fellow who would be mean enough to sneak up here so often, and take my +old coins. Think of the ugly feelings he's made me have toward my own +brother. I'll never look Karl in the eye after this without feeling +conscience-stricken. I don't know about forgiving him so easy as all +that," grumbled Jack. + +"Oh! well, don't cross a bridge till you come to it. That's a good motto +for you and for me. Perhaps there are times when I feel the need of it. +Perhaps there's one right now," and Paul shrugged his shoulders as he +spoke, half laughingly. + +"There, I knew that something had gone wrong with you lately. I've +watched you when you thought I wasn't looking, and I've seen you frown. +Suppose you take your old chum into your confidence, Paul? What's +happened? Any trouble at home? Are you bothered over the Boy Scout troop +we've been organizing? Is it about your school affairs?" + +Paul shook his head each time the other brought forward a suggestion. + +"You're a most determined fellow, Jack," he said, good naturedly; "and +perhaps I hadn't ought to speak of such a thing to anybody; but we've +been chums so long, and misery likes company, you know." + +"Then you _are_ in trouble; and you mean to confess to me? Thank you, +Paul, for what you say. I don't think I ever had any cause for worrying +that I didn't come straight to you for comfort. And I always got it, +too." + +"Even when you and Dorothy had that nasty little spat that began to look +serious until I just happened to find the note that made all the trouble, +and forced Eli Kosmer to confess he wrote it. You remember that time, +Jack?" + +"I guess I do. Dorothy often speaks of it to this day; for we're good +friends, and always will be. But see here, why do you just happen to +mention that business? Oh! I begin to see now," added Jack, as Paul +turned red in the face, and laughed in a rather constrained way. + +"I shouldn't wonder but what you did. I'm sure I've denied every other +cause you could think of," he said, sighing heavily. + +"It's Arline then. She's been doing something. Yes, I remember now that +I saw her out riding with Ward Kenwood only yesterday. Say, that dude has +been saying something that wasn't true about you, Paul, I'd just wager +anything. He's gone and poisoned her ears with a yarn. It'd be just like +the sneak!" + +"Just go slow, Jack. You're saying something that you can't prove. Of +course I believe myself that Ward wouldn't stop at anything like that; +but without the least proof I can't accuse him of it," Paul said, +severely. + +"But you could ask Arline?" his friend went on. + +"Could I? Well, when a girl chooses to turn me down without a hearing, +and even smiles when she drives past me in the company of a fellow she +knows I detest, and whom she has often said she disliked, what then? +Think I would so far forget myself as to get down on my knees, and beg +her to take me back into favor? Bah!" + +"Is it so bad as that then? Oh well, there are other girls just as pretty +as Arline; and you've always been a great favorite with them, Paul; but +hold on, why not let me try to straighten this thing out? You've helped +me all right; and tit for tat is fair play." + +"H'm! how do you think you could do anything, Jack? I don't suppose you'd +care to go straight to her, and ask her point blank what I'd done to make +her treat me so cruelly? I shouldn't think of allowing that at all?" + +Paul tried to display an air of indifference; but it was poorly assumed; +and his chum knew full well that he was much more pained at these strange +actions on the part of Arline than he cared to admit. + +"Oh! there are ways and ways. For instance, you know that Dorothy is one +of the crowd of high school girls Arline goes with. Ward's sister Mazie +is another; and that might account for her being at his house so much. +Now, suppose you let me tell Dorothy. She'll keep it a dead secret, and +in some way manage to get a confession. Say you will, Paul!" + +"Have it your own way, old fellow. I'm just about ready to wash my hands +of the whole business. Besides, I've really too many irons in the fire to +be bothering over the silly notions of girls." + +It was bravely put, but did not deceive Jack even a little bit; for he +happened to know just how very fond his friend was of the particular girl +in question. + +"All right, then. Consider that settled, and I won't say any more about +it until I can report progress," remarked the latter. + +"Let's talk of other things than my poor affairs. You insisted on +knowing; and wouldn't take no for an answer. Hello! there's Carlo asking +to come in again. Shall I let him past the door, Jack?" + +"Why, of course. This is his den as well as mine. I keep sugar on tap, so +as to put him through some of his paces. Here Carlo, how's your sweet +tooth coming on?" and Jack snapped his fingers in a peculiar way. + +Immediately the educated dog squatted on his hind quarters, sat upright +with his forepaws drooping appealingly, and waited, cocking his eyes in +a humorous way at his young master, who had opened a drawer in his desk. + +"Just one piece left. Somebody else likes sugar as well as Carlo, I +guess. Well, here you are, now. On trust, boy, on trust!" + +So saying he laid the piece of sugar upon the nose of the dog, balancing +it so there could be no falling off. + +Carlo, knowing what was expected of him, sat there like a drum major, +quivering with eagerness, yet not daring to move as long as he failed to +hear the command. + +"Say, isn't he a sport, all right, Paul? Don't he sit up like a soldier? +Look at his eyes fixed on me. Did you ever see such agony?" + +Paul was laughing now. + +"He's speaking with his eyes, and begging you not to stretch it out too +far, Jack. Have a little mercy on the poor beggar. Look at his tongue +coming out and reaching up. I think he just wants to taste that sugar. +Give it to him now!" + +"Well, Carlo knows that he can't expect to have anything on trust; but +it's a different thing when it's paid for!" + +With the last two words, spoken in a natural tone, Carlo became +galvanized into sudden action. He had received the cue for which he was +waiting so patiently. Immediately he made an upward spring; the lump of +sugar was thrown into the air, and as it came down one quick snap secured +it, after which there was a crunching of canine teeth, and a look of +bliss appeared on Carlo's dog face. + +"There's the supper gong. Come on down to the bathroom and wash up, Paul! +And you come, too, old dog. No more sugar here; see, the drawer is empty. +Carlo never comes up here without sniffing at that drawer, and looking at +me knowingly. Go ahead, Paul, and I'll put out the lamp." + +So they went downstairs, and after a while sought the dining room, where +Paul met both parents of his chum, as well as a gentleman who was +visiting Mr. Stormways. + +"Mr. Jared Pender, an old schoolmate of mine, and with whom I made +several voyages abroad years ago," said Mr. Stormways. "He is in the +employ of the Government now, and has to make visits all over the +country, you know." + +Paul had once met a gentleman who was a post-office inspector, and +somehow took it for granted that Mr. Pender might be engaged in some +similar business; at any rate it concerned him not at all he concluded, +just what the gentleman's private affairs might be, and he gave the +subject little thought. + + + + +CHAPTER XIX + +THE WARNING OVER THE WIRE + + +After supper the two boys once more ascended to the snuggery near the +roof. + +There was no further reference made to either the disappearance of the +old coins, or Paul's little heart trouble with his girl chum. + +They had a number of books loaned them by the good old minister and which +were full of interesting facts connected with the wonderful Boy Scout +movement, especially over in England, where it originated. + +Paul was deeply interested in picking out all features that would appeal +to American lads. Until they had found the right party to take the +position of troop master he wished to play the part of scout leader in +such fashion that no one could pick a flaw with his management. + +Usually it is some adult to whom this important position is entrusted +from the start; Paul, however, had long been known to be so deeply +interested in many of the branches which concern life in the open, that +his mates were only too glad to have him occupy the exalted position of +leader for the time being. + +When they knew as much as Paul did, they believed they would be well +qualified to pass for a first-class scout's assignment. + +So Paul, with the assistance of his comrade, was selecting many +interesting competitions. By means of these the boys could be tested as +to their knowledge of those things so important to the boy scouts. + +He made many charts showing the different footprints of wild animals, as +well as those of the domestic cat and dog. By following the tracks of +a rabbit a most interesting as well as instructive story could be made +out. It was possible just from the marks on the ground, or the snow, to +tell how the animal had been frightened into wild flight, by what sort of +enemy it had been pursued, where the swoop of owl or eagle had brought +specks of blood upon the leaves or white snow, and finally the picked +bones of poor bunny would reveal the secret of the windup of the chase. + +So, in every case, the student of nature could weave a story out of +the marks discovered. It was so in the days of the Indian, when old +Leatherstocking and his long-barreled rifle were leading factors in the +life of the wilds. Daniel Boone and his pioneers used to read such signs +as easily as any boy might the pages of this book. And the deeper any lad +dips into such fascinating studies the more he wants to learn. + +When half past nine came Paul said he must be going. + +"I've had a jolly evening of it, Jack, and enjoyed every minute with you. +When we get the boys together again we can have half a dozen competitions +going on at once," he said as he arose and stretched himself. + +"That's so," replied the other, following suit; while even Carlo arched +his broad back, and prepared to follow them downstairs; "and the best +of this thing is that the more you go into it the greater it gets. I'm +fairly wild to keep it up." + +Just as the boys reached the lower floor the telephone bell rang, and +Jack, being near, stepped over to the small table in the hall on which +the receiver rested. + +"Yes, sure, he's here. Hold the wire," Paul heard him say, as he smiled; +and then turning to his friend Jack continued: "here, Paul, take hold. +Somebody wants to talk with you. Says he called up your house, and they +told him you were over at my home." + +Paul of course wondered who could be wanting him so positively that he +even followed him over to the Stormways house. + +"Hello! hello!" he said, quietly. + +"That you, Paul?" + +"It's Bobolink, I guess," remarked Paul, for the benefit of his chum who +stood by, listening curiously. + +"That's right," continued the voice over the wire. + +"What's doing to make you chase me up this way, Number Three?" Paul went +on. + +"That's the trouble; I just don't know for sure. But when I caught Ted's +voice among the bunch I said to myself, they're up to no good; and I bet +it's Paul they are laying for." + +"Hey! what's that? Who's laying for me, and where?" demanded the startled +boy. + +"Listen, and I'll tell you all I learned. 'Taint much, but I know that +critter so well that I wouldn't put it past him to try and knock you out, +so that all our drilling in the woods would be upset, and his crowd get +an advantage." + +"Oh! bosh! What's this you're giving me, Bobolink?" + +"Yes, I expected you'd say that. Think I'm stringing you, don't you, +Paul? But I'm not, all the same. Listen again. Perhaps Ted and two of +his cronies have gone and dressed up in some old Hallowe'en toggery until +they look like a set of bears or hyenas just to frolic around a bit. +Well, mebbe they have; but tell me just why they are hiding close to +_your_ place?" continued the talkative yet determined Bobolink. + +"When did you see them?" demanded the other. + +"Not more'n eight minutes ago, Paul. Was comin' home myself. Been over +to Bluff's house to fix up some surprises we expect to play on all you +fellers later on, and show you what we know about this scoutin' business. +On the way home I turned in and passed your house. Often come that way, +you know," and the speaker paused as if for breath, or to hear Paul admit +the fact. + +"Sure. Go on, you slow turtle. You've got me keyed up now to my top-notch +curiosity. Give us the rest of the yarn," said Paul, eagerly. + +"Yarn! H'm! there you go, making out I'm hatching up a story. But take my +word for it, Paul, three fellers are hidin' in the bushes close to your +place, and expectin' some one to pass along in the dark. They started to +jump out at me, and then I heard Ted's voice growlin' to 'em to fade +away, that it wasn't the right one. Thought I'd just ask you if you could +explain what it meant. When your mother told me you was over with Jack I +saw a light, and that's what." + +"Well, I'm glad you told me, Bobolink. A good scout is always on the +alert to do his comrade a clever turn; and I won't forget this. That +all?" + +"But now I've told you, Paul, aren't you goin' to slip around the back +way, and let them fellers take it out waitin'? Three to one is too much. +They'll do you up, and make out 'twas only horseplay. Please give 'em the +slip, Paul. We need you in our business, you know." + +"I'll see about it, Bobolink. Thanks, good-bye!" and Paul switched off. + +"Well, what's all this about?" asked Jack, as his chum turned toward him, +with a frown on his face, and a gleam in his eye that the other knew +stood for grim determination. + +"He says there are three fellows lying in wait in the bushes near my +place, all rigged up in their Hallowe'en toggery; and that he believes +they know I am over at your house. That's all," remarked Paul, with a +little nervous laugh, and a clinching of his hands. + +"Good gracious! you don't say; three of them waiting to pounce on you! +Did he seem to know who they were?" asked Jack, looking worried. + +"Well, you might guess that easy enough," replied Paul, scornfully. + +"Ted Slavin and some of his ugly ducklings?" + +"Bobolink says he recognized Ted's voice. And, I suppose my warm friend +Ward is one of the others. He never loses a chance to get a dig in at +me." + +"I don't know," returned Jack, thoughtfully; "to tell the honest truth I +hardly think he can be one of the bunch, because his sister took Arline +home with her to supper; and I guess Ward couldn't be coaxed out while +_she_ is there." + +Paul winced, but said nothing. + +"Oh! well, it doesn't matter much after all. They're a lot of cowards, or +else they wouldn't be concerned in such a low game. You can give them the +slip by going around the back way," and Jack chuckled at the thought of +those silly fellows waiting an hour or two for the expected victim who +never came, and then going home in sheer disgust. + +Paul shook his head. + +"Now, that's just what Bobolink said, too; but I've made up my mind that +I'm not going to sneak home, like a dog with his tail between his legs," +he said, shutting his teeth hard together. + +"You mean that you'll take the street that leads to the front of your +house? Oh I well, they'll hardly tackle us when they see there are two," +remarked Jack. + +"And by that you mean you expect to go along. I won't let you do anything +of the kind. Even if they allowed us to pass by, don't you think they'd +be apt to take it out of you when you returned alone? No, I'm your +superior officer, and I order you to stop right here where you belong; +do you understand, Jack?" + +"Well," grumbled Jack, shaking his head as if convinced against his will; +"I know you too well to try and go up against you when your mind's made +up; but just the same I think it's a mean shame that you won't let me +walk home with you. Think if they did jump out at us what a jolly time +we'd have handing 'em more than they expected." + +"Give it up, old fellow. But I tell you what I can do. You remember that +baseball bat of mine that's been lying over here so long? I'll carry it +home now, and save you the trouble, thank you," nodded Paul. + +"Bully! a good idea. Here it is behind the door. And Paul, don't spare +the measly bunch; but whack 'em good and hard." + + + + +CHAPTER XX + +SUCH GLORIOUS LUCK + + +Paul walked down the street, swinging the baseball bat carelessly, and +softly whistling to himself. + +He left the street on which his chum's house fronted, and presently came +to his own thoroughfare. + +"H'm!" he said to himself, as he boldly turned in here; "looks kind of +half dark for a fact; but that always suits fellows up to a mean dodge. I +musn't hit too hard, for this is an awful tough old bat, that has brought +me in more than a few home-runs. Well, it's helping me make one now," and +he actually snickered at the conceit. + +As he advanced he braced himself for the expected fray. Of old he knew +Ted Slavin was a muscular fellow, capable of enforcing obedience from his +slavish followers. + +What was that? He certainly heard the sound of voices a little further +along. And somehow one of them seemed to give Paul a strange feeling; +for he was positive that it was a girl's tones; and he recognized them +too! + +Ward Kenwood was taking Arline home; and for some unknown reason chose to +select this very street as a part of his route, although it was a little +out of the way. + +How strange that they should all come together just at that very +identical spot, where the trio of ambushed boys were crouching, ready to +spring out. + +Ah! Paul caught sight of something moving close by. He felt sure that it +must be the concealed fellows, launching their boom. Yes, now he could +make out their figures as they emerged from the bushes on the jump. + +Some one screamed. It must be Arline, frightened by the appearance of +these ugly, uncouth forms dancing upon the pavement. + +Instantly the greatest confusion existed, with the ambushers attacking +Paul, to shout in consternation when he began to thump them heartily on +the legs and backs with his baseball bat; and the girl standing there +trying to shut out, with her clasped hands, the strange sight, seen so +dimly in the half darkness. + +The patter of feet down the street told only too well where her protector +had gone; but he was valiantly calling lustily for help as he ran. + +Met by such a determined opposition, overwhelmed by the shower of punches +and whacks that seemed to be freighted with painful reminders; and +startled by the cries of the fleeing Ward, not to mention the little +shrieks of Arline, the three boys who had been the cause of all this +excitement soon had enough. + +"Skip out, fellers!" roared Ted, as he almost doubled up when the +swinging bat came with considerable force against his ribs. + +The others were only too willing to obey. Away they clattered after the +fleeing Ward, who, hearing what he took to be a hot pursuit, let loose +more vigorously than ever, still crying for assistance. + +Paul was laughing now, for the comical side of the thing seemed to have +occurred to him. He took out a match and struck it. As the light flamed +up, Arline, who had by now ceased her cries of alarm, possibly guessing +the truth, stared at the face of the victor. + +"Oh! Paul! is it you?" she said; and somehow he seemed to understand that +she was more than glad of the opportunity to make up with him. + +Boylike he pretended to hold back, and as the light went out, leaving +them once more in the gloom, he remarked: + +"Yes, those fellows were lying in wait for me. They expected to give +me a sound thumping; but I was warned and ready. I'm sorry that you were +annoyed by the row, Miss Blair. I'll stay here with you until your +company comes back. I think he must have gone for help!" this with some +bitterness and scorn. + +She moved closer to him. Possibly the darkness made her afraid; and then +again some other cause may have influenced her. + +Paul felt her hand on his arm, and was thrilled when she said: + +"Please don't mention him to me again. Oh! what a miserable coward, to +run off and leave a girl that way. Won't _you_ take me home, Paul?" + +He could not say anything for a minute, he was so overcome. And perhaps +Arline thought he must still be angry because she had treated him so +shabbily of late. + +"Please, please do, Paul. I want to tell you how sorry I am for believing +what came to me in a roundabout way. I'll never forgive myself, never!" +she went on, clinging to his arms. + +Paul could hold out no longer. + +"Of course I will, Arline, and glad of the chance. Come on before anybody +hurries out to see what all this noise means." + +So they walked down the street together, Paul with his faithful bat +tucked under one arm, and a pretty girl clinging, oh! so confidingly +to the other. + +But the boys of Stanhope often made more or less of a noise on the +streets after dark, being filled with exurberant spirits; and so no one +thought it worth while to investigate what all the racket meant. + +Paul heard what had been carried to the ears of Arline, and had no +trouble in proving to her complete satisfaction that he was entirely +innocent of the charge. + +"And to think that I allowed myself to believe it," said the girl, almost +crying; "oh! Paul, will you ever forgive me? Nothing can ever make me +listen to anything wrong about you again. I wonder if he had a hand in +hatching that wretched story up. If I knew it I would tell him to his +face what I thought of him!" + +"You mean Ward. Please don't do that. I really can't believe any fellow +would be so mean and low. It must have been just accident that coupled my +name with that affair. But I'm satisfied if you say we're going to be +just as good friends as ever," Paul said, warmly. + +"Better than ever, I hope, Paul. I've had my lesson. It will never happen +again, I promise you," she answered, pressing his arm as she spoke. + +So Paul saw her safely to her door, and then said good-night; but Arline +insisted upon shaking hands with him; and the tingle of his fingers as he +walked down the street made him laugh with joy. + +"What luck!" he kept saying to himself, as he made out to shake his own +hand; "and what a mess of it Ward made of his chances. He thought to have +the laugh on me if we met, and here the shoe is on the other foot. Oh! +I'm not complaining a little bit. Everything's coming my way now." + +Nothing further happened on his way home. But when he reached the house +his father met him with the announcement that Jack was holding the wire, +and waiting for him. + +"On deck there!" he said, briskly, and heard an exclamation of relief. + +"How is it, Paul? Anything doing? Seemed to me I heard an awful racket +over your way; but the nine-forty train was just coming in at the +station, and drowned it out. Did they tackle you, son?" demanded Jack, +eagerly. + +"Did they? Well, I guess some! Ask Ted," chuckled the one addressed. + +"You're laughing, and that tells me you enjoyed the circus. What did you +do to poor old Ted and his cronies, Paul?" entreated the other. + +"I could tell you easier what I didn't do to 'em, Jack. I gave the boys +about every style of punch and jab I could think of, and with my home-run +bat too. Oh! make up your mind they're going to be a sore lot in the +morning. And if you run up against Ted, just sniff the air for arnica. My +word for it, he'll empty the bottle to-night on his bruises." + +"Bully! bully! and again bully! I would have rushed to assist you only +you made me promise to keep my hands off; and you're my superior officer, +you see. Besides, I reckoned that with such a hunky-dory bat you'd be +able to give just pie, which you did, Paul." + +"But the half hasn't been told yet," went on the narrator. + +"What! do you mean there's a sequel to this story?" asked Jack, burning +with eagerness apparently, to hear. + +"I guess that's what it is. Listen. Ward was just taking a young lady +home. He chose to pass along our street, though now he wishes he hadn't; +for they arrived just when Ted and his backers jumped out of the bushes. +She screamed, and her escort sprinted down the street for help. After I +had punched and pounded the three Hallowe'en left-overs from last year +until they faded away, I had the pleasure of seeing the young lady to her +door, yum! yum!" + +"Hurrah! and I bet all differences are patched up again between you!" +cried Jack. + +"Everything is lovely, and the goose hangs high," sang Paul. + +"Meaning poor old blundering Ward. He showed himself for a coward to +the girl he's sweet on. Oh! my, oh! me, how is the mighty fallen. +Congratulations, good friend, and then more of them. So the clouds have +disappeared along your horizon, just as they did on mine. I only wish I'd +had a hand in clearing your skies." + +"So you did. You kept that baseball bat of mine until the right minute +came. Only for that my name might have been mud," laughed Paul. + +"And if you'd only open your heart now, and give me a hint about the +fellow you believe has been playing that trick on me with my old +coins--" + +"Just you wait a little. It's coming soon. So-long!" and with a click the +connection was cut off. + + + + +CHAPTER XXI + +THE MEETING + + +"How are you, Paul?" + +It was Mr. Jared Pender who came out of the post-office as Paul happened +to be passing the next day, and addressed the boy he had met on the +preceding evening at the house of the Stormways. + +"Why, how do you do, Mr. Pender? Been at work, I see," replied Paul, with +a suggestive look in the direction of the post-office. + +The tall dark gentleman looked a little perplexed, and followed Paul's +glance. Then an expression of understanding passed over his face. + +"Ah! yes, I see, you are a good guesser, Paul. But please do not mention +the fact to any one. We Government officials sometimes have to work +_sub rosa_, as the saying is; that means without any one knowing what we +are at. You understand, Paul?" + +"Yes, sir, I guess I do; but I hope there's nothing wrong here at our +post-office. We all think the world of Mr. Mygatt, and his clerks," said +Paul. + +"Oh! don't mention such a thing. We have to investigate many times just +to discover how smoothly things are going on. Isn't that Jack's dog +coming out with a package of papers in his mouth? Has he actually been +down for the mail?" went on the gentleman. + +"That's Carlo, all right. Sometimes they give him the mail when there are +no letters, as you see." + +"And will he carry the bundles home safely, without stopping to play with +other dogs, or to fight?" + +"Oh! Carlo knows his duty. He never forgets what is expected of him. +There, sir, look at him halting for a minute at the open door of the +butcher shop, to wag his tail, and peep in. It smells mighty inviting to +him, I wager; but will he go in? Not much. See, there he goes along, +heading straight for home. If another dog picked a fight with him, Carlo +would lay that package down, give the cur a good licking, then pick the +papers up again, and trot along." + +"I see you know his traits well, Paul," remarked the gentleman, smiling. + +"Some of them, but not all. He's a great dog, all right, and Jack's fond +of him." + +"I suppose money couldn't buy him, then?" suggested Mr. Pender. + +"It would be useless to try it, sir, I think. Will you stay long with Mr. +Stormways?" + +"That I cannot say. My business may be completed in a day, and it may +keep me in this vicinity for a week. That depends on circumstances. You +have been around more or less, Paul; do you happen to remember seeing a +large red touring car, with a khaki-colored cover, and occupied by two +men, one of whom has a glass eye?" + +Paul stared at the tall gentleman, as though he thought at first the +other might be joking him; but seeing not a ripple of a smile on the dark +face, he changed his mind. + +"Why, no, sir; I can't seem to remember seeing that particular car. Of +course red ones are common; but most of them have black tops, if any at +all. Some friends of yours, Mr. Pender?" he remarked, naturally. + +The gentleman allowed just a twinkle to appear in the corners of his eyes +as he nodded his head, and said: + +"Well, er--yes, very particular friends of mine, Paul, and whom I would +be glad to see again right now. If you happen to sight such a machine, +and I am still at my old friend, Stormways, I wish you would let me know +about it." + +"I certainly will, sir; and perhaps you'd like me to speak to the +gentlemen, and tell them how anxious you are to see them?" Paul went on; +at which the other gave a laugh. + +"I see you are on to me, my boy. You guess that such is the very last +thing I would want you to do. Now, I'm going to take you into my +confidence, Paul," he went on, bending his head lower, and giving a quick +glance around. + +"Yes, sir; that's very kind of you, Mr. Pender," said the lad, smiling. + +"Oh! I don't know. I have an axe to grind in doing so; for I believe +that you can be of assistance to me. The two men in that motor car are +criminals, for whose capture I have come to this part of the country, +Paul." + +"Goodness! that sounds interesting, sir. What have they been doing?" +asked the young scout leader, with boyish curiosity brimming over. + +"I won't tell you that, Paul; but they are wanted by the Government. And +sometimes we agents have to go about our business with great caution, in +order to discover enough evidence on the suspects to convict. So, above +all things, I do not wish to alarm these clever gentlemen unduly, lest +they manage to hide, or get rid of the only burden of proof. In other +words, as a common expression has it, I want to get them with the goods +on. You understand?" + +"Yes, sir; I think I do. And if I see or hear anything about that red +car, I'll tell you. But is it true that you and Jack's father were chums +long ago?" + +"That's the positive truth, my boy," replied the agent, nodding; "why, we +took several voyages together, and had lots of queer adventures. I never +dreamed that my wild old friend Alan would settle down to this humdrum +life, as a lumber merchant, and the head of a family. But I suppose it +all came of his meeting a girl. And after knowing his fine wife I don't +blame him a bit; though I've kept right along in the same old groove, and +see more or less of adventure." + +"He's a mighty fine man, and they think lots of him here," declared Paul, +who was amazed to learn that his chum's parent could have, once upon a +time, been reckoned a wild blade. + +Paul walked on with his lips puckered up as if whistling, and his face +filled with the new interest that had taken possession of him. + +He had read accounts in the papers of Boy Scouts being concerned in many +useful enterprises; and he wondered whether he and his patrol might not +find a chance to assist the officers of justice in rounding up a couple +of rogues who had apparently broken the laws of the land. + +Then other things came up to draw his attention elsewhere. + +He ran across boys on the street, who asked dozens of questions about the +many interesting features of the new organization. + +These were often lads who had begun to think of uniting with one of the +rival troops; and Paul was only too glad to give them all the information +in his power. + +They wanted more recruits, provided the applicants were of the right +sort. Those their committee rejected might find solace in joining forces +with Ted's crowd, who, not being at all particular, would receive them +with open arms. + +That afternoon there was another meeting in the woods, at which every +member of Stanhope Troop No 1, as they now determined to call their +organization, did his best to be present. + +Paul had given several of the boys duties to perform, that were part and +parcel of the grand scheme to whip his company into first-class shape in +a shorter time than it had taken any other troop. + +Reports were received and filed of numerous things done which would count +in the final summing up. These were to be accompanied by vouchers from +the persons interested, which could be filed away for inspection when the +committee appointed by the giver of the fine banner looked through the +records of the several patrols competing for the prize. + +Andy Flinn and Philip Towns reported that they had cleaned up the +beautiful green in front of the town high school, and which was generally +known as the campus. It was kept mowed by the town authorities; but +numerous scraps of paper and trash, blowing hither and thither in the +wind, gave it an unsightly appearance. + +"Never forget that you have taken our campus under your protecting care, +Numbers Three and Four of the Gray Fox patrol," said the head scout, +after reading the report; "of course it is always your privilege to +enlist smaller boys in the job, if you can do so without actually hiring +them. That is expressly forbidden." + +Then came Wallace Carberry and Tom Betts, telling how they had started +a crusade to cover the entire town with receptacles to contain stray +rubbish. Half a dozen cans had already been ordered, each one of which +was to have in startling red letters the significant picture of a staring +eye, and followed by the words, "Eat Trash!" + +"We've got a contribution box ready, and every scout is privileged to +drop in pennies and nickels that he has earned. No others accepted; and +no larger amount at one time from any boy desired. Have already enough to +pay for two of the cans; and hope to increase the order soon!" + +Cheers greeted this announcement. Others, who had heard about the good +work being started by Numbers Seven and Eight of the Red Fox patrol, +arose to announce that their mothers had promised to throw all sorts of +opportunities for earning money in their way, if it was to be devoted +to such a fine purpose. + +"The Women's Club is to bring this thing up at its next meeting. My +mother says it shames them to know that the boys of the town are taking +such a leading part in cleaning it up," said Bobolink, when he found an +opening. + +"Who's next to report?" asked Jack, who had charge of this end of the +meeting; while the "honorable secretary" made notes, and filed away the +various papers submitted. + +Immediately all eyes were turned toward Bobolink and Bluff, which team +was known as Three and Four. + +Bluff started to rise, when a groan greeted him; but he was not dismayed. + +"Our r-r-report will be d-d-delivered b-b-by my c-c-confederate!" he +simply said, and subsided with a grin, as though he thought he had +hoodwinked his friends. + +Bobolink arose slowly. When he chose he could be very tantalizing; though +in an emergency none might excel him in speedy action. But when he had +something to tell that he knew was being eagerly awaited, he liked to +keep his chums in suspense just as long as he dared. + +Immediately all sounds died away. Every one seemed to know that Numbers +Three and Four had been delegated to attempt an actual scouting trip that +morning, into a hostile territory, so as to learn what progress a rival +camp was making in the various degrees of efficiency. + +They had already heard about Manchester, and a few believed that they +would have little difficulty in excelling that town when it came down +to an actual test. + +With Aldine it was different. From all sources had come hints to the +effect that the troop in that town was working most faithfully, with an +eye on that coveted banner. And every scout in Paul's patrol felt wild to +know how much truth there might be in these reports. + + + + +CHAPTER XXII + +SCOUTING IN EARNEST + + +"Hurry up, old molasses! Winter's coming." + +"Hit up the pace, won't you, please, Bobby?" + +Bobolink grinned. This was apparently just what he liked. When, however, +he saw a restless movement among some of the more impatient, as though +they were stooping down to gather chips to shy at him, he knew the time +had come to open those sphinx-like lips, and speak. + +"Mr. Chairman, ladies and gentlemen," he began, when a roar interrupted +him, so that he pretended to hastily remedy his error--"I mean just +gentlemen; I have the honor to report that your committee waited on the +brothers of the Aldine troop, though unbeknown to their keenest scouts, +and watched the entire operations at their called meeting this morning." + +"Good! Fine! Keep it up, Old Leatherstocking!" + +"We learned that they are working like mad to excel in all the arts that +interest the scouting fraternity. Competitions were being run off in +every branch of the woodcraft business. We saw fires started, camps made, +trails followed, boats mended, fish flies tied, rods that had been made +by single members; we heard of all sorts of clever things that were being +done in Aldine that would give the troop marks in the grand round-up. We +listened to splendid speeches from the really efficient scout master, and +our hearts warmed within us toward the gallant foe against whom we must +soon be pitted; just as our bones ached because we had to squat there +high up in that tree over their camp, like a couple of roosting monkeys." + +"Hear! hear! Bully for our monkeys! They're all to the good!" shouted +some of the more demonstrative boys, waving their hats wildly. + +Bobolink stopped to give a few melancholy dabs at his thighs, just as +though they still ached from the long service in the tree; while Bluff +managed to emit a series of sympathetic groans. + +Then the orator took up his theme again; and when Bobolink chose he could +even run Wallace Carberry a warm race on the school rostrum. + +"Some people might think that it was hardly fair in us to spy on our +rivals; but we are running our troop under strictly military rules. It's +always fair to try and find out what you are going to be up against when +entering a competition. We are badly handicapped, because both of these +other troops in the county have been working all summer; and we've got to +come up from behind in our attempt to capture the prize. That's right, +isn't it, fellows?" + +"Sure! We only want to know if they're going to make a big fight; or +whether they expect to have a walk-over. Besides, I happen to know that +there was a Bald Eagle from Aldine watching us work yesterday. He had +a field glass, and was hidden where he could see all that went on." + +It was Jud Elderkin who made this astonishing declaration; and what he +said created quite a stir among the assembled scouts. + +"All right. We didn't go there expecting to steal any of their thunder, +fellows," said Bobolink. + +"Of course not," asserted the nearest scouts. + +"Well, how did you find it?" demanded William. + +"I didn't see that they had anything on us. Of course they did lots of +things better, because they've had a heap more experience; but there's +time between now and Thanksgiving for the scouts of the Stanhope troop to +get a move on, and shake all rivals out of their boots. That's all," and +Bobolink made a sudden duck to get out of the lime-light. + +"Hurrah! Well done, Three and Four of the Red Fox patrol! Whenever we've +got any more climbing to do, we know where to get the monkeys!" cried +William, with a mock bow in the direction of the blushing Bluff, and the +grinning Bobolink. + +"I congratulate the scouts on the way they carried out their mission. It +was worthy of the annals of Cooper. May I ask how they learned just where +the camp of the Aldine Troop was to be pitched?" asked Paul. + +Bluff was no longer to be repressed; but sprang erect. + +"I d-d-discovered that they always w-w-went to a p-p-particular +p-p-place; and w-w-when we s-s-saw that noble tree, why, we j-j-just +l-l-looked at each other, and s-s-shook hands. Then we c-c-climbed up +before the f-f-first eagle f-f-flew that way. T-t-thank you gentlemen +f-f-for your k-k-kind attention." + +"Wow! he got that in pat, all right. When Bluff makes up his mind to +hustle he can beat the band. I move a vote of thanks to these most +efficient scouts," said Wallace, pushing forward. + +They were given with a will; after which other reports came to show what +was being accomplished in numerous lines. + +The troop photographers produced their prints, which were passed around +for examination, and brought forth an abundance of good words. To see +themselves in the new suits of khaki made many a fellow's heart thrill +with pride. + +"We must have a meeting every day up to the beginning of school," +declared the acting scout master, finally; "for these busy Eagles have +stolen a march on us while we slept; and we've just got to hustle now to +catch up." + +"But we've got some mighty fine things to our credit already, and don't +you forget it, boys. I haven't heard of a horse being stopped, and a +child's life saved over in Aldine or Manchester," declared Wallace, with +a proud glance toward Paul. + +"Or any account of the rival troops attending a fire in a body, and +working to beat the band until their new uniforms were next to ruined," +spoke up Nuthin'. + +"I guess the boys of Manchester must feel pretty small when they listen +to the story of how a Red Fox scout walked right into a burning building, +and snatched up a baby that had been forgotten; hey, how about that, +fellers?" shouted William, pointing his finger at Jack. + +"We're hitting up the pace. We're going strong, and bound to make things +hustle right up to Thanksgiving Day! Every fellow do his level best to +bring that banner home to Stanhope!" cried Jud Elderkin. + +"We can do it!" yelled half a dozen in chorus. + +"Why, its easy money, boys. Just organized, and not a second class scout +in the troop yet, but look at what we've done. Give us a little time, +and we're going to make the Beavers and Bald Eagles, and all the rest +of 'em, sit up and take notice!" avowed Nuthin'. + +"And wait until you hear the inspiring sound of my bugle, which I expect +to have at the next meeting," said Bobolink, proudly. + +"Huh! that won't h-h-hold a c-c-candle to my d-d-drum!" declared Bluff, +waving his arms wildly, as though he could already imagine the great fun +in store when that instrument came to hand. + +And so the meeting broke up, with the scouts disbanding for the day. Some +lingered to try once more the various stunts that interested them most. +It seemed as if every fellow's heart might be wrapped up in the desire to +win that coveted trophy, and bring the banner to his home town. + +Strange to say there had not been a single mention of the other Stanhope +organization. None of them believed that Ted and Ward would be able to +make the least show in the competition. They knew the habits of these +fellows only too well. As a rule, they never won, save through trickery; +and in the eyes of the committee appointed by the donor of the banner, +anything that smacked of double dealing would be rigidly barred from the +game. + +Paul and Jack, as usual, walked home together, arm in arm. + +As the recognized leaders in the movement that had so lately struck the +boys of Stanhope, they must always have much to talk over. + +Besides that, they had their own personal affairs to discuss. + +"Well," said Jack, finally, when they found that they were alone, the +nearest comrades being far behind on the road; "the four coins are still +there in the snug little box, Paul." + +His companion looked quickly at him. + +"You carried out my suggestion then?" he asked. + +"Yes. The door has been closed and locked all day. Even the window was +shut down and fastened," replied Jack. + +"That made the little den as tight as a drum, eh?" laughed his chum. + +"I should say it did. If any one got in there to-day he would have to +slip through the keyhole," came from Jack. + +"Unless he happened to have a duplicate key," Paul went on, seriously. +"And since you found the four coins there that could hardly have +happened. Sure you counted four, are you?" + +"That's positive," returned his companion; "but to tell the truth I did +get a little scare. At first I counted only three." + +"But you found the fourth all right, Jack?" + +"Oh! yes," replied the other. "It was gummed fast to the side of the box. +I had to scrape it off before I put it back. But when do you mean to tell +me what you know about this strange affair, Paul?" + +"I guess to-morrow," answered his chum. + +"Bully for you. I'll be glad to get it off my mind. What do you want me +to do, Paul, in the meantime?" + +"Nothing," came the ready response. + +"Shall I leave the den shut up as it is, then?" demanded Jack. + +"Until I see you in the morning, yes," laughed Paul. "Don't be surprised +if I pop in on you unexpectedly. Perhaps I may not want any one to see me +go in your house, and so I might come by the back door." + +Jack looked at him in a whimsical way and shook his head. + +"You've got me guessing, all right, my boy," he declared. + +Paul instantly changed the subject, after a way he had. + +"The boys are getting on fine in that water boiling test, aren't they? +Four had it in nine minutes, and Wallace beat his own record by nearly +half a minute. That is going to be one thing Stanhope must excel in," he +said. + +"Yes," remarked Jack, falling in readily enough with his companion's +desire to "talk shop," "and those photographs couldn't well be beaten. +What a lot of new and interesting facts some of the trackers have dug out +of the trails they followed. The papers read fine. Paul, I really begin +to believe we're going to make a strong bid for that banner." + +Paul did not reply, and on Jack turning his head to ascertain why, he +found his chum staring at a red automobile that had just whizzed past! + +It had a khaki-colored top! + + + + +CHAPTER XXIII + +THE RED CAR + + +"What's the matter with you, Paul?" + +Jack asked this question, for of course he could not understand why his +chum should take such a deep interest in any automobile that passed them +on the road. + +"Did you happen to see inside that red car as it went by?" asked Paul, +turning eagerly on his friend. + +"Why, er--yes, I did chance to be looking over your shoulders just then; +I was a little afraid the wheels might graze you," admitted Jack. + +"Do you know the machine, then?" asked the other, in some suspense. + +"Don't believe I ever saw it before; but then, what of that? Don't dozens +pass along here every day, that come up from the city? It's common to see +a strange car, even if it has got a khaki-colored top, instead of a plain +black one. Hey, Paul! what ails you?" demanded Jack. + +"It wasn't Colonel Strange, was it?" asked the other; for the gentleman +mentioned happened to possess a red auto. + +"Of course it wasn't, because his car has a black top; and besides, +neither of the two men was the fat colonel," replied Jack, immediately. + +Paul had learned something already. + +"Then there were two men in it, you say?" he went on, casually, as though +much of his interest had abated. + +"Yes, and one of them was staring at me to beat the band. Perhaps he has +lost a boy, and thinks I look like him. Don't let him kidnap me, will +you, Paul?" went on Jack with pretended anxiety, as he clung to his +companion's arm. + +"Say, look there, the car's stopped. I believe they're waiting for us!" +declared Paul, in some excitement. + +"Well, that's what gave me such a scare, you see. That's why I'm shaking +all over, Paul. But in union there is strength; and I'm going to hang on +to you, if he tries to coax me to get aboard. I'm not in the long lost +class." + +"Oh! come along, and let's see what they want. He's leaning over the top +now, and keeps beckoning to us." + +Paul started on a run. He could feel his heart beating very hard; indeed +it was strange, he thought, that his companion did not hear it pounding +away, and make some sort of remark. + +The chance that he had been hoping for seemed to be within his grasp. Not +only had he discovered a car that answered the description of the one +mentioned by Mr. Pender; but the occupants were plainly desirous of +obtaining information of some sort, and had selected him and Jack as the +ones most likely to give it. + +As he hurried on, he tried to control himself. It would never do to show +more than natural curiosity in his actions. If these two men were the +ones the gentleman stopping at Jack's house wanted to find, they must be +smart enough to read his secret, unless he took warning. + +No sooner had he come abreast of the car than looking up he found himself +staring into the dark face of a man who had a cruel look about him. What +thrilled Paul, however, was the fact that one of his eyes was undoubtedly +artificial. He had guessed this fact when Jack stated that the party +_stared_ so at him. + +All doubt was gone now, and he understood that by the strangest of luck +he had come upon the parties for whom Mr. Pender was searching. The +official must have known that they were headed this way for some purpose +or other. + +"Live around here, bub?" asked the man with the glass eye, as he looked +piercingly at Paul. + +"Yes, sir; in Stanhope," replied the boy, surprised himself to find how +steady his voice turned out to be under the trying circumstances. + +"How far ahead is that place?" continued the man. + +"About half a mile, sir. You can see the steeple of the Methodist church +after you turn that bend ahead," and Paul pointed with a steady finger. + +"Huh! I wonder now if either of you happen to know a Mr. Solus Smithers?" +and as he put the question the man shot a quick glance toward his +companion; at which the shorter party nodded his big head, and grinned +approvingly. + +Paul turned to his chum. + +"Say, Jack, isn't that the name of the man who took the old Grimes farm +up at the milldam?" he asked, though he knew positively that it was so. + +"Smithers--why, yes, I reckon it is. Is he a tall man, with a hooked +nose; and does he dip snuff?" queried Jack, innocently enough. + +"That's Solus to a dot. You see, boys, he's from North Caroliny, where +even the wimmen use snuff, only they rub it on their teeth with a stick. +Now, mebbe one of you boys would be so obligin' as to direct us to the +shortest way to where this old mill stands," continued the man with the +bogus orb. + +"I guess the quickest way to get there is to drive through Stanhope, and +pick up the Deerfield road on the other side. It's only a few miles off; +but the road turns lots of times to avoid the hills." + +Paul noted that the taller man seemed to invariably look to his companion +for support. It was as though they worked in common, and neither wished +to become responsible for action without the other's assent. + +After an interchange of low words, which the boys did not catch, the +spokesman once more turned around. He held a silver half dollar in his +hand. + +"Here's something for your trouble, boys. But look here, ain't there +another way to get to that old abandoned mill without going through the +town? To tell you the truth we lost our number away back, and might get +hauled up because we can't show a tag on the back of the car." + +Paul had already noticed this significant fact. It is the business of a +scout to take note of even trifles. One of the tests of memory is to look +in at a store window for just one full minute; and then, going away, make +out as complete a list of articles it contained as is possible. + +And still, he did not believe that this was the true reason these men +disliked passing through Stanhope if it could be avoided. Perhaps they +had some suspicion that Mr. Pender was visiting there; and did not want +to take chances of his meeting them face to face. + +"Sure there is," broke in Jack, who saw no reason why he should not +believe the artful excuse given; for Jack did not know all his chum had +learned about these parties; "after you pass the bend yonder, just turn +to the left. You can't miss the road, for its got a big maple tree right +at the junction. We call that the Grapevine Road, because it twists and +turns so; but it will fetch you out right at the old dam, mister." + +Many a time had Jack himself walked along that same winding path when +coming home with a string of bass, taken in the mill pond. It was longer, +to be sure, but there were some fine apple trees on the way; and the walk +through the dense woods was so much more enjoyable on a hot summer day +than the open stretch that marked the other route. + +The man flipped the coin in the air, and as it fell at Paul's feet he +felt constrained to stoop and pick it up. To do anything else might have +aroused the suspicions of the man who stared. And at the worst it meant +another contribution toward the various funds which the boys were raising +for many purposes. + +Boys as a rule have little objection about receiving "tainted money." And +while Paul understood that these men had been breaking some of the laws +of the land, he was not supposed to know the particular way in which +their money had been gained. + +"Much obliged for the information, boys; and please don't report us in +town as being short a license tag. We'll get a new one just as quick as +we can. So-long!" + +As the shorter fellow started the machine his companion waved his hand at +the two chums on the road, both of whom of course returned the salute. + +Jack watched his friend out of the corner of his eye as they walked on. +Perhaps he was entertaining a dim suspicion that Paul might be keeping +something from him. + +But he asked no questions; and the other volunteered no information. A +scout is supposed to know when to hold his tongue, especially when in +the company of his superior officer; and so Jack let the matter drop. + +"See, they've turned in, all right, Paul," he said, as he pointed to the +broad marks of heavy tires leaving the main road, and passing under the +spreading maple that stood at the junction with the Grapevine. + +"That's so," returned Paul, apparently not in the least interested; and +yet as they continued to walk briskly toward home he frequently turned a +wistful look over his left shoulder, as in fancy his thoughts followed +those two strangers up to the old farmhouse at the mill pond. + +Who was this Solus Smithers? Could he be in league with these two men +whom the Government expert was sent to watch? Paul remembered that he had +heard several people talking about the man and his ways. He seemed to +have plenty of money, yet he made no effort to farm the place he had +rented that summer. + +As soon as they reached town he started to accompany his chum home, +hoping to have an opportunity to see Mr. Pender in secret. + +Catching sight of that gentleman walking down for the evening mail, +he made some excuse and broke away from Jack; who looked after him in +bewilderment, grieved because Paul, for once, seemed to be keeping some +secret from him. + +Mr. Pender presently came out of the post-office. He had a letter in his +hand, and was apparently much displeased at what it had contained. + +"Why, hello! Paul, my boy! Glad to see you. How is the patrol coming on? +Some day you must allow me to watch your manoeuvers up there in the +woods. I'm deeply interested in all such goings-on, you know," he said, +shaking hands, heartily. + +"Yes, sir; I'll ask the boys for permission to invite you," began Paul. + +"Were you looking for me, my boy?" asked the other suddenly, his keen +eyes having doubtless detected something in the manner of the young +scout master that gave him his idea. + +"Yes, sir, I was," replied the one addressed. + +"I wonder now if, on the top of bad news from Washington, you could be +about to bring me new hope. Have you learned anything you want to tell +me, Paul?" + +"I've seen that red auto, and talked with the gentleman who has the glass +eye!" said the boy, trying in vain to keep his eager voice from trembling +with excitement. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIV + +A CALL FOR HELP + + +Mr. Pender swooped down and seized Paul's hand, which he squeezed so +heartily that he almost made the tears come to the boy's eyes. + +"That sounds good to me, my boy. Please tell me about it. Where was it at +the time? And do you think it can have gone beyond Stanhope? I hope you +didn't give the gentleman any idea that you had ever heard a word about +him or his car?" + +"Oh! I give you my word, sir, that they never dreamed I knew a thing +about them. A scout has to learn how to keep his feelings in check, you +see, Mr. Pender. I acted just as naturally as Jack did; and he knew +nothing." + +"Well, tell me about it now, please." + +Stopping at the corner, Paul started in to relate all the incidents +connected with that meeting on the road. The gentleman hung upon every +word. He certainly looked pleased, and Paul realized that he had done +something worth while. To his credit be it said that never once had he +entertained the thought of receiving any sort of reward for his services. + +"All this is of the greatest importance to me, my boy. I am frank to +tell you that the successful capture of those two men you have so ably +described, thanks to your scout training, will mean much to me. And +depend upon it, if success rewards my efforts, I shall certainly remember +that you gave me very valuable assistance in the undertaking." + +"Then you think I might have a reward, don't you, Mr. Pender?" he said. + +"I most positively do, and right now and here I'm willing to promise +you--" + +"Wait a little, Mr. Pender. There's only one thing you could do to pay me +for the little assistance I have been to you. Some time later on, after +you get back to Washington, write me a letter on your official paper, +stating just what aid the Boy Scouts of the Red Fox patrol were to you +in furthering the ends of justice. That's all any of us could accept, +sir." + +"By Jove! I'm proud to know such boys, and proud to shake hands +with the fine scout leader at their head!" exclaimed the Government +representative, as he cordially thrust out his digits. + +But "once bit, twice shy"; and Paul shook his head as he caressed his +fingers. + +"Excuse me, won't you, Mr. Pender; but once at a time is enough. I expect +to have a lot of use for my right hand to-night, sir," he laughed. + +"Oh! pardon me, my dear boy!" cried the other, "I was forgetting that it +wasn't the hand of a tiller of the soil I squeezed. I'll be more careful +next time. But your news was so unexpected, coming at a moment when I had +received some depressing information by mail, that I quite forgot myself. +Please continue to keep these facts to yourself for a little while +longer, Paul." + +"Yes, sir; until you give me leave to speak I won't tell anybody, not +even my own folks at home. And if we are so fortunate as to get that +letter from you, Stanhope Troop will have a big advantage over other +competitors. You know, sir, we are competing for an elegant banner; and +the other patrols have been working all summer; so that we've just got to +get busy if we hope to have a show in." + +"I don't care if they've been going along a year, I'd be willing to wager +that Stanhope will win the prize. That shows what faith I put in the +leader of the Red Fox patrol. Nothing is going to ever hold you back. I +can see the spirit glowing right now in your eyes," and Mr. Pender nodded +his head wisely as he said this. + +Paul turned red under the praise. + +Mr. Pender was apparently anxious to know all he could about the place +around the abandoned mill. + +"Have you seen this party named Solus Smithers?" he asked, presently, as +they walked slowly on in company. + +"Yes, sir; several times. He's a very tall and thin man, with a face I +never liked. He's driven some of us boys away from the mill pond this +last summer. We have always fished there, and nobody ever said a word; +but he acted as if he had an idea some of us would steal his old house. +He even brought out a gun once, and warned three fellows off. After a +while no one cared to go up there. Some of the boys even said they +believed the old man was daffy, and that he might shoot if anybody made +him real mad." + +"Oh! yes; I see; and he didn't want trespassers on his farm, eh? Does the +mill pond stand on the ground he's rented?" asked the gentleman. + +"Oh! yes, and all the ground around there. It must cover four hundred +acres, but most of it is in woodland, you see, sir," replied Paul, +promptly. + +"Can you tell me what Smithers looks like, Paul?" + +"He's very tall, stoops quite a lot, uses snuff like they do down in +North Carolina, and has small blue eyes and a queer nose. Some of the +boys say it looks as if it had been broken. That man in the red car knew +it when Jack called it a hooked nose, sir." + +Mr. Pender slapped his thigh as though in great glee. + +"Well, this is great luck, sure enough. From your description I believe +that I know this Mr. Solus Smithers, though that isn't his name at all. +It keeps on getting better and better, the deeper I grub. And if all +turns out well, I shall owe you a heavy debt, my dear boy." + +"Make it up in that letter then, sir. The stronger the better. And if you +happen to need any further assistance don't hesitate to call on us. We've +got some dandy trackers in the Red Fox patrol; and it would have to be a +pretty smart fellow to pull the wool over their eyes, sir." + +"Good for you, Paul," said the gentleman, warmly; "always ready to sound +the trumpet for your comrades; but if the truth were told I reckon I'd +find the scout leader at the top of the bunch when it came to a knowledge +of woodcraft." + +"Please don't, sir," pleaded Paul. + +"Jack has been confiding to me all about how you've always been deeply +interested in outdoor life," went on Mr. Pender; "but as you have told +me all you know about this red car that has gone along the Grapevine +Road, headed for the old mill pond, I believe I'll have to leave you. +Take my hand, won't you, Paul? I promise to be good, and not put on +pressure, though my heart is very warm toward you, lad." + +So Mr. Pender hurried away. + +Paul turned back. He had noticed an air of unusual excitement inside the +post-office, and his curiosity was stirred. While Mr. Pender and his +strange mission was in the foreground, of course, he had been able to pay +little attention to anything else; but now that this was shelved he could +not resist the inclination to return, and ask what made the people stand +around in knots as though exchanging views. + +He discovered Ted Slavin and three of his friends jabbering away just +inside the door, and heard one of them exclaim: + +"Course we will go along; it'd be a big feather in our cap, fellers, if +we'd be the ones to bring him back." + +"Yes, send out word for the boys to get together, Ted. We'll show 'em +what we fellers that has hunted since we was knee high, know about +follerin' a trail!" another remarked. + +"Let up, you; d'ye want to give the whole snap away? See who's here!" +whispered Ted; but in such a hoarse tone of voice that Paul could not +help hearing. + +Of course his curiosity was still further aroused. Whatever could have +happened in quiet Stanhope, to cause all this gathering of people, and +such earnest consultations? + +He saw Chief Billings, who was in charge of the police force in the town, +leaving the post-office, and noted that a large delegation trailed after +him. + +Could it be possible that the local authorities had in some manner become +aware of the fact that law breakers were abroad in the land? Was Mr. +Jared Pender, the Government expert, about to have rivals in the field? +When those cronies of Ted spoke of following a trail could they have had +any reference to the track of the wonderful red automobile with the +khaki-colored top; and occupied by the two parties whom Mr. Pender wished +to catch, as he said, "with the goods on?" + +Paul hoped not. It would complicate things very much; and in the +confusion the rascals might manage to slip away. Paul had known Chief +Billings to undertake a clever piece of business before now; but never +succeed in accomplishing one. + +Some one banged into him as he turned a corner in the building. + +"Why, hello! Paul, that you?" said a voice. + +It was Si Growdy, who claimed to be a nephew of old Peleg, but who had +never been known to be recognized by the crusty old farmer. He clerked +in one of the general stores, of which Stanhope boasted several big ones, +where everything, from a package of pins to a coffin could be purchased. + +"What's all the row about, Si?" demanded the acting scout master, as he +seized hold of the clerk, to head him off; for Si seemed to be in a hurry +as usual; he worked for a man who was a driver, and had to give an +account of every minute of his time. + +"Ain't you heard nawthin' about it, Paul? Where you ben all this +afternoon?" was the way the clerk answered one question with another. + +"Up in the woods with the scouts, doing stunts. But tell me what's gone +wrong? Another robbery at the jewelry store; or has some one sneaked +away with one of the coffins your house carries?" pursued Paul. + +"If anybody ever got off with a pin that didn't belong to 'em at our +emporium, the fact ain't never been known. I've seen the boss chargin' +customers with the cracker they eat when samplin'. We got orders to make +light weight if they buy. But about this rumpus; they's a child lost!" +said Si. + +"Who's child?" asked Paul, instantly deeply interested. + +"Mr. Boggs' little Willie. The Chief was just in to talk with him. He's +all broken up over it, because you know, he uses a crutch, and can't help +hunt." + +Paul knew Mr. Boggs assisted the post-master in his duties; and many a +time had Paul chatted with the pretty little chap who played around the +building while his father was assorting the incoming mails. Willie Boggs +had always been a universal favorite. He was the sweetest child in all +Stanhope, and everybody loved him. + +Paul was shocked at the news. Still, he hoped it might not be as bad as +Si said. + +"Where did it happen? How do they know? Who saw little Willie last? What +has been done to find him?" he fired at the clerk like the discharge of +a Gatling gun. + +"Glory! expect me to tell the hull story, with my boss asettin' there +inside the store, watchin' the clock, an' dockin' me for every minute I'm +late? All right, who cares? And besides, Paul, p'raps that troop of yours +might be useful in follerin' the tracks of poor little Willie," Si went +on. + +"Where, when, how?" demanded the scout master, resolutely. + +"This mornin' it happened. Willie went with Annie Spooner to get some +leaf mould in the edge of the woods, for her ma's flowers. She came back +just at noon an' sed Willie had strayed away in the woods." + +"Did anybody go to look for Willie?" asked Paul. + +"Three boys went out to bring him in. They hunted high an' low, but he +wa'n't there. Then a dozen people set out to search the woods. Just now +they come back to say Willie ain't to be found high nor low. That stirs +the big chief some. He 'low he knows how the thing's to be did; and so +he's agoin' to organize a hunt for the lost child. That's all. Now, let +me get back to my slave tasks, Paul." + +"And night coming on," murmured Paul, as he looked out of the door to +where people were assisting the crippled Mr. Boggs across the square in +the direction of his nearby home, where his wife was no doubt waiting +eagerly for some news of the missing darling. + +Si Growdy shot out of the door, and headed in the direction of the store +where he gave his valuable services daily from seven in the morning until +late in the evening, for a miserable pittance. + +Paul walked thoughtfully out of the post-office. He was tired from his +exertions of the afternoon; but all that was immediately forgotten when +he mentally pictured the weeping mother in that little cottage where the +honeysuckle climbed above the door. Then he thought of the terror of the +little fellow, wandering about in the great woods with night coming down, +and all sorts of strange noises arising to chill his blood. + +"I'll do it!" exclaimed Paul presently; "the chance is too good to be +lost. Why let Ted and Ward have the inside track? Just as soon as I can +send word around we'll test our new system of bringing a bunch of the +Fox scouts together. And then, if the boys are willing, we'll try and +discover where Willie Boggs has wandered. It's a glorious opportunity to +find out if what we've learned is worth having. Here goes then, to send +out the call for help!" + + + + +CHAPTER XXV + +A CAMP IN THE WOODS + + +"Why, Paul, what's all this hurry mean?" + +"I just want to get a few bites of supper, mother, and then rush off. +I've sent out the call for a hurry meeting of the patrol. Some people +call it the emergency signal. Every one of the scouts knows what it +means. Those who can get out will be gathering here inside of half an +hour." + +"But it must be something very unusual that urges you to do this. You've +been on the go all afternoon, and I don't know that it is wise to bolt +your supper in such a style, just to be ready to greet the boys when they +arrive." + +"Mother, you don't understand. Father hasn't come back from his afternoon +round of visits, has he? Then you couldn't possibly know," went on Paul. + +"Know--what, my son?" questioned his mother, seeing that the boy was +worked up more than usual. + +"We're going to organize a searching party. Perhaps some of the scouts +may be smart enough to get on the track. It's poor little Willie Boggs, +mother." + +"Searching party--Willie Boggs! Is the child lost?" + +"Yes, and has been ever since before noon, in the big woods. You see it's +just beginning to get dark now. Think of the poor little fellow wandering +perhaps miles off in the woods. What if a storm should come up?" and +Paul's manner told how he felt. + +"But there are no wild animals large enough to injure the child. The most +he could suffer would be exposure to the night air; that and the fright +of finding himself alone. Oh! it is a terrible thing though; and little +Willie is all his poor father has left. It would kill him if anything +happened," declared the good lady, whose heart was very tender. + +"Now you see why I'm in such a hurry to get a bite, mother. Every minute +might count, for perhaps he is wandering further and further away. You'll +let Jane get me something in a jiffy, won't you, now?" continued the +eager lad. + +"Gladly, and help her too, after you have told me more. How do you boys +expect to look for the child in the blackness of those woods?" + +"Every scout will carry a lantern, with which we have practiced signal +wig-wagging until we are able to send messages back and forth. Besides +that, we can form a long line across the woods, and comb nearly every bit +of it, looking into every stack of brush and waste to see if Willie has +lain down. And mother, think if we should just find him, how glad you'd +be that we went out!" + +"Indeed, I should! I shall pray that you succeed, my boy. And it does you +great credit that you are so earnest in your desire to help others. Sit +down, and I'll wait on you myself," and Mrs. Morrison bustled away toward +the kitchen as she spoke. + +As Paul was hastily devouring his supper, for he was as hungry as a wolf, +who should come in but the doctor. And of course he had to be told; +though Paul's mother took this task upon herself, giving the boy a chance +to eat. + +Through the window Paul could see that already several fellows had +gathered; and other lanterns were meanwhile coming like giant fireflies +through the gathering gloom of the night. + +The prospect of bringing his scout troop into action for such a good +cause was particularly pleasing to the boy who temporarily filled the +office of leader. Spurred to do their very best by a recollection of the +vows they had so recently taken, the members of Stanhope Troop might be +depended on to bring credit to their organization. + +By the time Paul issued from the house there were a full dozen of his +chums present. He was glad to see that all the original charter members +forming the Red Fox patrol were on hand. They happened to live closer +than others who had joined later; and boys of a particular community +generally flock together. + +Immediately a great hubbub ensued. Those who did not know what all the +fuss was about had to be "put wise," as William said. And Paul was called +upon to explain his plans for the tracking of little Willie Boggs, who +had become as a chip on the torrent, a wanderer in that mysterious +forest, the end of which few Stanhope fellows had ever reached in their +wanderings up over the hills. + +There were now fourteen present, and Paul determined not to wait for any +more of the troop to come to time. + +"Fall in!" + +Down the street they marched, the lanterns flickering as they swung to +and fro. + +No wonder people, rushing to the doors as shouts arose, began to ask +eagerly if the lost child had been recovered. + +"It's the Boy Scouts; and they're going out to join the hunt!" some one +shouted. + +"Oh! they're about a mile behind Ted and his crowd!" jeered one fellow +who must have had leanings toward the Slavin party; he had been detected +in cheating so often in every game boys played that for months now he +found himself left severely alone by decent fellows, and it was reported +had applied for admission to the patrol Ward and Ted were getting up. + +Out of the town, and straight to the spot where the lost boy had last +been seen Paul led his squad. He knew that it would be only a miracle if +the many feet that had trod the ground over would have left any trace of +the child's little shoes; but he still had hopes that the training some +of his scouts possessed would bring more or less success. + +The unique sight of all those lanterns on the road had attracted many +people, so that when they arrived at the spot Paul had in mind, fully +thirty followed, a number of them boys who came only to make sport of the +scouts. + +"Spread out, fellows," said the scout leader, quietly, "and examine every +foot of ground. If you find a single impression of Willie's little shoe, +give the signal, and I'll come; but hold your places every one." + +Immediately the scene became an animated one. Lanterns flashed hither +and thither, swinging close to the ground; while young eyes searched +diligently for a trace. + +In less than five minutes the signal sounded, and Paul hurried over to +the one who had given the same. Jack was at his elbow, and between them +they examined the mark, to ascertain in what quarter it pointed. + +Then the advance was taken up in that direction. + +Again came the thrilling cry that told of a new footprint that had been +found. + +This time it was Wallace Carberry who had made the discovery. He talked +so intelligently about it that Paul determined to keep him close by. +Wallace would be a valuable advisor in case he and Jack disagreed at any +time as to what the signs meant. + +So they went on for an hour, finding a footprint now and then to +encourage them. These came at more frequent intervals when they got far +enough away to avoid the trampled soil where the crowd had hunted all the +afternoon. + +Those who had followed were now missing. They had seen that the scouts +meant business, and did not care to wander so far from town. Hence, Paul +presently found that he and his patrol had the woods almost to +themselves. + +Several times though he had seen other lanterns wandering around, and +guessed that these were carried by some of the Slavin crowd, also +diligently combing the woods in the hope of being the lucky ones to +find the missing boy. + +The chief of police and his party had gone off in an altogether different +direction. + +"How long can we keep this up, Paul?" asked Jack, when they had been +moving on for two hours, with no end in sight. + +"Don't know, but we ought to be able to put our best foot forward just +as long as that little fellow does, don't you think?" replied the other, +reproachfully. + +"Why, of course, and don't think I'm showing the white feather so early +in the game. I've made up my mind never to go back until he's found. Why, +we can camp right in the woods if it comes to it. And that would be a +bully experience for every Fox in the bunch. Think of having to make beds +out of branches! Ain't I glad some of us brought our camp hatchets +along." + +"And Jack, it would leave us in a good position to take up the hunt again +in the morning; for you see we'd be right on the ground where the little +chap passed along. Suppose you call out again. He might hear, and +answer." + +Jack obeyed, and repeated the name of Willie in a loud voice again and +again. But only the echoes of the great woods answered. If the boy were +within reach of that cheery hail he must be wrapped in the sleep of +exhaustion, and unable to reply. + +Finally Jack ceased to call, for he was growing very husky. + +The search still went on with unabated zeal, each boy trying to vie with +his mates in the endeavor to make some new discovery. Paul examined every +faint print of that little foot, desirous of fixing the time it was made. +Wallace joined him in this, and it was clearly shown that hours must have +elapsed since the child passed that way. + +"Still, he may be within fifty yards of where we are. Let's keep at it as +long as we can, and only camp when some are too tired to go on," declared +Paul, greatly disappointed to think that they had thus far been baffled +by hard luck. + +It was astonishing to see how far the little fellow had wandered; but +fear always lends wings to the feet; and all the while Willie doubtless +really believed he must be heading toward home. + +And Paul noted another fact that somehow gave him new interest in the +enterprise. By degrees the trail had swung around to the left, as is +nearly always the case when grown persons are lost; and the principle +seemed to hold good in the case of even a child. + +In itself this was not strange; but Paul knew that if they kept on for +another hour the chances were they would come upon the old mill pond, +nestling in the valley. The fact caused him to remember his friend Mr. +Pender; to once more mentally see that red motor with the khaki-colored +top; and to picture the two strangers who had asked him so many +questions. + +Was this really an accident, their being drawn out toward the farm of the +unneighborly Sol Smithers; or might it turn out to be the working of +destiny? + +He was aroused by a call that he had been expecting to hear for some time +now. + +One of the scouts felt forced to admit that he was "all in." They had +done manly work to keep up the tramp all this time, being but boys at +best. + +It meant that camp must be made, and the balance of the night spent there +in the woods, waiting for day to come to renew their search. + +Poor little Willie was destined then to pass still more hours, surrounded +by the terrors of the black and unknown forest. But probably by this time +he must be so exhausted through his unusual exertions that he was dead to +the world in sleep; so it would not matter very much. + +Soon all was bustle as the fourteen lads began to make ready to spend a +time in open camp. The sound of hatchets made pleasant music, as branches +were cut, and beds made close to the fire that had been started. + +Some of the smaller lads were so utterly exhausted that they just dropped +to the ground, and went to sleep. Paul and Jack passed around to see that +these wornout fellows did not lie too near the blaze; and that they were +fairly comfortable. + +In an hour's time it seemed as though every one were taking solid comfort +after such rude fashion as could be devised. One of the boys had brought +his camera along, keen to secure novel effects; and without warning he +set off a flash that gave him a picture of the slumbering heroes on their +lowly beds, that would be ever afterwards treasured as invaluable. + +At the brilliant illumination several sat up, and one even gave a cry of +alarm, thinking perhaps that lightning had struck a tree close by; but +with the coming of darkness again they settled back. + +But Paul could not sleep. He was only waiting until some of the more +restless souls quieted down. Then he and Jack, together with Wallace, +meant to again tackle the job of seeking for further imprints of those +worn little shoes among the dead leaves, and in the soft soil under the +giant trees. + +Somehow Paul believed that the hunt was bound to carry them to the very +door of that farmhouse on the mill pond. He was induced to suspect this +because the last time they had examined the small shoeprints, the mark of +a much larger foot had appeared beside it; and after mature deliberation +he and Wallace came to the conclusion that some man, walking through the +forest, had discovered the trail of the child, _and was following it_! + +He looked around him. As near as he could tell every one of the tired +scouts was slumbering soundly. + +So Paul silently arose, touching Jack on the shoulder, who immediately +gave Wallace Carberry the signal. + +The three uttered no word, but moving softly back from the circle of +firelight, carrying their almost exhausted lanterns, made ready to once +more start out into the depths of the wood; with the lonely farmhouse now +rented by the surly Sol Smithers just half a mile further to the north! + + + + +CHAPTER XXVI + +WHAT WOODCRAFT TOLD + + +"There it is again, Paul!" + +"As sure as you live we're being followed, boys!" and Wallace allowed his +voice to rise just above a hoarse whisper when he made this energetic +remark. + +The three were crouching in the bushes. + +As yet Paul had not caught a glimpse of the object which seemed to +disturb both of his friends; but he was looking sharply now. + +"Why, yes, I do believe you are right, fellows," he said, calmly. + +"Well, you take it mighty cool, I must say," declared Jack. + +"Because I see no reason to get flurried over such a little thing, boys," +was what the leader replied. + +"Little thing, when you know Ted Slavin and a bunch of his toadies came +up here to get all the glory they could out of this business! Don't you +understand, Paul, that if they thought they could down us, they'd just as +lief waylay us in the woods, and put an end to all our expectations?" + +This was a very unusual way of talking for Wallace, but it only went to +show how the boy was worked up over the situation, and made nervous by +the continuous strain. + +"But how do you know those moving figures are Ted and Ward, or even any +of that crowd?" demanded Paul. + +The others hesitated, and finally Jack remarked: + +"Well, for a fact we don't know; but you remember we saw signs that even +you declared proved what I'm saying--that some of those fellows have +wandered as far as this." + +"Yes, that's a fact. I'm not apt to forget it. Now, how many figures have +you seen dodging along back there, just as if they didn't care to be +seen--yet?" + +"How about it, Wallace?" queried Jack, doubtfully. + +"Two, anyhow; I'm sure of that," came the hesitating reply. + +"Yes, at least two, Paul," the other echoed. + +"And we are three. That's one reason why I don't see any reason for +getting nervous over the discovery," observed the leader, his voice now +apparently showing a trace of humor that was bubbling up near the +surface. + +"But where there are two there may be more, Paul?" objected Jack. + +"Yes, possibly eight or ten more," went on the calm leader. + +"Goodness! and you say there is no need of our worrying?" exclaimed +Wallace. + +"Yes, explain what you mean, old fellow. Eight or ten would give us a +warm time don't you think?" demanded Wallace, gripping Paul's arm +fiercely. + +"Hardly, if they were all sound asleep around a dying campfire, dead to +the world," quoth Paul, chuckling now. + +But the others uttered low but vehement exclamations. + +"Don't you see what he means, Wallace?" asked Jack. + +"Sure. What a couple of fools you and I were," came the scathing reply. + +"We've been followed by two of our own boys. They must have watched us +crawl out of camp, and not wanting us to have all the fun, here they come +creeping after us. What shall we do, Paul?" Jack queried in the other's +ear; for the flitting figures were now very near. + +"Open our arms and welcome the recruits. If they're just bound to join +forces with us, why should we make any kick. I'm glad of it." + +Then raising his voice a little, Paul continued: + +"Hey! there!" + +They could hear the murmur of voices. Evidently the two shadows were +talking it over, and must have arrived at some quick conclusion, for +presently same a hail. + +"Hello! Paul, Jack!" + +"It's Bobolink, for one," muttered Jack, immediately. + +"Then it's a sure thing William is tagging along," said Wallace. + +"Come on, both of you fellows. No danger!" called Paul, softly. + +After that assurance the shadows boldly advanced, and quickly joined the +three who stood under the spreading oak. + +It proved just as Jack and Wallace had predicted, for the newcomers +turned out to be William and Bobolink. They were chuckling, as though +considering it a good joke. + +"Thought you'd give us the quiet sneak, and gobble all the glory +yourselves, hey?" said the latter, as they bustled up; "but William and +myself had it all fixed. We were on to your curves, all right." + +"Yes," broke in William, just there; "didn't we see you with your heads +together a lot, and wasn't we wise to what was in the wind. Bobolink was +awake, and it was my turn to snooze. He gave me a kick in the seventh rib +that made me think a comet had dropped on me. But we showed up game. Now, +what's doing, fellows; and do we get a grab at the scout?" + +"If you both feel like trotting around a whole lot more, why you're just +as welcome as a shower in spring," asserted Paul, promptly. + +"I should say, yes," declared Jack; "and if the whole bunch could stand +the racket we wouldn't have crept away like we did. But most of the poor +fellows are all in, and dead tired, and we thought it would be a shame to +invite them to hike some more." + +"Did you bring your glim along?" asked Paul. + +"Our lanterns? Well, William didn't want to, but I insisted. I knew that +if we missed you fellows, and lost ourselves in the bush, they'd come in +mighty fine for company," returned Bobolink. + +"Then let's light up. After that we'll spread out, and try to find the +trail," with which remark Paul set the example. + +Presently five lanterns glowed like giant fireflies. + +"Think it lies in this direction, Paul?" asked William. + +"I'm sure of it. After that man's track came alongside the print of the +little chap's shoe, there was no more wandering about; but it struck +straight ahead. That told me the trail was heading for a house," came the +ready reply. + +"A house. Say, is there any other place up here but the old farm +alongside the mill pond? I don't seem to remember any," remarked +Bobolink. + +"And that's just where I expect we'll bring up sooner or later," observed +Paul. + +"Then why not put for the old place at full speed right away?" suggested +William, always impetuous. + +"To do that we'd have to drop the trail again. And besides, what does +an hour, or even two of them, matter in the end? Slow but sure is the +successful scout's motto, boys. Hello I look here, what's this?" + +Paul thrust his lantern down close to the ground. Bending over to look, +the others could see the plain impression of a child's little shoe. It +was heading due north, just as many similar tracks had been of late. + +"Now if you look at this you'll see it's nearly crushed out by the big +print of a man's foot; while just beyond the child has stepped into the +impression made by the man. That can mean only one thing; the two were +going on in company, and for a minute he let go the little one's hand, so +that first the child was in front, and then behind." + +"I guess you're right, Paul. But see here, what does this mean? The small +track has dropped out altogether," remarked William. + +"That is where the big fellow picks the boy up in his arms, and is +carrying him," said Wallace, before Paul could answer. + +"Right you are, that is just what happened. To tell the truth I don't +know why he didn't do that before. He must have been toting some bundle +along, and couldn't well carry the boy too. Come back a bit. I want to +look around," and Paul retraced his steps until he had reached the spot +where a confusion of tracks met his gaze. + +He followed the man's trail a few paces, and found himself under a tree. +Raising his lantern he carefully examined the bark of the trunk, and +finding several fresh scratches, pursued his investigations still higher. + +One accommodating limb grew rather low. In fact a man could, by reaching +up his arms, clasp it easily; and that was what Paul believed had been +done. + +"Give me a push, somebody; and then hand up my lantern," he said, +clasping his arms about the tree as well as he was able. + +Ten seconds later William was handing him up the light; after which Paul +began to ascend slowly, looking about him as though constantly on the +watch for signs that would tell another had preceded him. + +"All right; it's here. I'm coming down, fellows," he soon called out. + +Reaching that friendly lower limb he held something in view. + +"Take hold of this, Bobolink, and handle it carefully, because we don't +know what's in the package. It might be dynamite!" he remarked. + +"Oh! I hope not!" exclaimed the one in whose arms the bundle reposed; and +he did not look any too happy at the prospect ahead. + +"Don't be silly," said Paul, as he dropped beside them. "But whatever +it may be, we might as well hide it in a new place. Then if the fellow +should come back here to get it, he's going to meet with a +disappointment, that's all." + +"But what d'ye think it is?" argued the one who clasped the large package +in his arms, though with evident reluctance. + +"That is none of our business just now. It may be honest enough, and we'd +get into a peck of trouble if we peeked. So let's just chuck it in some +hollow stump as we go along, and muffle our trail behind us so he can't +find where we put it. Later on I think I know some one who will be glad +to look into what it contains." + +"Perhaps I do too," remarked Jack; and the two chums looked at each +other, with mutual astonishment marked on their faces. + +"Oh!" remarked Paul, "are you on, too? Did he tell you the secret?" + +"I happened to pick up an envelope he dropped, and wondered whose it was; +so I went around, asking. He laughed when I came to him, and told me +a little bit of news that surprised me. But Paul, he asked me not to +breathe a word, even to you. That was a mean joke, when you knew all +along," Jack complained. + +"Remember the red car on the road, and the two men in it?" + +"Oh! did they have anything to do with his coming up here? Yes, now that +I think of it, you were pretty much excited over that same red car. You +guessed something then, didn't you, Paul?" + +"He had asked me to watch out for a red car with a khaki-colored top, +that might have two men in it, one of them owning to a glass eye." + +"Good gracious!" said Jack; "that tall chap did have a bogus eye, for a +fact. And when you left me in town you hurried around to the post-office +to find Mr. Pender, didn't you? I see it all now. He never came home for +supper, as far as I know. I reckon he must have got a rig of some sort, +and put out for the mill pond. But what about Solus Smithers--they asked +after him, you know?" + +Paul pointed to the marks on the ground. + +"Unless I'm wrong those are his tracks. I noticed that he had big feet at +the time he came out and ordered us to clear away from the pond, and +threatened us with his gun. Yes, perhaps he got home to find visitors +waiting for him," Paul observed, just as though he could read all these +things from the trail. + +"Then we go on, do we?" asked Bobolink, eagerly. + +He had been listening to what passed between his two comrades, and while +it was partly Greek to him, enough of the truth filtered through to give +him a creepy sensation, as though cold water were being poured down his +back. + +Bobolink was no coward though, and while he shivered it was more through +a delicious frame of mind over the chance of an adventure than because +he felt fear. + +"Straight on, as long as these lanterns hold out. I see yours has begun +to flicker already, William. There, it's puffed out; and my own isn't +near as strong a light as it was." + +Paul seemed to be a true prophet, for inside of five minutes the lanterns +"gave up the ghost," the last to expire being that of Jack. + +"What's doing now?" demanded Jack. + +"Gather up all the matches in the crowd. Then I'll strike them one by +one," was Paul's immediate response. + +This emergency torch lasted for a little while. Finally the last match +was gone, and still they were some distance away from the mill pond. + +"Listen," said William, suddenly; with a thrill in his voice; "whatever +do you suppose that is?" + + + + +CHAPTER XXVII + +TED FINDS SOMETHING + + +"Sure it wasn't an owl?" asked Paul, when a full minute had passed away, +without their hearing a repetition of the sound that had reached the ears +of his comrade. + +"Didn't sound like it. I kind of thought it was somebody calling for +help!" said Bobolink, quivering with the suspense caused by the +situation. + +They stood in a group, listening eagerly. The night wind stirred the tops +of the tall forest trees softly, and even this gentle sound boomed on +their strained nerves like the strokes of a bass drum. + +"Oh! there! Didn't you hear it that time?" whispered Bobolink. + +"I guess we did," replied Paul; "and you're right in saying it is +somebody shouting. But all the same I don't feel sure it was a call for +help. Let's remember, fellows, that Ted and his crowd must be somewhere +about up here. And you know from past experiences what dodges he's up to +when he wants to play a trick on anybody." + +"Do you mean he'd like to draw us off by shouting that way, while some +of his fellows went along to the farmhouse, and got the lost boy?" asked +William. + +"That would be just like Ted. He's as full of tricks as an egg is of +meat," Jack took it upon himself to say at this juncture. + +"Well, what are we going to do about it, boys?" asked Wallace. + +"I leave it to Paul; whatever he says ought to be good enough for me," +replied Wallace. + +"And me," came from the others without hesitation. + +"Thanks, fellows. I hope that my plan will prove the best after all. But +don't blame me if I should make a mistake. Let's head for the road, which +I take it ought to be somewhere over yonder," remarked Paul, pointing +through the darkness. + +"The road, eh? I see, you mean that once we get on that we'll have it +easy all the way to the pond. That suits me all right. Count William in." + +"Yes, seeing that our lanterns are out, and not a match in the crowd, I +guess the sooner we get our feet planted on the highway, the better for +our noses. I've barked mine already against a tree, and another dose will +spoil my classic beauty," grunted Bobolink, rubbing tenderly at the spot +in question. + +"Then come along, the rest of you," said Paul, starting off. + +"Seems to me it's getting lighter," announced Wallace, presently. + +"Mebbe our eyes are used to it, that's what," Bobolink remarked. + +"Mine are closing up right fast, I warn you, fellers," said William; "and +before long it's going to be a case of the blind leading the blind. That +branch took me across the face. Hey! ain't that the same old shout?" + +"Sounds like it; but much nearer," returned Paul, with a vein of +uncertainty in his voice, as if he might be commencing to doubt whether +they were doing the right thing in paying no attention to the calls. + +"Oh! I guess I know what it means," remarked Jack; "I've been trying to +make it out all along. That's sure a different voice. Some of Ted's crowd +have got separated, and they're just trying to get together again. You've +heard quail calling, after being flushed and scattered. How, Paul?" + +"Perhaps you've struck it, Jack. Anyway, we are on the road here, and had +better push straight along to the pond first." + +"Right enough," uttered Bobolink, as he broke through a cordon of brush, +and jumped out on the highway, though it might be only an apology for a +road after all, being scantily used; "and after that experience it's +going to be something big that drags me into the woods again." + +The little group stood there for a minute to recover their wind, which +had been more or less exhausted in the last desperate push through the +dark woods. + +"Ready to move on, fellows?" demanded Paul, who had apparently not +changed his mind, and was more than ever bent on covering the last lap +lying between themselves and the pond. + +Jack and Wallace fell in on either side, and the march was begun. Since +the other pair did not wish to be left behind, they were forced to +accompany themselves to the movements of the trio. + +Thus they walked perhaps a full hundred yards along the winding road, +with the stars showing overhead, and the black mysterious woods flanking +them on either side. + +The shouts had apparently ceased; at least none had been heard since the +five lads reached open territory. + +Again it was Bobolink who caught a sound of some sort. + +"Tell me again I'm hearing owls, will you, fellows? If that ain't a +gasoline wagon climbing a hill ahead there I'm off my guess," he +whispered. + +"Chug! chug!" came the plain sound, as the air current veered more toward +the point toward which they were heading. + +"I know that hill," Paul observed, as if talking to himself; "it's just +this side of the mill pond. That means the car is coming this way. The +two gentlemen are separating themselves from their dear friend, Solus +Smithers. Why, I wonder? Would Mr. Pender have anything to do with it?" + +"Wow! did you see that?" gasped Bobolink, proving that his plaint about +his eyes closing up could hardly be based on solid ground. + +"Somebody struck a match, and it went out! Whoever it is, he's on the +road just ahead of us, fellows!" whispered Jack. + +"Back up into the scrub here. Quick! for perhaps he's got another match!" +said Paul, following up his words by instant action. + +They managed to cower down in the brush, though Bobolink muttered +something to the effect that he had received another jab in the +neighborhood of his wretched eyes. + +"Look! he's done it, Paul, just as you said he would!" whispered Jack. + +"Yes, he's shielding it from the breeze till it gets strong. There--well, +what d'ye think of that, fellers?" gasped William. + +"It's Ted!" muttered Wallace, staring hard at the figure that seemed to +be huddled up on the road a little distance away. + +"What do you suppose the silly goose is doing on his knees?" came from +Jack. + +"He's found something, and he's looking at it. See, now he's managed to +open it up. Seems to me like a leather bag, boys," Wallace managed to +wedge in with. + +"Just what it is, old cat eyes. A hand bag! Now, however did that thing +happen to be lying there in the road? Nobody ever comes up here but +Solus, and he isn't the one to own a bag like that." + +"The red car," said Paul, as Jack seemed to hesitate. + +"That's it, as sure as you live. Dropped out of the machine; and by +jinks! the fellers are comin' back to look for it. Never missed it till +Sol got home!" his chum declared. + +All this talk between the five boy scouts was carried on in the lowest of +whispers. The sound of their voices would not have carried twenty feet; +and the kneeling Ted was several times that distance away. + +Besides, he seemed to be so fascinated by what he had discovered in the +leather grip that he had eyes and ears for nothing else just then. + +"The motor is coming closer!" remarked Wallace, as the sound of the +engine was borne more distinctly to their ears. + +"Sure. She's just at the top of the rise, and now it's down-grade. Reckon +she'll be here in a minute. Push back further, fellows." + +"Look! Ted hears it now! He's jumped up! Seems like he just don't know +what to do, cut and run with the bag, or wait till the car gets there. +Hey! watch that, will you?" gasped William. + +"He threw the bag as far as he could into the woods!" said Jack. + +"That looks like he meant to try and keep it," suggested Jack; "I imagine +that the leather grip holds something that took Ted's fancy. But all the +same I reckon it isn't going to be easy sledding for him. Will he run, +fellows?" + +"He's debating that same question now; but it's too late. He waited just +half a minute too long," Paul remarked, as a sudden flash of dazzling +light shot around a bend a short distance ahead, and the red car with the +khaki-colored top came into view, making fairly fast time. + +They could dimly see the inmates apparently surveying the road ahead with +the utmost eagerness, as though anxious to make a discovery. The loss of +that bag must have rather upset their plans, and given them a jolt. + +Every one of the five hidden scouts crouched low, so that their faces +might not be discovered by that fierce white glow. + +Plainly to their ears was borne the shouts of the men in the machine, as +they discovered the figure of Ted on the road. The Stanhope bully had +evidently made up his mind that the bag was well worth struggling for, +and that he must make some sort of a fight to retain possession of it. + +Paul could guess what his plan of operations would be. He had seen Ted +play innocent more than once before, when caught in the act of doing some +mean thing. And as a rule the fellow could carry out the game fairly +well. + +But he was up against a different proposition now; and these keen-eyed +men were not apt to be hoodwinked so easily as a parcel of schoolboys. + +Ted stood there, looking at the car that was bearing down upon him. + +No doubt he had assumed the innocent air of a rustic, and tried to make +himself appear as stupid as he could. The two men in the red car were no +longer calling, for they had seen that the boy on the road showed no +signs of wanting to run. + +As they bore down upon the spot the car slowed up, and came to a full +stop within a few yards of the waiting Ted. Every scout lying in the +screen of bushes held his breath as he listened to catch what was going +to follow. + +"Say, gimme a ride, mister?" + +That was Ted speaking, before either of the men could say the first word. +Indeed they were too busy clambering out of the car to surround him, and +cut off any chance of escape, to think of anything else. + +Without answering they bore down on Ted, and he found himself confronted +by two eager faces, while a rough hand clutched his arm. + +"He ain't got it, Brad!" exclaimed the shorter of the pair, as though +disappointed over something. + +"Hey, what'd you do with it, son?" demanded the taller traveler, looking +furiously at Ted, though pretending to speak gently. + +"With what, boss? I ain't got nothin' that belongs to you, sure I ain't!" +whimpered the boy; and Paul came near to chuckling at the way Ted put on +the agony. + +"We lost a leather bag out of the car. I saw it after we turned into this +here twisting side road just back a piece. We've looked over every foot +between here and the mill pond, and ain't seen it. I'm going to ask you +again, son, what did you do with it?" + +The man did not threaten, as yet, but there was something deep down in +his voice that seemed to tell of all sorts of terrible things that might +happen to the boy unless he came to time, and confessed. + +But at any rate Ted was game. His covetous nature had been aroused by +something he had glimpsed inside of that same bag; and he did not mean to +give it up unless pushed to the last resort. + +"Ain't seen no bag, mister, 'deed an' I ain't," he whimpered; "I got a +lantern here, an' I was ahuntin' a little boy that was lost from home. +Lots of other fellers in the woods adoin' that same. But my light give +out. Then I struck this here road. I'm clean tired out, mister, and I'd +like to get a ride home, if so be you're goin' my way. A bag, mister? +Sure I ain't knowin' nawthin' about no bag. Cross my heart if I do. Gimme +a ride to Stanhope, mister, please!" + + + + +CHAPTER XXVIII + +FORCED TO TELL + + +The two men looked at each other. + +Apparently they hardly knew whether to believe Ted or not. Paul saw them +put their heads close together, as though exchanging confidences. Then +the tall fellow once more whirled on Ted, who had been standing on one +leg, with a most forlorn look upon his face. + +"We both think that you lie, son," said the man who was minus one of his +optics, as he thrust his face close down to that of Ted, as though he +would look straight into his heart; but this was something that no one +else had ever succeeded in doing, and the attempt did not prove very +successful. + +"Tell him who we are, Brad," growled the shorter of the twain, who looked +angry enough to devour the unfortunate Ted. + +So the one called Brad took something out of his coat pocket that made +a peculiar jingling noise, and held it up before the boy. + +"D'ye see them, son? We call 'em bracelets, and they're meant to go on +the wrists of criminals. D'ye understand now? We're officers of the law, +and we've just made a grand haul. But some of the evidence has slipped +away from us. It's in that same bag you picked up on this here road. +Now, don't you dare deny it again, or we'll take you into town with these +pretty toys clasped on your wrists. I'm going to give you another chance +to tell us, son. Where did you put that bag?" + +Ted winced and whined. He showed all the signs of injured innocence. +Surely he must have made up his mind quickly that the contents of the +bag were well worth taking all sorts of chances for. + +"Ain't seen no bag. Sure I'd be on'y too glad to tell you, mister, if I +had. All I wants to do is to go home. I'm tired, an' nigh sick with all +this huntin' for that kid," he whimpered. + +The man suddenly pounced on him, and despite Ted's struggles and +entreaties, he seemed to succeed in accomplishing his purpose. At any +rate the concealed scouts heard a snap; and when Ted reeled back he was +holding his two hands close together in a suspicious way, and staring at +something that seemed to be in the nature of a connecting link. + +"Now you are in for it," said the tall man, shaking his head +threateningly as he stood over the prisoner; "we'll have to take you to +town, and put you in the lockup as an accessory after the fact. D'ye hear +that, you young fool? And all because you refuse to help honest officers +of the law in their legitimate business. Why, you may get ten years at +hard labor, yes, twenty. Better tell all you know, and perhaps we'll let +you off." + +"You can do anything you like to me, mister, but I ain't agoin' to say +what I don't know. Ain't seen any bag of no kind. Cross my heart if I +have. I'm willin' to help you hunt for it, even if I am dog tired. Don't +you believe me, mister? Sure, I wouldn't lie to you. What would I be +wantin' with a bag; we got plenty at my house. Ted Slavin's my name, and +I live in Stanhope. Gimme a ride, mister, if you're goin' that way, won't +you?" + +Again the two men talked together, while Ted watched them out of the +corner of his eye. He might even have tried to run but the fact that +his hands were fastened together with that steel chain prevented such +a thing. + +Once more they turned upon him, and the tall man pointing down, +thundered: + +"You've been kneeling in the dirt!" + +Ted glanced down at his trousers involuntarily; but even then he was not +taken off his guard. + +"I fell ever so many times after my lantern went out. See here, mister, +how I scraped the skin off my hand. That's the honest truth I'm givin' +you!" he cried. + +Undoubtedly it was, but all the same the men showed no signs of yielding. + +The taller one, called Brad by his companion, deliberately detached one +of the lamps from the car. With this he bent down to examine the road. + +"He'll see the marks of the bag!" whispered Bobolink to Paul. + +"Watch him while I scurry along the road a bit, to see if he left it," +was what the man said, and then moved down toward the spot where the +five boys lay in hiding. + +When he came opposite them they hardly dared to breathe, lest his keen +ears catch the sound, and he pounce upon them. + +But he went past, scouring the road closely, and looking for some sign of +the missing bag. They saw him pass on, and the light grew dim. Meanwhile +Ted sat down on a log, and seemed to be very dejected and forlorn. Once +or twice when the shorter man was not looking Paul saw him glance around, +as though sizing up the chances for a sudden plunge into the forest. + +"He's coming again," said Bobolink; and the brilliant glow from down the +road bore evidence of the truth of this remark which was whispered in +Paul's ear. + +Brad walked hastily back, and soon rejoined his companion, with whom he +talked earnestly for a minute. + +"Get up!" he said, turning to Ted, and giving the boy a kick that made +him climb to his feet hurriedly, groaning with pain. + +"Bring him along into the woods, Wash!" the tall man continued, turning +aside. + +"Oh! what are you goin' to do?" cried Ted, in real or pretended terror, +as he caught hold of the man's coat, and sought to hold him back. + +"You'll find out right soon, son. Before we're done with you perhaps +you'll wish you'd told us about that ere bag us the beginning. We're just +going to make it warm for a feller of your size. This night air has made +you too cold to speak up; but we'll fix all that, I reckon; we know how +to do it, don't we, Wash?" + +"Do we? Well, I should smile we did. But they's no need of our goin' far, +old man. This here is a right smart tree, and looks like it might answer. +'Sides, they seems to be lots o' loose wood lyin' 'bout this part!" + +Paul felt a chill pass over him. Could it be possible these rascals meant +to torture Ted until he told; or were they just trying to frighten him? +If it came to the worst they just could not stand by and see such a thing +done. + +Ted, of course, was considerably worked up when he heard what the shorter +fellow said. It was so very plain he could not mistake the meaning. + +"Say, mister, you wouldn't go to hurt a poor feller what never done you +no harm, now, would you? Wish I on'y knowed where I could find a bag; I'd +get it for you like hot cakes. Please don't smoke me. I ain't a ham, +mister, an' I never done you any harm. Let me go, won't you? I'll never +come up here again, sure I won't. And I'll promise to bring you all the +bags in our house, mister." + +Paying no attention to his pleadings and his groanings the men stood Ted +up against a tree. Then the rope brought from the car was wrapped around +both boy and tree several times. + +"Get busy, Wash, and scrape up all the dead leaves you can find. Then +begin and pile up some brush and stuff. Oh! yes, it's a cold night, but +we ain't agoin' to let a poor critter what's lost his way, suffer. Here +you, stop that snifflin'. Time enough to beller after it begins to hurt." + +He struck Ted again in the face, making his nose bleed. Paul had crept +out from the brush and commenced to approach the spot. He knew that the +other four scouts were probably close on his heels. + +Every boy's heart beat like a trip hammer with excitement. They bit their +lower lips to keep from shouting out loud, such was the strain upon them. +But not one had the least thought of turning back. With such a leader, +how could they? + +The shorter ruffian was scratching right merrily among the dead leaves, +making all the noise he could, so as to impress the prisoner with a sense +of his perilous condition. While he worked he kept talking, half to +himself, and no doubt uttering all sorts of terrible threats calculated +further to alarm the boy. + +"We forgot one thing, Wash," said the other man, suddenly. + +"What was that?" asked the one on his knees. + +"To search the varmint. I might as well do it right now, while you go on +getting his jacket warmer ready." + +At first Ted tried to make all the resistance possible; but this only +brought quick punishment in the shape of ugly blows and threats. So Ted +had to stand and allow the other to have his way. + +A minute later the man uttered a loud cry. + +"Look here, Wash, what did I say?" + +He was holding something up. Seen in the light from the lamp belonging +to the red car it looked very much like a fat wad of greenbacks, tied +together with a cord. + +Wash sprang up, and bent over to examine the object in the light. Then he +laughed harshly. + +"It's the boodle, all right, Brad. He found the bag, sure as thunder! And +now he's _got_ to tell, or it's all up with him!" + +Both men turned furiously on the bound boy. Ted had held out against all +odds up to this critical point; but of course he must admit himself +beaten, now that they had found the evidence in his pocket. + +Nearer crept Paul, with his chums tagging close at his heels. And nobody +thought to look beyond the line of brilliant light cast by the lamp which +rested on the ground at the foot of the tree. Fortunately its powerful +rays were directed away from the quarter occupied by the creeping Boy +Scouts. + +"Now, I reckon you're agoin' to tell all you know about that ere bag, +son?" said Brad, in a terrible voice. + +"I guess I'll have to, mister. I was just holdin' out to see if so be you +was what you says. Now I know you be, and I'm ready to tell the hull +thing if you'll only let me go free. I don't want to be smoked, just yet +anyway," Ted whined. + +"You did find the bag, then?" demanded the other. + +"Yep, that's what I did." + +"And took this wad of dough out of it?" pursued the other, savagely. + +"It looked too nice to throw away, so I cabbaged it, mister. Wisht I +hadn't now." + +"What became of the bag after you took this out--go on, now, and tell, +or--" + +"Oh! I throwed that away, mister, right over here in the woods somewhere. +If you look around you'll find her close by. Please let me go when you +dig her out!" said Ted, really alarmed now for his safety. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIX + +THE CAPTURE + + +Paul knew where that bag was. + +By the strangest chance in the world he was kneeling alongside it just +then. In creeping forward so as to draw closer to the scene of action, +and avoid the rays of light cast by the car lamp, he had happened to put +his hand on some object that felt soft to the touch; and he guessed what +it must be. + +What if the tall man came straight toward that spot, looking for the +missing object? Dared they rise up and defy these two scoundrels? If some +one cast Ted loose would he join forces with them, and make common cause +against the ruffians? + +Judging from what he knew about the fellow, from past experiences, Paul +thought no dependence could be placed on Ted. As likely as not if his +hands were free, he would seize the very first chance to snatch up the +bag and scamper off, leaving the others to bear the brunt of the men's +anger. + +But perhaps they would not have to face the tall chap just yet. He seemed +ready to start into the bushes across the way first, taking the lamp with +him. + +"Keep on piling up the trash, Wash. Get him surrounded good and plenty. +For if we don't run across that bag mighty soon we're bound to make it +warm for this Smart Aleck. But don't put a match to the heap till I get +back. I wanter see the fun, you understand." + +"Oh! mister, it's just like I was tellin' you. I stood in the road and +guv the bag a throw when I see your light over the top of the hill. She +jest _must_ be close around here somewhere," Ted wailed. + +"If Brad finds her, all well an' good; but if he don't--well, you'll have +a sweet time soon, that's all," growled the shorter man, still on his +knees, and engaged in scraping more leaves together. + +"If you on'y would let me, I'd stand on the road jest where I was when +I throwed the old bag. Then you could figger where she landed. Let me +loose, won't you, mister? I told you the truth this time; and you're sure +to find that bag. They'll be wonderin' what's become of me at home, sure +they will. I got a mother, and she thinks a heap of me, she does. You +wouldn't break her heart, mister, by smokin' a poor boy?" + +"Aw! dry up! you fooled us once, but you can't do it no more. It's the +bag, or your hide gets a singein', my fine feller. That'll do for you, +now." + +The man had a temper as short as his stature; and Ted dared not stir him +up any further. So he hung there alongside the tree, watching the glow +of the lamp further up the road. + +And as he stood in this disconsolate position, he suddenly became aware +that something was taking place just beyond the kneeling Wash. + +Perhaps, had his hands not been so snugly fastened together with that +horrid steel chain, Ted might have tried to rub his eyes, under the +impression that they were deceiving him; for he saw a face in the dim +light, a face that looked wonderfully like that of Paul Morrison. + +Some foolish boys would have been so thrilled by the prospect of relief +that they must have called out, and thus betrayed the creeping rescuers. +Ted chanced to be built on different lines. He stared and blinked, but +gave utterance to no sound. + +He saw other moving figures close on the heels of the leader. Then he +understood that Paul was not alone, but some of his Red Fox patrol must +be in attendance. + +Closer still crept the newcomers. If Ted's heart ever warmed toward a +living being it surely ought just then; when these lads, whom he was +wont to regard as his bitter rivals, and enemies in everything at school, +took such chances simply because they could not see a Stanhope boy in +trouble. + +Wash kept muttering to himself as he worked. The rustle of the leaves, +and the crackling of the brush as he dragged it forward, kept him from +hearing such sounds as might have been made by the tenderfeet scouts, who +had not yet learned just how to do these things as might an Indian or an +experienced woodsman. + +Paul was on his knees now, and still rising, with Jack a close second. + +They were not three feet behind the man who labored. A single plunge +forward must send them full upon his back. + +Some thought of his companion possibly crossed the mind of Wash just +then; for he suddenly turned his head. + +Of course he could not help but see what was behind him. + +"Now!" whooped Bobolink and William in a breath. + +There was a simultaneous movement on the part of the five lads. Wash, +taken by surprise, could not get up on his feet. He had his hands full of +brush at the moment, and this also handicapped him about making any +effective use of the weapons Nature gave him. + +He had just time to shout the name of his companion when the avalanche +struck him, and he was bowled over as neatly as ever a football tackle +got his man. + +Paul knew that they could easily manage this one fellow. The trouble +was Wash did not happen to be alone. When the tall ruffian came dashing +quickly to the spot there was no telling what he might not do. + +"Hold him down, you twins. Don't let him break loose. The rest of you +follow me!" + +Even while speaking Paul scrambled to his feet. He heard the mad patter +of feet as Brad came dashing toward the spot, shouting in his excitement, +and doubtless believing that the prisoner had turned upon his captor. + +"Let me loose, Paul; quick, twist this rope around the tree!" shrilled +Ted, who saw a chance to escape the punishment that had been hovering +over his head. + +Paul caught the end of the rope. Four times did he dash around that tree, +in about as many seconds; then Ted, finding his bonds loose, squirmed +free. + +But Brad was now on hand, filled with astonishment and fury. Whichever +way he turned the rays of his car lamp he seemed to discover fresh moving +figures. The woods seemed to be full of enemies. They must be hiding +behind each and every tree, ready to pounce upon him. + +Already he could see that his partner was writhing on the ground, held +down by an unknown number of strangers. In his eyes it might be these +advancing figures each and every one must be a deputy sheriff, eager to +have a hand in his arrest. So terror makes cowards of the best of men; +and Brad turned to flee. + +"Surrender!" shouted a voice behind him. + +It was Paul calling out, but just then the alarmed culprit could not tell +the voice of a boy from that of a hyena. Some one had called upon him to +surrender, and the dread word conjured up all sorts of terrible +conditions. + +Into the darkness of the woods he would have plunged, regardless of the +shock that must follow a collision with an unseen tree. But he did not +go far. A figure arose straight in his path, and opened a pair of arms, +into the embrace of which the fleeing rascal ran. + +Before the lamp fell to the ground and went out Paul had one glimpse of +a face. + +"It's Mr. Pender, fellows! Brad's nabbed!" he could not help shouting. + +Jack, realizing the need of more light, instantly flew over to where the +car was standing, and detached the second lamp. With this he hastened +back. Wash was still struggling; but the two boys had him on his face, +where his superior strength was of little avail; and were sitting on him +to keep him quiet. + +When they rushed over to where Mr. Pender had been seen struggling with +the taller of the ruffians, they found that he had subdued Brad; for the +other was glaring down at a pair of steel bracelets which outshone those +he had so pleasantly snapped on the wrists of poor Ted. + +There was no more fight in him. + +When the other man had been treated to a similar present, they were +allowed to sit upon the ground and exchange words of doleful regret, +while Mr. Pender went the rounds, and gravely shook hands with each one +of the Boy Scouts. + +"You've done me a good turn, boys, a mighty good turn. I was just on my +way to the mill pond to arrest these chaps when I saw a light ahead, and +creeping up, witnessed this interesting sight. When I've found that bag +now, I imagine I'll have the case against these two worthies clean cut," +he said. + +Upon which Paul quietly stepped over into the bushes and fished out the +article in question, which he delivered to the officer. + +From Brad's pocket was taken the wad of bills which Ted had thought to +purloin from the bag before he threw it and the rest of its contents +away. + +"This is counterfeit money, boys, made from the plates in the bag. They +were taking these things to Solus, who had written them that he had +secured a nice quiet retreat where they might work undisturbed. So you +see, my boy," said Mr. Pender to Ted, "if you had made way with this +it must have gotten you into a peck of trouble from the start. You're +lucky to get out of it as easy as you do." + +Ted was looking anything but cheerful. + +"Oh! I knowed it was bad money all the while, sir, but I wanted to take +it to the chief of police in town. I ain't ever goin' to run up against +Paul Morrison and his crowd no more, after this white way they treated +me. Not much. I'm goin' to turn over a new leaf after this. But please, +mister, get that key from him, and take these things off. Makes me squirm +to just feel 'em. But, mister, I'm glad I didn't have to smoke, after +all," and that seemed to be the burden of Ted's thanksgiving. + +As to his ever turning over that promised new leaf, well, Paul believed +they were more apt to find potatoes growing on apple trees than that +such a wonder should come about. + +"But I'm not satisfied yet, boys," said the Government agent; "there's a +third one to get; Solus Smithers, who is known to me by another name. +Now, I wonder if I could leave these two prisoners in charge of several +of you, while the rest went with me in the car? I'll make use of the +rope, so they just can't possibly get away." + +It was presently decided that William, Wallace and Bobolink should stay, +also Ted if he cared to remain. Paul and Jack would accompany Mr. Pender, +so as to render any assistance needed. They could also bring back little +Willie Boggs, should he be found under the roof of the old farmhouse by +the mill pond. + +"The worst of it is I don't know how to handle a machine," remarked the +gentleman, after they had stepped out on to the road. + +"Both of us do, sir," remarked Paul; "so if you will jump aboard we'll +soon be off." + +"Well, I'd just like to learn if there is anything you Boy Scouts don't +know how to handle?" observed the pleased agent, as he saw the two lamps +put back in position, though only one was allowed to remain lighted. + +It took them but a short time to draw close to the farmhouse by the pond. + +Mr. Pender jumped out and advanced through the darkness toward the door. +Just as he reached it the boys, looking, saw it open. Then the voice of +Sol Smithers came plainly to them. + +"Wall, did yuh run acrost the bag, Brad? I guessed 'twas on'y layin' down +the road a piece. But what yuh mean apushin' in on me thetaways?" + +"You're my prisoner, Silas Westover. Don't try to run, or it will be the +worse for you. I have plenty of help and your place is surrounded. Wash +and Brad are already in irons. Hold up your hands!" came in the stern +voice of Mr. Pender. + +Of course the man who had called himself Solus Smithers did not offer any +resistance, and he was quickly made a prisoner. When he found later that +one man, assisted by a parcel of Boy Scouts, had captured three desperate +characters, he was about as mad as a hornet; but it was too late then +to remedy matters. + +Paul and Jack immediately started a search for the missing Willie Boggs. +The youngster was discovered fast asleep on a cot, just as the man who +had found him in the woods had lain him down. + +And when Mr. Pender saw this he nodded his head, and declared that +because Solus had shown that he possessed a tender heart, for all his +assumed fierceness, he would make it as easy for him when the case to +trial, as he could. + +After Mr. Pender had searched the place, and accumulated what evidence +he needed, all of them got into the car, Willie still sound asleep. Then +they started over the road for Stanhope. + +The town was reached at just one o'clock. At police headquarters Mr. +Pender delivered his three prisoners for safe keeping. After that Paul +again took the red car out to bring in the remainder of the patrol, for +they were miles away from home. + + + + +CHAPTER XXX + +FOUND OUT AT LAST + + +"Why, hello! Paul! I didn't hear you ring. Did you fly in through the +window?" + +Jack sprang up from the easy chair he had been occupying in the library +of his own home, when his chum suddenly appeared before him. + +It was about ten o'clock on the morning following the hunt for the lost +boy; and the remarkable occurrences that had accompanied it up in the +woods above Stanhope. + +"Oh! you know I told you I might slip in by the back door this time; and +that is just what I did," replied Paul, speaking in an unusually guarded +tone. + +"That's a fact!" exclaimed Jack, beginning to show signs of excitement; +"and I remember that at the same time you promised--" + +"I'd try my best to solve the puzzle about those disappearing old coins, +and tell you to-day," said his chum, breaking in. "Well, perhaps I may, +though my most promising clue has turned out a bit of a fizzle." + +"But you have another up your sleeve, you said?" continued Jack, eagerly. + +"Yes, I believe I have," Paul admitted. "Some time later, when we get +this queer affair off our hands, I want to talk with you about a lot of +things connected with this scout movement. I got some good ideas from a +bunch of papers left at our house for me. Guess who remembered us in +such a bully way?" + +"Give it up. I might mention every gentleman in town, and then some," +laughed Jack; "for they're all watching what we're doing, with interest. +But go on and tell me who it was, Paul." + +"Mr. Peleg Growdy," came the surprising answer. + +"Well, you don't say?" exclaimed his chum, delight showing in his voice; +"so the old man has really seen a great light, has he? I guess he's +taking more interest in our troop than anybody else in town. That night's +work was the best thing that ever happened for the boys of Stanhope, as +well as for Peleg. I take off my cap to him after this, Paul." + +"But wait; that isn't all. You know that Si Growdy is a nephew of his? +Well, he's without a home no longer. Peleg sent for him, and they had a +long talk. Si told me this morning that he's really been adopted by his +uncle, and is going to make his home with him. What d'ye think of that, +Jack?" + +"Just immense, that's what," declared his companion, slapping a hand on +Paul's shoulder; "I'm glad we went there and cleaned up the old man's +dooryard. Some of the boys thought it silly at the time; but they +understand things better now. He was just needing something like that to +touch his heart. Up to then he thought all boys were pests. We opened his +eyes some, eh?" + +"That's right, we did. But about those coins!" said Paul, smiling once +more. + +"Yes, first tell me who it was you suspected that has turned out +innocent?" asked his chum. + +"There he lies yonder, sleeping, with one eye open and watching us!" +remarked Paul, pointing across the room. + +"What! Carlo! You actually suspected him of taking my coins? Why, Paul, +whatever put that notion into your head?" demanded Jack, in sheer +astonishment. + +"Well," returned Paul; "perhaps it was silly, but then you've taught him +to fetch a basket from the baker's, and do lots of stunts. I didn't know +but what the sly old chap might be helping himself to your coins, and +palming them off on the butcher for a supply of bones." + +"That would have been the limit!" gasped his friend. "But you found out +that he was innocent, did you?" + +"I finally went in and talked with Mr. Griggs; but he said Carlo just +came in once in a while, looking so pitifully at him, that he didn't have +the heart to refuse a bone. So none of your lost coins have gone into his +till, Jack." + +"Oh! that would have been the queerest thing ever, had he done it. But +now about the other clue you have--tell me about it, Paul," continued +the anxious one. Paul had seated himself where he could keep an eye down +the street in front of the house. And while his chum was talking he had +smiled as if he might have discovered something out there that pleased +him very much. + +"Come right up to your den with me, Jack, and leave Carlo shut in here," +he said, rising; "and when we get upstairs open the window to air the +room. Then I shall ask you to let me hide there behind something, while +you go downstairs, pass out, and along the street in plain view." + +"Say, that's a mighty queer thing to do," ventured the other. + +"It's all a part of my plan. You must leave the door of the den open too. +And Jack, after you get around the corner I want you to sneak back to the +rear of the house, and come up again, crawling into the den here, if +everything is quiet." + +"Oh! all right, if you say so, Paul," Jack observed; "but you've sure got +me guessing to beat the band, right now. Here's the window open. Now +shall I get busy, and meander off?" + +"Right away. Please carry it out just as I said. You ought to be back +here inside of six or seven minutes; and I guess that will be time enough +before the circus begins, Jack." + +So the owner of the little den at the top of the house gave his chum one +last look of bewilderment, and turning, hastened down the stairs. + +Paul, with a glance around, chose a certain corner for his hiding-place. +Here he could see without exposing himself to view; and squatting down he +prepared to await developments. + +A minute later he got up, and moved an old screen partly across the +floor, so that it hid the open door. When Jack returned, he could crawl +alongside the hiding boy without showing himself to any one in the room, +or beyond the window. + +Hardly had five minutes crept by when Paul heard a slight sound. It came +from the stairs, and he smiled, knowing that his chum had lost no time in +carrying out his part of the plot. + +So Jack came sliding in, and was soon nestling down at Paul's side, +brimming over with curiosity, yet deterred from asking questions by the +fact that Paul had put up a warning finger. + +Several more minutes passed by, when Jack was thrilled to see something +moving in the direction of the partly open window. It seemed to be a +long cane fishing rod, that had a dark colored lump at the end of it. + +The rod continued to advance slowly into the den. It was, of course, in +the hands of some one perched in the window of the attic belonging to the +empty house so close by; and Jack could easily guess now who that person +must be. + +Scissors Dempsey, once his friend, but latterly a crony of Ted Slavin! + +Now the end of the rod seemed to hover above the little box containing +all that were left of Jack's old coins. And even as he and Paul looked +they saw it descend until the light box was tilted partly over, when the +point of the long rod was pushed into it vigorously. Jack was reminded +somewhat of a human hand groping about. And then, as the fishing pole was +rapidly withdrawn, he saw one of his few remaining old coins sticking to +the black lump at its terminus! + +The game was now clear. Scissors, inspired by a love of fun, or a desire +to mystify Jack, perhaps make him suspect that one of his chums was +taking the coins, had come every day into this empty house belonging to +his father. Whenever he found the window in Jack's den open he amused +himself with this strange fishing. + +Paul beckoned to his chum, and then silently crept out of the den, which +he was easily enabled to do, thanks to the screen he had placed to cover +the open door. + +Once down on the next landing Jack clutched his sleeve. + +"Well, would you dream of such a thing as that?" exclaimed the latter, +nearly ready to explode with laughter, yet feeling a bit angry at the +same time. "What under the sun d'ye suppose he's doing such a stunt for, +Paul?" + +"We'd better put it up to Scissors," replied the other, quickly. + +"Then you suggest waiting for him as he comes out, and telling him we +know all about his fishing for my coins?" asked Jack. + +"Come along. He might be satisfied with just one to-day. You see it's +getting harder, with so few left in the box," and Paul led the way +downstairs again. + +"But what's he got on the end of that pole?" demanded his chum. + +"I think it must be a lump of rather soft tar, or pitch," came Paul's +answer, readily enough. "I found a little on one of the coins left the +last time we examined them; and you said that the fourth stuck to the +side of the box. Yes, that's what it is. Now, let's wait over by the +front door, for that's the way he goes in." + +Five minutes later the front door of the empty house opened, and a tall +boy, with spindly legs, came slily out. He stopped to turn a key in the +lock. Then, as he wheeled, it was to find himself facing two fellows who +were probably the very last boys in Stanhope he expected to see. + +"Just in time to explain how you came to think of that clever little +fishing dodge of yours, Scissors," remarked Paul; "and to give back all +those old coins you've been raking in so smartly. Thought it lots of fun, +didn't you? And meant to twist my chum up so he'd think one of his own +crowd had been taking them?" + +"Yes," Jack said, in turn, looking as angry as he could; "and if you +don't turn every blessed copper piece over to me right away, there's +going to be trouble at your house, understand that, Scissors?" + +The guilty one turned red in the face. Then he laughed as though he +wanted to consider it a joke. + +"Oh! come off!" he exclaimed, with a gesture of disgust; "can't you take +a little fun, Jack? Of course I meant to give 'em all back again, after +I'd had my sport out of the game, and got the last coin. They're upstairs +here, right now. Come along in, and I'll show you. The slick trick is +gone up in smoke now, anyway; since you got on to my curves. But I +wouldn't make such a big fuss over nothing." + +"It wasn't the coins, because they don't count for much; but just think +how I felt at even suspecting that some fellow who was my friend had been +taking them," said Jack, as he and Paul followed Scissors into the empty +house. + +And from the sneer on the other's face as he looked back, Paul was +inclined to believe that this was just what he had been doing the thing +for. He disliked Jack as much now as he had once cared for him; and would +probably enjoy nothing better than to see him turn on some friend, +perhaps even his best chum. + +The coins were found, as he had said, in a marble-bag in the attic. While +Jack was counting them, Paul knelt at the window, and experimented with +the long fishing rod he found on the floor. He discovered that he could +manage to tilt the little box on the table quite easily, though it needed +some labor before he brought one of the coins across the open space, +glued to the pitch at the point of the rod. + +"All there, ain't they?" demanded Scissors. + +"Yes," replied Jack; "though so sticky I'll have to wash them in +something like benzine. Perhaps you did do it for a lark, Scissors; but +I'll make sure that a screen is in that window whenever it's open after +this." + +"Huh! I guess the feller that invented this racket could get up somethin' +just as good if he wanted," and that was all Scissors ever said about +it to the boy he had wronged. + +Jack, having recovered his property, did not care to do anything further +about the robbery. Later on Scissors himself told his cronies, thinking +it to his credit; and they more than a few times tried to joke Jack about +his disappearing coins. But he took it all in good humor, and after a +while the thing was apparently forgotten, because the boys of Stanhope +had many other things of importance to engage their undivided attention. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXI + +WELL DONE STANHOPE TROOP!--CONCLUSION + + +Days and weeks passed. + +In season and out, the boys of industrious Stanhope Troop worked. Never +had the good people known such a wave of enthusiasm to sweep over the +town on the Bushkill. It seemed as catching as the measles, this spirit +of energy, and a desire to do things worth while, which had taken +possession of most of the boys. + +Parents got together, and conferring, admitted that this new fad was by +all odds the best thing that had ever happened. They determined to +encourage it to the limit. Even those who were doubtful at the start, +found themselves obliged to admit that never before had Stanhope +presented such a clean appearance; and not within the recollection +of the oldest inhabitant had boys been so obliging. + +After the Stanhope Troop had been fully received into the National +organization an efficient scout master was finally secured in the person +of a young man by the name of Alec Gordon. He had lately come from +visiting across the water, where he had enjoyed the personal acquaintance +of several leading lights in the scout movement in England. Besides that, +he was naturally fond of the woods, and best of all, filled with a deep +love for the boy of to-day. + +Under his guidance the troop prospered, and made rapid progress along the +lines started by Paul. The only trouble about the whole matter was that +Mr. Gordon, being a traveling man, was liable to be called away just when +his presence might be most needed. + +Several times this had occurred, and feeling the need of leaving a deputy +to fill his place, he put it up to the boys themselves. Of course there +had not been a dissenting vote; and Paul was elected to play the part of +guide, should an emergency arise; and in this way he became assistant +scout master of the troop. + +They need have no fear concerning his ability to fill the role. He +had proven equal to the task before now; and there were not a few, +particularly among those acknowledging the magical Red Fox as their +totem, who secretly cherished a belief that Paul knew more about the +secrets of Nature than any _two_ mature scout masters. + +Every chance that offered the scouts were abroad, as busy as bees in the +honey season; only instead of laying up sweets these energetic chaps +sought new information. They followed the trails of fox, 'coon and +rabbit; they watched the habits of the noisy crows holding a caucus in +the woods; they kept company with the red squirrel and the frolicsome +chipmunk as they stored away the chestnuts and juicy hickories for their +winter's supply of food. + +And on every occasion they labored to make themselves perfect in those +branches of wood lore, and the knowledge of useful things, which they +expected would play a prominent part in the approaching competition. + +Just as Paul and Wallace had predicted, it was found that nearly every +fellow had a love for Nature and her wonderful secrets somewhere in his +system; even though with a few this breath had to be fanned vigorously in +order to keep it alive. + +Of course they were annoyed again and again by Ted Slavin and his envious +followers; for the bully of the town had drifted back to his old ways, as +might have been expected. + +When peaceful tactics failed to stop these malicious tricks, the scout +master personally appealed to the authorities, and a warning was issued +that, for a time at least, dismayed the disturbers of the meetings. But +when they could do so in secret, they never lost an opportunity to play +some sly trick. + +Another thing that had been anticipated came to pass. This was the utter +failure of Ward's cronies to maintain any interest in the duties of +scouts. Those twelve cardinal virtues that must at all times be held up +before the fellow who expects to become and remain a Boy Scout in good +standing, failed to appeal to these rough and ready chaps. It would +indeed require a revolution in boy nature to make Ted Slavin, or his +crony, Scissors, trustworthy, loyal, helpful to others, friendly, +courteous, kind, obedient to his superior officers, cheerful, thrifty, +brave, clean and reverent! + +Just a few days before Thanksgiving the scout master came to Paul with +the distressing news that he had received an imperative summons from his +firm to go out on the road; so that it would debar him from being present +when the long-looked-for-competition took place. + +"But," said Mr. Gordon, as he shook Paul by the hand earnestly; "I firmly +believe that you will be able to fill my place so well that my absence +will not make the slightest difference," and Paul, of course, simply said +he would do his best. + +The fellows of Stanhope Troop knew full well what that "best" meant. + +But as the boys of Manchester Troop and that of Aldine as well, learned +through some of their energetic scouts, what a strong bid these patrols +of the Fox were going to make, in the hope of winning that coveted +banner, they seemed to be stirred to make new endeavors. + +Paul managed to keep advised of pretty much all that was going on; since +this was a part of a scout's duty; though no mean advantage was ever +taken of the rival camps--he would not stand for that. In a quiet way he +had learned how their meetings became more frequent, and the desire to +excel, that had threatened to dwindle away for lack of rivalry, grew more +keen. + +Paul was glad of it. Competition is the life of trade; but it also +encourages boys to do their level best. There would be a brave fight for +that banner; and no walk-over. The troop that won it might well be proud +of the honor. And Paul was still full of faith. He watched his scouts go +through their various interesting stunts with a growing conviction that +they must stand at the head when the day came for the meeting, and the +report of the committee appointed to make the test was declared. + +He knew that fortune had been very kind in allowing himself and Jack to +make a heavy score in favor of Stanhope Troop. The stopping of the +runaway horse, and the saving of the baby at the fire would bring them +many points. Then there was the wonderful letter from Washington, on +official paper too, in which Mr. Jared Pender told the story of how much +he had been helped by the Red Fox patrol in his task of capturing those +desperate rascals who were flooding the whole country with their bogus +money. + +But Paul was determined that, aside from the help afforded by these +glorious deeds, the boys of Stanhope should excel all others in their +knowledge of woodcraft, and the valuable things every boy with red blood +in his veins should possess. + +So they kept up the good work after the scout master had left them. + +Long since had Bobolink received his bugle, and William his drum. Both +proved very able in managing these musical instruments, and the shrill +notes of the one, and the roll of the other, had become very familiar and +acceptable sounds in Stanhope these fall days, when the first snow made +its appearance. + +Already had they planned a great camp for the next summer, and there was +talk of a grand hike into the almost unknown, to them, country far to the +north. What strange adventures were destined to befall them during this +eventful outing, together with the fun that William and Bobolink afforded +the troop, will be recounted in the next volume, to be called: "The +Banner Boy Scouts on a Tour; or, The Mystery of Rattlesnake Mountain." + +Even at school the teachers noticed that things seemed to move along much +more smoothly than ever before. Some of them were inclined to suspect +that a miracle had been wrought in boy nature; until it was shown that +there were still quite a number of transgressors, and that not one of the +bad ones belonged to the scouts. That opened their eyes, and after such +evidence they were one and all heartily in favor of the organization that +kept lads interested, taught them every noble duty that would make them +better men later on, caused them to be manly, heroic, self-confident in +time of sudden peril, and able to stand up for their rights. + +Thanksgiving came at last. + +The entire county showed a keen interest in the rivalry of the three +troops for leadership. Each had its sturdy backers, who believed their +home company to be the best; and hence when the choice of situation fell +to Manchester, it looked as though nearly the entire population of +Stanhope and Aldine had also gathered to cheer their favorites on. + +The competition was keenly contested. A dozen different events had been +scheduled some time back by the committee, as the more important elements +that would enter into the struggle; and the scout master of each patrol +had been notified, so that he might select those most competent to +succeed. + +Scout master Gordon, and later on his deputy, Paul, had been working with +those who excelled in these various lines. Nothing was left undone to +make them proficient in their work. When the critical time came, and +before the eyes of thousands they lined up before the committee to take +the test, Paul believed that success was sure to come. + +Football was in the air for the afternoon; but that morning every school +flag fluttered in that densely packed field where the arena was laid. +Scores upon scores of pretty girls clapped their hands, and sang +patriotic songs that had reference to their particular town, whenever +a Stanhope, a Manchester or an Aldine competitor started to prove his +superior knowledge of the arts of woodcraft. + +Wallace Carberry brought the first honors to the Red Fox patrol. He had +his quart of water boiling a full minute before either of his rivals; +and retired amid thunderous applause. Wallace would show up in several +other events, for he was the mainstay of Paul's contesting delegation. + +Then came other interesting object lessons. Many present failed to +understand altogether what they signified; but they were patriotic, and +ready to cheer the victor to the echo. + +On account of the lateness of the season several events that might have +taken place at another time were debarred, such as swimming, fishing, and +sports peculiar to the good old summer time. + +Nevertheless, there were plenty of others equally as interesting. Three +boys entered as contestants in the rapid photography class. They took a +snap shot at a given word, darted into separate prepared dark rooms, +developed their plates, dried the same, each after his own fashion, and +presented a completed picture before the other competitions were done. + +Meanwhile three others showed just how a scout should learn to follow a +difficult trail, where all manner of obstacles stood in the way. While +the crowd could not fully understand just how this was done, the +committee seemed unanimous in awarding the victory once more to Wallace, +for he had not made a single error, and he finished ahead of his rivals. + +Others were set to work tying ten difficult knots, and the fun waxed fast +and furious as they worked their nimble fingers, keeping an eye on each +other the while. + +In another place three tents were given to squads of boys from each +patrol, and at the word they set to work to erect the same, dig a water +drain in case of rain, and have everything in "apple-pie" shape. The +committee gave plain warning that it was not speed alone that would count +here, but the general ship-shape condition following the carrying out of +the conditions. + +And again the boys of the Stanhope Troop came in winners by a good +margin. + +Manchester drew a prize when the contest of landing a big fish came on. +A boy played the part of the fish, and fought with all his strength and +cunning to keep from being reeled in. But big Carl Evans, the Manchester +fisherman, proved to be too strong and able for those who competed, and +had his fish landed minutes ahead. + +The archers then took a turn. Here Aldine presented a clever expert, who +had made this his especial hobby for some years. He could not be headed, +though the other fellows from Stanhope and Manchester really made a very +creditable showing. + +One of the most interesting exhibitions of the morning, and one that +excited considerable cheering, was the "first aid to the injured." + +A boy was supposed to have fallen overboard into the river. In each case +several contestants pretended to drag him out, placing him face downward, +with his arms above his head, and his face a little to one side. Then one +of the rescuers knelt astride the body, allowing his hands to press upon +the spaces between the short ribs. By pressing downward the air was +forced from the other's lungs, to creep in again when this was relaxed; +and in this fashion an artificial respiration was induced that should +grow stronger as minutes passed. + +Of course, as no boy was so accommodating as to fall into the cold waters +of the Bushkill for the occasion, the contestants finished at the same +time. The committee, after mature consultation, awarded the victory to +the team accomplishing their work in the most business-like fashion. +Aldine was so fortunate as to receive the award, and her people shouted +themselves hoarse. + +In athletics the three competing troops proved very nearly even; and +brought out rounds of cheers as they followed one another in carrying +out the several events scheduled. + +Possibly when William proved his great superiority as a camp cook, by +making the batter, and cooking a luscious flap-jack long before any other +fellow could accomplish the feat, his victory was the most popular one of +the day. Fully five score of fellows made motions to prove they were +starved, and that a bite from the airy pancake would possibly serve as +a life saver. But after the committee had tested it, William calmly +devoured the balance, to the tune of mingled groans and cheers. + +Last of all came the wig-wagging contest, when boys sent and received +messages fashioned by the committee, the nature of which was unknown at +the other end. In this Stanhope again made a record that put her boys in +the van, for Paul had secured and studied the army manual on using the +signal flags, and to good advantage. + +After the twelfth and last event had been completed, the committee went +into session, examined the papers they already held, and finally +announced that Stanhope had carried off the prize with six clean events, +the others being equally divided between the two clever troops from the +other towns. + +It was undoubtedly a popular victory, judging from the record-breaking +volume of noise that greeted the announcement. What else the chairman +would have said, with regard to the great good the establishment of these +patrols had brought to the county, was drowned in the wild clamor. + +Paul, acting for the absent scout master, accepted the beautiful banner +presented by the good old Quaker who loved peace above all things. He was +immediately swept off his feet, and carried in triumph around the field, +waving the emblem that would from that hour stamp the Stanhope Troop as +the Banner Boy Scouts of the county. + +Little Paul cared that some frowned, or that Ward Kenwood sneered as the +procession marched past. Close by he could see the happy face of Arline, +together with those of his parents; and it satisfied him to know that +through his unflagging perseverance he had been able to land his scouts +in the van. + +Other trials and contests would doubtless have to be encountered; but +with that banner to encourage then the Fox patrols could meet each +emergency as it arose, and struggle on through difficulties to a glorious +success. + + +THE END + + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's The Banner Boy Scouts, by George A. 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