The Banner Boy Scouts on a Tour

embly call, N

mnasium under the church. More than a score of lads of all sizes began to pass in from the outside

who often had charge in place of the regular scoutmaster, Mr. Gord

served his chum Jack, as he laid his hand on th

o organize had chosen to be known as the Red Fox, it pleased the ot

epresentation of a fox's head done in colors. Strangely enough, to some it seemed red, while others were just a

excelled in various scout tactics and knowledge. The contest had been confined to the three troops along the Bushkill Rive

ashioned upon its shimmering folds. Every member of Stanhope troop felt a thril

young scout leader, smilingly, when he he

re going to discuss where we expect to spend our vacation this year.

emarked Paul. "He recommended a certain place for a hike and camp; but I'm just as much in the dark as the rest ab

y had full confidence in the wisdom of the committee

t Andy Flinn to leak a little; but it was no use. Andy would joke him, and tell all sorts of fu

more about Mr. Clausin?

Joe says he only knows there were valuable papers of some sort, which his father is broken

f of police has been out there to confer with him. That makes me t

ck, somewhat derisively; "I've known him to kick up a big row more than a few times, aft

look mighty fierce, and generally scares little

that Ted Slavin and his crowd ride rough-shod over the police force of Stanhope. They have been threatened with

ked Paul, drily, making a grimace at

in Stanhope, and something of a politician. Ward threatens to get the Chief bounced from his job if he makes too much row, and you know it, Paul. The resu

anhope. Then perhaps we can put in a police head who will do his duty, no matter if

p about that little tin box. There's something connected with it that Mr. Clausin hasn't told everybody. What could those papers have been; and why was he looki

at his chum

been thinking along the same line myself. If half a chance offered I'd like to be the one fortunate e

strange things were in store for himself and his chum. Had he been g

sembled, Paul," obse

Gordon, found that he had duties to perform. Paul, in spite of his wishes, had been elected pres

ellow knew that the committee appointed to recommend what the progra

xcitement when, with the decks cleared, the chairman of the me

amed charter granted by the National Committee to Stanhope Troop. Every eye was glued upon his face, for it had been a matter

ing over with a high sense of humor, and dearly loved to play all manner of practical jokes. His greatest delight it seemed, was to po

es; and in this respect he differed from Ted Slavin, who seldom counte

ume the airs of a serene judge when the humor seized him. And yet in his natural condition he was the most roll

Scouts," he began, when a roar a

pe straight. Where a

the facts, and we want 'em bad. Get

the anxious-seat a little longer; but when threatening gestures were beginning to prove that th

finger crossed by the thumb-the true sco

ts of propositions, that the country to the north offers the best field for a record hike, and a camp in the wilderness; where the s

r! h

unds good to

mber, Mr. Chairman? Te

became mute. At least they had learned the value of obedience,

country thereabouts, which has not been visited by a boy of Stanhope, in this present generation, at least. That is

as though the committee had struck a popular fancy when it decided

rest days; and there were so many stories told about the dangers to be encountered in that ench

had ever wandered that far afield, every expedition having g

h many thrilling adventures among strange caves which they found abounding there. But Stanhope boys always smiled, and looked very k

t that there was a glorious future beckoning them on. Boys delight in adventure; and surely th

some particular way of ex

bert Cypher, who by reason of his name,

" chirped Bobolink, making his voice seem to come from Wallace Carberry, who was never known to indulge in the least bit of slang.

ose impediment of speech often gave him much

ir individual opinions concerning the proposed pilg

the committee be accepted; and the "hike" to Rattlesn

ing interruption to the proceedings. A sentinel, who, in accordance with military tactics, had been post

und a window in the back of the church basement open, and looking in discovered mov

let's get our hooks on the sneaks before they fade a