The Banner Boy Scouts on a Tour

you laz

heard William say this. The unusual experience of hearing the loud strokes of the big clock up in

ning, and stretching, as if they, too, had been drag

" grumbled Bobolink, showing signs of rolling

n, all right. Besides, the clock tried to get in the reveille, though I tell you it was mighty hard work, with the

my, but I feel punk. Who's been kicking me when I was asleep? I'm sore all over, and I guess y

ou, now, to be reclining at your ease among the tents and blankets, while the res

t a few kinks in your muscles," remarked Jack,

e. Oh! what a shooting pain in that left leg. Wh

Ted give a yelp every time you got near him; and there were others. Everything in moderation, my boy. You'

an unaccustomed bed on the floor. Despite the blankets which he had tucked under him, at some tim

not wish those kind friends who had been so good to the scouts

efore making for his own home, in order to fini

e up and doing. Indeed, many of them had, if the truth were known, stolen out of bed at various times before dawn, an

und, knowing that it was meant for them alone! Not since away back in '61, when little Stanhope, then a vi

ing up and down stairs, gathering his possessions, buckling on his knapsack ha

e the envious ones connected with the "Outcast Troop," as Ted and Ward called their fragment, because they had b

They possibly wanted to make sure that the scouts were actually headed in the direction of Rattlesnake Mountain; for not

church. Each carried a full knapsack, and all were supplied with a stout, mountain staff, which

sters entertained a healthy fear that their darling might fare badly at meal time; and they had been cooking doughnuts

rience every fellow might be expected to know better, and scoff at the idea of a tr

s gathered to witness the triumphal passing of the troop, in which

ch. For one morning, business in Stanhope was forgotten or stood still, f

s pretty much make-believe. Deep down in their hearts they were bitterly envious of the good fortune that had befallen their

exes around him. And Bluff showed his wisdom by saying never a word. Silence with him was golden,

d keeping one eye on the scout leader the while. When Paul gav

, it seemed as though all who meant to

me familiar music to those listening hundreds; but when the clear notes of the bugle floated through the morning air there was an ins

fall in,

y knew h

ars and Stripes, while further back, Tom Betts waved the beautiful prize banner which Stanhope

and Bobolink holding his bugle rea

n his appointed place, and the leaders of the s

ace of Mr. Gordon, so that temporarily Jack s

y put their best foot forward as one man, and headed away up the road that

saw the large amount of eatables they began to lose their fears about hunger attacking the little troop. But then, a score of healthy lads can make way wi

ay from Stanhope. A bend in the road hid their homes fro

tramp out into the wilderness. But if this were so they made no sign. The wistful look several cast behind chan

te some of the boys would early complain of being tired or footsore, sin

the rocks at which many wishful eyes were turned, so the a

that we've left our base of supplies and cut loose from all our homes we must go carefully. The chain is o

lounged around, each taking a favorite attitude while indulging in a

hings in this easy manner that Jud

ws!" he exclaimed, and eve