The Boy Scouts of Woodcraft Camp

on had been chosen with the same strategy a general in the field would display in selecting headquarters for the direction of important maneuvers.

he north, brought all of the southeastern side of Old Scraggy under the dominion of the axe and peavy. Thus the operations of three crews could be directed from the one central point, and the entire cut [40] of this

ee log bunk houses, stables, storehouse and blacksmith's shop were splendid examples of the loggers' skill with axe and

. The clearing had grown up to a tangle of raspberry vines, and the deserted buildings had begun to show signs of neglect and decay, when Dr. M

of Woodc

e proposed school, the land in the immediate vicinity cleared of underbrush, and the pier repaired. It was Dr. Merriam's idea to make as little change in appearance and

ling, which had originally divided the loft from the main room, had been removed to insure a better circulation of air. In a double tier down the two sides were built plain box bunks, each containing a tick filled with straw. Sheets, gray blanket and a thin pillow, filled with aro

se necessary adjuncts to the toilet he meekly [43] followed Billy out to a long, low shed located to the rear and midway between the c

row of graniteware wash-basins. Big galvanized nails were driven at convenient points for the towels and the folding mirrors which were a part of every bo

he got through Walter felt that he had been pumped dry, and that the garrulo

first year?"

"Say, you are green. Never was off of Broadway [44] before, was you? No, sir, this

in policing camp," broke in a quiet voice just be

ho, walking with the noiseless step of the

-pile, Billy, and cook wants them right

look out for Upto

Wood-pile's waiting for a good, strong, able-bodied forester who knows woodcraft, one

ace, had already start

e work. Look out he [45] doesn't lead you into mischief, Upton. By the way, Big Jim tells me that you've already

nd then I took boxing lessons at the gym. That was nothing this morning; I c

s the answer all through life. The man with knowledge and the power to apply it is top of the heap every time. Take these big woods here-how long do you suppose a greenhorn from the city dropped in the middle of 'em alone, with nothing but gun and blanket, would live? But take a fellow like Bi

cent ten-point buck looked down from above the fireplace. Over the books were mounted specimens of salmon, trout, bass and muskelonge. Mounted specimens of rare birds, a case of butterflies wholly unlike any Walter had ever seen, and which he suspected were from distant lands, specimen stones and minerals from th

unterpane, a dainty white bureau, low, comfortable rocking-chair, sewing-machine and other evidences of feminine comfort, for, though Dr. Merriam religiously insisted on having for himself nothing more luxurious than he gave his "boys," the comfort of Mrs. Merriam-she was "Mother" Merriam

w minutes this quiet, sweet-faced, tactful little woman put the newcomer so at his ease that when Louis finally bade his superior good-mornin

f of the Delawares, and Seaforth, whom you met with the launch, is chief of the Algonquins, the two tribes occupying the big cabin known as Wigwam No. 1, to which Buxby showed you on your arrival. Wigwam No. 2 is occupied by the Senecas and Hurons, under Chiefs Avery and Robertson. The rules of the camp are few and simple and every

n order, wash dishes and chop fire-wood. Noon mess is served from twelve to one o'clock and evening mess fro

here are certain defined limits on shore and on the lake beyond whi

the boats or canoes unless accompanied by an older competent person, until they have learned to [50] care for themselves. The carrying or use of firearms is forbidden except at the rifle range, where instruction is given daily by one of the guides. From time

ir play, which led to your defense of the weak. Of all men the bully is most contemptible. No bullies are allowed in this camp, and, Upton, no fighting, unless all other means of settling a quarrel prove futile. Then it is fought out with gloves in the presence of the whole camp an

iam talk

OU ARE TO B

portsman and woodsman of you. I will not add 'gentleman,' for we feel that every boy is that when he comes to us. If

camp and our methods of learning the most from this close communion and association with nature. We want you to go home in t

secretly elated that he was to be under Woodhull, and that he was to be [52] a Delaware, the trib

e call the doctor) has made a De

" respond

ins the west. Your number is the skiddoo number, twenty-three, for bunk and locker, and I hope you'll make it a lucky number for the tribe. Stow your duffle i

irly good at the running broad jump, had once won a boy's canoe race

best photograph of wild animals or birds made during the summer counts twenty-five points; fifteen points each are scored for the rarest botanical specimen, best mineral specimen, largest number of birds positively identified, best collection of insects and largest number of trees identified. Any exceptional feat of woodcraft scores to the benefit of the wigwam. The championship banner goes to the tribe winning the largest number of points in the successful wigwam. The Hurons won it last year, but,

vouchsafe no information, and Walter could

he other two being out with fishing parties, and where Walter was introduced to Mr. Medcraft, the physical director, and to Mr. Burnham, a young Y. M. C. A. man who was Dr. Merriam's assistant. These shared the cabin

wash-house. Presently Walter found himself seated at a long table in the mess room, an agate-ware plate and cup before him, and an abundant supply