Don Strong, Patrol Leader

ll. Was this a joke? Eager hands fell on him from the rear-Wally'

patrols clamored around their teams. He found himself n

ut," Andy threatened, "or you'll w

away with him. He knew the bitter taste of disappointment and he wanted no more of it. He had started for Lonesome Woods in high spir

waiting for the moment

c

aid sharply; "why

eason without setting a new spark to the gunpowder in Tim

an evasion to Tim. Why couldn't he be told th

rately to call it back. He wasn't going to be cheated out of a good time.

Better come around tomorrow, Tim, and talk over what we'll t

his face. When he expected Tim to be all right, Tim was

ief, "it didn't last l

time regardless of what Don had up his sleeve. He'd throw himself into this treasure hunt heart and soul. He'd work as hard as any scout

ard. Ritter called him a lucky stiff, and Wally looked at him with envy. T

Perhaps they would not have time to cook even that much. If they reached the treasure place and found the

blanket each and a poncho, a watch and a compass. Tim was for lea

d that, anyway. I'll go ho

dreamed that he was a scout of the old days and that India

ky. Finally he did the unheard-of thing of going down to the station and spending three cents for a city paper. On the fi

ty minutes past noon he had his arms through the stra

were feverish. It still lacked fifteen min

outmaster asked. "

s jumped to line

o as to have them fresh when they entered the woods. Just as on their first trip, Tim wanted to leap and run. But he k

y unnoticed. All at once the woods were ahead.

" The Scoutmaster's timepiece said ten minutes

er the woods. Some place near where it enters it w

led them to a point a

lves go in. Foxes an

, nervous, high-strung. T

owed on his arm he could see the group that followed Mr. Wall. On they went, on,

his feet and walked up and down. Every few minutes

n our haversa

ive after. Tim felt t

inute," sa

tch in his hand. All

im." They walked

hands and stepped among the trees. Twice they looked back; the first time the scouts were visibl

We do not know whether our trail crosses the others. We must either go cautiously, or go

Let's find that blaze. If yo

m found the blaze. It pointed north. He whistled softly, cautiously. A whis

r steps before finding it. The fourth was easy, but on the way after that they encountered a patch of dense undergrowth and a section of fa

ff on their right. He clutched Don's arm, and they stood like statu

l or something," said Tim

specific direction they had been heading. After a while they had the uncomfortab

search,"

ey worked at a tension,

ng to get out of s

in-still no answer. He'd have to make a louder sound. It was growing dusky, and he did n

t woods, his summons echoed shrilly. His heart gav

s. "For the love of Mike, Tim, why

himself; it was another for Don to find fault.

d hea

didn't yo

ng else. You'll have every

round us," Tim thought. "See! I'

ad been a real partner. He made up his mind that he'd think twice before

d Don mean by jumping on him? He wouldn't stand for it. He was to

e rear. "How about making

between blazes. In the morning we

ompasses,"

se to listen to reason. Besides, he

blaze," he said. "Then w

tation Don followed. T

Before long he knew that he had blundered again. It took time to make a camp bed pr

sed his ill humor. He spread his poncho an

ed. "Just like telling me, 'See, w

d, dived into his pack

out eat

he did not relish the thought of cold food in the dark. He wa

und small twigs, broke them and mad

g a can. "What

g to have

e can. "Good night! do

g down and

Do you think they'll

want a cup

was too late for regrets. Once Mr. Wall had said that sometimes a fel

e said in a voice he did

today. You can't say I didn't. But I'm not going to put up wi

The scout law read obedience. And yet, if Tim insisted, what was he to d

match. It burst

step forw

fire, even if he put it out a moment afterward. He shi

rt was in his throat. He was afraid. Nevertheless, without he

ried Tim. He scrambled

ush followed another. Don kept striking out and stepping aside. Sometimes a fist came through his guard and stung him and made

much scouting. If he could only give him the thrashing he deserved! If he only could!

u for that,"

blows. A hard knock caught him off

im demanded, br

, sprang to his

aggered him. Another blow shook him up. And then a third blow sent

said Tim. There was no answer. He

opened brought Don to his knees

and again. An iron doggedness was in his blood-the same doggedness that nerves men to sacrifice everything for principle. The

it!" h

match. "Want mor

r I'll figh

" said Tim. He touched th

kick. Tim leaped to his feet. He was furious. T

enough to see things hazily. Tim, his fist drawn back, caught a glimpse of Don's wh

felt suddenly uncomfortable, and small, and beaten. The fit

poncho and sat with his face in his hands. Gee! Wha