CHAPTER, IV
OFF TO SEAL ISLAND
"YOU'LL be sure to get the Bronze Cross, Dick," exclaimed his chum,Phil Green, as he paused in his work of varnishing a tail-board tocritically admire his handiwork.
"Don't talk rot," replied Atherton, for the congratulations of hisfellow-scouts were beginning to be embarrassing. "Don't talk rot, andget on with your work. We've only four clear days, and this trek-cartis nothing like finished."
The lads were hard at work in the old gym. The place reeked of elmsawdust and varnish, for sixteen Scouts were all busily engaged inconstructing a cart.
"What did it feel like when you jumped of the bridge?" asked FredSimpson, the Leader of the "Wolves."
"I cannot explain; I simply dropped," replied Atherton. "Perhaps if Ihad hesitated, I might have funked it. But dry up, you fellows, I'vehad enough. Come on, Baker, are those linchpins finished yet?"
"The papers made a pretty fine story about you, Dick," said Green,returning to the charge. "'The Scout and the Baronet,' the report washeaded. Funny that it was Sir Silas Gwinnear you rescued, wasn't it?"
"You'll be funnier still if you don't hurry up with that coat ofvarnish," exclaimed the Leader, with mock severity. "Stick to it,man; we want to be able to show Mr Trematon something by the time hereturns."
Just then Jellyboy stalked in.
"Mr Atherton, you're wanted at once in the Head's study."
Atherton hurriedly washed his hands, smoothed his hair and donned hisblazer over his Scout's uniform. It was the custom for the lads towear their uniform during their work in the gym., after "prep." wasover; but for the first time on record was a Scout in full war-paintsummoned to see the Head. The Rev. Septimus took particular pains toavoid sending for any of his pupils except when in their ordinaryclothes; but on this occasion the warning was evidently urgent.
"Come in," said the Head, briskly. "Atherton, this is Sir SilasGwinnear."
The Scout could hardly recognise the stranger as the same person hehad rescued. Sir Silas under ordinary everyday conditions was a tall,thin-featured man with grey hair and beard. He bore the stamp of aself-made merchant, for he was somewhat showily dressed, an obtrusivegold watch-chain of old-fashioned make with a heavy seal, a massivesignet ring and a thick scarf-pin being the outward signs of hisopulence. His manner was pompous; but in his deep-set grey eyes therelurked the suspicion of a kindly nature.
"Ah, good evening, Atherton," exclaimed the Baronet, rising andshaking the Scout's hand. "I am out and about, you see, thanks toyour bravery, my dear young sir. I took the first opportunity ofcalling and thanking you personally for what you have done for me."
"I only did my duty, sir."
"And did it well, too, I declare. To get to the point, Atherton: I ama man of few words, but you will not find me ungrateful. If at anyfuture time I can be of assistance to you don't hesitate to ask. Iflatter myself that I have a fair share of influence. Meanwhile Idon't suppose you will object to having a little pocket-money.School-boys, I believe, are always fond of tuck."
So saying, Sir Silas thrust his hand deep into his trousers' pocketand fished out a fistful of gold and silver coins. From these heselected five sovereigns and offered them to his youthful rescuer.
Atherton drew himself erect.
"No, thank you, sir," he said firmly but politely. "I cannot take themoney."
"Cannot take the money!" repeated Sir Silas, hardly able to credithis sense of hearing. "Why not?"
"I am a Scout, sir, and a Scout is not allowed to receive any rewardfor doing a good turn."
"A Scout! Bless my soul, so you are!" exclaimed the Baronet, as hiseyes noticed for the first time the lad's knotted handkerchiefshowing above his buttoned-up blazer, and his bare knees. "I amafraid I am not in sympathy with the Scout movement," he addedbluntly.
"We have recently formed a troop as a kind of experiment," explainedthe Rev. Septimus, apologetically. "But I must admit, Sir Silas, thatI have had no reason up to the present to regret my decision ingranting Scouts to be enrolled from my pupils."
"Atherton's refusal to take a small present surprises me," said theBaronet. "Is that rule strictly adhered to?"
"I know very little about the rules and regulations of Scoutcraft,"replied the Head. "Perhaps Atherton can answer your question."
"Well, is it?" asked Sir Silas abruptly. "Yes, sir," replied theScout, rather relieved to find that the conversation had turned into achannel that was more to his liking than being the object ofembarrassing congratulations.
"H'm. The upkeep of the movement costs money, I suppose. How do youmanage? I always thought Scouts cadged to meet their expenses."
"No, sir, we are not allowed to cadge. That is also againstregulations. We are self-supporting."
"How?"
"To take our own case, sir, all our pocket-money is paid into thetroop funds at the beginning of the term. We have to be thrifty, thatis also an obligation. We all do something to add to the funds."
"I gave the permission, Sir Silas," remarked the Head. "In acommercial training school like Collingwood College I think thatjudiciously supervised earnings tend to develop commercial instinctsand teach lads the value of money at an age when they are apt todisregard it."
"That is so," agreed the baronet. "'Take care of the pence,' you know.But suppose, Atherton, a sum of money was presented to the troopfunds, what would you do then?"
"Our Scoutmaster, Mr Trematon, could answer the question better thanI, sir," replied the Scout.
"Trematon? Is he here? That's strange. He wrote to me the other day.I thought the name Collingwood College seemed familiar, but untilthis moment I failed to connect the two circumstances. He asked me toallow him to take a party of Scouts to my place in Cornwall--to SealIsland."
"Yes, sir."
"And I refused. I gave my reasons. I suppose you fellows called me allsorts of uncomplimentary names, eh?"
"Oh, no, sir. We were disappointed, of course. Mr Trematon was too, for heloves Cornwall, so he tells us. Now we are going to Southendinstead."
"I suppose you wouldn't mind if I altered my decision?"
"Indeed, sir, it would be ripping," replied Atherton, enthusiastically.
"Well, I will write to Mr Trematon on the matter to-morrow," declaredSir Silas. "If you won't accept a pecuniary reward perhaps I can payoff a portion of my debt of gratitude to you in another way. All thesame," he added, with a touch of pomposity, "I wish it to be clearlyunderstood that the objections I have expressed to Mr Trematon Istill believe in: but since you refuse any pecuniary reward I think Iam justified in making this offer. I suppose there is no reason whyyou should decline this slight concession?"
"Thank you very much, sir," replied Atherton warmly. "In the name ofthe troop I thank you."
"No need for that," said Sir Silas grimly. "The troop, whatever thatis--I suppose it has something to do with Scouts--has to thank you,not me. I will write to Mr Trematon this evening on the matter."
As soon as Leader Atherton was dismissed he ran as hard as he couldout of the schoolhouse, and crossed the playground and burstexcitedly into the old gym.
"I say, you chaps," he exclaimed, "it's all right after all. SirSilas Gwinnear has reconsidered his decision and we have permissionto camp out on Seal Island."
The roof echoed and re-echoed to the hearty cheer the Scouts raised,while little Reggie Scott, the Tenderfoot of the "Otters," showed hisenthusiasm by attempting to dance a hornpipe on the back of thevaulting horse. His efforts came to an abrupt conclusion, and he rosefrom the floor dolefully rubbing the back of his head, while hiscomrades were unable to restrain their mirth.
In the midst of the uproar the Scoutmaster entered.
"What's all this, boys?" he inquired. "More play than work it lookslike; and only a few days more before we go to Southend, and ourpreparations are not half made."
"No need to trouble about Southend, sir," said Fred Simpson, in anexcited tone. "Atherton has seen Sir Silas, and we can go to SealIsland.
"
"Atherton has seen Sir Silas?" repeated Mr Trematon. "Come, Atherton,let me hear all about it."
"It is rather a pity that Sir Silas gives his consent under theseconditions," he continued when the Scout had related what hadoccurred in the Head's study. "A gift grudgingly bestowed is but halfa gift. No matter, lads; Atherton has made a good impression as aScout, and I feel certain that the rest of us will leave no stoneunturned to convince the baronet that Scouts are not what he imaginesthem to be. So it is to be Seal Island after all. I am glad, and Ithink you will agree with me that the possibilities of a thoroughlyenjoyable fortnight under canvas are far greater there than atSouthend. It was lucky I called in to see how you were getting on,for I meant to buy the tickets to-night. But now, lads, stick to yourwork, for I see there is still much to be done. Work first and playafterwards--and talk if you can without hindering each other."
For the next two days preparations were hurriedly yet methodicallypushed forward. On the Friday the school broke up, the day boys andmost of the boarders bidding goodbye to their studies for seven longweeks. Of the boarders who remained all belonged to the Scouts, andformed two patrols.
The "Otters," with Dick Atherton as Leader, were composed of JackPhillips, Second; Phil Green and Tom Mayne, 1st class Scouts; WillEverest and George Baker, 2nd class Scouts; and Jim Sayers and ReggieScott, the Tenderfoots.
The "Wolves" were made up of Fred Simpson, Leader; Harry Neale,Second; Jock Fraser, Arnold Hayes and Vernon Coventry, 1st classScouts; Pat Coventry, 2nd class Scout; and Basil Armstrong,Tenderfoot. Little Dick Frost, the other Tenderfoot of the "Wolves,"and one of the keenest of the troop, was the only one who was unableto go camping. His mother had written to the Head saying that as sheconsidered her son a delicate lad, she did not wish him to rununnecessary risks by sleeping in the open. Even the Rev. Septimussmiled when he read the epistle, for Dick was really one of thetoughest of a hardy set of lads.
Sir Silas kept his promise by writing to Mr Trematon, confirming thepermission he had given to Atherton. In the letter he enclosed arailway pass to Wadebridge for seventeen persons, available forfifteen days.
"No doubt the laws of your organisation will permit you to accept theenclosed," he wrote. "Don't thank me, thank young Atherton. Asregards Seal Island, I have written to my bailiff informing him thatyou are to have uninterrupted possession of the place for afortnight. There are springs of fresh water, but fuel you will haveto obtain from the mainland. Dairy produce is to be had ofTrebarwith, the farmer who lives just outside Polkerwyck. You canshoot as many rabbits as you like, on the estate, but remember thatthe sea-birds are not to be killed or molested. Not only is it anoffence against the law to kill birds, being close season, but I amstrongly adverse from seeing these creatures harmed, so I sincerelytrust that you will take strong measures to carry out my wishes inthis respect. Should my keepers report any violation of thiscondition I will immediately give orders for your lads to quit theisland."
Sir Silas' gift had relieved the Scouts of any possible pecuniarydifficulty. For months they had put aside their pocket-money, payinginto the troop funds for the purpose of defraying the cost of thecamp training. For example, Tom Mayne and Coventry major earnedsixpence a week for weeding the Head's garden. This sum was promptlypaid in. Simpson and Everest had each won prizes in competitionsorganised by a leading boys' journal. In each case the articles weresold and the sums received added to the general fund. Every lad haddone his utmost, and enough had been raised to pay for the railwayfares. But there would be very little left when the expenses weremet, and now the baronet's generous gift had made it possible for theScouts to have a splendid holiday and still keep a balance in hand.
On the eve of the momentous journey to the west country, LeadersAtherton and Simpson, on behalf of the two patrols, sprang a littlesurprise upon their Scoutmaster. Unknown to Mr Trematon the Scoutshad purchased a quantity of second-hand, yet serviceable, canvas, andfrom this they constructed a really smart and well-made ridge-tentsuitable for one person. This they presented to the Scoutmaster as atoken of appreciation from the "Otters" and the "Wolves."
For their camp equipment the Scouts had to exercise their wits. Theirtrek-cart was completed; their kit bags packed and stowed; theircooking utensils, truly Spartan in simplicity, were ready; but so faras sleeping accommodation was concerned the lads fully expected tohave to construct rough shelters of brushwood and heather. Almost atthe last moment the Scoutmaster of another North London Troop came tothe rescue. The Collingwood College lads had more than once done hisScouts a good turn, and the opportunity arrived for their services tobe reciprocated. The troop in question had just returned from afortnight under canvas at Shoreham, and acting on their Scoutmaster'ssuggestion the Scouts lent three large bell-tents to the "Otters" andthe "Wolves."
At length the eventful day arrived. The Scouts, all in full marchingkit, fell in to be finally inspected by the Head. The trek-cart,filled to its utmost capacity, was placed in charge of Sayers andArmstrong--to be duly noticed and admired by the Rev. Septimus, who,a skilful amateur carpenter himself, always encouraged his pupils totake up carpentering for a hobby.
"Now, boys, I wish you all a very pleasant holiday," exclaimed theHead. "I have every reason to believe that you will do your best toenjoy yourselves and at the same time to keep up the credit ofCollingwood College--and of the Scouts. I trust that you will havegood weather, and that you will return safe and sound and ready toresume your studies with renewed keenness when the time comes. I willsay no more, except perhaps that I wish I were coming with you."
The Scouts cheered at the last remark. They appreciated the Head'senvy, but at the same time they were secretly glad that he was _not_accompanying them. There was a certain austerity about the Rev.Septimus that acted as a barrier betwixt master and scholar, abarrier that, out of school hours, did not exist between Mr Trematonand the lads.
The Head stepped up to Mr Trematon and shook hands.
"Scouts!" exclaimed the Scoutmaster. "Patrols right--quick march!"
The first stage of the long journey to Seal Island had begun.