CHAPTER XVI
THE FIRE TEST
"All here, Paul!"
Jack saluted as he said this, and smiled to see the look the scout leadergave his scorched and discolored uniform.
Although Jack had spent an hour and more that morning trying to clean uphis suit and leggins, they showed many signs of the hard service to whichthey had been put on the previous night.
Several of the fellows carried cameras. They had signed for thephotographic test, and hoped to get some fine views of the troop inaction. These would possibly be entered for competition when the othercommands in the county lined up to strive for leadership in the lastgreat event--the winning of the banner.
Presently the town clock struck the hour.
"Fall in!"
Two by two they marched out of town. People came to the doors to watchthem; and many a girl waved her handkerchief vigorously. But there was noresponse. Much as some of the lads might have liked to raise a hat, andsend back an answering salute, they had already learned how to keep theireyes to the front, on penalty of being given bad marks that might tellagainst them later on.
More than one parent looked to see how the boy nearest their hearts borehimself. Proudly they watched the long double line swinging down thestreet, keeping excellent step, considering how little time they had hadfor drill.
Other boys there were who stood on the corners and mocked. Of coursethese were the followers of Ted Slavin, envious of the popularity alreadyattained by Paul's patrol. Some of them had been at the fire, andwitnessed the deed of daring carried out by Jack Stormways. Jealous ofthe other troop they tried to taunt them by various cries; but withoutsuccess.
However, most of them did not venture to tag after the marching corps.They knew that even the wonderful patience of these fellows would haveits limit, and that a sudden turn might be made upon the tormentors thatcould hardly prove pleasant for the minority.
Out of the town limits they went, still keeping step. Ted and Wardtrailed behind, but there was no more taunting done.
"They mean to follow, and see what we are up to," said Jack, when he camealongside the leader again.
"Well, we can't stop them from doing that, I suppose. The woods are freeto all. Let them look. If they can pick up a few pointers, well and good.When we lead, you know we can afford to laugh at those who follow,"returned the other.
"Sure, because they'll never catch up with us in a year," laughed Jack.
For a full mile they continued, never once breaking ranks.
"We're nearly there, fellows. You're doing fine, I tell you. Keep it upthrough to the end. Why, you march like veterans already!"
In this fashion did the scout leader warm every heart, and cause thosewho were beginning to tire of the jaunt to grit their teeth, and resolvethat nothing must be allowed to interfere with the completion of themarch.
"Left wheel!" came the command, as the van drew abreast of an openingwhere a wagon road entered the woods.
Still those two curious ones trailed in the rear, determined to ascertainwhat it was that took the Fox Patrols out of town this day.
Presently, surrounded by the giant trees, still green with their summerfoliage, Paul gave the command to halt and break ranks.
Immediately the twenty-six lads began fraternizing. Those owning camerasstarted to look around for openings where some promising view offered.But most of the scouts clustered around the leader, eager to hear whatthe programme of the day would embrace.
"First comes the fire test. There are a dozen fellows who have comeprepared to qualify for that. And I think we shall have an interestingcompetition. Here, all who have hatchets get busy, and cut wood."
Paul himself led the way, for he delighted in using the little camp axewhich he often "toted" into the woods, when hunting or camping.
The sound of chopping soon resounded through the timber, and by degreesquite a pile of wood had been accumulated. But all this was simply toloosen up the muscles of the competitors; for they were not to be allowedto use any of this fuel, which was for the main campfire.
Once this had been started, Paul distributed a dozen tin kettles that hadbeen brought along. These were all of the same size. Moreover, they had aplain mark two-thirds of the way up, which was to limit the amount ofcold water from the near-brook which they must contain.
"Here are five matches for each one of you. Every fellow is placed on hishonor not to have a single other one in his possession. You are not touse any kind of paper in kindling your fires. Just imagine that you areadrift in the wilderness, where a newspaper is never seen. And in the endwhen a kettle begins to boil the owner of it must shout and raise hishand. I will have inspectors appointed whose duty it will be to see thatall is fairly done."
"Don't we get more than these five matches?" asked one of thecontestants.
"That is all. And remember, that if two are tied when the quart of waterboils, the fellow who can show the most _unused_ matches comes in ahead.That is a valuable point, for it proves that he knows how to conserve hisresources. A match is sometimes of priceless value to a man lost in thebig timber."
"Tell us again what we must do, Paul."
"Form a line right here. When I say 'go,' every fellow dart off to someplace he has in mind. With your hatchets you are to chop wood, and get afire started as quick as you can. Then place your kettle on it, and keepon adding fuel until the water boils. I will time every contestantmyself, and keep a record. But this is just a preliminary trial. We'llhave another later on. Ready, all?"
The twelve contestants lined up, while the others watched operations.Even the two outsiders had kept getting closer, so as to understand allthat was done. And as Ward had his gold watch in his hand it was evidentthat he intended to do a little timing himself.
"He wants to see how our best compares with what some of his fellows willdo," remarked Jack, to Paul.
"All right. He's welcome. The more the merrier. If they have any fellowwho is more at home in the woods than Wallace Carberry for instance, I'djust like to know it," returned the other, promptly.
"How about you, Paul? I guess Wallace would stand a mighty poor show ifhe ran a race with the head scout," returned the second in command.
"That's something we've never settled yet. Wallace and I must have achance at each other some day; but not yet. Now watch them scurry around.Every fellow has his mind made up where he can cut wood easiest. I'vemade them bring in all loose stuff, you see, so that they start on aneven thing. Here goes!"
Paul raised his hand, and exclaimed:
"Go!"
Immediately the dozen lads darted frantically off. Several came nearhaving a collision right in the start, which would have been fatal totheir chances for winning out; since the water in their kettles must havebeen spilled; and according to the rules of the contest they could notrefill the same without journeying to the creek, which Paul had made surewas fully fifty yards distant.
It was a laughable, as well as interesting sight.
Having reached the various places mentally selected as the scene of theirintended operations in fire building, the boys set down their kettles,and commenced to feverishly whack away at dead branches, or other wood.
In several instances two of them happened to pick out the same place, andnaturally there was considerable rivalry between them, as well as anexchange of remarks intended to irritate and delay.
"Look at Wallace, will you!" observed Jack, presently; "nearly all theothers have smoke going, but he's chipping away as steadily as youplease. Why, he seems in no hurry at all. I guess he doesn't want tocome in ahead!"
"Wait, my boy," laughed Paul. "You don't know that sly fox. He's up toall the dodges at fire making, and believes in a good start. Some ofthose smokes never will amount to much, for they just struggle along, andthreaten to go out because it takes all the puffing the fellows can giveto keep them alive. Now he's going to strike up. Only one match neededwith Wallace, you see."
"And how his blaze jumps! You were right;
he made sure he had enough finekindling first, before starting in. Now he's adding larger stuff; andwhat's this he's doing with those stones?"
"What do you suppose?" said the scout leader, nodding his headapprovingly. "Making a little fireplace where he can perch his kettle,and have the hottest part of his fire under it. Note also that theopening is in the direction of the breeze. That allows the flame to befanned. Wallace will never have to blow out his cheeks and puff to keephis blaze going."
By this time some of the contestants were bobbing their heads toascertain just how Wallace had done it; and made haste to follow suit.All were willing to take pattern from a past master who knew the wrinklesof the game.
One upset his kettle, and despairing of having any show, withdrew fromthe race.
Eleven fires kept on burning, some of them under protest, apparently,for they did not give much promise of landing their unlucky builders asvictors.
"How long is it?" asked Jack, presently, as certain signs caught his eyethat told him the end was near.
"Just nine minutes; but--"
"Look at Wallace," cried Jack; "he's raising his hat. There goes aninspector to see. He nods his head. The water must be boiling; and whowould have thought it? Hurrah for the Carberry Twin! Look at Ted andWard! They act as if they thought there was some trickery, for they'rerunning up to see. I guess they've tried this game, and come in under thewire in about fifteen minutes. Hello! there's Bluff calling out. Goodboy! He's going to run Wallace a race next time. But I'd like to see youmake the test, Paul?"