CHAPTER XXXI
WELL DONE STANHOPE TROOP!--CONCLUSION
Days and weeks passed.
In season and out, the boys of industrious Stanhope Troop worked. Neverhad the good people known such a wave of enthusiasm to sweep over thetown on the Bushkill. It seemed as catching as the measles, this spiritof energy, and a desire to do things worth while, which had takenpossession of most of the boys.
Parents got together, and conferring, admitted that this new fad was byall odds the best thing that had ever happened. They determined toencourage it to the limit. Even those who were doubtful at the start,found themselves obliged to admit that never before had Stanhopepresented such a clean appearance; and not within the recollectionof the oldest inhabitant had boys been so obliging.
After the Stanhope Troop had been fully received into the Nationalorganization an efficient scout master was finally secured in the personof a young man by the name of Alec Gordon. He had lately come fromvisiting across the water, where he had enjoyed the personal acquaintanceof several leading lights in the scout movement in England. Besides that,he was naturally fond of the woods, and best of all, filled with a deeplove for the boy of to-day.
Under his guidance the troop prospered, and made rapid progress along thelines started by Paul. The only trouble about the whole matter was thatMr. Gordon, being a traveling man, was liable to be called away just whenhis presence might be most needed.
Several times this had occurred, and feeling the need of leaving a deputyto fill his place, he put it up to the boys themselves. Of course therehad not been a dissenting vote; and Paul was elected to play the part ofguide, should an emergency arise; and in this way he became assistantscout master of the troop.
They need have no fear concerning his ability to fill the role. Hehad proven equal to the task before now; and there were not a few,particularly among those acknowledging the magical Red Fox as theirtotem, who secretly cherished a belief that Paul knew more about thesecrets of Nature than any _two_ mature scout masters.
Every chance that offered the scouts were abroad, as busy as bees in thehoney season; only instead of laying up sweets these energetic chapssought new information. They followed the trails of fox, 'coon andrabbit; they watched the habits of the noisy crows holding a caucus inthe woods; they kept company with the red squirrel and the frolicsomechipmunk as they stored away the chestnuts and juicy hickories for theirwinter's supply of food.
And on every occasion they labored to make themselves perfect in thosebranches of wood lore, and the knowledge of useful things, which theyexpected would play a prominent part in the approaching competition.
Just as Paul and Wallace had predicted, it was found that nearly everyfellow had a love for Nature and her wonderful secrets somewhere in hissystem; even though with a few this breath had to be fanned vigorously inorder to keep it alive.
Of course they were annoyed again and again by Ted Slavin and his enviousfollowers; for the bully of the town had drifted back to his old ways, asmight have been expected.
When peaceful tactics failed to stop these malicious tricks, the scoutmaster personally appealed to the authorities, and a warning was issuedthat, for a time at least, dismayed the disturbers of the meetings. Butwhen they could do so in secret, they never lost an opportunity to playsome sly trick.
Another thing that had been anticipated came to pass. This was the utterfailure of Ward's cronies to maintain any interest in the duties ofscouts. Those twelve cardinal virtues that must at all times be held upbefore the fellow who expects to become and remain a Boy Scout in goodstanding, failed to appeal to these rough and ready chaps. It wouldindeed require a revolution in boy nature to make Ted Slavin, or hiscrony, Scissors, trustworthy, loyal, helpful to others, friendly,courteous, kind, obedient to his superior officers, cheerful, thrifty,brave, clean and reverent!
Just a few days before Thanksgiving the scout master came to Paul withthe distressing news that he had received an imperative summons from hisfirm to go out on the road; so that it would debar him from being presentwhen the long-looked-for-competition took place.
"But," said Mr. Gordon, as he shook Paul by the hand earnestly; "I firmlybelieve that you will be able to fill my place so well that my absencewill not make the slightest difference," and Paul, of course, simply saidhe would do his best.
The fellows of Stanhope Troop knew full well what that "best" meant.
But as the boys of Manchester Troop and that of Aldine as well, learnedthrough some of their energetic scouts, what a strong bid these patrolsof the Fox were going to make, in the hope of winning that covetedbanner, they seemed to be stirred to make new endeavors.
Paul managed to keep advised of pretty much all that was going on; sincethis was a part of a scout's duty; though no mean advantage was evertaken of the rival camps--he would not stand for that. In a quiet way hehad learned how their meetings became more frequent, and the desire toexcel, that had threatened to dwindle away for lack of rivalry, grew morekeen.
Paul was glad of it. Competition is the life of trade; but it alsoencourages boys to do their level best. There would be a brave fight forthat banner; and no walk-over. The troop that won it might well be proudof the honor. And Paul was still full of faith. He watched his scouts gothrough their various interesting stunts with a growing conviction thatthey must stand at the head when the day came for the meeting, and thereport of the committee appointed to make the test was declared.
He knew that fortune had been very kind in allowing himself and Jack tomake a heavy score in favor of Stanhope Troop. The stopping of therunaway horse, and the saving of the baby at the fire would bring themmany points. Then there was the wonderful letter from Washington, onofficial paper too, in which Mr. Jared Pender told the story of how muchhe had been helped by the Red Fox patrol in his task of capturing thosedesperate rascals who were flooding the whole country with their bogusmoney.
But Paul was determined that, aside from the help afforded by theseglorious deeds, the boys of Stanhope should excel all others in theirknowledge of woodcraft, and the valuable things every boy with red bloodin his veins should possess.
So they kept up the good work after the scout master had left them.
Long since had Bobolink received his bugle, and William his drum. Bothproved very able in managing these musical instruments, and the shrillnotes of the one, and the roll of the other, had become very familiar andacceptable sounds in Stanhope these fall days, when the first snow madeits appearance.
Already had they planned a great camp for the next summer, and there wastalk of a grand hike into the almost unknown, to them, country far to thenorth. What strange adventures were destined to befall them during thiseventful outing, together with the fun that William and Bobolink affordedthe troop, will be recounted in the next volume, to be called: "TheBanner Boy Scouts on a Tour; or, The Mystery of Rattlesnake Mountain."
Even at school the teachers noticed that things seemed to move along muchmore smoothly than ever before. Some of them were inclined to suspectthat a miracle had been wrought in boy nature; until it was shown thatthere were still quite a number of transgressors, and that not one of thebad ones belonged to the scouts. That opened their eyes, and after suchevidence they were one and all heartily in favor of the organization thatkept lads interested, taught them every noble duty that would make thembetter men later on, caused them to be manly, heroic, self-confident intime of sudden peril, and able to stand up for their rights.
Thanksgiving came at last.
The entire county showed a keen interest in the rivalry of the threetroops for leadership. Each had its sturdy backers, who believed theirhome company to be the best; and hence when the choice of situation fellto Manchester, it looked as though nearly the entire population ofStanhope and Aldine had also gathered to cheer their favorites on.
The competition was keenly contested. A dozen different events had beenscheduled some time back by the committee, as the more important elementsthat would enter into the stru
ggle; and the scout master of each patrolhad been notified, so that he might select those most competent tosucceed.
Scout master Gordon, and later on his deputy, Paul, had been working withthose who excelled in these various lines. Nothing was left undone tomake them proficient in their work. When the critical time came, andbefore the eyes of thousands they lined up before the committee to takethe test, Paul believed that success was sure to come.
Football was in the air for the afternoon; but that morning every schoolflag fluttered in that densely packed field where the arena was laid.Scores upon scores of pretty girls clapped their hands, and sangpatriotic songs that had reference to their particular town, whenevera Stanhope, a Manchester or an Aldine competitor started to prove hissuperior knowledge of the arts of woodcraft.
Wallace Carberry brought the first honors to the Red Fox patrol. He hadhis quart of water boiling a full minute before either of his rivals;and retired amid thunderous applause. Wallace would show up in severalother events, for he was the mainstay of Paul's contesting delegation.
Then came other interesting object lessons. Many present failed tounderstand altogether what they signified; but they were patriotic, andready to cheer the victor to the echo.
On account of the lateness of the season several events that might havetaken place at another time were debarred, such as swimming, fishing, andsports peculiar to the good old summer time.
Nevertheless, there were plenty of others equally as interesting. Threeboys entered as contestants in the rapid photography class. They took asnap shot at a given word, darted into separate prepared dark rooms,developed their plates, dried the same, each after his own fashion, andpresented a completed picture before the other competitions were done.
Meanwhile three others showed just how a scout should learn to follow adifficult trail, where all manner of obstacles stood in the way. Whilethe crowd could not fully understand just how this was done, thecommittee seemed unanimous in awarding the victory once more to Wallace,for he had not made a single error, and he finished ahead of his rivals.
Others were set to work tying ten difficult knots, and the fun waxed fastand furious as they worked their nimble fingers, keeping an eye on eachother the while.
In another place three tents were given to squads of boys from eachpatrol, and at the word they set to work to erect the same, dig a waterdrain in case of rain, and have everything in "apple-pie" shape. Thecommittee gave plain warning that it was not speed alone that would counthere, but the general ship-shape condition following the carrying out ofthe conditions.
And again the boys of the Stanhope Troop came in winners by a goodmargin.
Manchester drew a prize when the contest of landing a big fish came on.A boy played the part of the fish, and fought with all his strength andcunning to keep from being reeled in. But big Carl Evans, the Manchesterfisherman, proved to be too strong and able for those who competed, andhad his fish landed minutes ahead.
The archers then took a turn. Here Aldine presented a clever expert, whohad made this his especial hobby for some years. He could not be headed,though the other fellows from Stanhope and Manchester really made a verycreditable showing.
One of the most interesting exhibitions of the morning, and one thatexcited considerable cheering, was the "first aid to the injured."
A boy was supposed to have fallen overboard into the river. In each caseseveral contestants pretended to drag him out, placing him face downward,with his arms above his head, and his face a little to one side. Then oneof the rescuers knelt astride the body, allowing his hands to press uponthe spaces between the short ribs. By pressing downward the air wasforced from the other's lungs, to creep in again when this was relaxed;and in this fashion an artificial respiration was induced that shouldgrow stronger as minutes passed.
Of course, as no boy was so accommodating as to fall into the cold watersof the Bushkill for the occasion, the contestants finished at the sametime. The committee, after mature consultation, awarded the victory tothe team accomplishing their work in the most business-like fashion.Aldine was so fortunate as to receive the award, and her people shoutedthemselves hoarse.
In athletics the three competing troops proved very nearly even; andbrought out rounds of cheers as they followed one another in carryingout the several events scheduled.
Possibly when William proved his great superiority as a camp cook, bymaking the batter, and cooking a luscious flap-jack long before any otherfellow could accomplish the feat, his victory was the most popular one ofthe day. Fully five score of fellows made motions to prove they werestarved, and that a bite from the airy pancake would possibly serve asa life saver. But after the committee had tested it, William calmlydevoured the balance, to the tune of mingled groans and cheers.
Last of all came the wig-wagging contest, when boys sent and receivedmessages fashioned by the committee, the nature of which was unknown atthe other end. In this Stanhope again made a record that put her boys inthe van, for Paul had secured and studied the army manual on using thesignal flags, and to good advantage.
After the twelfth and last event had been completed, the committee wentinto session, examined the papers they already held, and finallyannounced that Stanhope had carried off the prize with six clean events,the others being equally divided between the two clever troops from theother towns.
It was undoubtedly a popular victory, judging from the record-breakingvolume of noise that greeted the announcement. What else the chairmanwould have said, with regard to the great good the establishment of thesepatrols had brought to the county, was drowned in the wild clamor.
Paul, acting for the absent scout master, accepted the beautiful bannerpresented by the good old Quaker who loved peace above all things. He wasimmediately swept off his feet, and carried in triumph around the field,waving the emblem that would from that hour stamp the Stanhope Troop asthe Banner Boy Scouts of the county.
Little Paul cared that some frowned, or that Ward Kenwood sneered as theprocession marched past. Close by he could see the happy face of Arline,together with those of his parents; and it satisfied him to know thatthrough his unflagging perseverance he had been able to land his scoutsin the van.
Other trials and contests would doubtless have to be encountered; butwith that banner to encourage then the Fox patrols could meet eachemergency as it arose, and struggle on through difficulties to a glorioussuccess.
THE END
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