America First

was for my country," he answered simply.

  The dark-eyed man glanced at the others.

  "_Beat that_," he said in a low tone to them.

  Judge Sledge took down his spectacles from his bald head, adjustedthem on his nose, and looked hard at the boy.

  "Proceed," he commanded, after a moment.

  Danny proceeded.

  "Weren't you afraid to crawl into that cave?" one of them asked in thecourse of the story.

  "Yes, sir," said Danny.

  Later, another interrupted with:

  "But if your arm was broken and paining you, why didn't you stay withBurton, there, and let the others go by the way of Death Head, andtake up the clue you had followed?"

  "Why, you see," answered Danny, "we had to get to the man quickly tostop his telegraphing. I knew a short route to him."

  "Exactly," said the judge, nodding, then he turned to the men about him.

  "All right, gentlemen?" he asked.

  There was a whispered conference of a few moments, and then, toDanny's surprise, they all turned to him.

  "Daniel," said the judge, "do you know why this Court of Honor hasbeen called into session?"

  Danny's glance swept the khaki-clad figures against the wall--helooked at Mr. Gordon.

  "I hope," he answered to the judge, "that you like what we did."

  "Yes," said the judge, smiling this time, "yes, the Whippoorwills arequite in our good graces, and we commend the promptness and efficiencyof Mr. Gordon and your leader, McKenzie. However, this court has beencalled together to sit in judgment on _your_ part in last night'sperformance. Daniel, do you realize that you have done bravely andwell?"

  Danny stood for one moment, stunned by the dawning realization ofwhat this meant. Then he looked across at his mother. Life holds for aboy no higher, happier moment than that in which he realizes he hasmade his mother proud of him.

  Without waiting for him to reply, the judge was continuing:

  "This court finds, Danny, that in spite of very human, very naturalfears, and at the cost of suffering to yourself, you performed aservice to your country which may be more far-reaching than any of usdream. And if there is anything braver than the conquering of fear,anything more manly than the voluntary endurance of pain for a highcause, or any earthly motive of action higher than one's duty to one'scountry, we have never found it.

  "Now, Son, it is not within the power of this, our local court, toconfer upon you what we think you deserve. It is ours, however, torecommend to the Boy Scout National Court of Honor that you be awardedthe Honor Medal. This we are going to do because we believe you havesaved more than life by your prompt action, and we know that you did itat the cost of suffering to yourself and at the risk of your own life."

  * * * * *

  When, a few weeks later, the Honor Medal did arrive and was pinnedupon Danny's breast, the young scout found it necessary to take hislittle mother in hand.

  "'If you cry like a baby,'" he whispered laughingly but with his armsabout her, "'I'll _disown_ you!'"