SHORT AND TO THE POINT
Thus began the famous Alligator Patrol, so named because its home was
on the water as well as on the land, and also on the mud. Under its
flaunting traffic sign many adventures occurred that summer, but the
present narrative must be confined to the surprising events which
befell during Easter vacation. Later, in the good old summer time, we
shall visit the island again if we can find it.
It was a fortunate thing for Keekie Joe that Townsend Ripley was chosen
leader of the new patrol. And it was a fortunate thing for everybody
that Pee-wee was defeated by a large majority in the election of a camp
cook. It is true that every voice was raised for Pee-wee in this
stirring campaign when suddenly Townsend turned the traffic sign so it
said STOP and that was the end of Pee-wee's chances. "Safety first,"
said Townsend.
Keekie Joe liked Townsend and felt at home with him. He admired and
trusted him because in the beginning Townsend made a point of calling
the fellows blokes and guys and talking about "dem t'ings."
"If yez want a guy ter lay keekie, I'll do it fer yez," Keekie Joe said.
"If we see any cops coming," said Townsend, "we'll turn the traffic
sign on them and make them stop."
On Sunday morning, Townsend rowed ashore with Keekie Joe and invaded
the tenement in Barrel Alley. He took a brand new package of
cigarettes to Mr. Keekie Joe, Senior, and Keekie Joe, Junior, was
struck dumb with awe at the familiar and persuasive way in which
Townsend talked to his parent. The result of the interview was that
Keekie Joe returned to the island on a week's furlough from his squalid
home. The Barrel Alley gang, which was mobilized in front of Billy
Gilson's tire repair shop, made catcalls at the stranger as the pair
passed along and when they were some yards distant, several of them
summoned Keekie Joe to their loitering conference.
"Hey, Keekie, come 'ere, I want ter tell yer sup'm," one called.
Keekie Joe hesitated and turned. It was a crucial moment in the
history of the new patrol.
"Come on back, Keekie," another shouted.
Then it was that Slats Corbett, imperial head of the gang, did a good
turn for the scouting movement. He picked up a half dry sponge which
was lying in an auto wash pail and hurled it at Townsend Ripley.
Without even turning, Townsend raised his hand, caught it, dipped it in
the mud at his feet, and walking briskly back, smeared the face and
head of the big ungainly bully, leaving him furious and dripping.
Keekie Joe trembled at this rash exploit of his new friend and waited
in fearful suspense for the sequel. It was not long in coming. With a
roar of obscene invectives, Slats Corbett rushed upon the smiling,
slim, quiet stranger, and then in the space of two seconds, there was
Slats Corbett lying flat in the mud. In a kind of trance Keekie Joe
heard a brisk, pleasant voice.
"Any of the rest of you want any? All right, come along, Joe."
And that really was the ceremony that made Keekie Joe a scout. It is
true that they had a kind of formal initiation under the apple tree on
Merry-go-round Island and gave him a badge and had him take the oath
and so on and so on. And had him hold up his hand--you know how. But
it was not when his hand went up that he became a scout. It was when
Slats Corbett went down. That was the clincher.