TOM LOSES
"_Me for lunch! Me for lunch!_" Roy heard Peewee scream at the top of
his voice. And for just a moment he stood there in a kind of daze,
watching his companions and new friends tumbling pell mell over each
other down the hill. He was glad to be alone.
Yet even still he paused and gazed at the task, which Tom Slade, traitor
and liar, had completed. There it was, a herculanean task, the work of
months, as it seemed to Roy. He could hardly control his feelings as he
gazed upon it.
But he did not pause to torture himself with remorse. Down through the
woods he went, and into the trail which Archer had indicated. Scout
though he was, he was never less hungry in his life. Over fields he
went, and through the brook, and up Hawk's Nest mountain, and into the
denser woods beyond. Suppose Archer should be mistaken. Suppose this dim
trail should take him nowhere. Panting, he ran on, trying to conquer
this haunting fear. Beyond Leeds Crossing the trail was hardly
distinguishable and he must pause and lose time to pick it up here and
there. Through woods, and around hills, and into dense, almost
impenetrable thickets he labored on, his side aching, and his heart
thumping like a triphammer.
At last he came out upon the Kingston road and was down on his knees,
examining minutely every mark in the dusty road, trying to determine
whether Tom had passed. Then he sat down by the roadside and waited,
panting like a dog. And so the minutes passed, and became an hour
and----
Then he heard someone coming around the bend.
Roy gulped in suspense as he waited. One second, two seconds, three,
four--Would the pedestrian never appear?
And then they met, and Roy Blakeley stood out in the middle of the road
and held his arms out so the wayfarer could not pass. And yet he could
not speak.
"Tom," he finally managed to say, "I--I came alone because--because I
wanted to come alone. I wanted to meet you all alone. I--I know all
about it, Tom--I do. None of the fellows will bunk in these cabins till
you--till you--come back--they won't. Not even Barnard's troop. I'm
sorry, Tom; I see how I was all wrong. You--you can't get away with it,
you can't Tom--because I won't let you--see? You have to come
back--we--we can't stay there without you----"
"I told you you wouldn't lose anything," Tom said dully.
"Yes, and it's a--it's a _lie_," Roy almost sobbed. "We're losing _you_,
aren't we? We're losing everything--and it's all _my_ fault. You--you
said we wouldn't lose anything, but we _are_. Can't you see we are?
You've got to come back, Tom--or I'm going home with you--you old--you
old brick! Barnard wants you, we _all_ want you. We haven't got any
scoutmaster if you don't come back--we haven't."
Tom Slade who had chopped down trees and dragged them up the hill, found
it hard to answer.
"I'll go back," he finally said, "as long as you ask me."
* * * * *
And so, in that pleasant afternoon, they followed the trail back to camp
together, just as they had hiked together so many times before. And they
talked of Peewee and the troop and joked about there not being anything
left to eat when they got there, and Roy said what a fine fellow Barnard
was, and Tom Slade said how he always liked fellows with red hair. He
said he thought you could trust them....
Let us hope he was right.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
THE TOM SLADE BOOKS
By PERCY KEESE FITZHUGH
Author of the ROY BLAKELEY BOOKS
May be had wherever books are sold. Ask for Grosset and Dunlap's list.
The Tom Slade books have the official endorsement and recommendation of
THE BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA. In vivid story form they tell of Boy Scout
ways, and how they help a fellow grow into a manhood of which America
may be proud.
Tom Slade, Boy Scout
Tom Slade lived in Barrel Alley. The story of his thrilling Scout
experiences, how he was gradually changed from the street gangster into
a First Class Scout, is told in almost as moving and stirring a way as
the same narrative related in motion pictures.
Tom Slade at Temple Camp
The boys are at a summer camp in the Adirondack woods, and Tom enters
heart and soul into the work of making possible to other boys the
opportunities in woodcraft and adventure of which he himself has already
had a taste.
Tom Slade on the River
A carrier pigeon falls into the camp of the Bridgeboro Troop of Boy
Scoots. Attached to the bird's leg is a message which starts Tom and his
friends on a search that culminates in a rescue and a surprising
discovery. The boys have great sport on the river, cruising in the
"Honor Scout."
Tom Slade With the Colors A WAR-TIME BOY SCOUT STORY
When Uncle Sam "pitches in" to help the Allies in the Great War, Tom's
Boy Scout training makes it possible for him to show his patriotism in a
way which is of real service to his country. Tom has many experiences
that any loyal American boy would enjoy going through--or reading about,
as the next best thing.
Tom Slade on a Transport
While working as a mess boy on one of Uncle Sam's big ships, Tom's
cleverness enables him to be of service in locating a disloyal member of
the crew. On his homeward voyage the ship is torpedoed and Tom is taken
aboard a submarine and thence to Germany. He finally escapes and
resolves to reach the American forces in France.
Tom Slade With the Boys Over There
We follow Tom and his friend, Archer, on their flight from Germany,
through many thrilling adventures, until they reach and join the
American Army in France.
Tom Slade, Motorcycle Dispatch Bearer
Tom is now a dispatch rider behind the lines and has some thrilling
experiences in delivering important messages to troop commanders in
France.
Tom Slade With the Flying Corps
At last Tom realizes his dream to scout and fight for Uncle Sam in the
air, and has such experiences as only the world war could make possible.
Tom Slade at Black Lake
Tom has returned home and visits Temple Camp before the season opens. He
builds three cabins and has many adventures.
GROSSET & DUNLAP, PUBLISHERS, NEW YORK
------------------------------------------------------------------------
THE ROY BLAKELEY BOOKS
By PERCY KEESE FITZHUGH
Author of the TOM SLADE BOOKS
May be had wherever books are sold. Ask for Grosset and Dunlap's list.
Roy Blakeley
In a book given by a kindly old gentleman. Pee-wee Harris discovers what
he believes to be a sinister looking memorandum, and he becomes
convinced that the old gentleman is a spy. But the laugh is on Pee-wee,
as usual, for the donor of the book turns out to be an author, and the
suspicious memorandum is only a literary mark. The author, however, is
so pleased with the boys' patriotism that he loans them his houseboat,
in which they make the trip to their beloved Temple Camp, which every
boy who has read the TOM SLADE BOOKS will be glad to see once more.
Roy Blakeley's Adventures in Camp
Roy Blakeley and his patrol are found in this book once more happily
established in camp. Roy and his friends incur the wrath of a land
owner, but the doughty Pee-wee saves the situation and the wealthy
landowner as well. The boys wake up one morning to find Black Lake
flooded far over its banks, and the solving of this mystery furnishes
some exciting reading.
Roy Blakeley, Pathfinder
Roy and his comrades, having come to Temple Camp by water, resolve to
make the journey home by foot. On the way they capture a leopard escaped
from a circus, which brings about an acquaintance with the strange
people who belong to the show. The boys are instrumental in solving a
deep mystery, and finding one who has long been missing.
Roy Blakeley's Camp on Wheels
This is the story of a wild and roaming career of a ramshackle old
railroad car which has been given Roy and his companions for a troop
meeting place. The boys fall asleep in the car. In the night, and by a
singular error of the railroad people, the car is "taken up" by a
freight train and is carried westward, so that when the boys awake they
find themselves in a country altogether strange and new. The story tells
of the many and exciting adventures in this car.
Roy Blakeley's Silver Fox Patrol
In the car which Roy Blakeley and his friends have for a meeting place
is discovered an old faded letter, dating from the Klondike gold days,
and it appears to intimate the location of certain bags of gold, buried
by a train robber. The quest for this treasure is made in an automobile
and the strange adventures on this trip constitute the story.
Roy Blakeley's Motor Caravan
Roy and his friends go West to bring back some motor cars. They have
some very amusing, also a few serious, adventures.
Roy Blakeley, Lost, Strayed or Stolen
The troup headquarters car figures largely in this very interesting
volume.
Roy Blakeley's Bee-Line Hike
The boys resolve to hike in a bee-line to a given point, some miles
distant, and have a lively time doing it.
GROSSET & DUNLAP, PUBLISHERS, NEW YORK
------------------------------------------------------------------------
THE PEE-WEE HARRIS BOOKS
By PERCY KEESE FITZHUGH
Author of THE TOM SLADE and ROY BLAKELEY BOOKS
May be had wherever books are sold. Ask for Grosset & Dunlap's list.
All readers of the TOM SLADE and the ROY BLAKELEY books are acquainted
with Pee-wee Harris and will surely enjoy reading every volume of this
series.
Pee-wee Harris
Pee-wee goes to visit his uncle whose farm is located on a by-road.
Pee-wee conceives the idea of starting a little shack along the road in
which to sell refreshments and automobile accessories.
In accordance with his invariable good luck,--scarcely has he started
this little shack than the bridge upon the highway burns down and the
obscure country road becomes a thoroughway for automobiles. Pee-wee
reaps a large profit from his business during the balance of the summer.
Pee-wee Harris on the Trail
Pee-wee gets into the wrong automobile by mistake and is carried to the
country where he has a great time and many adventures.
Pee-wee Harris in Camp
The scene is set in the beloved and familiar Temple Camp. Here Pee-wee
resigns from the Raven Patrol, intending to start a patrol of his own.
He finds this more difficult than he had expected, but overcame all
obstacles--as usual.
Pee-wee Harris in Luck
Pee-wee goes with his mother to spend the summer on a farm, where he
meets a girl who is bewailing her fate that there is no society at this
obscure retreat. Pee-wee assures her he will fix everything for her--and
proceeds to do so--with his usual success.
Pee-wee Harris Adrift
A little spot of land up the river breaks away and floats down stream,
with a laden apple tree growing upon it. Pee-wee takes possession of
this island and the resulting adventures are decidedly entertaining.
GROSSET & DUNLAP, PUBLISHERS, NEW YORK
------------------------------------------------------------------------
THE EVERY CHILD SHOULD KNOW SERIES
May be had wherever books are sold. Ask for Grosset & Dunlap's list
BIRDS EVERY CHILD SHOULD KNOW
By Neltje Blanchan. Illustrated
EARTH AND SKY EVERY CHILD SHOULD KNOW
By Julia Ellen Rogers. Illustrated
ESSAYS EVERY CHILD SHOULD KNOW
Edited by Hamilton W. Mabie
FAIRY TALES EVERY CHILD SHOULD KNOW
Edited by Hamilton W. Mabie
FAMOUS STORIES EVERY CHILD SHOULD KNOW
Edited by Hamilton W. Mabie
FOLK TALES EVERY CHILD SHOULD KNOW
Edited by Hamilton W. Mabie
HEROES EVERY CHILD SHOULD KNOW
Edited by Hamilton W. Mabie
HEROINES EVERY CHILD SHOULD KNOW
Coedited by Hamilton W. Mabie and Kate Stephens
HYMNS EVERY CHILD SHOULD KNOW
Edited by Dolores Bacon
LEGENDS EVERY CHILD SHOULD KNOW
Edited by Hamilton W. Mabie
MYTHS EVERY CHILD SHOULD KNOW
Edited by Hamilton W. Mabie
OPERAS EVERY CHILD SHOULD KNOW
By Dolores Bacon. Illustrated
PICTURES EVERY CHILD SHOULD KNOW
By Dolores Bacon. Illustrated
POEMS EVERY CHILD SHOULD KNOW
Edited by Mary E. Burt
PROSE EVERY CHILD SHOULD KNOW
Edited by Mary E. Burt
SONGS EVERY CHILD SHOULD KNOW
Edited by Dolores Bacon
TREES EVERY CHILD SHOULD KNOW
By Julia Ellen Rogers. Illustrated
WATER WONDERS EVERY CHILD SHOULD KNOW
By Jean M. Thompson. Illustrated
WILD ANIMALS EVERY CHILD SHOULD KNOW
By Julia Ellen Rogers. Illustrated
WILD FLOWERS EVERY CHILD SHOULD KNOW
By Frederic William Stack. Illustrated
GROSSET & DUNLAP, PUBLISHERS, NEW YORK
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Transcriber's note:
1. Punctuation has been normalized to contemporary standards.
2. Inconsistent spelling of "Peewee" (57 times) and "Pee-wee"
(18 times) retained as in original.
End of Project Gutenberg's Tom Slade at Black Lake, by Percy Keese Fitzhugh