WELL DONE STANHOPE TROOP!--CONCLUSION
Days and weeks passed.
In season and out, the boys of industrious Stanhope Troop worked. Never
had the good people known such a wave of enthusiasm to sweep over the
town on the Bushkill. It seemed as catching as the measles, this spirit
of energy, and a desire to do things worth while, which had taken
possession of most of the boys.
Parents got together, and conferring, admitted that this new fad was by
all odds the best thing that had ever happened. They determined to
encourage it to the limit. Even those who were doubtful at the start,
found themselves obliged to admit that never before had Stanhope
presented such a clean appearance; and not within the recollection
of the oldest inhabitant had boys been so obliging.
After the Stanhope Troop had been fully received into the National
organization an efficient scout master was finally secured in the person
of a young man by the name of Alec Gordon. He had lately come from
visiting across the water, where he had enjoyed the personal acquaintance
of 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 deep
love for the boy of to-day.
Under his guidance the troop prospered, and made rapid progress along the
lines started by Paul. The only trouble about the whole matter was that
Mr. Gordon, being a traveling man, was liable to be called away just when
his presence might be most needed.
Several times this had occurred, and feeling the need of leaving a deputy
to fill his place, he put it up to the boys themselves. Of course there
had not been a dissenting vote; and Paul was elected to play the part of
guide, should an emergency arise; and in this way he became assistant
scout master of the troop.
They need have no fear concerning his ability to fill the rôle. He
had proven equal to the task before now; and there were not a few,
particularly among those acknowledging the magical Red Fox as their
totem, who secretly cherished a belief that Paul knew more about the
secrets of Nature than any _two_ mature scout masters.
Every chance that offered the scouts were abroad, as busy as bees in the
honey season; only instead of laying up sweets these energetic chaps
sought new information. They followed the trails of fox, 'coon and
rabbit; they watched the habits of the noisy crows holding a caucus in
the woods; they kept company with the red squirrel and the frolicsome
chipmunk as they stored away the chestnuts and juicy hickories for their
winter's supply of food.
And on every occasion they labored to make themselves perfect in those
branches of wood lore, and the knowledge of useful things, which they
expected would play a prominent part in the approaching competition.
Just as Paul and Wallace had predicted, it was found that nearly every
fellow had a love for Nature and her wonderful secrets somewhere in his
system; even though with a few this breath had to be fanned vigorously in
order to keep it alive.
Of course they were annoyed again and again by Ted Slavin and his envious
followers; for the bully of the town had drifted back to his old ways, as
might have been expected.
When peaceful tactics failed to stop these malicious tricks, the scout
master personally appealed to the authorities, and a warning was issued
that, for a time at least, dismayed the disturbers of the meetings. But
when they could do so in secret, they never lost an opportunity to play
some sly trick.
Another thing that had been anticipated came to pass. This was the utter
failure of Ward's cronies to maintain any interest in the duties of
scouts. Those twelve cardinal virtues that must at all times be held up
before the fellow who expects to become and remain a Boy Scout in good
standing, failed to appeal to these rough and ready chaps. It would
indeed require a revolution in boy nature to make Ted Slavin, or his
crony, 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 with
the distressing news that he had received an imperative summons from his
firm to go out on the road; so that it would debar him from being present
when the long-looked-for-competition took place.
"But," said Mr. Gordon, as he shook Paul by the hand earnestly; "I firmly
believe that you will be able to fill my place so well that my absence
will not make the slightest difference," and Paul, of course, simply said
he 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, learned
through some of their energetic scouts, what a strong bid these patrols
of the Fox were going to make, in the hope of winning that coveted
banner, they seemed to be stirred to make new endeavors.
Paul managed to keep advised of pretty much all that was going on; since
this was a part of a scout's duty; though no mean advantage was ever
taken of the rival camps--he would not stand for that. In a quiet way he
had learned how their meetings became more frequent, and the desire to
excel, that had threatened to dwindle away for lack of rivalry, grew more
keen.
Paul was glad of it. Competition is the life of trade; but it also
encourages boys to do their level best. There would be a brave fight for
that banner; and no walk-over. The troop that won it might well be proud
of the honor. And Paul was still full of faith. He watched his scouts go
through their various interesting stunts with a growing conviction that
they must stand at the head when the day came for the meeting, and the
report of the committee appointed to make the test was declared.
He knew that fortune had been very kind in allowing himself and Jack to
make a heavy score in favor of Stanhope Troop. The stopping of the
runaway horse, and the saving of the baby at the fire would bring them
many points. Then there was the wonderful letter from Washington, on
official paper too, in which Mr. Jared Pender told the story of how much
he had been helped by the Red Fox patrol in his task of capturing those
desperate rascals who were flooding the whole country with their bogus
money.
But Paul was determined that, aside from the help afforded by these
glorious deeds, the boys of Stanhope should excel all others in their
knowledge of woodcraft, and the valuable things every boy with red blood
in 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. Both
proved very able in managing these musical instruments, and the shrill
notes of the one, and the roll of the other, had become very familiar and
acceptable sounds in Stanhope these fall days, when the first snow made
its appearance.
Already had they planned a great camp for the next summer, and there was
talk of a grand hike into the almost unknown, to them, country far to the
north. What strange adventures were destined to befall them during this
eventful outing, together with the fun that William and Bobolink afforded
the troop, will be recounted in the next volume, to be called: "The
Banner Boy Scouts on a Tour; or, The Mystery of Rattlesnake Mountain."
Even at school the teachers noticed that things seemed to move along much
more smoothly than ever before. Some of them were inclined to suspect
that a miracle had been wrought in boy nature; until it was shown that
there were still quite a number of transgressors, and that not one of the
bad ones belonged to the scouts. That opened their eyes, and after such
evidence they were one and all heartily in favor of the organization that
kept lads interested, taught them every noble duty that would make them
better men later on, caused them to be manly, heroic, self-confident in
time 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 three
troops for leadership. Each had its sturdy backers, who believed their
home company to be the best; and hence when the choice of situation fell
to Manchester, it looked as though nearly the entire population of
Stanhope and Aldine had also gathered to cheer their favorites on.
The competition was keenly contested. A dozen different events had been
scheduled some time back by the committee, as the more important elements
that would enter into the struggle; and the scout master of each patrol
had been notified, so that he might select those most competent to
succeed.
Scout master Gordon, and later on his deputy, Paul, had been working with
those who excelled in these various lines. Nothing was left undone to
make them proficient in their work. When the critical time came, and
before the eyes of thousands they lined up before the committee to take
the test, Paul believed that success was sure to come.
Football was in the air for the afternoon; but that morning every school
flag fluttered in that densely packed field where the arena was laid.
Scores upon scores of pretty girls clapped their hands, and sang
patriotic songs that had reference to their particular town, whenever
a Stanhope, a Manchester or an Aldine competitor started to prove his
superior knowledge of the arts of woodcraft.
Wallace Carberry brought the first honors to the Red Fox patrol. He had
his quart of water boiling a full minute before either of his rivals;
and retired amid thunderous applause. Wallace would show up in several
other events, for he was the mainstay of Paul's contesting delegation.
Then came other interesting object lessons. Many present failed to
understand altogether what they signified; but they were patriotic, and
ready to cheer the victor to the echo.
On account of the lateness of the season several events that might have
taken place at another time were debarred, such as swimming, fishing, and
sports peculiar to the good old summer time.
Nevertheless, there were plenty of others equally as interesting. Three
boys entered as contestants in the rapid photography class. They took a
snap shot at a given word, darted into separate prepared dark rooms,
developed their plates, dried the same, each after his own fashion, and
presented a completed picture before the other competitions were done.
Meanwhile three others showed just how a scout should learn to follow a
difficult trail, where all manner of obstacles stood in the way. While
the crowd could not fully understand just how this was done, the
committee 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 fast
and furious as they worked their nimble fingers, keeping an eye on each
other the while.
In another place three tents were given to squads of boys from each
patrol, and at the word they set to work to erect the same, dig a water
drain in case of rain, and have everything in "apple-pie" shape. The
committee gave plain warning that it was not speed alone that would count
here, but the general ship-shape condition following the carrying out of
the conditions.
And again the boys of the Stanhope Troop came in winners by a good
margin.
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 and
cunning to keep from being reeled in. But big Carl Evans, the Manchester
fisherman, proved to be too strong and able for those who competed, and
had his fish landed minutes ahead.
The archers then took a turn. Here Aldine presented a clever expert, who
had made this his especial hobby for some years. He could not be headed,
though the other fellows from Stanhope and Manchester really made a very
creditable showing.
One of the most interesting exhibitions of the morning, and one that
excited considerable cheering, was the "first aid to the injured."
A boy was supposed to have fallen overboard into the river. In each case
several 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 one
of the rescuers knelt astride the body, allowing his hands to press upon
the spaces between the short ribs. By pressing downward the air was
forced from the other's lungs, to creep in again when this was relaxed;
and in this fashion an artificial respiration was induced that should
grow stronger as minutes passed.
Of course, as no boy was so accommodating as to fall into the cold waters
of the Bushkill for the occasion, the contestants finished at the same
time. The committee, after mature consultation, awarded the victory to
the team accomplishing their work in the most business-like fashion.
Aldine was so fortunate as to receive the award, and her people shouted
themselves hoarse.
In athletics the three competing troops proved very nearly even; and
brought out rounds of cheers as they followed one another in carrying
out the several events scheduled.
Possibly when William proved his great superiority as a camp cook, by
making the batter, and cooking a luscious flap-jack long before any other
fellow could accomplish the feat, his victory was the most popular one of
the day. Fully five score of fellows made motions to prove they were
starved, and that a bite from the airy pancake would possibly serve as
a life saver. But after the committee had tested it, William calmly
devoured the balance, to the tune of mingled groans and cheers.
Last of all came the wig-wagging contest, when boys sent and received
messages fashioned by the committee, the nature of which was unknown at
the other end. In this Stanhope again made a record that put her boys in
the van, for Paul had secured and studied the army manual on using the
signal flags, and to good advantage.
After the twelfth and last event had been completed, the committee went
into session, examined the papers they already held, and finally
announced that Stanhope had carried off the prize with six clean events,
the others being equally divided between the two clever troops from the
other towns.
It was undoubtedly a popular victory, judging from the record-breaking
volume of noise that greeted the announcement. What else the chairman
would have said, with regard to the great good the establishment of these
patrols had brought to the county, was drowned in the wild clamor.
Paul, acting for the absent scout master, accepted the beautiful banner
presented by the good old Quaker who loved peace above all things. He was
immediately swept off his feet, and carried in triumph around the field,
waving the emblem that would from that hour stamp the Stanhope Troop as
the Banner Boy Scouts of the county.
Little Paul cared that some frowned, or that Ward Kenwood sneered as the
procession marched past. Close by he could see the happy face of Arline,
together with those of his parents; and it satisfied him to know that
through his unflagging perseverance he had been able to land his scouts
in the van.
Other trials and contests would doubtless have to be encountered; but
with that banner to encourage then the Fox patrols could meet each
emergency as it arose, and struggle on through difficulties to a glorious
success.
THE END
End of Project Gutenberg's The Banner Boy Scouts, by George A. Warren