ON A MISSION.
While the three Boy Scouts are trudging back toward Hampton, we will take
the opportunity to introduce them more fully to our readers who may not
have met them before. Rob Blake, the son of the local banker in the
seashore village of Hampton, Long Island, had, some time before the
present story opens, founded the Eagle Patrol. The early days of its
existence formed the basis of the first book of the series, for the lads
flocked eagerly to its standard, and the Patrol was soon in a flourishing
condition, with a well-equipped room above the local bank building, a
fine, up-to-date structure. The adventures of the Patrol in camp and
Scout life in general were various and exciting. The boys made some
enemies, as was natural, for many boys wished to belong to their Patrol
who could not be admitted; but in the end, thanks mainly to their Scout
training, all things came out well for the Eagles.
In the second volume we found "The Boy Scouts on the Range." In this book
full details of Scout principles as put into practice in a wild and
lawless country were related. The pursuit of Silver Tip, the giant
grizzly, popularly supposed to bear a charmed life, was an interesting
feature of their experience in the West. Indians and cattle rustlers made
trouble for the boys and their friends, but, although the boys were
several times placed in jeopardy and danger, they emerged with credit
from all their dilemmas.
Still following the lads' fortunes, we found them in the third volume of
the series, "The Boy Scouts and the Army Airship," deeply interested in
the subject of aerial navigation. They managed to give material aid in
certain experiments that the government carried on at a lonely house on
the sea coast near Hampton, and became involved in some thrilling
incidents which still further put to the test their ability and
cleverness.
In "The Boy Scouts' Mountain Camp," the scene shifted to the Adirondacks,
whither the boys went, primarily on a quiet camping trip. But they became
involved in an exciting search for a long missing treasure, immured in an
ancient and almost inaccessible cave in the heart of a wild region. How
they won out against apparently insurmountable obstacles makes exciting
and instructive reading.
"The Boy Scouts for Uncle Sam," the fifth volume, related some surprising
events that occurred when the boys' aid was called into requisition in
connection with a new type of submarine which foreign powers were doing
their best to appropriate, but which was intended for the United States
Government. Readers of that volume will readily recall Rob's abduction
and marooning on a desert island and the pernicious activities of a green
motor boat which was used by the agents of a foreign power. Rob's
marvelous swim across a narrow inlet, through which the tide boiled like
a mill race, and the interchange of Scout signals with astonishing
results, are only two of the incidents that go to show that the Eagle
Patrol was always to be relied upon to do its duty and live up to the
strict letter of the inspiring motto, "Be Prepared."
For the next few days the lads of the Eagle Patrol were busy indeed with
preparations for what was to them a very important piece of work. This
was nothing more nor less than the placarding of the town with
announcements that a team made up of the Eagles would play the Hampton
nine in the first baseball game of the season, the proceeds to be equally
divided. The Boy Scouts' half, of course, would go toward the general
patrol fund for the purchase of equipment and so on.
Each of the lads had a duty to perform in this connection. Hiram Nelson,
whose father was in the printing business, was to get up the posters,
which were to be printed on big, yellow sheets. Andy Bowles, whose uncle
conducted a livery stable, arranged for rigs to convey the young
bill-posters around the country; while Tubby Hopkins,--since the duty was
partly of a culinary nature,--undertook to make the paste. This, despite
unkind remarks to the effect that, unable to restrain his appetite, he
might be tempted to eat it! In this manner the different duties were
distributed and each member of the patrol took an active part in the
work.
Rather to Rob's surprise, and likewise to the astonishment of the other
lads, Jared Applegate's name appeared as pitcher for the Hampton team.
But, after all, there was nothing so very astonishing in this, for Jared,
before he left for New York, had been a clever pitcher on the Hampton
Academy team, which had beaten some of the best ball players on Long
Island. Sam Lamb, the regular pitcher for the Hamptons, it was later
learned, had sprained his wrist in jumping on a moving train, and Jared
had eagerly volunteered to take his place. He had made open boasts about
the town that he meant to "knock some of those tin soldier kids higher
than so many kites."
"Let him do his best," was all Rob had said, when Andy Bowles, the
diminutive bugler of the Eagles, brought him this information.
When not engaged in preparations for "billing" the surrounding country,
which occupied almost all the time they could spare from their studies,
the Scouts practiced hard and faithfully. They had a good team, but they
had to admit that the town boys, too, played very good ball. As the day
for the contest, a Saturday, drew near, excitement began to run high.
Jared never spoke to any of the Scouts, all of whom, by this time, knew
of his disgrace while a member of the Black Wolf Patrol. Possibly he did
not wish to run a chance of being snubbed; but be that as it may, when he
passed any of the uniformed youngsters he kept his eyes on the ground.
This did not prevent him, however, from hanging around when the Scouts
were at practice and making all sorts of contemptuous remarks concerning
their play.
The Saturday before the game, the lads started out in different
directions to put up their bills. Those whose duties lay within easy
distance of Hampton went on foot; but the others took rigs. Among the
latter were Rob, Merritt and Tubby Hopkins. With them they carried a good
thick bundle of bills, plenty of paste and long-handled brushes. It was a
beautiful day and they were in high spirits as they drove along the
pleasant country roads.
Their way took them by Farmer Applegate's place.
"Let's plaster up a few on the old grouch's barn," suggested Merritt with
a laugh.
"No; I don't want to do that," declared Rob positively, "although he
isn't entitled to much consideration. It was a shame the way he treated
Fred Mainwaring's sister."
"Such a pretty girl, too," chuckled Tubby, with a mischievous look at
Merritt. Rob intercepted the glance and turned red, at which both his
companions teased him more than ever. Luckily for Rob's peace of mind,
however, at this juncture something occurred to cause the current of
Tubby's thoughts to flow in another direction.
Beyond the farm buildings a spotted pig was nosing about contentedly in
the middle of the road. As his eyes lighted on the porker, Tubby gave a
shout of delight.
"We can use him," he cried delightedly.
"There you go again. Always thinking about something to eat," snorted
Merritt.
"Not this time," retorted Tubby indignantly; "anyhow, I've never heard of
your being absent at meal times. But on this occasion it's alive and in
his proper person that Jake is going to be useful to us."
"In what way?" asked Rob.
"As a living advertisement," chuckled the stout youth, his round cheeks
shaking as he eyed the unsuspecting Jake.