THE PIONEER BADGE
"I do not believe our benefactor, whoever he is, picked out the hardest
test in Scouting," remarked Ruth, as Captain Phillips finished
explaining the requirements.
"I agree with you, Ruth," assented Miss Phillips. "But we shall have a
hike every Saturday night during April to study and practice the
different requirements. The final hike, to learn how to build a lean-to,
will be to the Boy Scouts' cabin; for they are going to teach us.
"Now," she concluded, "there is one thing more I want to talk about--and
that is the money we have in the treasury. Counting what Frieda Hammer
just returned to Marjorie, there is about three hundred dollars--a
little more, perhaps. That is a lot of money for a troop like ours. And
since we earned it to use for our 'Good Turn,' I don't think it would be
right for us to spend it upon ourselves. But what do you all think?"
"I agree with you perfectly, Captain," said Edith Evans. "Just because
one plan failed, that is no reason why the troop should stop all of its
good work. I suggest that a committee be appointed to visit the local
charity organization, and find out where assistance is most needed."
But before anyone else could speak, Marjorie jumped to her feet.
"Captain, are we sure that we have failed with Frieda? Doesn't the very
fact that she returned the things she took, of her own free will, show
that wherever she is, she is progressing? You all know that the Frieda
Hammer we knew at camp would not have considered it wrong to steal, or
would even have thought of returning the goods! So it's just possible,
don't you think, that she may turn up? Couldn't we wait just a little
bit longer?"
Lily and Doris, who both knew how close the project was to Marjorie's
heart, spoke in favor of waiting until the first of June.
"That will still leave us time to spend the money before the seniors,
who helped to earn it as much as any of us, leave," put in Ethel, who
usually took sides with Marjorie in a discussion.
Ruth said nothing; she knew it would be of no avail. For by this time
she was beginning to realize Marjorie's popularity, and considered it
more discreet not to oppose her openly.
Accordingly, Marjorie got her way. She had two months left in which to
trace Frieda, and, if she found her, to offer her a new chance. The
whole affair had grown to be an obsession with her; it seemed as if she
desired it more than anything else in the world.
It was still very cold when the first Saturday in April arrived; but
Miss Phillips told the girls to be prepared to hike, no matter what the
weather might be. Early in the afternoon they started off, well
fortified against the cold.
"We are going to the cabin to-day," announced the Captain, as they
walked along in a group. "Mr. Remington and two of the boys will be
there to give us a lesson in the use of an axe."
"Which two boys?" asked Doris innocently, betraying the fact that she
was more interested in the boys than in learning woodcraft.
Everybody laughed.
"I won't tell you!" replied Miss Phillips, ever mysterious; and each
girl secretly hoped it was the boy she liked best.
"It certainly is cold for April," remarked Ethel.
"Yes; it's an east wind, too," observed Miss Phillips. "And in this part
of the country, that means rain."
"How do you know it's an east wind, Captain?" asked Marjorie.
"Well, I happen to know that we are walking towards the north, and since
I can feel it blowing against me on the right side, I naturally know it
to be an east wind," explained the Captain. "If I didn't know which
direction is north, I couldn't tell an east wind from a west wind. But I
can tell you how to determine which quarter the wind is from when it is
not blowing strong enough to feel it against you. There are several
simple ways: one is to watch the way smoke travels; another is to note
the movement of the treetops. But sometimes you have neither smoke nor
trees at hand; then the best method is to put your forefinger in your
mouth and moisten it, and hold it up in the air: the side which feels
coolest is the side the wind is blowing on. I've never known that way to
fail, in my own experience, even when there did not seem to be a breath
of air stirring."
All the girls who heard this description, immediately stuck their
fingers into their mouths and then held them in the air, to try it.
"Mine feels the same temperature all the way around," observed Ruth.
"Oh, that is because there is too much wind to-day," replied Miss
Phillips. "You can really tell better by that method when the wind is
just perceptible, than when it is strong."
They reached the trolley line, upon which they rode for several miles,
and then hiked the remaining distance. It was not yet three o'clock when
they arrived at the cabin.
"Hurray for the Girl Scouts!" shouted a familiar voice, and Dick
Roberts and Marjorie's brother Jack flung open the wooden door. Mr.
Remington, behind them, echoed a more dignified welcome.
"Did you bring the axe?" asked Marjorie.
The Scoutmaster pointed to a leather sheath, fastened to his belt.
"Here's my _Plumb_," he said; "it's the official Boy Scout axe. I always
carry it when we go into the woods."
"But, Captain Phillips," protested Doris, "you surely don't expect us to
wear those things in our belts, do you?"
"Not at teas and on shopping expeditions!" laughed Miss Phillips; and
the girls smiled at the idea of dainty Doris Sands decorated with such a
deadly weapon on her person. A bunch of violets seemed more appropriate
for her adornment.
Mr. Remington asked the girls to pay close attention while he explained
the general rules and precautions in the use of the axe. At intervals
during his talk, he called for demonstrations, first by Jack and then by
Dick, until all the important points had been emphasized.
"And now for volunteers!" he called, when his brief discourse was
finished.
Ruth Henry stepped forward bravely.
"It's pretty sharp," said Jack, handing the axe to her carefully.
Ruth picked it up, and lifted it boldly to her shoulder. Keeping her
eye on a certain spot in the log at which Mr. Remington directed her to
aim, she swung the axe too quickly. Her effort was good, but her grasp
not sufficiently tight; the tool slipped from her hand and fell swiftly
to the ground, missing her foot by only an inch or two.
"Ruth! Do be careful!" shrieked Doris. "Oh, I know we'll kill
ourselves!"
"No, you won't," said Mr. Remington, reassuringly. "Now, rest a minute,
and then try again."
This time, although she wielded the axe awkwardly, she managed to hit
her mark.
All that afternoon the Girl Scouts resolutely stuck to their task, until
their hands became sore and blistered, and their shoulders ached from
the exercise. Finally, Mr. Remington called to them to stop,
complimenting them upon their perseverance.
"But you will need a great deal more practice before you attempt to
build the shack and the fireplace," he concluded.
"I thought we would go out the next two Saturdays and practice what you
have taught us," said Miss Phillips; "and in the meantime, I will give
the rest of the Pioneer test. Then, the last Saturday in April, I will
bring all of the girls that have successfully passed the other
requirements, to try out in this."
"Very good," replied Mr. Remington. "The plan suits me. Let me know how
many girls you expect to have, and I'll bring the same number of boys,
and we'll make a picnic of it."
"And you girls all work hard!" said Jack, "for we want a big crowd. The
more the merrier!"
And, indeed, the Girl Scouts meant to work hard, for the passing of the
Pioneer test carried with it such a wonderful reward. Even the new
girls, who had all successfully passed their second-class tests by that
time, threw themselves wholeheartedly into the effort. The days flew
swiftly by; all too soon, it seemed to the girls who did not consider
themselves sufficiently prepared, the time for the announcement of those
eligible for the final test arrived. Of the twenty-four girls in the
troop, there were a number who had no expectation of being included
among the list, for one reason or another. Among this group were several
of the seniors, who expected to work during the summer, and, therefore,
did not try to pass the test; and several of the newer girls had found
the effort beyond them.
Miss Phillips felt, however, that she had reason to be proud of the
number of candidates who had qualified thus far. She read the list at
the Scout meeting on the Friday evening preceeding the final hike and
picnic with the Boy Scouts.
"I wish that we might include everybody," she said; "but I realize that
would be impossible. However, I congratulate the following girls:
"Edith Evans, Helen Stewart, Frances Wright, Ethel Todd, Marian Guard,
Ada Mearns, Lily Andrews, Ruth Henry, Doris Sands, Marjorie Wilkinson,
Anna Cane, Evelyn Hopkins, Florence Evans, Alice Endicott, Mildred
Cavin.
"Of course," added Miss Phillips, "this does not mean that you will all
fifteen pass the Pioneer test. Indeed, the worst is yet to come. But the
final decision rests with Mr. Remington."
The following day was mild and warm, and the girls were all in the
highest spirits. Arriving at the cabin, fifteen Boy Scouts greeted them
noisily, asking them provoking questions about the shack they intended
to build, vainly endeavoring to catch them. But the girls were well
prepared, and more or less confident of success.
"I never saw such progress," commented Mr. Remington, as he set the
girls to work. "Why, with a hundred years' practice, they might turn out
to be as good as my boys!"
"Mr. Remington," said Ruth, as she paused for a moment after putting a
stick in position, "won't you please remove these troublesome insects?
They retard my progress!"
"Insects!" repeated the Scoutmaster; "do you mean ants?"
"No," laughed Ruth; "big insects! Boys!"
"All right! Suppose you boys all go and collect stones for the
fireplace, so that the girls can set to work at that as soon as they
finish their lean-tos!"
"And won't we get a minute to rest?" asked Ada, lazily. She was
beginning to be tired already.
"Rest!" exclaimed Mr. Remington; "you surely didn't come here for that!
But you can take it easy at supper, for the boys are going to prepare
the whole meal for you."
It was almost dark when the weary Girl Scouts gathered about the
fireplace where the supper was to be eaten. Never did a meal taste so
good, for the girls thought they had never been so tired or so hungry
before. They talked little, but they were quite content. The lean-tos
and the fireplace were all finished; they were now enjoying not only the
satisfaction of achievement, but the anticipation of their great reward:
the summer's canoe trip. No wonder they were happy!
"Can't you tell us who passed?" begged Ruth, as they were finishing
their cookies.
But Mr. Remington shook his head.
"I don't know myself, Ruth," he replied. "I gave certain marks for
certain things. I shall have to add the averages up at home, and send
the list to Miss Phillips."
"Then we'll know to-morrow?" pursued Ruth.
"You'll know at Scout meeting next Friday!" declared Miss Phillips, in
the tone which everyone knew to be final.