Part 15 (2/2)
”Forty-six stars representing the forty-six States of the Union, in a blue field in the upper right-hand corner,” replied Gerald, ”with thirteen alternate stripes of red and white, representing the thirteen original States”
”Correct,” commended Rand ”No many red and how many white stripes?”
”Blessed if I know,” adht you said it was easy,” said Rand ”There are seven red and six white, beginning and ending with red”
”Gee!” cried Pepper, ”there's a lot ot it now, all right”
”Now about the knots,” went on Rand, whereupon they fell to tying the different knots until they had o hoan the colonel, a few days later, when the six boys met at his house in the woods to be sworn in as tenderfeet, ”I suppose you know the requirements and that you are ail ready?”
”All ready!” responded Pepper
”Know the Scout law and are willing to obey it”
”Yes, sir”
”The co”
”I think we do,” responded Pepper, repeating what he had learned the other night
”And kno to fly it?”
”Union up,” replied Jack
”What does it nal of distress”
”Very good,” com some pieces of rope ”Can you tie them?”
”Like an old salt,” replied Pepper
The boys set to work on the knots and in a few minutes had them all tied, to the colonel's satisfaction, whereupon he proceeded to adht hands, with the thuer, the other three fingers pointing upward This represents the three promises of the oath Now, repeat after me: On my honor I promise that I will do my best:
”1 To do my duty to God and my country
”2 To help other people at all times
”3 To obey the Scout law
”You all promise this--”
”We do,” responded the boys
”Then,” concluded the colonel, ”you are now members of the Boy Scouts, and I know you will be an honor to it”