Part 18 (2/2)
”Keep on,” directed the colonel, ”perhaps you can pick it up again”
Scattering through the woods the boys diligently sought for the foot-prints, but were unable to discover them
”We have lost them,” announced Rand, after they had searched for some time ”Can you help us to find it?”
”It is a little difficult,” the colonel answered, ”but there is a trace here and there,” pointing out slight indentations on the ground ”It is quite hard here and they didn't leave ain!” cried Rand a little later, when they came to a spot of soft earth ”Here is Pepper's track I think I would know it anywhere now”
”Good!” co fast You will be able soon to follow any trail”
Going under the colonel's guidance the boys followed the trail through the woods until it ca for them
”Not at all bad for a first atteain some day soon”
Which happened sooner and in a more unexpected way than any of them anticipated
CHAPTER XIII
A CHALLENGE
”Well done, Pepper!” cried Rand, as the for back a stout bow nearly as tall as himself, let fly an arrow that struck in the third circle of the target set up at the opposite end of the green
”'Tis a pro laddie ye are,” cole ”Ave ye live to be a hundhred and don't lave aff practice 'tis a foine shot ye'll be, I dunno”
”Let's see what you can do,” retorted Pepper, with a laugh ”I don't believe you can better it”
”Begorrah, Oi don't belave itan arrow that struck just on the outer edge of the target ”Faith, 'twas a narrow escape Oioff on a run as the others made for him
”That reminds me,” broke in dick Wilson
”It's your turn, dick,” interrupted Rand, as dick, stepping in front of the target, after , shot his arrow close beside Pepper's
”Shure Oi wouldn't have belaved av Oi hadn't seen it,” remarked Gerald, who had cautiously ventured back
This was some days later than the events recorded in the previous chapters, since which time, Rand had been selected as leader and Don as corporal, while Gerald, fro proclivities, had been na the robbery had not been cleared up, and was a frequent subject for conversation Monkey Rae had not been seen about
They had met upon this occasion for archery practice on the lawn in front of Mr Scott's residence, where Rand was living Immediately upon the formation of the Patrol Mr Scott, as one of the patrons of the Scout organization, had presented each lish bow and quiver of arrows, in the properinstructed by Colonel Snow