Part 9 (1/2)

”We're safe here,” said Rawson, ”and we'll camp here for the night.”

CHAPTER X

CAMP LIFE

After a long march through magnificent forests, along winding streams, up and down the sides of steep hills, the boys and their leader and the guide reached Pioneer Camp late the following afternoon.

A rousing welcome awaited them, and almost the first news they heard was that Tom Sherwood had been elected leader of the Otter patrol, during Alec Sands' absence.

Tired as he was, Tom received this information with due appreciation of the honor. He was glad to hear also that the troop was getting up a baseball game for the morrow, to be played by two teams chosen from all four patrols. In this way he hoped to be able to tell just who were the best players in his patrol and who needed coaching for future games.

As Pioneer Camp was nearer Oakvale than his farm, Ralph knew he could learn the decision of the railroad officials sooner than if he had stayed at home. He had sent word to the village postmaster, asking him to forward all letters to Pioneer Camp until further notice, and meanwhile he waited in feverish suspense. So much depended on the surveyors' report!

The second evening of Ralph's visit to Pioneer Camp was given over to verbal ”examinations” on the subject of geological surveying.

To create real fun in the compet.i.tion, Lieutenant Denmead conducted the test like an old-fas.h.i.+oned spelling school. The various patrols were lined up in open opposition, and the boys were increasingly interested as one by one they missed some question and retired from the ranks in laughing confusion.

Finally the light of the campfire revealed only four up-standing contestants: Tom Sherwood and Sam Winter of the Otter patrol, Bud Morgan of the Wolves, and Blake Merton of the Hawks.

”They can't faze Blake,” whispered Walter Osborne, hugging himself joyfully, as once again Blake gave a calm and sure rejoinder to the Scout Master's query.

”No wonder!” replied Don Miller. ”He has had all this practical work over at Ralph Kenyon's!”

”What's the matter with Bud Morgan?” asked Arthur Cameron. ”He makes me proud to be a Wolf! He has always been loony over surveying, you know.”

Just at that moment Sam Winter joined the boys who were looking on at the finish.

”Welcome to the company of the honorably defeated, Sammy,” called d.i.c.k Bellamy softly. ”And here comes Tom!” he added. ”Now it lies between Bud and Blake.---hus.h.!.+ What is the Chief saying?”

”As a final test, I will ask each of these boys to write a list naming the twenty mineral specimens that Mr. Rawson has collected in the last two days,” announced Lieutenant Denmead. ”The list that is most nearly correct will give the troop champions.h.i.+p for the course of study to its writer.”

Profound silence fell upon the eager group around the campfire as Rawson brought out his box of specimens, with paper and pencils for the boys.

At the end of ten minutes the lists were claimed and soon after Rawson handed to the Scout Master the successful paper.

Bud Morgan had won the compet.i.tion,---and the Wolves howled in glee!

Not to be outdone, the Hawks, led by Walter Osborne and Blake Merton, lifted their voices in a shrill ”_Kree-kree-eee_,” which rose piercingly above the Wolves' ”_How-ooo-ooo_!” Then the Otters and the Foxes added their characteristic cries to the din, and away off in the shadows where the contagion of the noise penetrated, Indian Joe gave vent to a warwhoop of delight.

”Much noise---sound good!” he muttered to himself. ”Don't know what all about. Never mind. Boys glad. See 'em go!”

The whole troop, glad indeed to have a legitimate excuse for l.u.s.ty activity after the mental exercises of the evening, had jumped to their feet _en ma.s.se_, and, headed by the howling Wolves, were parading joyously around the campfire.

Bud Morgan was borne on the shoulders of the leaders, and there was nothing to suggest the student of rocks and rivers and undulating hills in his happy abandon to the situation.

In fact, the majority of the boys had already forgotten the contests in the temporary excitement and the uproar.

Lieutenant Denmead, after exchanging a word and a good-humored smile with his a.s.sistant, hurried to his cabin, and returned a moment later with a small volume in his hand. Then, at his signal, Mr.