eir money, and I sincerely wish that all could win the prize.
According to this list there is one troop which leads all the others,
having earned the sum of two hundred and fifty dollars. The account of
how this was raised is splendid, and by the rules laid down, that troop
has won the prize."

Here the Governor paused, and a breathless stillness reigned as all
waited to hear the name of the fortunate troop.

"I understand, however," the speaker slowly continued, "that there is
only one troop present which did not send in a report of its doings
during the last year. This, perhaps, seems strange to you, and I have
good reason to ask the scout-master of that troop to step forward and
give some explanation. I would really do so if I did not have the full
information myself, and before presenting the prize, I am going to tell
you something about that troop."

Then in a few words he told what the delinquent troop had done; how
they had raised almost four hundred dollars, and how they had done it.
He next told about the sick girl, and that the scouts of this troop had
freely given every cent of the money they had earned to send her to a
specialist in New York. There was a strong note of pathos in the
Governor's voice as he mentioned the sick girl and the act of loving
sacrifice on the part of the troop. He was a master of speech, and his
words thrilled the hearts of his listeners.

"You now know," he said in conclusion, "why that troop has made no
report. The prize was within their grasp. They had to decide between
it and the life of a sick girl. They chose the nobler course, and so
they are not the winners to-day. I wanted you to know this before we
go any further. I shall now proceed to present the flag, and I ask
troop number seven to step forward."

At once thirty scouts advanced, gave the full salute, and stood at
attention. When the Governor stepped to the front of the platform and
held forth the written order for the bugle band, the scoutmaster
refused to take it.

"We cannot accept it, sir," he simply said. "It doesn't belong to us,
but to that troop which did so much for the sick girl."

The Governor was about to reply, when he was checked by an outburst of
wild enthusiastic cheers. The scouts could restrain themselves no
longer. With the greatest difficulty they had remained silent as the
Governor told about what had been done for an invalid girl. But now
this generous act on the part of troop