laces I went and made plain marks that I just knew you could
read any old time."

"That stamps you a true-blue scout, Nat," declared Elmer, "and I think
the troop has reason to be proud of you."

"Three cheers for Comrade Nat Scott," suggested impulsive Red; and they
were given with such a vim that many of the big bullfrogs along the
farther bank jumped into the mill pond in great alarm.

As their main object had been carried out while on the way to the
haunted mill, and there was no further reason for lingering after they
had eaten the "snack" carried along for this purpose, the Hickory Ridge
troop of scouts took up the homeward march.

After talking it all over among themselves it was decided that their
duty compelled them to give the game and fish warden a hint as to what
was probably going on up at Munsey's mill.

He went there with a deputy two days later, but the Italians had taken
warning and fled. However, the warden found and destroyed several nets
with which the fish poachers had been illegally gathering the finny
prizes in the long-deserted pond.

There was one disappointed scout in the troop however, and this was
Chatz Maxfield.

He always would feel as though he had missed the opportunity of his life
in spending some time at a haunted mill which was supposed to support a
good lively ghost, and never once chancing to come upon the hobgoblin.

However, Chatz would continue to live in hope.

At any rate, everyone was positive that he had learned a host of
valuable things calculated to make him take higher rank as a woodsman,
and a true scout. And no doubt in the annals of the Hickory Ridge Boy
Scouts that little hike to Munsey's mill would always be read and
re-read with the keenest interest, and take rank with the greatest of
their achievements.

THE END.

ADDENDA

BOY SCOUT NATURE LORE

BOY SCOUT NATURE LORE TO BE FOUND IN THE
HICKORY RIDGE BOY SCOUT SERIES.

Wild Animals of the United States }
Tracking } in Number I.

THE CAMPFIRES OF THE WOLF PATROL.

Trees and Wild Flowers of the United States in Number II.

WOODCRAFT, OR HOW A PATROL LEADER MADE GOOD.

Reptiles of the United States in Number III.

PATHFINDER, OR THE MISSING TENDERFOOT.

Fishes of the United States in Number IV.

FAST NINE, OR A CHALLENGE FROM FAIRFIELD.

Insects of the United States in Number V.

GREAT HIKE, OR THE PRIDE OF THE KHAKI TROOP.

B