said, "We're going to hang from the ties when we hear it."

"All right," I told him; "it's awful dark. I can't see a thing."

I heard one of the fellows inside say that maybe the wind would start
the car, but I knew that was crazy talk, because a bridge is always
level. I made up my mind that I'd hang from one of the ties and clasp my
hands around it. I knew that it would be hard pulling myself up and
scrambling onto the bridge again; _all_ of us wouldn't manage it, that
was sure. It seemed kind of funny that probably we wouldn't have a full
patrol any more. I wasn't exactly scared but, kind of, I didn't like to
hear those frogs croaking way down there. It sounded so spooky.

I heard Westy say, "So long, Roy, if I don't see you again."

I called in for him to keep the kid near him. He was always my special
chum, Westy was....

CHAPTER XXVI

WALTER HARRIS, SCOUT

All of a sudden, somebody was standing near me on the platform and
clutching my arm. It was Pee-wee.

"Look out you don't fall, Kid," I told him.

"I didn't tell any of them," he whispered. "Listen, I've got an idea. I
was--all the while I was trying to use my brains. But anyhow, I don't
know just how we can do it, but you can find a way, so then really it'll
be _your_ idea. Shh--I want the fellows to think it's your idea; see?
Shh! Why can't we use the movie apparatus, some way; why can't we? And
flash it to them."

"You said it!" I fairly yelled.

"Shh--h," he whispered; "I always voted for you; listen, it's _your_
idea, see? Because I don't know just how----"

Oh, boy, I just grabbed that kid around the neck, till I could feel his
curly head right tight close to me.

"What should I '_shh_' about?" I shouted. "You little brick! What are
you whispering about? _Pee-wee's hit it!_" I just fairly shouted. "We're
all right. Get in the car," I yelled at him, and I gave him a push.
"Telling your patrol leader to shut up, are you?"

Then I called him back again, I just couldn't help it, and I grabbed him
around the neck and I just held him that way.

"You _bully_, _tip-top_ little scout," I said; "you--you little Silver
Fox! You--you've saved all of us."

"And we can _always_ stick together, hey?" he said.

"Sure,--oh, sure," I told him; "you bet!"

Gee whiz, all we needed was the idea. All the rest of the ideas came to
us quick enough.

"There's oil in the movie lamp," Wig yelled.

"Break one of the windows," I said; "_quick_."

"W