s I ain't, an' on account o' the good turn ye done me t'other night,
boys, I'm goin' to ask a favor o' ye. I ain't got nary a kid to leave
my money to when I go; and so I hope ye'll let me pay for fittin' this
here Fox Patrol out with uniforms! That's my ijee, boys, an' it'll give
me great joy if so be ye take me up!"

They looked at each other for a minute, speechless with astonishment.

Then being real boys they found their voices with a rush. No need now for
Tom Butts or Joe Clausin to suggest three cheers. That old barn fairly
rocked with the volume of sound that burst forth, as every fellow swung
his hat in the air, and tried his best to give his feelings free rein.

CHAPTER XI

CAUGHT NAPPING

"Silence!"

The tumult died away as quickly as it had sprung into being, when Paul
held up his right hand and made this request.

All being still again, he turned to the grinning old farmer, who was
doubtless getting more solid satisfaction out of this new experience than
he had obtained from any clever dicker or trade engineered in the last
ten years.

"Mr. Growdy," said Paul, with considerable of feeling in his voice, "as
the present scout leader of Stanhope Troop No. 1 of the Boy Scouts, I
want to thank you sincerely for your generous offer. We all appreciate
the kindly spirit that causes you to make it to us. But unfortunately it
happens that the rules of our organization will not allow us to accept."

Peleg's face fell several degrees at this.

"Say, couldn't ye jest make an exception this time, boys?" he pleaded.
"I'll feel right hurt if I ain't 'lowed to help on this business some.
Wot's a hundred dollars beside the new speerit ye've managed somehow to
start up in me? If ye need more, by gum! ye kin hev it! I ain't no hog,
if I hev let the people think so this long time."

"Sorry to say so, Mr. Growdy, but we can't accept. Besides, we have all
earned enough money now to pay for what we need, and expect to send away
to-morrow to get our suits," Paul went on; and even while he was talking
a bright idea came flashing into his brain.

"Wall, now that's jest too bad, boys. I'd calkerlated to spend that
hundred on doin' a good deed, an' ye make me go back home with the same
hugged tight in my pocket. I'm sorry it cain't be did, I am, sure,"
muttered the farmer, shaking his head, and acting like a child that has
been cheated out of some anticipated pleasure.

"That doesn't follow, Mr. Growdy," said Pau