banner, which was to fall to the leading patrol of the county.

They were now almost ready to "break camp" for the evening, and before
doing so indulged in a little general talk. Many had ideas which they
wished to advance, in order to discover what the attitude of their
comrades might be.

"Mr. Chairman," said Wallace Carberry, when he found a little lull in the
buzz of conversation, "I have a proposition I'd like to put before the
meeting before we disband."

"Hear! hear!" shouted several of the boys, notably those who had been
seen in close confab with Wallace, and hence probably in touch with his
scheme.

"All right, Number Seven; let's hear what it is," replied Paul, readily.

Every member of each patrol had a number. These began with the scout
leader, who of course had to take the "initial sack," as Bobolink, still
baseball wild, put it. Jack, as his assistant in control, came as Number
Two; Bobolink next; Bluff captured Four as his distinguishing feature;
Nuthin' being Five, and the twins the next pair, for it would never do to
separate William and Wallace, while Tom Betts was Eighth and last.

"If the gentlemen present will give me the floor, with the privilege of
three minutes in which to explain what I have in mind, I will be glad to
comply."

Wallace was very precise in his way of putting things. This did not
happen only when in school, or as he stood up to address a meeting of
his chums. He could not unbend his dignity even under the most trivial
conditions.

William was just the reverse; and so full of frolic and fun that the boys
always declared the pair to be unequally matched, since in disposition
they were exact opposites.

And yet under it all there was the same abiding affection that generally
may be found between twins.

"Hear! hear!" shouted the boys once more.

"Let's have it, Wallace, old sport. It's bound to be a jim-dandy idea!"
declared a loud voice that seemed to spring from the ceiling; but no one
was deceived, for they knew only too well how Bobolink could throw his
voice pretty much where he pleased.

"Silence!"

When Paul, who in the absence of a regular scout master, occupied the
chair, uttered this one word every sound ceased; and after that there was
no excuse for Wallace to hesitate longer.

"Some of us have been talking it over, Mr. Chairman, and we would
respectfully request that you name an early date when we can go out into
the woods for several tests of skill. Th