ese musical instruments, and the shrill
notes of the one, and the roll of the other, had become very familiar and
acceptable sounds in Stanhope these fall days, when the first snow made
its appearance.

Already had they planned a great camp for the next summer, and there was
talk of a grand hike into the almost unknown, to them, country far to the
north. What strange adventures were destined to befall them during this
eventful outing, together with the fun that William and Bobolink afforded
the troop, will be recounted in the next volume, to be called: "The
Banner Boy Scouts on a Tour; or, The Mystery of Rattlesnake Mountain."

Even at school the teachers noticed that things seemed to move along much
more smoothly than ever before. Some of them were inclined to suspect
that a miracle had been wrought in boy nature; until it was shown that
there were still quite a number of transgressors, and that not one of the
bad ones belonged to the scouts. That opened their eyes, and after such
evidence they were one and all heartily in favor of the organization that
kept lads interested, taught them every noble duty that would make them
better men later on, caused them to be manly, heroic, self-confident in
time of sudden peril, and able to stand up for their rights.

Thanksgiving came at last.

The entire county showed a keen interest in the rivalry of the three
troops for leadership. Each had its sturdy backers, who believed their
home company to be the best; and hence when the choice of situation fell
to Manchester, it looked as though nearly the entire population of
Stanhope and Aldine had also gathered to cheer their favorites on.

The competition was keenly contested. A dozen different events had been
scheduled some time back by the committee, as the more important elements
that would enter into the struggle; and the scout master of each patrol
had been notified, so that he might select those most competent to
succeed.

Scout master Gordon, and later on his deputy, Paul, had been working with
those who excelled in these various lines. Nothing was left undone to
make them proficient in their work. When the critical time came, and
before the eyes of thousands they lined up before the committee to take
the test, Paul believed that success was sure to come.

Football was in the air for the afternoon; but that morning every school
flag fluttered in that densely packed field where the arena was laid.
Scores upon scores of pr