what he did to-day. Did you get that manual you sent for,
Paul?" and the speaker resolutely shut his teeth hard together as if
determined to keep his mind off the harassing subject.

"Yes, it's in my pocket, and seems to be full of meat, too. I haven't had
much chance to soak it in, but what I did read interested me a whole
lot," returned the doctor's son.

"Well, I thought of a friend I had over in Manchester, and this afternoon
I took my wheel and jumped down there, crossing by the bridge. Just as I
hoped, Landy is a member of the troop there, and he gladly told me all he
knew about the business. I'm more than ever tickled at the idea of our
having a branch up here, to compete with the neighboring towns. He told
me something more that we might consider, too."

"What was that, Jack?"

"You remember Mr. Silas Westervelt, the Quaker of Manchester?"

"Sure. I've often talked with him, and my father is their family doctor,"
replied Paul, readily enough.

"It seems that he's become interested in this scout movement, which
he endorses through and through. The result is that he has offered a
beautiful banner to the organization that can show the highest degree of
efficiency, and the greatest number of merit marks by Thanksgiving day.
It's being made now, down in the city."

"That counts us in, then, for we'll have plenty of time to get busy
before the day of turkey rolls around, eh, Jack?"

"Oh! we'll be in the contest all right, even if we are counted in the
'also ran' class. These other fellows have been camping this summer, and
must be up in many of the things that count. But then, they haven't got
Paul Morrison at the head as scout leader, and that means everything in
our favor," declared Jack, warmly.

"Please cut that out after this. It's true that I've always been deeply
interested in many things connected with life in the woods; but you see
that's only one part of a good scout's credit marks. In fact, there's
hardly one thing in all the trades and professions that is omitted from
the list. Only he must _excel_ in all he undertakes. And soon we will
have to find a young man over twenty-one who will act as our scout
master."

"Hold up, there's Bobolink hurrying to catch us; and he acts as if he
might be the bearer of important news," remarked Jack, who had heard a
hail from the rear, and turned his head to see a flitting form.

The other came up, panting heavily.

"Say, you fellows must have the seven lea