his tricks.

"I thought that over, and wrote out what I believed would cover the
ground. If you listen now, I'll read it to you," returned the chairman.

"Hear! hear ye! All keep silent while our honored chairman reads the
document to which we expect to subscribe our names and seals!" called
William, pompously.

What Paul had written was simply that those whose names were found below
had united themselves together with the idea of forming a troop that
could be connected with the regular Boys Scout organization as
incorporated.

Then every boy present wrote his name beneath the agreement, after which
they went into executive session, the parents of A. Cypher being kindly
but firmly requested to retire from the room, while the election of
officers proceeded, and other necessary steps were taken to perfect the
first patrol.

So the first patrol of Stanhope Troop was organized, and consisted of the
eight originators of the scheme. It was decided to call this the Red Fox
patrol. As fast as others were arranged for they could take on such names
as Gray Fox, White Fox and even Black Fox.

Later on they hoped to secure a scout master, but just now with Paul and
Wallace brimming over with woods' lore, the lack of such an officer would
not bother them.

The meeting ended in Paul being placed in the honored position of scout
leader, with the second position being thrust on Jack Stormways, though
he declared that Wallace Carberry was far better qualified to fill it
than he ever could be.

But Paul was satisfied to have it so. Jack was his favorite chum; and he
would be thrown much in his company. Besides, the desire to study up the
rules, and perfect himself in all that an assistant scout master should
know, might for a time at least take Jack's thoughts away from the
subject of his trouble at home.

Before the boys left they were summoned to the dining room, where
refreshments were placed before them; and when the meeting did finally
break up every fellow felt deep down in his heart that an important step
had been taken toward raising the standard of living among the rising
generation of Stanhope.

Finally, as the hour had grown fairly late it was suggested that they
leave in a body, since all military organizations did this.

"And," continued the one who had put this idea forward, "while we have
nothing to do with the army itself, we expect to be governed by certain
military rules. What say, fellows?"

"Fall in! f