shall it be?" asked Blythe. "I will gladly accompany Captain
Clearview here, who is an excellent singer. Captain, what say you? Shall
we have 'Woodmen, Boatmen, Sailors and Horsemen?' The lads like that and
can join in the chorus."

"Play away!" said Clearview, and at the proper note he struck in and
sang the following song, in the refrain of which all the company joined:

THE BROWNIES' NATIONAL SONG.

O MERRY AND FREE!
OR
WOODMEN, BOATMEN, SAILORS AND HORSEMEN.

I.

O merry and free,
'Neath the wildwood tree,
Are the Woodmen of Brownieland, bonnie and dee;
Too--ra--lah, too--ra--loo, too--ra--lay!
In the breeze there is balm,
In the sky there is calm,
Each sound in the wood is the voice of a psalm;
Too--ra--lah, too--ra--loo, too--ra--lay!

II.

O merry and free,
On the lake and lea,
Are the Boatmen of Brownieland, bonnie and dee;
Too--ra--lah, too--ra--loo, too--ra--lay!
For the trout's rushing leap,
And the water-fowl's sweep,
With the paddle's soft dip sweet harmony keep;
Too--ra--lah, too--ra--loo, too--ra--lay!

III.

O merry and free,
On the wrinkled sea,
Are the sailors of Brownieland, bonnie and dee;
Too--ra--lah, too--ra--loo, too--ra--lay!
For the creaking of sail,
And the sough of the gale,
And splashing of waves, are the songs that ne'er fail;
Too--ra--lah, too--ra--loo, too--ra--lay!

IV.

O merry and free,
Over hill and lea,
Are the troopers of Brownieland, bonnie and dee;
Too--ra--lah, too--ra--loo, too--ra--lay!
It is pleasure indeed,
To be one with the steed
In his strength, and thrill with the rhythm of speed;
Too--ra--lah, too--ra--loo, too--ra--lay!

"Hist--st!"

The sharp prolonged sibilant that broke in upon their applause and
caused instant silence, was uttered by Sergeant True. He advanced into
the circle with his hand raised warningly.

"Hist! Quiet all!--except you, Blythe. Keep on with your music. Play
some of your softest airs, and play until I bid you stop. As for the
rest of you, I charge you, for your lives, not to speak or move until
you hear from me. No matter what you see--perfect silence, remember!"

He stepped b