im. And yet in his natural condition he was the
most rollicking fellow in the troop, being somewhat addicted to present
day slang, just as Bobolink and some others were.

"Fellow members of the Banner Boy Scouts," he began, when a roar arose.
"Cut that all out, William!"

"Yes, give us the dope straight. Where are we going to hike?"

"Hit it up, old war-horse! We want the facts, and we want 'em bad. Get
down to business, and whisper it!"

William smiled as these and many other cries greeted him. It pleased him
to keep his comrades on the anxious-seat a little longer; but when
threatening gestures were beginning to prove that the patience of the
assembled scouts had about reached its limit, he was wise enough to
surrender.

So he held up his hand, with the little finger crossed by the thumb--the
true scout's salute. Instantly the tumult ceased.

"Gentlemen," the chairman of the selected three went on, "this committee
has decided, after much powwowing, and looking into all sorts of
propositions, that the country to the north offers the best field for a
record hike, and a camp in the wilderness; where the scouts can discover
just how much they have learned this past Winter of woods lore. So it's
back to the tall timber for us next week!"

"Hear! hear!"

"Wow! that sounds good to me all right!"

"But just what tall timber, Mr. Chairman? Tell us that, won't you?"

Once more William made the signal for silence, and every scout became
mute. At least they had learned the value of obedience, and that is one
of the cardinal virtues in a Boy Scout's ritual.

"This committee recommends that we hike away up to Rattlesnake
Mountain," William went on to say, "and explore the country thereabouts,
which has not been visited by a boy of Stanhope, in this present
generation, at least. That is all for me; and now I'll skidoo!" with
which the chairman dropped down into his chair again with becoming
modesty.

Then arose a great uproar. Cheers rang out in hearty boyish manner, as
though the committee had struck a popular fancy when it decided upon the
neighborhood of Rattlesnake Mountain for the Summer camp.

This elevation could be seen from the town on the Bushkill. It had a
grim look even on the clearest days; and there were so many stories told
about the dangers to be encountered in that enchanted region that boys
usually talked in whispers about a prospective trip of exploration
there.

Thus far it was not on record tha