hen I get
to thinking what little real progress I am making that this chilly
spell comes along."

"Yes, I can understand that," the other told him. "I did hope we might
run on Dock while we were up here, and either force or coax him to tell
what he did with the stolen paper. He's away from the influence of Mr.
Culpepper, you know, and if we had to come down to offering him a price
to get the paper he might accept."

"Oh! much as I hate to have to compromise such a thing," said Carl,
desperately; "I believe I'd do it. Anything to get that paper, for the
more I think of it the stronger I believe it means everything to my
mother."

"Well, we haven't quite got to the end of our tether yet," the patrol
leader assured him. "I can't explain it, but somehow there's a feeling
inside of me that tells me to keep on hoping. In some sort of fashion
luck is going to turn your way. Just keep up your grit, and hang on.
Take a lesson from the persistence of those dogs in following the
deer."

"Yes, I suppose I ought to. I've read how wolves will keep chasing
after a deer day and night, steady as dock-work, until in the end they
tire it out and get their dinner."

Just then they heard a shout, or what was closer to a shriek. It came
from beyond the camp, and was immediately followed by cries of alarm
from the other scouts.

"What's happened?" asked Tom, as with Carl he hurried to the spot to
see a group approaching bearing some burden in their midst.

"Walt Douglass fell out of a tree," replied Billy Button, looking very
pale; "and Mr. Witherspoon says he's afraid it means a fractured leg,
if nothing worse!"

CHAPTER XX

FIRST AID TO THE INJURED

Dismay seized upon most of the scouts upon realizing what a disaster
had fallen upon them. Tom however was not the one to forget that he had
made a special study of "first aid to the injured," as had also Rob
Shaefer.

"Carry him over here, where we'll make a soft bed of the blankets, and
then we've got to see how badly he's hurt!" was what Tom called out,
hurrying on ahead to arrange things.

His example seemed contagious. Boys are apt to follow a leader very
much as sheep will a bell-wether. Everybody wanted to assist; and the
feeling of panic gave way to one of confidence. Scouts should be equal
to any sudden emergency; and in that way prove the value of their
education along the lines of usefulness.

Walter was groaning dismally, although trying his best to bear th