t in gold. Never again would Giraffe laugh at the
queer conceit of the fat scout in connection with the carrying of that
window-sash cord.

As the going was so difficult, and as a rule they were strung out in
single file, Thad thought that it would be just as well to defer all
explanations until they had arrived safely in camp. Besides, that
course would save Aleck from going over things twice; since those who
were not present would naturally be just as anxious to hear the
particulars as they were.

So they spent all the time in making sure that they did not lose their
footing, and take ugly tumbles; for the way was very steep, and the
moonlight, after all, rather treacherous to depend upon wholly.

Thad figured, from the clock in the heavens which he knew how to read
so well, (figuring on the position of the moon, and the multitude of
stars, from Sirius, and the blazing Belt of Orion, the Hunter, in the
northeast; to bright Venus in the west, now just about to vanish
behind the mountain ridge,) that they had been gone all of two hours,
when once more they approached the burning fire.

They could see some of the scouts around the blaze, and as they drew
near, the voice of Davy Jones called out sternly:

"Halt! who goes there?"

"Friends!" replied Thad, carrying out the humor of the thing.

"Advance friends, and give the countersign!" the sentry demanded.

"Silver Fox Patrol!" replied the scoutmaster, continuing to stride
forward, and closely followed by all the others of the returning party.

"Did you get him, Thad?" asked Davy, instantly allowing his boyish
curiosity to over-ride all soldierly qualities.

"That's what we did; and he's here with us, as hungry as they make
them," replied the patrol leader.

"Oh! I only hope you kept lots of grub; I'm that hungry I c'n hardly
walk," declared Giraffe.

"After snatching all you did too, when you went off?" complained Step
Hen.

"But think what we've done since, will you?" argued the tall scout, as
he pushed into camp, and hastened to settle down in a good spot, with
the air of one who naturally anticipated being waited on by his chums.

"Well, we cooked a lot more," Smithy hastened to remark; "because, you
see, we just calculated that you would be fairly ravenous, after your
exertions. And so this is Aleck Rawson; delighted to meet you; my name
is----"

"Cut that out; we call him plain Smithy!" broke in Step Hen; "and I'm
Step Hen Bingham. The fat feller