was evident that the proposition to have
the Silver Fox Patrol visit the mountain region where Bob had once lived
must have sunk deeply into their minds.

"I know one thing sure," remarked Thad; "if we're lucky enough to go
there, I'm going to carry my shotgun along. A Boy Scout as a rule is
seldom seen bearing arms; but there's nothing in the rules of the
organization that I can find to prevent a member from enjoying a hunt
when he has the chance. Besides, if we camp out, as we expect to, we
must depend on getting game for part of our supplies."

"And as for the money part," remarked Bob, "while a scout is required to
earn the money for his suit and outfit, there's nothing to prevent him
from accepting a railroad ticket from his folks, or any other cash to
provide him with a summer's outing. So far as I can see it, suh, the
whole intention of the organization is to make its members manly,
independent, helpful to others, and thrifty. I hope, suh, all of us are
trying to carry out those rules. And it would please me more than I can
tell you, if you decided to accompany me to that mountain country where
they grow men; because I am compelled to go there for my mother, and
would be the happiest fellow alive if my seven chums went along to keep
me company."

"Don't tell it around, Bob," said Thad, quietly, "but really it's as
good as settled that if we get back from this first little camping trip
in good shape, we're going to get the chance to make a bigger tour," and
then the three exultant scouts shook hands, as they saw a glorious
future prospect opening before them.

CHAPTER XVII.

THE MAKER OF FIRES.

Giraffe spent fully half an hour, if not longer, that afternoon, making
ample preparations for his anticipated building of the camp-fire that
night, after supper had been disposed of.

He had his busy jack-knife at work laying in a store of shavings that
would flare up in a jiffy, and set the next-sized kindling to going;
when by degrees the larger logs would take fire under the fierce heat.
Thad kept an eye on him, and others were a bit worried lest the boy who
just doted on building fires overdo the matter, and set the forest
ablaze.

"Why, you've already got twice too much tinder, Giraffe," remonstrated
Davy Jones, as he saw the boy with the knife start in again to cut more.

"Do for starting the fire in the morning then," replied Giraffe. "Must
be doing something all the time, you know; and I don't e