Part 11 (1/2)

At that moment a distant squealing told that the Otters were waxing enthusiastic, also. Down by the pier at the lakeside, Tom Sherwood had gathered his patrol,---to which Ralph Kenyon had been added for the period of his visit.

Tom had just been explaining some facts that he had learned while with the surveyors on Ralph's farm, and even Buck Winter had shown a responsive interest.

d.i.c.k Bellamy, as usual, was keenly alive to the prospects in store, foreseeing plenty of fun as well as work.

”I'll tell you one thing, fellows,” he began.

”And that's not two,” interrupted Sam Winter impudently.

”Somebody, please put the lid on that youngster a minute,” continued d.i.c.k, looking at Sam in well-a.s.sumed indignation. ”As I was saying,---or about to say,---I have often wished that I knew more about the queer formations along the banks of rivers where I have gone on fis.h.i.+ng trips. My father has always had a good deal to say about 'erosion,' and 'glacial periods' and 'stratification' and 'natural boundaries,' and I shall feel mighty proud to go back home knowing a few of 'them things,' as Injun Joe would say.”

This was an unusually serious speech from the imaginative and sometimes irrepressible d.i.c.k, and the boys were correspondingly moved by it.

”Oh, if it is like _that_,” acknowledged Sam Winter, in a different tone of voice than he had previously used, ”we-----”

”We will all want to do our best,” finished his brother. ”I have often wondered about the same things on my tramps after photographs of animals. I've come across lots of queer formations and odd rocks and natural caves and things.”

As Buck ended his remarks a little lamely, Bud Morgan hastened to say, ”You fellows have the idea now,---and mark my word: the Otters are going to win out!”

CHAPTER XII

AN ILl.u.s.tRIOUS EXAMPLE

That night the Scout Master was much gratified at the interest manifested by the boys as they a.s.sembled around the council fire.

It was plain that they had all found ”food for thought” in what he had told them on the previous evening. Their questions showed that they were anxious to understand how to make the most of the promised course, and that they realized it was bound to prove intensely interesting.

”Some of the boys asked me to remind you of the book you had last night,” said Don Miller, coming up to Lieutenant Denmead as the latter had a moment's freedom.

”Surely! I must not forget my promise,” responded the Scout Master.

”See that the troop is a.s.sembled and ready, Miller, and I will secure the volume.”

A few moments later the erect, impressive figure of the lieutenant faced the waiting a.s.sembly of silent scouts.

”Scouts of Pioneer Camp,” he said, ”among the heroes of our nation is one whose name is particularly familiar to you and to whom public honor is frequently given. His character has borne the searchlight of investigation for more than a century, and as a man of fine moral fiber and a military leader of superior judgment, he still stands preeminent. I refer, boys, to General George Was.h.i.+ngton!”

So impressive and so compelling were these words that instinctively the patrol leaders rose to their feet and stood at salute. In an instant every scout had joined them, and the Scout Master gravely returned the proffered courtesy.

At a gesture the boys sat down again, and the lieutenant, sitting so that the fire light fell steadily on the open book in his hand, began to read:

”'George Was.h.i.+ngton was not more than thirteen or fourteen years of age when he was encouraged to put his skill in mathematics into definite use by learning surveying. He applied himself so thoroughly that before long he surveyed the land about the schoolhouse which he attended. As he was the first pupil who had performed such a practical piece of work, his schoolmates were deeply interested in his exploit.'”

”'A little later, when he had advanced so far in his study as to give him some idea of the proper use and handling of the chain and compa.s.s, he began to put his knowledge into practice by taking surveys of the farms lying in the immediate neighborhood of his schoolhouse.'”

”'a.s.sisted by his schoolmates, he would follow up and measure off the boundary lines between the farms, such as fences, roads, and water courses; then those dividing the different parts of the same farm; determining at the same time, with the help of his compa.s.s, their various courses, their crooks and windings, and the angles formed at their points of meeting or intersection. This done, he would make a map or drawing on paper of the land surveyed, whereon would be clearly traced the lines dividing the different parts with the name and number of acres of each attached, while on the opposite page he would write down the long and difficult tables of figures by which these results had been reached. All this he would execute with as much neatness and accuracy as if it had been left with him to decide thereby some gravely disputed land claim.'”

Lieutenant Denmead paused and glanced at the group of faces steadily turned toward him. Then he resumed: