Art was discussing the matter of the aeroplane when Mr. Trevor, who had waited at home, visited the garage. The sick boy had not passed a bad night but the crisis had not yet been reached. There must be quiet. The boys were asked to play somewhere else.
“Can we go to McGuire’s and see his aeroplane?” asked Art.
“No,” answered Mr. Trevor positively5. “It is the only fortune the boy has and his means[134] of livelihood6. I want no one to go near it or touch it until he is able to look it over.”
All day the boys discussed the possibilities of what would follow if Bonner recovered and became the Trevor chauffeur7. Art had dreams he did not attempt to conceal8.
“I’ll bet you he can fix the aeroplane if he made it. That’ll be our chance. We’ll chip in and pay for what he needs. Mebbe we can get a ride in it.”
“Mebbe he’ll teach us to fly it ourselves,” ventured Colly Craighead.
From airships, the talk under the big maple9 tree in the Conyers yard ran to the suspended Boy Scout program. As the possibilities of this were expounded10 by Connie, every one came forward with suggestions as to the first outing. Lew Ashwood proposed the thing that met general approval: a hike to Round Rock River and an exploration of the abandoned quarry11.
“It’s five miles to the river,” explained Lew. “We can start at five o’clock in the morning, when it’s cool, and each fellow can carry grub in his knapsack, only we’ll each take something different so’s we can cook up a big breakfast when we get to the river. I’ll take enough frankfurters for everyone, about[135] four or five pounds. The rest of you’ll have to take bread an’ eggs an’ tea—”
“How about lunch an’ supper?” piped up Sammy Addington.
“An’ some’ll have to take ham an’ things for lunch,” went on Lew. “We’ll get supper when we get home.”
“You can get dinner at the farmer’s out there,” suggested Connie. “He gets it for fishermen if they telephone to him.”
“What!” exclaimed Art. “Boy Scouts eatin’ a bought meal on a table in a house? We might as well stay at home.”
“Sure,” shouted a boy. “We want to camp out and cook on our own fire. We got to have bacon too so’s if we don’t catch any fish.”
“That’s right,” agreed Art. “We ought to take some fishin’ tackle. Round Rock’s great for bass12. If anything happened to our provisions we ought to catch some fish to keep from starvin’.”
“If we had a shotgun,” suggested Ashwood, “we might bring down some squirrels. There’s oceans o’ squirrels on Round Rock.”
“Squirrel potpie’s great,” put in Sandy Sheldon. “Can any kid make squirrel potpie? We’d ought to take some flour and potatoes.”
[136]
“Boy Scouts can’t carry firearms,” remarked Connie. “That’s one of the laws, you know.”
“Not even to keep ’em from starvin’?” asked Lew.
“I reckon it’s to keep ’em from shootin’ each other,” laughed Connie.
“They ain’t no need to bother ’bout fish and squirrels,” broke in young Abercrombie. “Let ever’ kid take all he can carry or his folks’ll give him. I reckon we ought to get up two meals out o’ that. An’ in the evening we’ll get Mr. Trevor to send the big automobile13 to the river for us.”
“We’d ought to I reckon,” allowed Connie, “by the rules. But for a starter mebbe we could ride home. An’ you know we’ll be hikin’ all day up the river to the old quarry.”
Out of enthusiasm of this sort the boys finally found themselves grown so energetic that they could wait no longer for the coming drill manual. With the martial15 knowledge that every boy possesses to some extent, they left the shade of the maple and formed a drill squad16. From marching and countermarching[137] they fell to tracking an imaginary enemy, scaling imaginary breastworks, rescuing each other in the face of the enemy’s fire and binding17 up imaginary wounds.
In Scottsville the dinner hour was at noon. While most of the perspiring18 scouts were engaged at this meal, several of them received telephone calls from their leader.
“They’ve come!” was the excited announcement. “I got a letter. We’re accepted for the Boy Scouts an’ they’s a certificate—‘Scottsville Patrol No. 1—Wolves.’ The uniforms mebbe is at the express office now an’ the books. Hurry up an’ come to my house.”
“Don’t forget to tell the boys,” said Mr. Trevor to his son, immensely pleased over the interest the boys were showing in his plan, “that the sick boy was hungry this morning and ate a little broth19. I don’t know whether one’s good wishes can help another but if they can, the Wolves ought to make our patient get well.”
“You bet we’re a-pullin’ for him all the time. Say, father,” exclaimed Art, “when Bonner gets well why couldn’t he be a Boy Scout if he stays here? He ain’t too old.”
[138]
Mr. Trevor’s face showed surprise and then the surprise turned into a smile.
“There isn’t any reason, if he wanted to, and you boys selected him and liked him. I don’t believe he has ever had a real home or any boy life. However, I wouldn’t suggest it to the other boys until he is much better.”
But the eager young scouts had to content themselves with their charter that day. The eagerly awaited uniforms did not come. In the late afternoon discouraging news from the sick room reached those in the garage, where aeroplanes were again under discussion. The sick boy had begun to show some temperature, a bad sign, and both doctors were “going to operate.” But it wasn’t quite so bad as that.
A small fragment of a spruce upright had been taken from young Bonner’s back. Both doctors made another examination of the injury. As they feared they discovered a second splinter which was only removed after an incision20 had been made. It was exhausting to the suffering boy, for an anesthetic21 was not administered, and those in the garage below could hear the sounds of his suffering. But from that time the boy began to mend.
All the Wolves were at the depot22 the next[139] morning when No. 28 came in. There it was, dumped off the express car as carelessly as if it had been ordinary merchandise—one large box for “Mr. Alexander Conyers.” The driver of the express wagon23 knew what it meant and with a grin promised immediate24 delivery at Connie’s home. On the corner of the big box was a glorious label. It read:
SCOUT SUPPLIES.
SCOUTMASTER’S UNIFORMS IN ALL SIZES.
BILLY AND MESS TINS, CAMP KETTLES,
TENTS AND MARQUEES.
CHICAGO UNIFORM COMPANY.
The packing case, about seven feet long, instantly had to be examined by each of the thirteen boys. All the depot loungers had to have a peek31 too. Among these was a broad-shouldered boy who approached unobserved.
“Hello, kiddos,” was his hearty32 greeting. “What’s doin’?” Then he saw Connie’s name and the label. While the Elm Streeters[140] fell back momentarily with cloudy faces the new arrival read the card on the box.
“Boy Scouts, eh?” he laughed. “I heard o’ them. You guys tired o’ toy aeroplanes?”
At a glance from Connie, Art flushed. He realized at once that there wasn’t much Boy Scout spirit in his answer. Then he added: “You bet. An’ it’s great. Them’s all uniforms an’ things. We’re all goin’ to drill an’ goin’ campin’ and scoutin’.”
“That sounds good to me,” commented Hank. “Did you have to buy ’em?”
“Mr. Trevor bought ever’thing,” explained Connie. “He figured it all out for us. We’re the Wolf Patrol.”
“It’s like soldiers, ain’t it?” said Hank. “I read about ’em.”
“Soldiers an’ scouts. Reg’lar scouts,” volunteered Sammy Addington.
“I wish’t I could see ’em,” he said embarrassed and pointing to the box.
“We’re goin’ to drill this evenin’,” said[141] Connie. “We’d be glad to have you come over to my house ’bout four o’clock if you’d like to.”
Hank’s perplexity was now open astonishment35. And the Elm Streeters showed little less.
“You don’t mean me an’ the gang?” exclaimed Hank at last.
“Sure,” answered Connie. “You ain’t goin’ to be in the way.”
The Elm Streeters almost gasped36. A direct invitation from Elm Street to the Goosetowners to visit that exclusive locality! Art edged up to Connie and gave him a questioning look.
“Sure,” exclaimed Art, conscience-stricken and turning to his late foe38 and rival. “Come over. Bygones is bygones.”
The Boy Scout idea had worked its first wonder on the scrappy Art. All but Connie stood open-mouthed in wonder. Sammy Addington shook his head sadly. He would not invite Nick Apthorp at least.
When the box had been deposited in Conyers’ back yard and feverishly39 opened, thirteen bundles and a long package lay before the tingling40 boys. On top was a large envelope[142] marked “Invoice,” directed to Mr. Trevor in care of “Mr. Alex Conyers.” It was unsealed. Connie opened it and spread it before the boys. It was a list of the contents of the box and read:
” 1 Patrol Leader hat, ditto, with pugaree .65
” 12 Scout shirts, khaki, brown, military pockets, official pattern 4.68
” 12 Scout belts, pigskin, rings and swivels 2.60
” 1 Patrol Leader belt, cowhide, strap for shoulder .65
” 13 Scout haversacks, khaki drill 1.90
” 13 Scout ties, black, 5×36 inches 1.30
” 13 Scout lanyards .30
” 13 Scout knives with marlinspike 3.25
” 13 Scout whistles 2.08
” 13 “Billy” tins 2.60
” 13 Combined knives and forks 3.90
” 2 Semaphore signal flags .30
” 1 Patrol flag, green, marked “WOLF” .25
———
$33.81
[143]
“Gee,” exclaimed Colly Craighead. “That’s a lot.”
“It’s two dollars and sixty cents for each boy,” protested Connie. “An’ we got ever’thing we need but tents an’ blankets an’ we can get them right here when we need them.”
Then unpacking43 began. Each package was marked with a boy’s name. And the contents of each were suited to that boy’s size and measurement. In the history of every boy present there had never come a happier moment. In five minutes the Conyers’ yard was ablaze44 with newly caparisoned youngsters; Connie, superior in his patrol leader hat, badge and cuffed45 shirt, and Sammy Addington, by gracious consent, as the Wolf standard bearer.
“Fall in,” shouted Patrol Leader Conyers at last and the smart uniforms lined up together for the first time. By fours and by file the squad marched and countermarched. After a half hour it was remembered that the manuals, furnished free, and a part of the equipment were yet unexamined. “Break ranks!” was ordered and the happy scouts returned to the shade of the wide maple tree where the books were distributed.
Then, like swarming46 bees, the recruits began[144] to devour47 “Scoutcraft”: a scout’s work, his instructions, the scout laws, campaigning, camp life, tracking, woodcraft, the chivalry48 of scouts. They read again and again how General Baden-Powell had used the boys of Mafeking in the siege of that town to assist the too few soldiers; all about the scouts’ badges and medals for merit and bravery; what they meant and how to win them.
In the midst of this there came a shock. Some one discovered on the street outside, Hank Milleson and his friends—the Goosetowners’ delegation49. But the committee was small. In addition to Hank there were Carrots Compton, Mart Clare and Buck50 Bluett. Nick Apthorp was not present. Seeing this Sammy Addington sprang up, seized the Wolf standard and came to a “present.” There was a snicker from the Goosetowners.
Patrol Leader Conyers was about to yell, “Come in the yard,” when he checked himself. His mother had not joined the scout ranks and Connie had no reason to believe she had changed her views on the desirability of her son’s associating with any Goosetowner. But not to be impolite or forgetful of his invitation he ordered his scouts into line once more.[145] Then, that the visitors might have a full and close view of all the new Wolf Patrol glory, he led his squad proudly out into the street and past the half defiant51 quartette.
“Some neckties!” commented Mart Clare. “Take it from me.”
“What’s the sticks fur?” asked Carrots Compton derisively52.
“What’s on the flag?” asked Hank with more sincerity54. “By gravy55!” he exclaimed as the undisciplined Sammy proudly dropped it for inspection56. “If it ain’t a howlin’ wolf an’ no less.”
“What’s the matter with Kyotes?” snickered Carrots Compton. “Ye can tame a wolf.”
There was no reply from the ranks. The recently belligerent57 Elm Streeters were now soldiers with a leader. Some of them were choking red in the face, but with shoulders squared, they filed by their old enemies without a retort. A moment later, with a file right and column front, the little cavalcade58 wheeled and marched directly up to the four bewildered Goosetowners. As if about to sweep down their guests,[146] the column advanced to within a few feet of Hank and his friends.
“Halt!” ordered Patrol Leader Conyers.
Sharply and with heels squarely together, the line came to a stand.
Each scout’s right hand rose swiftly to the brim of his jaunty60 hat and then Connie whirled, faced their observers, and raised his own hand.
“Aw, what you givin’ us?” exclaimed Hank.
“The scouts’ salute to a stranger,” answered Connie. “It means we think you are the right sort of fellows and that we mean well to you.”
“Come off,” muttered Carrots Compton shifting uneasily. Then in another tone, he added, “Say, kids, what’d them dicers cost?”
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1
aviator
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| n.飞行家，飞行员 | |
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scout
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| n.童子军，侦察员；v.侦察，搜索 | |
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scouts
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| 侦察员[机，舰]( scout的名词复数 )； 童子军； 搜索； 童子军成员 | |
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4
wreck
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| n.失事，遇难；沉船；vt.(船等)失事，遇难 | |
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positively
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| adv.明确地，断然，坚决地；实在，确实 | |
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livelihood
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| n.生计，谋生之道 | |
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chauffeur
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| n.(受雇于私人或公司的)司机；v.为…开车 | |
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8
conceal
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| v.隐藏，隐瞒，隐蔽 | |
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maple
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| n.槭树，枫树，槭木 | |
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10
expounded
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| 论述，详细讲解( expound的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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11
quarry
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| n.采石场；v.采石；费力地找 | |
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12
bass
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| n.男低音(歌手)；低音乐器；低音大提琴 | |
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13
automobile
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| n.汽车，机动车 | |
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14
dubiously
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| adv.可疑地，怀疑地 | |
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martial
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| adj.战争的，军事的，尚武的，威武的 | |
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16
squad
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| n.班，小队，小团体；vt.把…编成班或小组 | |
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17
binding
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| 有约束力的，有效的，应遵守的 | |
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18
perspiring
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| v.出汗，流汗( perspire的现在分词 ) | |
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19
broth
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| n.原(汁)汤(鱼汤、肉汤、菜汤等) | |
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20
incision
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| n．切口，切开 | |
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anesthetic
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| n.麻醉剂，麻药；adj.麻醉的，失去知觉的 | |
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22
depot
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| n.仓库，储藏处；公共汽车站；火车站 | |
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23
wagon
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| n.四轮马车，手推车，面包车；无盖运货列车 | |
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24
immediate
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| adj.立即的；直接的，最接近的；紧靠的 | |
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25
outfits
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| n.全套装备( outfit的名词复数 )；一套服装；集体；组织v.装备，配置设备，供给服装( outfit的第三人称单数 ) | |
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26
scouting
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| 守候活动，童子军的活动 | |
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specially
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| adv.特定地；特殊地；明确地 | |
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28
jerseys
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| n.运动衫( jersey的名词复数 ) | |
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29
capes
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| 碎谷； 斗篷( cape的名词复数 )； 披肩； 海角； 岬 | |
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30
kit
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| n.用具包，成套工具；随身携带物 | |
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31
peek
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| vi.偷看，窥视；n.偷偷的一看，一瞥 | |
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32
hearty
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| adj.热情友好的；衷心的；尽情的，纵情的 | |
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savagely
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| adv. 野蛮地，残酷地 | |
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envious
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| adj.嫉妒的，羡慕的 | |
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35
astonishment
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| n.惊奇，惊异 | |
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36
gasped
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| v.喘气( gasp的过去式和过去分词 )；喘息；倒抽气；很想要 | |
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chuckle
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| vi.／n.轻声笑，咯咯笑 | |
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foe
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| n.敌人，仇敌 | |
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feverishly
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| adv. 兴奋地 | |
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40
tingling
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| v.有刺痛感( tingle的现在分词 ) | |
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41
strap
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| n.皮带，带子；v.用带扣住，束牢；用绷带包扎 | |
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42
cuffs
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| n.袖口( cuff的名词复数 )v.掌打，拳打( cuff的第三人称单数 ) | |
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43
unpacking
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| n.取出货物，拆包[箱]v.从（包裹等）中取出（所装的东西），打开行李取出( unpack的现在分词 )；拆包；解除…的负担；吐露（心事等） | |
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44
ablaze
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| adj.着火的，燃烧的；闪耀的，灯火辉煌的 | |
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45
cuffed
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| v.掌打，拳打( cuff的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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46
swarming
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| 密集( swarm的现在分词 )； 云集； 成群地移动； 蜜蜂或其他飞行昆虫成群地飞来飞去 | |
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47
devour
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| v.吞没；贪婪地注视或谛听，贪读；使着迷 | |
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48
chivalry
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| n.骑士气概，侠义；（男人）对女人彬彬有礼，献殷勤 | |
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49
delegation
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| n.代表团；派遣 | |
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50
buck
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| n.雄鹿，雄兔；v.马离地跳跃 | |
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51
defiant
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| adj.无礼的，挑战的 | |
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52
derisively
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| adv. 嘲笑地，嘲弄地 | |
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53
buffalo
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| n.(北美)野牛；(亚洲)水牛 | |
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54
sincerity
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| n.真诚，诚意；真实 | |
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55
gravy
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| n.肉汁；轻易得来的钱，外快 | |
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56
inspection
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| n.检查，审查，检阅 | |
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57
belligerent
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| adj.好战的，挑起战争的；n.交战国，交战者 | |
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58
cavalcade
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| n.车队等的行列 | |
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59
salute
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| vi.行礼，致意，问候，放礼炮；vt.向…致意，迎接，赞扬；n.招呼，敬礼，礼炮 | |
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60
jaunty
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| adj．愉快的，满足的；adv.心满意足地，洋洋得意地；n.心满意足；洋洋得意 | |
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