“What you up to now, Kid?” asked Tom Langford, as Gordon stopped at his seat.
“Tickets, please,” said Gordon, grabbing the paraffin paper and passing on.
“Playing conductor, Gordon?” Dr. Brent asked cheerfully, as Gordon passed.
But it turned out that this was Gordon’s first maneuver5 in the direction of one of his own particular, genuine, original good turns (for not even Black Wolf himself, with all respect to him, could stand up with G. Lord in this particular phase of boy scouting). He hoped that no one but himself would remember the law which had just gone into effect in the State of New Jersey6, prohibiting the public drinking-cup in railroad trains and elsewhere, and he made no answer to the jocular remarks of the boys, as he carefully folded the papers and tucked them away in his pocket.
When they reached New York and boarded the Oakwood train, there was the usual cooler filled with ice-cold water, but no glass. The day was very warm, and only one or two of the passengers carried drinking-cups. Then Gordon, in his element, went through the car, deftly7 rolling his paraffin papers into little cornucopias8, and handing them with a word of explanation to the astonished passengers.
“I never even knew there was such a law,” remarked one old gentleman, to his companion.
“Thank you so very much,” said a young lady, taking the makeshift cup. “I’m dreadfully thirsty, too—you’re a public benefactor10.”
“Let me fill it for you,” said Gordon, grinning delightedly. As he handed it to her, the train pulled into Oakwood, and before he had refilled it for her to enjoy a second draught11, every member of the troop had left the car, and the train was puffing12 out of the station.
“Hurry up, my boy, train’s starting,” the old gentleman called cheerily after him; “you’ll have to jump.”
“That’s nothing,” Gordon answered, as he swung off.
Thus it was that Master Gordon Lord, Scout, missed his train by stopping to do a good turn, when he started away, and almost missed his station by doing another one, when he came home. The good turns had not lessened13 his pleasure in the least; one of them had opened the way for a variety of adventures, and, as he later remarked to a gentleman representing the National Council, who was visiting Oakwood, and to whom he had “recounted his adventures,” “The more you do of them, the more fun you have, and oh, cracky, I’m glad I met Miss Leslie that first morning!”
The mention of the national councilman leads us, by a short cut, to an important event, but in order to get to it we must take a running jump over another one.
It was a great day when a score or more of youthful inventors and a very fair audience of adults besides gathered on the golf links of the Oakwood Field Club to see the trials for the aviation cup which the Oakwood News had offered. The golfers stopped their play in honor of the occasion, and the contestants15 on the tennis courts laid down their racquets and wandered over to the field. Even so grouchy16 a character as old Cobb, the club steward17, had to leave his accustomed duties and loiter out to the field as if he really didn’t care what was going on, but just happened to be ambling18 in that direction. His half-interested manner deceived no one, and his arrival was hailed by a score of voices:
“Don’t let yourself get excited, Mr. Cobb.”
“This is what Mr. Cobb has been counting on for a month.”
“Give Mr. Cobb a front seat.”
“Goin’ to have an air race with those things?” Cobb finally condescended19 to grumble20, though he knew perfectly21 what was afoot.
“No, we’re going to have a swimming match,” said a High School boy.
“Humph,” said Cobb.
Mr. Carson, the manual-training teacher in the High School, was on hand with half a dozen boys whose aeroplanes had been entered, and a good many more, whose aeroplanes were not entered, but whose lungs were in good condition to cheer. Will Garret, son of a local architect, was there with a perfect model of the Van Anden machine. Howard Brent, Matthew Reed, Ben McConnell, and Tom Langford had each entered a model. The local Y. M. C. A. had its aviators22 too, who had brought their several machines.
There was one other contestant14, besides. He sat in a big touring-car which was drawn23 up among several other vehicles,—an odd, pale little fellow, all nerves and excitement. He lived in the great stone mansion24 on the hill, and he was not very well known in Oakwood yet. He seemed a very little boy to live in such a big house and to sit in such a big car.
“There’s none of ’em has flown acrost Lake Champlain, at all,” the loyal chauffeur answered. “Has there, Mister Arrnold?”
Harry26, who sat on the long step of the car, looked up and laughed. He had gone about the field in his quiet way looking at the dainty little models, some of which were masterpieces of clever construction. He had handled Will Garret’s silver-painted flier and praised it. He had sized up the graceful27 monoplanes made under Mr. Carson’s competent direction. Then he had walked over to the auto28 and ruefully examined the little aeroplane that Penfield held. It was not very well finished. The sticks of the motor base were held together with the cap of a fountain pen, by way of a ferrule, and Harry recognized various other results of his own suggestions. The alarm works were bound rather far forward, and several strands29 of live, red elastic30 hung slack between the little striking bar and the propeller31, which was in the rear. The clockwork power was communicated to the propeller by a flat-linked brass32 chain. This whole mechanism33 was mounted beneath two planes, monoplane fashion, thirty-eight inches long and ten inches in width.
Harry examined it closely. The fact is, he was anxious. He could not bear to think of Penfield’s disappointment, but he feared that, after all, this novel device would prove impracticable.
Suddenly, the Oakwood band, which had been playing, stopped and the voice of Billy Carter, the club’s gardener, rose above the buzz of conversation.
“Hurrah for Billy Carter!” shouted a dozen boys.
It took Billy a few minutes to down the testimonials to his own popularity, and then he made his announcement.
“The first contestant for the Oakwood News Aviation Cup is Henry Archer34, flying model of Santos-Dumont’s monoplane, La Demoiselle.”
Archer stepped up to the chalk-line, winding35 his propeller. Holding his machine steady, and pointing it slightly upward, he sent it forward. It lurched and fluttered to the ground. He picked it up and disappeared into the laughing crowd. There was no need to measure his flight.
“Matthew Reed, of 1st Oakwood Troop, Boy Scouts,” shouted Billy, consulting a memorandum36, “flying miniature reproduction of Antoinette model.”
For a moment the cry of the Hawks38 and the hand-clap of the Beavers39 filled the air. Matthew wound his propeller till the elastic band was knotted, then let it fly. Amid much cheering it sailed about one hundred feet, then fluttered down. The distance was officially marked at 92? feet. Then came a Bleriot model; then a Cody biplane, which looked as if it had been fashioned from a box kite. Both fell short of Matthew’s record. Then Tom Langford stepped up with his little willow-framed, silk-covered, swallow-tailed affair, and sent it gliding40 over the course. It crept upward at a gentle angle, never swerving41, exhausted42 its power in air and coasted easily downward.
“Two hundred and ten feet,” called Billy, and referred to his paper.
“William Ormond, of Oakwood High School, flying monoplane of his own design, clockwork power.”
The boy stepped up to the line, winding his motor. The graceful little craft darted43 forward, its propeller spinning. Its flight was steady and its descent slow. It dropped about two hundred and eighteen feet from the line.
“They can’t beat that,” some one said.
“That’s very ingenious,” remarked another.
“William Garret, of Oakwood High School, flying modified reproduction of Van Anden biplane.”
William stepped up, holding high in air the neatest model that had been shown. Its frame was of dowel sticks, its covering made from a silk umbrella, and the contrast of the black silk and the silver-painted frame gave it a unique and attractive appearance. It was trussed up with a veritable network of fine wiring, and its planes were flexed44 to perfection with the pliant45 ribs46 of a lady’s fan. Its two propellers47, red and highly polished, shone in the bright sunlight. It was whispered about that William’s father had had something to do with this, and the little craft looked well worthy48 of a skilled and practiced hand. Gordon walked over to the touring-car and sat on the step beside Harry.
“Looks pretty slick, doesn’t she, Kid?” said Harry.
And she went “pretty slick,” too. When both propellers had been wound tight, the beautiful little model was started on its aerial excursion. For fully2 one hundred and fifty feet it cut its way upward and onward49, amid loud cheering. Harry watched it critically. Its long strands of elastic band, fully two feet in length, extended its power over a longer interval50 of time than that of any craft thus far. And its rigidity51 and proportions gave it wonderful buoyancy. It had passed the alighting place of every previous flier when, glittering in the sunlight, its propellers slowing down and its elastics52 hanging slack, it coasted downward at a long angle. Its course had been straight as an arrow, and it had covered four hundred and one feet.
Following came several crank devices, none of which made much of a showing. Then Announcer Billy seemed to be puzzling over his schedule.
“What’s the matter, Billy?” the boys called.
“Struck a snag, Billy?”
“Try hard, Billy—there you go!”
“Master Penfield Danforth, of the 1st Oakwood Troop, Boy Scouts, flying the—a—model of his own design—propelled by the Cham—the Cham—”
“Once more, Billy—three strikes out!”
“—the Champastic—Torsubber—Pen—Pen—”
“Penwiper,” some one suggested.
“—the Pen—alarm—motive system,” Billy concluded triumphantly53, amid much cheering and laughter.
“What kind of a wrinkle is this?” some one asked.
Harry grabbed the aeroplane, as Penfield got down, and taking a bottle from his pocket, doused54 the spring and wheels with kerosene55 oil. “Trot56 over, Pen, old boy,” he said. “Good luck to you!”
The little fellow, smiling nervously57, carried the dripping model over to the line. The crowd eyed him and his odd-looking monoplane with good-natured indulgence. One or two taunts58 were heard, but most of the spectators laughed amiably59.
“What’s that, an ice-wagon?” said Garret, who stood near the line, holding his own trim little craft. “Keep still, Garret!” said another boy.
“Let her go!” said another.
Any one could see that the hand which held the machine was trembling nervously. The boy looked back toward the touring car for Harry, who smiled back reassuringly60. He would not for the world have had Penfield know that he felt any doubt.
The little monoplane darted from Pen’s hand, silently. He watched it intently as it rose, plowing61 its way forward. At a distance of, perhaps, two hundred feet its propeller slowed down.
“That’s better than I thought,” some one said.
For the fraction of a second it fluttered and its rear end settled, as if to sink. Then a strange thing happened. There was a sudden clicking sound in the air, and the crude little monoplane darted forward and upward, making a bee line for the cupola of the clubhouse. Up it went, shaking, but rising steadily62. The crowd was too dumfounded to cheer. It cleared the cupola and disappeared. And when Billy, followed by a score or more of curious and excited spectators, picked it up more than six hundred feet from the starting point, it began to buzz spasmodically, as if it had forgotten all about its aerial mission and were bent63 on waking some tired sleeper64.
“What under the sun is that, anyway?” asked a gentleman, pushing his way into the crowd. “I never saw such a thing in my life!”
“It’s guaranteed to go for ten minutes if you don’t get up and stop it,” answered Penfield. “It came out of a patent alarm clock.”
When Penfield went home that day, he proudly bore in his hands the silver cup.
“Harry,” said Dr. Brent, as they wandered from the field, “I believe you’re more excited than when you won the boat-race—you’re all worked up.”
“Oh, no, I’m not,” said Harry, smiling.
“I bet Harry goes in his blue shirt,” said Mac, a week later. “You’d better trot up the hill, G. Lord, and use your influence with him. Tell him Miss Crosby went up in the Danforth’s auto from the 3:30.”
“That wouldn’t faze him,” said Morrel.
“I bet he doesn’t show up at all,” suggested Tom. “He’s afraid somebody will offer him a prize.”
“Honest, I wish I were like that fellow,” said Matthew Reed, earnestly. “He isn’t afraid of anything in the world except being praised.”
“He looked like a regular coward when Red Deer was telling Mr. Wade65 about the glider66 feat,” commented Roy.
“Kid says it took Mr. Danforth about five minutes to size him up.”
“It took him only one minute,” corrected Gordon.
“He’ll kill us when he hears of that letter we all signed.”
“Well,” concluded Roy, “as Red Deer says, he was just born that way; he can’t help it.”
“It’s great to have a character like that,” Mac added. “Everybody seems to catch a little of it.”
“He’s all to the good, is Harry boy.”
“Only he doesn’t know much about maidens,” said Gordon.
It was a large audience that gathered in the Town Hall to see and hear the well-known gentleman representing the National Scout Council, whose visit to Oakwood had been duly heralded69 in the Oakwood press. But they were not gathered wholly to hear him, either, for Oakwood was proud of its scout troop. The wholesome70, cheery, chivalrous71, khaki-clad boys who flitted about her shaded streets were a part of her local charm. If there is any one who is not attracted by Boy Scouts, he must be either blind or crazy. They have made the scout smile epidemic72. Quietly they come and go, picking up your parcel for you, or opening the shop door for you to pass in or out. In Oakwood they had planted flowers along the public way. They had raised a flagpole on the green. They had made tall baskets and placed them at intervals73 along the streets for scraps74 of paper and other refuse. Not a resident of the town but had paused, smiling, in his walks abroad and listened to their bugle75 or patrol calls in the neighboring woods. Not a lady but had seen some slouch hat, cocked jauntily76 up at the side, pulled quickly off in deference77 to her as she passed.
No wonder a line of autos stood outside the Town Hall that night. No wonder the Field Club dance had been postponed78 till the little flurry blew over.
The troop sat on the stage, one patrol occupying each side, with chairs in the center for the scoutmaster and the members of the local council. The corporal of each patrol held its banner on the end of a scout staff. On two pedestals in the background were mounted a stuffed hawk37 and a beaver—the gifts of Mr. Lord. On a rustic79, rough-hewn board, suspended above the center of the stage by ropes tied in the standard knots which every scout must know, was printed the scouts’ motto,
BE PREPARED
Most of the boys had already taken their seats when Harry came quietly in and dropped into the chair reserved for the Beavers’ patrol leader, next to Corporal Greer, who held the banner staff. He actually wore his khaki suit.
“Doesn’t he look fine?” said Tom Langford, in an audible whisper.
“Su—perb!” answered Charlie, turning.
“Harry, your beautiful, willowy form—”
“Keep still, will you!” said Harry.
“Say, Harry boy,” said George Conway, leaning forward, “do look at those girls in the second row! Do, please look, Harry, they simply can’t take their eyes off you!”
“Go on, Harry, look,” Bert Waring urged.
The Hawk Patrol smiled significantly, across the stage, and Mac opened his eyes and drew a long breath in pantomimic admiration80, which was not wholly lost on the audience. It was fortunate for Harry that Red Deer and the local council came on at this critical and embarrassing juncture81, escorting the gentleman from headquarters. Both patrols rose, making the full salute82. Then some one in the audience called, “Three cheers for Dr. Brent!” The doctor stood, smiling and wiping his gold spectacles, while three cheers were given that made the rafters ring, the troop doing their full share. Then both patrols took their seats.
“I thank you all, heartily,” said Dr. Brent, “scouts and audience alike, and if I could make a speech I would, but I am not prepared—” At this, the whole house laughed and applauded.
“It may seem strange for a scoutmaster to have to stand up and make such a confession83, but you will admit that I am not wholly deficient84 in the scout law, and that I, at least, know how to smile and look pleasant.” (Roars of laughter.)
“Ladies and gentlemen, and fellow-scouts, I have had the time of my life—” (He put on his gold specs and immediately took them off again.) “I have had my reward—the privilege of being with these splendid boys all summer.” (Applause.) “There is nothing coming to me.” (Voice, “That’s all you know about it!”) “I would rather have these boys for friends—I would rather have them believe in me—than to have the friendship of the most influential86 man in the United States.” (Voice, “You’ve got your wish, Doctor!”) “I would rather have seen and heard what I have seen and heard this summer than to have my college training.” (Cheers for Red Deer.) “But I am not here to talk. You will be glad to know that three of our troop, Daniel Swift, John Walden, and Gordon Lord, are to be enrolled87 as first-class scouts, and Howard Brent as second-class scout. We are also glad to welcome Penfield Danforth into the ranks of the tenderfeet. You may be slightly interested to know that I myself have won the archery badge.” (Voice, “Bully for you, Doc!”) “And that Matthew Reed, our troop jester,” (laughter) “is to wear the badge for marksmanship. I could win this badge myself if I tried.” (Laughter and applause.) “You all know Brick—er—I mean, Winfield Parks. He has used up every photographic film in upper New York and he has a snapshot menagerie. We are going to give him the stalker’s badge to keep him quiet.” (Applause.) “You all know Ki—that is, Gordon Lord. He is good to take three times a day, after meals, especially if you have the blues88.” (Broad scout smile from Gordon.) “I have been authorized89 by the committee of awards of the National Scout Council to tender to Gordon Lord the bronze medal. This medal is given for helping90 to save or preserve life. Those of you who have read the history of our troop’s summer, as printed in the local press, know of the circumstances which led to this award, and it is not necessary for me to rehearse the details of how this boy discovered an injured fellow-scout, bleeding and unconscious, in a ditch, bandaged his wounds in the darkness of night, and sent him aid. If he had not discovered the boy and sent help to him, the injured scout would have died—there is little doubt of that. I am glad, Gordon,” he said, “that you have passed the first-class tests, for it makes the awarding of this badge possible. Come here, my boy.”
Gordon never looked quainter91, more original, more jaunty92, than when he stepped forward to receive the badge. There was not a person in the hall but smiled to see his round head cocked sideways and looking up at Red Deer. He wore a brand-new scout suit in honor of the occasion, and as he waited he gave his stocking just the suggestion of a hitch93, which brought down the house.
As the audience burst into applause and laughter, Gordon joining in charming bewilderment at the great hit he was making, the national councilman beckoned94 to him and cordially shook his hand. He was so delightfully95 confused when he went to take his seat that he marched plunk into the Hawk Patrol, to the great amusement of the Beavers opposite. It was too late to correct his mistake; the Hawks hung on to him and there he sat wedged between Mac and Tilford Morrel, who glared triumphantly at their brother scouts across the stage.
Then Red Deer introduced the gentleman representing the award committee of the National Council. He was a very well-known man, and the Oakwood people greeted him enthusiastically.
“Ladies and gentlemen, and scouts,” he said, “the sight of this genial97 audience watching and applauding these fine boys and their beloved scoutmaster was worth coming a long way to see. It is easy to understand why they worship him and why he is proud of them—why you are all proud of the scouts and their leader. I thank you for giving me such a welcome, but I am not here to make a speech. Rather, will I speak to you in the words of others, for I bring back to you words which have come to us from your own town. And I am to perform a duty which cannot be performed by your scoutmaster. It is a duty which I am not accustomed to, as it has only twice been performed before in this country. The National Council is in receipt of a letter signed by all you boys save one,” he went on, turning to the troop, “but the action which you requested had been already decided98 upon. You are acquainted with Mr. E. C. Wade, scoutmaster of the 1st Albany Troop.” (Applause from the boys.) “A letter of similar purport99 was received from him, signed by every member of his three patrols.” (“Vile redcoats!” Mac whispered in Gordon’s ear.)
Harry looked about, puzzled. Charlie Greer pounded him on the knee, and winked100 across at the Hawks’ corporal.
The little flurry of excitement among the troop was abruptly101 ended by the councilman’s next words. “A complaint has been received against one of your number,” said he. A dead silence prevailed. Even Red Deer took off his glasses and stared. Then he smiled.
“The National Council is in receipt of a letter signed by a name which cannot be ignored, a name which is widely known in the realm of commercial enterprise and of public charity. It appears that one member of your troop has occasioned this gentleman a considerable annoyance102.” You could have heard a pin drop, as he unfolded a typewritten letter and read:
“Gentlemen:
“On the 29th day of June, of this year, a boy of your organization—Harry Arnold by name—living in Oakwood, N. J., rescued my little son from drowning in Lake Champlain. He appeared to deprecate his performance and refused a trifling103 reminder104 of my gratitude105 on the ground of some law which he says governs your members. I understand that this same code of by-laws requires strict obedience106 to superiors. Will you kindly107 correct what, I am sure, must be an erroneous conception of his duty in this particular matter, and have the proper authorities instruct him that it is his duty to accept the trifling gift which I offered. I will add that the gift was not of money.
“The saving of my son’s life and his subsequent acquaintance with his rescuer has brought great happiness into a rather frail108 little life, which has not escaped the notice of two anxious parents, and the whole occurrence has directed my interest to the organization which can produce or at least bring such boys to the front. It has been the greatest pleasure of my summer sojourn109 in the country to fall in with this boy, to watch his activities, and to talk with him (to say nothing of his interesting companion). He is in all ways a splendid, noble boy, and it is gratifying to think what a man such a boy will make.
“It has occurred to me that many of the companies of scouts in this part of the country are less favored by fortune than the troop to which this boy belongs, and that they lack the advantages which a rural life affords. The country where these Oakwood boys have spent their summer is healthful and historic. If the gentlemen interested in your very worthy enterprise are disposed to accept some testimonial of my good wishes and interest, I should be pleased to talk with them as to the idea of erecting110 a pavilion with grounds and all camping facilities, suitably endowed, where troops of these less fortunate Boy Scouts may camp.
“I shall be glad to arrange some plan by which a summer outing, transportation, etc., included, might be made feasible for many companies of boys where the same is not possible now, and I should like the name of this particular boy to be identified in some way with it.
“Awaiting your views upon the matter, I beg to remain,
“Very sincerely yours,
“R. E. Danforth.”
Every eye was upon Harry as the gentleman refolded the letter, and he was blushing scarlet111. Charlie Greer, sitting next him, patted his shoulder, saying, “You’ll have to stick it out, old man.” Harry’s nervous, embarrassed glance caught Gordon among the Hawks opposite, who was grinning with delight and satisfaction. Then the audience broke into applause, and some enterprising enthusiast96 called for Mr. Danforth. This started the ball rolling. They dragged him down the aisle112 to the stage. Red Deer was there to haul him up, aided by the sturdy warriors113 of the local council. He emerged from the tumult114 into the center of the stage, somewhat the worse for his experience and rather abashed115 to be brought into such prominent notice, but with a genial smile on his wrinkled face. They tried to make him speak, but he laughed and shook his head. So they ordered him into one of the vacant chairs among the local councilmen. And there he sat, with a genial twinkle in his shrewd eyes, his scanty116 gray locks shining under the electric lights.
Then the speaker asked Harry Arnold to stand. It looked for a moment as if there were going to be no response—a kind of awkward suspense117. Then he rose, holding the back of his chair with one hand, as if he would resume his seat the first minute he got a chance. Roy Carpenter, leader of the Hawks, made a motion and every member of both patrols rose. This was too much for Harry. In a kind of daze118 he saw the councilman holding a small plush box. He saw the Hawk Patrol opposite, standing119 with their hands raised in the full salute. He caught the glitter of Red Deer’s spectacles. He saw Mr. Danforth smiling at him. He felt a hand on his shoulder from behind. “Brace up, Harry boy,” whispered Tom Langford; “it’s only a minute.”
“Come here, my boy,” he heard, and stepped forward reluctantly, standing before the speaker with a kind of bewildered, startled expression, with one hand against his hip85 in an attitude that was characteristic of him.
“My boy, you have heard this gentleman’s letter. It is said of him that he is very good at reading character. That letter was answered, others were passed, and his generous, big-hearted offer has been accepted. A great good turn has been done to the Boy Scout organization. In summers to come, many poorer boys will enjoy the freedom of the open woods; many troops from the heat and turmoil120 of the great cities will be taken to the beautiful country whence you have lately returned, to track and stalk and study nature; and they must thank not only this kindly gentleman, but you who gave him the incentive121.
“He has asked you to receive a gift at his hands in grateful acknowledgment of a deed of heroism122. This you saw fit to decline. We have told him that your own will must govern this case. There is no reason why you should not, under the peculiar123 circumstances, accept his gift, my boy. Your scoutmaster hopes that you will do so. I hope you will do so. But we cannot order you to accept. Perhaps you have some friend, learned in the scout law, who will influence you.” (Side glances at Gordon from the troop.)
“There sits among your patrol now the boy whose life you saved. Among those other boys” (indicating the Hawks) “there sits another boy whose life you saved at imminent124 hazard of your own. I will not embarrass you by rehearsing the circumstances. Your whole summer has been filled with exhibitions of resource, with credit and honor. Your fellow-scouts have asked that you be awarded the highest honor we can give you. There is an award, my boy, the highest possible award for service and heroism, which may be granted to a scout who has saved life at the greatest risk to himself.
“I have come here, Arnold, to award to you this medal, the Golden Cross. It is the highest testimonial you may win, the highest that any scout may win.”
As he spoke125, a white ribbon glittered in his hand. This he pinned on Harry’s right breast. It formed a spotless, snowy background for a golden cross with the full badge of the scouts superimposed upon it.
Red Deer stepped forward and grasped Harry’s hand. And it was plain to see why the boy had stood slightly turned from the audience, for his eyes glistened126. He shook hands with them all as they crowded about, delighting to honor him, but he was too overcome to speak. Brick Parks pushed Swift and Waring aside, landing a cordial pound on Harry’s shoulder. Gordon worked his way in and grabbed both his hands.
“Come with me just a minute, my boy,” said Mr. Danforth. He put his arm over Harry’s shoulder, and guided him through the throng127 and out of the building. “I want you to see my daughters. I saw them go out—to escape the crowd, I suppose—oh, yes, here they are.” He led the way to a big red touring-car, where a familiar voice greeted Harry.
“I suppose he deduced that we were waiting out here. Oh, I want to congratulate you—do let me see it!” He handed the medal to her, and it was passed about and examined by all the occupants of the auto. “It’s no more than you deserve” Miss Crosby said, and added, whispering: “You will accept the boat, won’t you? Oh, please do!”
“Perhaps I’ll walk up to-morrow and we’ll fight it out on the tennis court,” said Harry.
“Oh, yes, do come, and bring your sister. I want so much to meet her. But you must take the boat.” She lowered her voice and glanced about, as if to communicate some dark secret. “You might as well give in right now, you are no match for Mr. Danforth—he’s a perfect ghoul for thinking up ways of doing things and getting the best of people!”
During this conversation, Gordon, with terrific exertion128 and with the full strength of his two arms, was keeping half a dozen scouts from approaching the car. “Can’t you see he’s talking to a maiden67?” said he.
Among the autos was a comfortable surrey, with two stamping, impatient black horses. It belonged at the old family mansion on the hill, for the Arnolds had kept their horses, which looked odd among all the paint and brass glitter of the autos. Into this vehicle Harry jumped. His mother and father sat in front, and beside him on the rear seat was his sister, a girl of fifteen, who threw her arms impulsively129 about his neck as the horses started.
“What’s the matter?” said Harry.
“Nothing. Can’t I kiss you if I want to?”
“Certainly—seen anything of Gordon?”
“He was standing guard near that auto a minute ago.”
“Hey, Kid!” Harry shouted back. “Coming up?”
A small figure darted out from the crowd and after the carriage. Some one called, “It’s going too fast for you, Kid,” and the boy answered, “That’s nothing.” Presently two hands grabbed the back seat and the small figure came tumbling in between brother and sister.
The loud, hollow hand-clap of the Beavers, mingled130 with the piercing cry of the Hawks, sounded vociferously131 from the hall entrance, as the team of blacks, trotting132 briskly, disappeared around a turn of the road.
The End
The End
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neatly
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| adv.整洁地，干净地，灵巧地，熟练地 | |
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fully
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| adv.完全地，全部地，彻底地；充分地 | |
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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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gathering
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| n.集会，聚会，聚集 | |
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maneuver
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| n.策略[pl.]演习；v.(巧妙)控制；用策略 | |
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jersey
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| n.运动衫 | |
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deftly
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| adv.灵巧地，熟练地，敏捷地 | |
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cornucopias
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| n.丰饶角（象征丰饶的羊角，角内呈现满溢的鲜花、水果等）( cornucopia的名词复数 ) | |
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9
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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10
benefactor
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| n. 恩人，行善的人，捐助人 | |
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11
draught
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| n.拉，牵引，拖；一网（饮，吸，阵)；顿服药量，通风；v.起草，设计 | |
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12
puffing
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| v.使喷出( puff的现在分词 )；喷着汽（或烟）移动；吹嘘；吹捧 | |
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13
lessened
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| 减少的，减弱的 | |
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14
contestant
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| n.竞争者，参加竞赛者 | |
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15
contestants
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| n.竞争者，参赛者( contestant的名词复数 ) | |
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16
grouchy
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| adj.好抱怨的；愠怒的 | |
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17
steward
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| n.乘务员，服务员；看管人；膳食管理员 | |
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18
ambling
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| v.（马）缓行( amble的现在分词 )；从容地走，漫步 | |
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19
condescended
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| 屈尊，俯就( condescend的过去式和过去分词 )； 故意表示和蔼可亲 | |
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20
grumble
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| vi.抱怨；咕哝；n.抱怨，牢骚；咕哝，隆隆声 | |
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21
perfectly
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| adv.完美地，无可非议地，彻底地 | |
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22
aviators
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| 飞机驾驶员，飞行员( aviator的名词复数 ) | |
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23
drawn
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| v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的 | |
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24
mansion
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| n.大厦，大楼；宅第 | |
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25
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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26
harry
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| vt.掠夺，蹂躏，使苦恼 | |
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27
graceful
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| adj.优美的，优雅的；得体的 | |
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28
auto
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| n.(=automobile)(口语)汽车 | |
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29
strands
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| n.（线、绳、金属线、毛发等的）股( strand的名词复数 )；缕；海洋、湖或河的)岸；（观点、计划、故事等的）部份v.使滞留，使搁浅( strand的第三人称单数 ) | |
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30
elastic
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| n.橡皮圈，松紧带；adj.有弹性的；灵活的 | |
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31
propeller
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| n.螺旋桨，推进器 | |
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32
brass
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| n.黄铜；黄铜器，铜管乐器 | |
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33
mechanism
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| n.机械装置；机构，结构 | |
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34
archer
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| n.射手，弓箭手 | |
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35
winding
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| n.绕，缠，绕组，线圈 | |
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36
memorandum
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| n.备忘录，便笺 | |
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37
hawk
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| n.鹰，骗子；鹰派成员 | |
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38
hawks
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| 鹰( hawk的名词复数 )； 鹰派人物，主战派人物 | |
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39
beavers
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| 海狸( beaver的名词复数 )； 海狸皮毛； 棕灰色； 拼命工作的人 | |
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40
gliding
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| v. 滑翔 adj. 滑动的 | |
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41
swerving
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| v.（使）改变方向，改变目的( swerve的现在分词 ) | |
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42
exhausted
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| adj.极其疲惫的，精疲力尽的 | |
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43
darted
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| v.投掷，投射( dart的过去式和过去分词 )；向前冲，飞奔 | |
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44
flexed
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| adj.[医]曲折的，屈曲v.屈曲( flex的过去式和过去分词 )；弯曲；（为准备大干而）显示实力；摩拳擦掌 | |
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45
pliant
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| adj.顺从的；可弯曲的 | |
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46
ribs
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| n.肋骨( rib的名词复数 )；（船或屋顶等的）肋拱；肋骨状的东西；（织物的）凸条花纹 | |
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47
propellers
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| n.螺旋桨，推进器( propeller的名词复数 ) | |
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48
worthy
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| adj.(of)值得的，配得上的；有价值的 | |
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49
onward
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| adj.向前的，前进的；adv.向前，前进，在先 | |
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50
interval
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| n.间隔，间距；幕间休息，中场休息 | |
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51
rigidity
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| adj.钢性，坚硬 | |
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52
elastics
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| n.松紧带，橡皮圈( elastic的名词复数 ) | |
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53
triumphantly
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| ad.得意洋洋地；得胜地；成功地 | |
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54
doused
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| v.浇水在…上( douse的过去式和过去分词 )；熄灯[火] | |
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55
kerosene
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| n.(kerosine)煤油，火油 | |
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56
trot
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| n.疾走，慢跑；n.老太婆；现成译本；(复数）trots:腹泻（与the 连用）；v.小跑，快步走，赶紧 | |
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57
nervously
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| adv.神情激动地，不安地 | |
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58
taunts
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| 嘲弄的言语，嘲笑，奚落( taunt的名词复数 ) | |
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59
amiably
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| adv.和蔼可亲地，亲切地 | |
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60
reassuringly
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| ad.安心，可靠 | |
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61
plowing
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| v.耕( plow的现在分词 )；犁耕；费力穿过 | |
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62
steadily
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| adv.稳定地；不变地；持续地 | |
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63
bent
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| n.爱好，癖好；adj.弯的；决心的，一心的 | |
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64
sleeper
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| n.睡眠者，卧车，卧铺 | |
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65
wade
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| v.跋涉，涉水；n.跋涉 | |
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66
glider
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| n.滑翔机；滑翔导弹 | |
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67
maiden
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| n.少女，处女；adj.未婚的，纯洁的，无经验的 | |
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68
toddle
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| v.（如小孩）蹒跚学步 | |
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69
heralded
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| v.预示( herald的过去式和过去分词 )；宣布（好或重要） | |
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70
wholesome
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| adj.适合；卫生的；有益健康的；显示身心健康的 | |
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71
chivalrous
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| adj.武士精神的；对女人彬彬有礼的 | |
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72
epidemic
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| n.流行病；盛行；adj.流行性的，流传极广的 | |
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73
intervals
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| n.[军事]间隔( interval的名词复数 )；间隔时间；[数学]区间；（戏剧、电影或音乐会的）幕间休息 | |
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74
scraps
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| 油渣 | |
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75
bugle
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| n.军号，号角，喇叭；v.吹号，吹号召集 | |
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76
jauntily
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| adv.心满意足地；洋洋得意地；高兴地；活泼地 | |
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77
deference
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| n.尊重，顺从；敬意 | |
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78
postponed
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| vt.& vi.延期，缓办，（使）延迟vt.把…放在次要地位；[语]把…放在后面（或句尾）vi.（疟疾等）延缓发作（或复发） | |
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79
rustic
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| adj.乡村的，有乡村特色的；n.乡下人，乡巴佬 | |
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80
admiration
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| n.钦佩，赞美，羡慕 | |
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81
juncture
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| n.时刻，关键时刻，紧要关头 | |
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82
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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83
confession
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| n.自白，供认，承认 | |
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84
deficient
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| adj.不足的，不充份的，有缺陷的 | |
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85
hip
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| n.臀部，髋；屋脊 | |
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86
influential
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| adj.有影响的，有权势的 | |
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87
enrolled
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| adj.入学登记了的v.[亦作enrol]( enroll的过去式和过去分词 )；登记，招收，使入伍（或入会、入学等），参加，成为成员；记入名册；卷起，包起 | |
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88
blues
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| n.抑郁，沮丧；布鲁斯音乐 | |
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89
authorized
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| a.委任的，许可的 | |
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90
helping
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| n.食物的一份&adj.帮助人的，辅助的 | |
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91
quainter
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| adj.古色古香的( quaint的比较级 )；少见的，古怪的 | |
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92
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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93
hitch
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| v.免费搭(车旅行)；系住；急提；n.故障；急拉 | |
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94
beckoned
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| v.（用头或手的动作）示意，召唤( beckon的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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95
delightfully
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| 大喜，欣然 | |
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96
enthusiast
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| n.热心人，热衷者 | |
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97
genial
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| adj.亲切的，和蔼的，愉快的，脾气好的 | |
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98
decided
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| adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的 | |
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99
purport
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| n.意义，要旨，大要；v.意味著，做为...要旨，要领是... | |
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100
winked
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| v.使眼色( wink的过去式和过去分词 )；递眼色（表示友好或高兴等）；（指光）闪烁；闪亮 | |
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101
abruptly
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| adv.突然地，出其不意地 | |
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102
annoyance
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| n.恼怒，生气，烦恼 | |
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103
trifling
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| adj.微不足道的；没什么价值的 | |
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104
reminder
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| n.提醒物，纪念品；暗示，提示 | |
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105
gratitude
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| adj.感激，感谢 | |
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106
obedience
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| n.服从，顺从 | |
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107
kindly
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| adj.和蔼的，温和的，爽快的；adv.温和地，亲切地 | |
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108
frail
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| adj.身体虚弱的；易损坏的 | |
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109
sojourn
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| v./n.旅居，寄居；逗留 | |
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110
erecting
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| v.使直立，竖起( erect的现在分词 )；建立 | |
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111
scarlet
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| n.深红色，绯红色，红衣；adj.绯红色的 | |
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112
aisle
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| n.（教堂、教室、戏院等里的）过道，通道 | |
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113
warriors
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| 武士，勇士，战士( warrior的名词复数 ) | |
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114
tumult
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| n.喧哗；激动，混乱；吵闹 | |
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115
abashed
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| adj.窘迫的，尴尬的v.使羞愧，使局促，使窘迫( abash的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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116
scanty
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| adj.缺乏的，仅有的，节省的，狭小的，不够的 | |
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117
suspense
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| n.（对可能发生的事）紧张感，担心，挂虑 | |
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118
daze
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| v.(使)茫然，(使)发昏 | |
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119
standing
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| n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的 | |
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120
turmoil
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| n.骚乱，混乱，动乱 | |
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121
incentive
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| n.刺激；动力；鼓励；诱因；动机 | |
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122
heroism
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| n.大无畏精神，英勇 | |
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123
peculiar
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| adj.古怪的，异常的；特殊的，特有的 | |
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124
imminent
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| adj.即将发生的，临近的，逼近的 | |
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125
spoke
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| n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说 | |
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126
glistened
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| v.湿物闪耀，闪亮( glisten的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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127
throng
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| n.人群，群众；v.拥挤，群集 | |
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128
exertion
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| n.尽力，努力 | |
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129
impulsively
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| adv.冲动地 | |
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130
mingled
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| 混合，混入( mingle的过去式和过去分词 )； 混进，与…交往[联系] | |
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131
vociferously
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| adv.喊叫地，吵闹地 | |
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132
trotting
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| 小跑，急走( trot的现在分词 )； 匆匆忙忙地走 | |
参考例句： |
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