nted out how
much good a few boys in outlying districts could accomplish when
properly organised and trained. It told also of the visit of Anna
Royanna to this patrol, and how she had sung at their entertainment.

All this was very pleasant reading to the people of Hillcrest, and the
ones who had looked with disfavour upon the movement were now anxious
to assist. A number of parents who had formerly refused to allow their
boys to join came to the captain, and asked him to undertake the
training of their sons.

"Not jist now," the captain told them. "I have all that I kin handle
at present. I must git the ones I have licked into shape before tryin'
my hand upon any more."

These requests were most gratifying to Captain Josh, and he smiled
grimly at the thought of the change which had come over the people. It
was sweet revenge, as well, to be able to refuse the very ones who had
talked most against the scouts when they were first organised. But
this had nothing to do with his not taking the boys, for the captain
was too big a man for that. He really desired first of all to train
the few scouts he had to the best of his ability. It was not quantity
he wanted, but quality, and he was determined that his one patrol
should be looked upon with pride by all in Hillcrest, and to belong to
it would be considered a great honour by any boy.

Parson Dan and Mrs. Royal were much pleased at the part Rod had taken
in the capture of the robbers. They talked it all over with the
captain when he came over to see them the very next day.

"The boys did fine," the old man proudly remarked. "They know how to
hold their tongues and obey orders, which is more than many older
people kin do."

Rod fairly walked on air, and held his head very high. The thrill of
adventure now filled his soul, and he longed for something more to
happen. It was a long quaint letter he wrote to Anna Royanna in reply
to the one she had sent him. He told all about the adventure on the
island, the capture of the robbers, and how he and Phil had gone to the
city with the captain as witnesses. He mentioned, also, that they had
received the one hundred dollars' reward, and had put it in the bank
with the rest of the scout money. It seemed so easy and natural for
him to write to this woman. He was sure that she was interested in
everything that went on at Hillcrest. "I hope you will come to see us
again," he wrote in conclusion. "Whyn speaks about y