le a bunch of
boys."

"And why not, Miss Bella?"

"They're too much like men; always wanting something, and never
satisfied when they get it."

"So that's the reason ye never got a man, eh? Ho, ho!" and the captain
gave a gruff laugh.

"Yes," Miss Arabella snapped. "I was afraid he might be just like you,
Captain Josh," at which retort the boys shouted with delight, while the
captain, too, was highly amused at the fun which had been caused at his
own expense.

Thus on the nights when the work of making the wreaths was carried on
an excellent spirit of friendship prevailed. Neighbours, hearing of
the good times at the Anchorage, often dropped in to assist the scouts.
On several occasions they brought refreshments, such as sandwiches,
cakes, and doughnuts, which added very much to the enjoyment of the
evenings.

The neighbours were so pleased with these social gatherings that they
were very sorry when the wreaths were all made and sent to the city.
They had experienced the pleasure of meeting together during the long
winter evenings, and there was now a serious blank in their lives.
They accordingly decided that something must be done, with the result
that a small club was formed, which met once a week at the scouts'
Headquarters. The women brought their knitting or sewing, while the
men were allowed their pipes. There was a programme arranged for each
night, consisting of songs, recitations, and at times a debate on some
familiar subject.

The scouts were only too glad that their elders were so interested in
thus gathering together, and they did all they could to keep the room
clean, and make it as bright as possible. They themselves met twice a
week, and when the captain was able to get around, the regular scout
work was continued.

Captain Josh had studied hard to keep ahead of the boys, and in this he
did remarkably well. But when it came to giving addresses on First Aid
to the Injured, he candidly confessed his ignorance.

"Give me a broken rope," he said, "and I'll splice it in no time. But
a broken bone is too much fer me. As fer veins, arteries, bandaging,
and sich things, ye can't expect an old man like me to understand about
them. No, we've got to leave that to some one else."

And that some one proved to be Doctor Travis, a young man who had
recently settled in the parish. He was much interested in the scouts,
and hearing of their need through Parson Dan, he offered his services
free,