ping that something of a more
definite nature would turn up to set his doubts at rest.

CHAPTER XXIX

THE TROOPS DECIDE

A few days after the big thunder-storm, Captain Josh received an
official letter from the Provincial Secretary of the Boy Scouts. It
was so important that he at once called his own scouts to Headquarters
that he might place the whole matter before them. The boys were
naturally curious to know why they had been so hurriedly summoned, and
they accordingly lost no time in getting together.

The captain, seated at a little table, with the open letter before him,
seemed much puzzled, and all waited anxiously for him to speak.

"Boys," he began, looking keenly into their faces, "I've got a strange
letter here from the Provincial Secretary. He tells me that in two
weeks' time the Lieutenant-Governor wants to meet all the troops in the
province, review them, and give the prize which was offered last year.
Now, we all know about that, and so are not surprised. But the
Governor wants to come to Hillcrest to hold the Review, and so the
secretary asks me to make arrangements, that is, if I agree to the
plan. They will all come from the city on the mornin' boat, bring
their lunches with them, and, hold the Review near the wharf. Now,
what d'yez think about that?"

This was certainly astonishing news to the scouts. Several weeks ago
they would have given shouts of delight at the suggestion. But it was
different then. At that time they were almost sure of winning the
prize, and had often thought of the day when it would be presented to
them amid the cheers of the other scouts. But now such a thing was
impossible. Every cent of their savings had already been withdrawn
from the bank to help Whyn, and they had nothing to show at the Review
for all their efforts. They were, therefore, silent when the captain
finished speaking. The latter noted this, and surmised the reason.

"I know jist what ye're thinkin' about, lads," he continued. "We'll go
to that meetin' empty-handed, so to speak. But that needn't matter.
We know that we've done right, and I think we should fall in line with
the Governor's idea, and try to give the visitin' troops a good time."

"So do I," Rod replied. "Though we can't get the prize, it will be
nice to meet the other scouts, see how they march, and what they look
like. I think it will be great to have them come to Hillcrest."

"I wonder what made them think of comi