e tree as he would, the gap between scout and hoodlum
persistently widened, and the island seemed bent on hurrying upon its
wanton career.

Keekie Joe, not altogether easy in his mind, still found it impossible
to resist these enumerated benefits of scouting. Being wild and
staying out all night and eating and eating and eating forever and
forever under a profusion of blossoms which gave new promise, was too
much for the sentinel of Barrel Alley to ignore.

So he ran away to sea as so many other boys had done before him and
sailed out upon the briny deep in the good barque Merry-go-round. And
he ate such a supper that night as he had never eaten in his life
before. Pee-wee had already eaten his fill but he wished to be
companionable and make his guest feel at home so he ate another supper
with his new friend in accordance with the requirements of good manners.

A scout is polite.

CHAPTER XXV

RETURN OF THE HERO

The lawn party was over, two score or more of famished guests had gone
to their homes, the lights in the Skybrow house were out, the
sputtering candles in the Japanese lanterns were dying one by one, the
grounds were still and dark except for the merry moon which smiled down
upon the scene of revelry and tragedy.

At the edge of the lawn where the Isle of Desserts had been, six
figures sat in the darkness. They sat in a row, their legs drawn up
and held by their clasped hands. They sat waiting and watching in the
silent night.

"The river is going to eat the edge of this lawn all away if they don't
face it with stone," said Roly Poly.

"Will you please stop talking about eating?" said Brownie.

"I know, but you'd think a rich man like Mr. Skybrow would make
provision for a thing like that," said a boy they called Shorty.

"Will you please stop talking about provisions?" said Townsend.

"I know, but Nuts was saying----"

"Will you please stop talking about nuts?" said Townsend.

"Well, what shall I talk about then?" Brownie asked.

"Talk about the rhododendron bushes," said Billy. "Look where a big
clump was pulled away. Look at that one--all broken. These bushes
will have to be all pruned."

"Will you please stop talking about prunes?" said Townsend.

"I know, but seven or eight----"

"Will you please not mention the word ate?" said Townsend. "They ought
to be thankful he left the lawn."

"What did his father say over the 'phone?" one asked.

"Oh, he didn't seem to worry