"He saved all the fellers in that wagon from getting killed because he
shouted for the wagon to stop. So he's a hero, ain't he?"

"Well, I don't know about that," said Tom cheerily; "medals aren't so
easy to get."

"There was a crazy feller near that wagon. I bet you were never crazy,
were you?"

"Not so very."

"Will you help him to get the medal--Tyson?"

"Well, now, you let me tell you something," said Tom; "don't you pay so
much attention to these fellows around camp. The main thing for you to
do is to eat pie and stew and things. A lot of these fellows think it's
easy to get medals. And they think it's fun to jolly little fellows like
you. Don't you think about medals; you think about dinner."

"But after I get through thinking about dinner----"

"Then think about supper. You can't eat medals."

Goliath seemed to ponder on this undesirable truth. He soon fell behind
and presently deserted Tom to edify a group of scouts near the boat
landing.

Of course, Tom did not take seriously what Goliath had said about
awards. He knew Tyson and he knew that Tyson would be the last one in
the world to pose as a hero. But he also knew something of the
disappointments which innocent banter and jollying had caused in camp.
He knew that the wholesome spirit of fun in Roy Blakeley and others had
sometimes overreached itself, causing chagrin. There was probably
nothing to this business at all but, for precaution's sake, he would nip
it in the bud.

One incidental result of his little chat with Goliath was that he was
reminded of Hervey's exploit, a matter which he had entirely forgotten
in his more pressing preoccupations. Tom was no hero maker and he knew
that Hervey would only trip on the hero's mantle if he wore it. As time
had gone on in camp, Tom had found himself less and less interested in
the pomp and ceremony and theatrical clap-trap of awards. Bravery was in
the natural course of things. Why make a fuss about it?

For that very reason, he was not going to have any heads turned with
rapturous dreams of gold and silver awards. He was not going to have any
new scouts' visit blighted by vain hopes. He did not care greatly about
awards, but he cared a good deal about the scouts....

CHAPTER XXI

WORDS

After he had prepared for supper he went up the hill to the cabin
occupied by Mr. Carroll's troop. It was pleasantly located on a knoll
and somewhat removed from the main body of camp. Mr. Carroll was hi