we can get to camp and find some hot stew,"
said Mr. Denny.

"That's the kind of a charm for me," said one of the scouts.

So it fell out that on this occasion, as on most others, Goliath was not
permitted to dig down into the remote recess of his pocket to show that
wonderful charm.

CHAPTER XI

THE NEW SCOUT

"Well," laughed Mr. Baxton, scoutmaster of the troop to which that
little brownie of a boy belonged; "since we have a hero, we may as well
use him. Suppose you stay here, Gilbert, and stop any vehicles that
happen along."

"I think one of our boys from camp ought to do that," said one of the
other scoutmasters. "How about you, Roy?"

The boy addressed was of a compact, natty build, with brown curly hair,
and with the kind of smile which was positively guaranteed not to wash
out in a storm. On his nose, which was of the aggressive and impudent
type, were five freckles, set like the stars which form the big dipper,
and his even teeth, which were constantly in evidence, were as white as
snow. Across the bridge of his nose was a mark such as is seen upon the
noses of persons who wear spectacles. But he wore no spectacles, though
the imprint between his laughing, dancing eyes was said to have been
caused by glasses--soda water glasses which were continually tipped up
against his nose in obedience to the dictum that a scout shall be
thorough.

"We'll both stay," he said; "if a Ford comes along we'll carry it
across."

"Well, don't leave the spot, that's all," said Mr. Denny.

"Far be it from such," said Roy. "If we go away we'll take it with us.
We should worry our young lives about a spot. Only save some stew for
us. This night has been full of snap so far, it reminds me of a
ginger-snap. We'll sit in one of those old cars, hey?"

Gilbert Tyson stared at Roy. He thought it wouldn't be half bad to stay
here with this sprightly scout. The rest of the party, guided by Mr.
Denny, started picking their way along the road to camp, carrying Hervey
on a stretcher. Darby Curren, the stage-driver, doubtless tempted by the
mention of hot stew, unharnessed his team and leaving the horses to
graze in the adjacent field, accompanied the party. Roy and Gilbert
Tyson watched the departing cavalcade till it was swallowed in darkness.

The rain had ceased now, and the wind was dying. In the sky was a little
silvery break, and by its light flaky clouds were seen hurrying away,
all in one direction like a flock of