nt for cavalry, field and
artillery purposes.

While Rob Blake and his two chums, Tubby Hopkins and Merritt Crawford,
are thus starting out to secure their first view of the quaint Flanders
city, we may take occasion to glance back and see who they are and what
they have done.

Those who have had the pleasure of reading previous volumes of this
series need no further introduction to the trio; but for the benefit of
any who are now making their acquaintance for the first time, a few
paragraphs may not come in amiss.

There were other patrols in the Hampton Troop, but as the Eagles had
been first in the field, the members of this organization were looked
upon as the pioneers of the scout movement in that part of Long Island.

Rob filled the post of patrol leader, and had, on one occasion, even
occupied the position of assistant scout-master, being fully qualified
for the certificate he had received from Scout Headquarters in New York
City.

Merritt, the second in command, filled the position of corporal. Tubby
thus far seemed content to remain just a scout, though he had, by dint
of hard labor managed to climb into the first grade rank.

Until recently, Merritt's folks had been in just ordinary circumstances.
His father was said to be the best wheelwright in the eastern end of the
island, and by constant labor kept his little family housed and
clothed, and perhaps laid up a little for a rainy day.

Merritt always knew there was some sort of a family skeleton around, and
that he had a severe old grandfather somewhere far away; but beyond that
he had never been able to probe.

One day, near the end of the preceding winter, had come the singular
little incident that wound up in a joyful reunion. Merritt, as one of
his chums chanced to remark a little further back in this story, had
come upon several village roughs engaged in battering a stranger in
town, a little old gentleman who, carrying his grip and finding the
hacks all away from the station, had evidently attempted to walk to the
hotel.

The cowardly assault aroused the indignation of Merritt, who was a manly
boy at all times. He remonstrated with the assailants, and when they
continued to pelt the old man, he proceeded to attack them. Whether he
could have won out alone and unaided will always be an open question.
Fortunately one of the town policemen chanced to come in sight, which
event caused the three foes to vanish in hot haste.

Then imagine the ast