and seemed greatly interested in their answers. Altogether the
boys felt quite sorry when it came time to part at the wharf at
Farmingdale, the place where the rancher and his son were put ashore.

"Well, good-bye, boys," said Mr. Harkness, holding out a big hand to
Rob, who took it and was amazed to find a twenty dollar gold piece
slipped into his palm by the ranchman.

"Oh, I couldn't think of taking that," he said, insisting on handing it
back despite the ranchman's protests, "I appreciate your motive, but I
couldn't think of taking any money for an ordinary courtesy."

"By Sam Hooker, you're right, boy," cried the ranchman heartily, "and
it's a privilege to meet such a bunch of fine lads. I thought all you
Easterners were a bunch of stuck-up tenderfeet, but I find I'm
wrong--anyhow so far as the Boy Scouts are concerned."

A few minutes later the rancher and his son were hastening to the
railroad station, followed by the boys' eyes. As they entered the
depot, just in time to catch the New York train--they waved a hearty
farewell and the boys waved and shouted in return.

"We've only known them a few hours, but I feel as if I'd just said
good-bye to two friends," said Rob as they turned away and prepared to
go back to the island in their boat and break camp.

"So do I!" said Tubby; "I wonder if we'll ever see them again."

"No, I guess they're kind of ships that pass in the night,"' laughed
Merritt, "however, I'm glad we did them a good turn."

The boys, however, were destined to meet the ranchers again and to have
many strange and exciting adventures, among which the ultimate downfall
of Silver Tip was to be one. Could they have looked into the future,
too, they would have seen that in the Far West they were to face
dangers and difficulties of which they had as yet never dreamed and
were to be the victims of the malicious contrivings of Bill Bender and
our old, acquaintance, Jack Curtiss.

A few weeks after the events related above there was great excitement
in Hampton over the announcement that Merritt's courageous act of
life-saving and the achievements of the other young scouts of the Eagle
Patrol were to receive official recognition. A field secretary of the
organization arrived at the village one evening and was met at the
depot by the Patrol in full uniform, and with the village band drawn up
at their head. Proudly, under the Eagle standard, they marched to the
Town Hall, which had been illumina