e here," said Rawson, "and we'll camp here for the night."

CHAPTER X

CAMP LIFE

After a long march through magnificent forests, along winding streams,
up and down the sides of steep hills, the boys and their leader
and the guide reached Pioneer Camp late the following afternoon.

A rousing welcome awaited them, and almost the first news they heard
was that Tom Sherwood had been elected leader of the Otter patrol,
during Alec Sands' absence.

Tired as he was, Tom received this information with due appreciation
of the honor. He was glad to hear also that the troop was getting
up a baseball game for the morrow, to be played by two teams chosen
from all four patrols. In this way he hoped to be able to tell just
who were the best players in his patrol and who needed coaching for
future games.

As Pioneer Camp was nearer Oakvale than his farm, Ralph knew he
could learn the decision of the railroad officials sooner than if
he had stayed at home. He had sent word to the village postmaster,
asking him to forward all letters to Pioneer Camp until further
notice, and meanwhile he waited in feverish suspense. So much
depended on the surveyors' report!

The second evening of Ralph's visit to Pioneer Camp was given over
to verbal "examinations" on the subject of geological surveying.
To create real fun in the competition, Lieutenant Denmead conducted
the test like an old-fashioned spelling school. The various patrols
were lined up in open opposition, and the boys were increasingly
interested as one by one they missed some question and retired from
the ranks in laughing confusion.

Finally the light of the campfire revealed only four up-standing
contestants: Tom Sherwood and Sam Winter of the Otter patrol, Bud
Morgan of the Wolves, and Blake Merton of the Hawks.

"They can't faze Blake," whispered Walter Osborne, hugging himself
joyfully, as once again Blake gave a calm and sure rejoinder to the
Scout Master's query.

"No wonder!" replied Don Miller. "He has had all this practical
work over at Ralph Kenyon's!"

"What's the matter with Bud Morgan?" asked Arthur Cameron. "He makes
me proud to be a Wolf! He has always been loony over surveying,
you know."

Just at that moment Sam Winter joined the boys who were looking
on at the finish.

"Welcome to the company of the honorably defeated, Sammy," called
Dick Bellamy softly. "And here comes Tom!" he added. "Now it
lies between Bud and Blake.---hush!