angry.

'You 'ain't seen any o' them young varmints wot have
been a-sluggin', have ye, Mr. Elliott?' he cried to Dick's
uncle.

'Yes; I've seen some of them, Cooper, but I'm afraid
they're out of your reach by now,' replied the latter.

'I just wish I could get hold of 'em,' cried the indignant
constable. 'I'd give 'em what for. Two windows 'ave
they broke wi' their stones and their sluggin', an' one of
'em in the shop o' poor old Mrs. Dean. The old woman
has hard enow work to make a livin' without rowdy young
nippers a-smashin' her windows.'

'You're right, Cooper,' agreed Mr. Elliott.

'But I'll put a stop to it,' said the constable. 'I'll be
on the spot here at such times as them Grammar School
boys are crossin' the Flat. Then if any game gets started
betwixt them and that lot out o' Skinner's Hole, I'll be
ready for 'em.'

Mr. Elliott and Dick walked on, and the latter burst
out impulsively:

'That's too bad, uncle, about the poor old woman.
I'll send the hat round and make our fellows fork out, and
we'll square it up to her for her broken window.'

'Good idea, old chap!' said Mr. Elliott. 'Here's half
a crown for a start.'

Dick thanked his uncle, and pocketed the coin.

'Well, we were talking about your scouting,' went on
Mr. Elliott.

'Oh!' grinned Dick. 'Don't rot me about that. I
give it up. I missed my kick that time.'

'That's all right,' said his uncle; 'I don't want to poke
fun at you. I was only going to suggest this. Why
don't you go in for real scouting? Learn to play the
game properly. It's a wonderful game if you tackle it
seriously--splendid sport, and a thousand times more
useful, and better fun, than this foolish slugging business.'

'Some of the fellows at school have been talking about
scouting,' said Dick. 'They've got hold of
Baden-Powell's book, and they were awfully interested when I
told them that you were in Mafeking with B.-P.'

'Yes, and a fine tenderfoot I was at the start!' laughed
his uncle. 'When B.-P. told the townsmen they'd got
to lend a hand, I was like a good few more. I thought I'd
pick up what was wanted in no time. But I found that
a useful man in the firing-line isn't made in a hurry. What
a time he had with some of us fellows, who scarcely knew
which end of a rifle to put to the shoulder!' And
Mr. Elliott chuckled at the recollection.

'Have you read the first part of B.-P.'s book, Dick?'
he asked in a moment.

'No,' replied Di