s if Chippy
was bothered with a perpetual cold, which had settled in his throat.
Perhaps it came from living in the continual damp of Skinner's Hole.

'And what do you want here?' went on Arthur.

'I come over wi' a little challenge,' growled Chippy. 'Our patrol 'ud
like to have a fren'ly try wi' yourn, at any sort o' scoutin' ye like.'

'Patrol!' cried Arthur in astonishment. 'What's a rum-looking beggar
like you got to do with a patrol? What patrol?'

'Raven Patrol o' Skinner's 'Ole,' announced Chippy.

The Wolves received this with a shout of laughter, but Chippy remained
as solemn as a judge.

'I like that,' said Arthur. 'Do you suppose anyone will take notice of
a patrol you wharf-rats would set up? Why, I know you now! You're the
fellow that blacked my eye the other week, confound you! It's like
your cheek to come here! You'd better clear out of this!'

'Well,' replied Chippy, 'wot if I did black yer eye? I did it fair and
square. I stood straight up to yer. Ye'd a-blacked mine if yer could!
Wot yer grousin' about?'

'Oh, shut up and clear out!' said Arthur impatiently. 'What's the use
of coming here and talking about a patrol of wharf-rats? Where's your
patrol-leader?'

''Ere 'e is!'

And Chippy tapped his breast.

'Oh, you're patrol-leader, are you?' returned Arthur 'Where's your
patrol-flag?'

''Ain't got none!' replied Chippy in laconic fashion.

'Where's your badge?'

''Ain't got none.'

'Where's your shoulder knot?'

''Ain't got none.'

'Where's your lanyard and whistle?'

''Ain't got none.'

'You're a fine lot to call yourselves the Raven Patrol!' cried Arthur
jeeringly. 'What have you got, I'd like to know?'

Chippy looked him straight in the eye.

'The mind to run straight an' play fair,' he said. ''Ow's that for
bein' good enough?'

'Pooh!' said Arthur. 'A patrol of scouts must be turned out properly.
That's the first thing.'

'I dunno about that,' growled Chippy, and drew a very dirty and
well-thumbed book from the inner pocket of his ragged jacket. 'I bin
a-goin' by what the cove says as writ this 'ere book--B.-P.'

'You can't teach me much about that book!' said Arthur loftily. 'I
know it from end to end.'

'Well, I bin through it about ten times, I shouldn't wonder,' huskily
murmured Chippy, 'an' I've got it all wrong if 'e don't say as to run
straight an' play fair is just about all there is to it.'

Chippy began to turn over the leaves, and ther