work all round, and we've had a grand
time.'

'Have you had plenty to eat?' asked Dick's father.

'Plenty, father,' cried Dick;' and we've had the jolliest times
sleeping. Three nights we camped, one we slept in a hayloft, and one
in the cabin of a barge.'

'Lodgings have been cheap, then?' chuckled Mr. Elliott; 'but how much
of the second half-sovereign have you spent for food?'

Dick laughed in triumph, and fetched out the bit of gold.

'Not a stiver,' he said; 'and there's the best part of the other
half-sovereign too.' And he laid a heap of silver and copper in his
father's hand.

Mr. Elliott counted it in surprise. 'Why, there's seventeen and
fourpence farthing here,' he said. 'Do you mean to say you two have
been out for a week, and only spent two and sevenpence three-farthings
all told?'

'We do,' cried Dick. 'We've won and earned fairly all the rest of our
food. I'll tell you everything, and you shall judge for yourself,
father. But it's too long a tale to go into now.'

Mr. Elliott stared through his goggles in wonder at the money. 'Well,
Jim,' he said at last to his brother, 'these scouts of yours can look
after themselves, it seems.'

'That's the chief thing that Baden-Powell's scouts are expected to
learn,' said the instructor, smiling; 'it is quite clear that Dick and
Slynn have picked up the art in great form.'

'Done the whole thing on two and sevenpence three-farthings!' repeated
Mr. Elliott, his wonder growing as he thought it over. 'Dick, you'd
better come into the business straight away. You'd be able, I should
say, to give your uncle and myself most valuable advice on the subject
of cutting down expenses.'

Dick laughed, for his father's surprise filled him with the utmost
delight. Chippy, too, was on the broad grin.

'Here,' said Mr. Elliott suddenly, 'take it; it's yours. Share it up
between you.' He poured gold, silver, and copper into the hat which
Dick promptly held out for the money.

'I'm not going to say "no" to that offer, father,' said Dick; 'for I've
a use for my half of the money.'

'Same here,' murmured Chippy; 'the party's name is Joseph Thatcher,
Little Eston.'

'Now, Chippy,' cried Dick, 'how in the world did you know what was in
my mind?'

The Raven chuckled. 'I knowed,' he murmured, and would say no more.

Dick explained who Joseph Thatcher was, and what misfortune had
befallen him.

'He gave twenty-eight shillings for the donkey,' concluded D