ick, 'and
this will go a long step towards setting him up again. The poor old
chap's horribly frightened of the workhouse at present.'

'Ah,' said his father, 'the road-hog is the curse of decent
motor-drivers. One black sheep can cover the whole flock with
discredit. Well, now, boys, jump in, and I'll run you into Bardon in
triumph.'

'Oh no, no, father,' cried Dick; 'thank you very much, but that would
spoil the whole thing. We must finish it out to the last step on foot.'

'What Spartans!' said Mr. Elliott; 'still ready to face six miles of
hot, dusty road after a week's tramping.'

'Yes, father, we must do it,' replied Dick. 'To finish up in a
motor-car would take the shine off the whole affair.'

'Well, well, as you please,' laughed Mr. Elliott; 'then, you can hand
that money back. Your uncle and I are out for a spin, and we'll slip
over as far as Eston, and see Mr. Joseph Thatcher, and console him for
his loss with your offering. If one motorist upset him, it's only
right for another to do the friendly.'

Dick hailed this proposal with delight, and handed back the seventeen
shillings and four-pence farthing. 'I'll be bound the poor old chap
will get enough to buy a new donkey before all's done,' chuckled Dick.

'Can't say,' said Mr. Elliott, preparing to back and fill till he had
his car round; 'depends on whether your uncle's got any loose silver to
throw away. Well, we shall catch you up again long before you reach
Bardon.'

The car sped away, and the boy scouts watched it for a moment, then
marched on down the Bardon road.

'Bit of a temptation, worn't it, to tumble into the car?' said Chippy.

'Oh, Chippy, that would have spoilt it all!' cried Dick. 'My foot's
giving me beans rather, but I'm not going to chuck it for a six-mile
tramp.'

'I know just how ye feel,' replied the Raven; ''twould ha' seemed to
tek' the polish off, but I was thinkin' o' yer foot.'

'That will be all right after a day or two's rest,' said Dick; 'but
with the end of the journey in sight I mean to stump it out.'

A couple of miles on he was stumping it out steadily, when all thoughts
of lameness and soreness were put to flight by a joyous vision; for
just as they gained the heath two files of marching figures came into
sight in the distance. The familiar uniforms at once caught the eye of
the two patrol-leaders.

'Scouts!' cried Chippy.

'Our own patrols!' yelled Dick. 'Look, Chippy; our patrols have come