ut expressionless, received these
tributes with the faintest suggestion of a smile. "Don't forget to smile
and look pretty!" came from the rear of the assemblage.

As was usual at Temple Camp festivities, the affair began with three
resounding cheers for Uncle Jeb, followed by vociferous appeals for a
speech. Uncle Jeb's speeches were an institution at camp. Slowly
dragging himself to his feet, he sprawled over to the front of the
platform and said in his drawling way:

"I don't know as thar's anything I got ter say. We've come out t'the
end of our trail, en' next season I hope we'll see the same faces
here. You ain't been a bad lot this year. I've seen wuss. I never
seed a crowd that ate so much. I reckon none uv yer hez got homes
and yer wuz all starved when yer come.

"Yer made more noise this season than anything I ever heard outside
a Arizona cyclone. (Laughter) You've been noisy enough ter make a
thunder-shower sound like a Indian lullaby. (Roars)

"If these here honor badges thet Mister Temple is goin' ter hand
out'll keep yer quiet, I wish thar wuz more uv them. As the feller
says, speech is silver and silence is gold, so I'm for gold awards
every time. Onct I asked Buffalo Bill what wuz th' main thing fer a
scout n' he says _silence_. (Uproarious laughter) So I reckon th'
best kind uv a boy scout is one that's deaf and dumb, but I ain't
never seen none at this camp. I guess they don't make that kind.

"I wish yer all good luck and I congratulate you youngsters that are
getting awards. If yer all got your just deserts----"

"I get three helpings," came a voice from somewhere in the audience. It
was the voice of Pee-wee Harris. "I get _my_ just desserts!"

Amid tumultuous cheering and laughter, old Uncle Jeb lounged back to his
seat and Mr. John Temple arose.

CHAPTER XXI

THE FULL SALUTE

Great applause greeted Mr. Temple. He said:

"Gentlemen of our camp staff, visiting scoutmasters, and scouts:

"A friend of mine connected with the scout organization told me that
he heard a scout say that Temple Camp without Uncle Jeb would be
like strawberry short cake without any strawberries. (Great
applause) I think that most scouts, including our young friend in
back, would wish three helpings of Uncle Jeb. (Laughter)

"Coming from the bustling city, as I do, it is refreshing to see
Uncle Jeb for I ha