in than Step Hen.

And now, it seemed that something had been making an insidious change
inside the scout; when he could feel such intense interest in so trivial
a thing as the pluck of an obscure tumble-bug. Time was when Step Hen
would have cared little whether or not he came down with his heel upon
such an object, which ought to know better than get in his path.

It was different now, since Step Hen had joined the scouts. His eyes had
been opened to many things, the existence of which he had never dreamed
in those other days. And he could never again be the same indifferent
fellow; he must go on advancing along the trail that led to a better
knowledge of Nature's great secrets; and above all else, the capacity
that lay within his own heart for understanding these myriads of small
but wonderful things.

"I'm not going to answer that question myself, Davy," said Thad, with a
smile. "Fact is, I'd much rather have the candid opinion of every scout
on the subject. So I'm going to put it to a vote, here and now; and I
want you to be serious about it, small matter though it may seem; for
upon such things rests the very foundations of the whole Boy Scout
movement--observing, understanding, appreciating."

"Whew!" muttered Giraffe, "and all this fuss about one little
tumble-bug!"

"Those who really and truly think Step Hen had a full right to turn his
badge right side up for the interest he took in that game little
creature's struggle to overcome what seemed unsurmountable difficulties,
and for lending a helping hand in the end, raise the right hand," and
Thad put his up for a starter.

Not counting Step Hen himself, there were just seven fellows present
when Thad asked them to show their colors. And including the scoutmaster
himself, just seven instantly raised a hand.

Thad laughed softly. It gave him more pleasure than he could tell to see
that the boys understood the motive that had swayed their comrade. And
doubtless this vote of confidence would urge Step Hen to go along the
path he had discovered, with ever-increasing confidence, as its charms
continued to be revealed in ever-increasing proportions day by day. A
new world would soon open up to his inquiring eyes. He would find ten
thousand things of tremendous interest all around him, to which he had
up to now been as blind as a bat. Never again would he feel alone, even
though no comrade were at his side; for he could discover innumerable
objects about him at