y guess
it will be only a short time before a number of you will be applying
for the badge of second-class scouts."

"That's just what we will, sir!" cried Josh, brimming over with
enthusiasm.

"We cannot elect a patrol leader just now," continued Mr. Witherspoon,
"until there are some of you who are in the second class; but that will
come about in good time. But it is of considerable importance what name
you would like to give this first patrol of the new Lenox Troop of Boy
Scouts."

There was a conference among the boys, and all sorts of suggestions
were evidently being put forward. Finally Tom Chesney seemed to have
been delegated as usual to act as spokesman.

"Mr. Chairman," he said, rising from his seat, "my comrades of Lenox
Troop have commissioned me to say they would like to ask Mr. Henderson
to name the first patrol for them. They believe they will be perfectly
satisfied with any name he may think best to give them."

Judge Stone smiled, and nodded his head as though he considered this
quite a neat little compliment for his good old friend. And the
naturalist was also evidently pleased as he got upon his feet.

"After all, boys," he told them, "it is a matter of very little
consequence what you call this fine patrol. There are a dozen names
that suggest themselves. Since you have a Bear Mountain within half a
dozen miles of your town suppose you call it the Black Bear Patrol."

There was a chorus of approving assents, and it looked as though not a
single objection was to be offered.

"The black bear is an American institution, you might say," Mr.
Henderson continued, when this point had been settled, "and next to the
eagle is recognized as distinctive. From what I have heard said this
evening it seems to me also that the Boy Scouts of America differ from
any other branch of the movement in many ways."

"Above all things," exclaimed Mr. Witherspoon, "in that there is
nothing military about the movement over here. In Europe scouts are in
one sense soldiers in the making. They all expect to serve the colors
some day later on. We do not hold this up before our boys; though never
once doubting that in case a great necessity arose every full-fledged
scout would stand up for his country's honor and safety."

"Every time!" exclaimed the impetuous Josh.

Long they lingered there, discussing many things connected with the
securing of their uniforms, after the proper time had elapsed. Various
schemes were s