xpect to enjoy our vacation this summer."

"And it's pretty nearly decided I hear, that the Black Bear Patrol
takes a long hike the first thing after school closes," Carl was
saying, as they started down the river road into Lenox.

"Ten days in camp or knocking about will do more to make us seasoned
scouts than as many months at home," ventured Tom, knowingly.

"All the difference between theory and practice you mean," added Carl.
"On my own part I don't care how soon we get started. I've a whole lot
of things written down to be attended to, once we get away from
civilization. That long list Mr. Witherspoon gave me I've made up a
name for."

"What is it, then?" asked Tom.

"Things for a Tenderfoot Scout to Look for on His First Visit to the
Storehouse of Nature. What do you think of the title, Tom?"

"A pretty long one, it strikes me," answered the other; "but it covers
the ground. Every one of us must have a copy, and it'll be a lot of fun
to find out who'll be the first to answer all those questions."

"One thing I hope will happen before we start out on that hike," said
Carl.

"Of course you're referring to that paper again, and I don't blame you
a bit. We'll do our level best to get hold of it before then," and
trying as well as he knew how to buoy up the drooping spirits of the
disappointed chum Tom locked arms with him, and in this fashion they
walked home.

The days again drifted along into weeks.

Scout matters were looking up decidedly in Lenox. There was even some
talk of a second rival organization among another set of boys, though
Mr. Witherspoon gave it as his opinion that nothing could ever be done
with such a wild crowd.

"There isn't a single one among them, from what I hear and know, who
could comply with the requirements every scout is expected to have as
an asset when he makes application," was the way he put it. "Those boys
couldn't subscribe to any of the rules which govern scouts in their
daily life. They'd have to turn over a new leaf for a fact before they
could don the khaki."

"And," said Josh Kingsley, "when such tough fellows as Tony Pollock,
Asa Green, Wedge McGuffey and Dock Phillips start to turning leaves you
can begin to see angel wings sprouting back of their shoulder blades."

There were already five boys who had given in their names to make up a
second patrol. When it was filled they meant to join the troop, and
qualify for a better standing than greenhorns or tenderfe