interesting," Tom had told them; "because
we'll be apt to meet with a few surprises on the way. None of us would
like to have anything all cut and dried ahead of time, I'm sure."

"It's generally the unexpected that gives the most pleasure," declared
Josh Kingsley, who was known to have leanings toward being a great
inventor some fine day, and always hoped to make an important discovery
while he experimented in his workshop in the old red barn back of his
home.

"Well," remarked George Cooper, getting slowly to his feet, "there may
be some things that drop in on you unexpected like that don't seem to
give you a whit of pleasure, and I can name one right now."

"Oh come, George, you old growler, you're just trying to throw cold
water on our big scheme," complained Felix Robbins, trying to pull the
other down.

"I've seen him shaking his head lots of times all evening," asserted
Billy Button, "and I just guessed George was aching to make us feel
bad. He's never so happy as when he's making other folks miserable."

George refused to take his seat. He even shrugged his shoulders as
though he thought his comrades were hardly treating him fairly.

"Listen, fellows," he said, solemnly and ponderously; "I don't like to
be the bird of ill omen that carries the bad news; but honest to
goodness I'm afraid there's a heap of trouble looming up on the horizon
for us unless we change our plans for a hike over Big Bear Mountain."

"What sort of trouble do you mean, George?" asked the patrol leader.

"Only this, Mr. President," said George, "on the way here I learned
that Tony Pollock, Wedge McGuffey, Asa Green and Dock Phillips had
started off this very afternoon, meaning to spend a week or more
tramping over Big Bear Mountain; and I guess they've got it in for our
crowd."

CHAPTER IX

NO SURRENDER

"It looks like a set-up job to me!" declared Josh Kingsley, with a ring
of honest indignation in his voice.

"They've been hearing so much talk about what a great time we meant to
have, it's just made them green with envy; that's what I think,"
ventured Horace Crapsey.

"Yes, but why pick out Big Bear Mountain," Felix wanted to know;
"unless they meant to spy on the scouts, and give us all the trouble
they could?"

There were signs of anger visible on every side. Scouts may be taught
that it is noble to forgive those who wrong them, but all the same they
are human, and deep down in their boyish hearts is the resen