hey get lost so they can find their way," Pee-wee yelled. "That shows
how much you know. If scouts didn't get lost how could scouts rescue
them? You _have_ to get lost. The same as you have to get nearly
drowned. Do you want me to start a fire without a match? That'll show
you I'm a scout--only I'd have to have a certain kind of a stone. I
can--I can eat a potato from a stick without it going round; that'll
prove it. Have you got a roasted potato?"

"No, and I wouldn't give one to a feller that steals automobiles
either," said Peter. "I got a signal and I stopped you."

"I know all about signalling and you didn't get one either," Pee-wee
shouted in desperation; "I know all about everything about scouting. I
know--I know--I can prove I can drink out of a spring without the water
going up my nose, so that's a test. I had a lot of adventures to-night,
I was with thieves, and I'll tell you all--"

"I know you were," said Peter, "and you needn't tell me about it because
I can tell by looking at you. Do you think you can make me think you own
this car, and--and get roasted potatoes from me too, and run away when I
show you where the spring is so you can prove it?"

"The man that owns this car is a friend of mine and he--he gave me a
quarter--"

"You're a thief and I don't care what you say," said Peter, his
agitation rising with his anger, "and it's miles and miles to a village
and there's nothing but woods--"

"Scouts can eat moss, they can," Pee-wee interrupted.

"And you can't fool me," Peter continued.

"I'll go scout pace for you," Pee-wee said with a sudden inspiration--

"Yes, you'll go scout pacing away--"

"_Will you let me speak_?" Pee-wee fairly screeched.

"No, I won't. You're a robber and now you're caught and it serves you
right because you didn't find out about the scouts and join them and
have fun that way and then you wouldn't have to go to jail for
stealing."

W. Harris, mascot of the Raven Patrol, First Bridgeboro Troop, looked
down with withering scorn upon this shabby advocate of scouting. And
Peter Piper returned the look fearfully, yet bravely. After the
tremendous thing he had done he was not going to be fooled by this
hoodlum crook who seemed to have haphazard knowledge of those wonderful,
far-off beings in natty khaki and shining things hanging from their
belts. He would not even discuss those misty, unknown comrades with this
lawbreaker. Anybody might learn a little about the scouts, e