l turned to Eben, and made a quick gesture that the bugler
was waiting for, since he immediately raised the shining instrument to
his lips, puffed out his cheeks, took in a tremendous breath, and gave
the call that was next to the "fall in for supper" signal, the most
popular known to the scouts.

"Alabama! Here we rest!" cried Seth, turning aside into the woods after
Paul, who evidently had his eye on a certain location, where he meant to
pitch the third night's camp.

"That's a good idea," remarked Andy, always quick to seize upon anything
that gave a hint concerning his beloved South, "let's call this Alabama
Camp!"

"Put it to a vote," called out Fritz, "all in favor of the same say aye;
contrary no. The ayes have it unanimously. Hurrah for Alabama Camp.
Seems like that's a good restful name; and I hope we sleep right good
here; for most of us are pretty well used up."

"Don't mention that same above a whisper," warned Seth, "because we've
got two awfully touchy chums along, who're always carrying chips on
their shoulders when it comes to the subject of being knocked out. Say,
Paul, did you know about this camp site before; because it's the
dandiest place we've struck on the big hike?"

"Just dumb luck," replied the other, shaking his head in the negative.
"I thought it looked good this way, when I called for a halt. And you're
just about right, Seth; it does fill the bill great. Here's our spring
of clear cold water; and there you have a splendid place to start your
fire, Jotham. Now, let's throw ourselves down for a little while, and
then when we feel rested, we'll get busy doing things."

All of them were only too glad to do as Paul suggested. And when
another ten minutes had slipped past, Jotham struggled to his feet to
wearily but determinedly gather together some material with which to
start a blaze.

When he had it going Noodles realized that it was now up to him to start
getting some supper cooking. They had come in very light marching order,
since Paul realized that if they hoped to win that lovely prize he must
not load any of the boys down with superfluous burdens.

As a rule they depended on the farmers to supply them with such things
as they needed, chiefly eggs and milk. The former they had along with
them, several dozen eggs in fact, purchased from an obliging farmer
earlier in the afternoon, and fortunately carried in other knapsacks
than that of Fritz, who would have smashed the entire supp