The Banner Boy Scouts on a Tour

The Banner Boy Scouts on a
Tour, by George A.

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George A. Warren
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Title: The Banner Boy Scouts on a Tour The Mystery of Rattlesnake
Mountain
Author: George A. Warren

Release Date: April 4, 2007 [eBook #20985]
Language: English
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THE BANNER BOY SCOUTS ON A TOUR
Or
The Mystery of Rattlesnake Mountain
by
GEORGE A. WARREN
Author of "The Banner Boy Scouts," "The Musket Boys of Old
Boston," "The Musket Boys under Washington," Etc.
Illustrated

[Illustration: "COME ON, FELLOWS; US TO THE ATTACK!"
CALLED BOBOLINK.
Banner Boy Scouts on a Tour Page 217]

The Saalfield Publishing Co. Akron, Ohio New York Made in U. S. A.
Copyright, 1912, by Cupples & Leon Company

CONTENTS
CHAPTER PAGE

I THE OPEN DOOR 1 II THE MYSTERY OF THE TIN BOX 11 III
BREAKING UP THE SCOUTS' MEETING 22 IV CATCHING A
TARTAR 35 V GETTING READY FOR THE GREAT "HIKE" 46 VI
ON GUARD 55 VII "BE PREPARED!" 66 VIII REPULSING THE
ENEMY 76 IX RETURNING GOOD FOR EVIL 87 X OFF ON THE
LONG TOUR 98 XI THE COMING OF THE CIRCUS CARAVAN
107 XII A CAMP BY THE ROADSIDE 118 XIII WHEN THE
MOON WENT DOWN 127 XIV THE CHASE 138 XV LEFT IN THE
LURCH 147 XVI AT THE FOOT OF RATTLESNAKE MOUNTAIN
155 XVII JOE DECLINES TO TELL 164 XVIII A CLOSE CALL 173
XIX INDIAN PICTURE WRITING 184 XX CAMP SURPRISE 193
XXI THE LIGHT OF THE MOUNTAIN 202 XXII THE NIGHT
ALARM 211 XXIII WHAT THE EYES OF A SCOUT MAY SEE 219
XXIV THE STRANGEST FISHING EVER KNOWN 230 XXV
PAUL LAYS DOWN HIS BURDEN 239 XXVI THE
SUCKER-HOLE 247 XXVII GATHERING CLOUDS 256 XXVIII
THE GREAT STORM 264 XXIX A PANIC-STRICKEN CROWD
272 XXX THE UNDERGROUND REFUGE 280 XXXI THE BOY
SCOUTS AS EXPLORERS 286 XXXII THE TIN BOX AGAIN 293
XXXIII WHAT PAUL FOUND--CONCLUSION 302

PREFACE
DEAR BOYS:
While this volume is complete in itself, it forms a second link in the
chain of books issued under the general title, "The Banner Boy Scouts
Series." You will, no doubt, be glad to find most of the old favorites on
parade once more; and perhaps make the acquaintance of several new
characters who figure in these pages.
In the preceding volume, "The Banner Boy Scouts; or, The Struggle for
Leadership," I endeavored to interest my readers in an account of the
numerous trials and adventures that befell Paul and his chums when
forming the first Red Fox Patrol. You will remember how the mystery
of the disappearing coins continued to puzzle Paul and Jack almost up

to the very conclusion of the story. And doubtless you were also ready
to admit that, hard pressed by jealous rivals at home, as well as forced
to compete with two neighboring troops who longed to possess the
prize banner, the Stanhope scouts certainly did have a warm time of it,
right up to the close of the tournament.
The wonderful way in which they carried off first honors at that same
competition certainly ought to inspire all Boy Scouts to emulate their
example, and never be satisfied with half-hearted efforts. I sincerely
hope and trust the stirring happenings that fall to the lot of Paul and his
chums, as related between the covers of the present volume, may give
every reader the same amount of pleasure that I have experienced in
writing them.
Cordially yours,
GEORGE A. WARREN.

THE BANNER BOY SCOUTS ON A TOUR
CHAPTER I
THE OPEN DOOR
"Here we are at your father's feed store, Joe!"
"Yes, but there isn't a glimmer of a light. Didn't you say he was going
to stay here till you came from the meeting?"
"Shucks! he just got tired waiting, and went home long ago; you can
trot along now by your lonesome, Joe."
"Listen! didn't you hear it, fellows? What was that sound?"
The four boys stood, as Joe asked this question, almost holding their
breath with awe, while no doubt their hearts pounded away like so
many trip-hammers.

It was after ten o'clock at night, and the town of Stanhope, nestling on
the bank