The Banner Boy Scouts on a Tour | Page 6

upon the spokesman of that committee to stand up.
William, the humorous member of the Carberry twins, immediately
bounced erect; and it happened that he stood just under the framed
charter granted by the National Committee to Stanhope Troop. Every
eye was glued upon his face, for it had been a matter of considerable

speculation among the scouts as to where they might "hike" for the
Summer vacation, so as to have the most fun.
William was the exact image of his brother Wallace, though their
dispositions could hardly have been more unlike. The former was
brimming over with a high sense of humor, and dearly loved to play all
manner of practical jokes. His greatest delight it seemed, was to pose as
the steady-going Wallace, and puzzle people who looked to the other
Carberry twin as an example of what a studious lad should be.
Still, William as a rule never reached the point of cruelty in his jokes;
and in this respect he differed from Ted Slavin, who seldom counted
the cost when carrying out some horse-play that had taken his fancy.
The spokesman of the committee looked around at the many eager
faces, and then bowed gravely. William could assume the airs of a
serene judge when the humor seized him. And yet in his natural
condition he was the most rollicking fellow in the troop, being
somewhat addicted to present day slang, just as Bobolink and some
others were.
"Fellow members of the Banner Boy Scouts," he began, when a roar
arose. "Cut that all out, William!"
"Yes, give us the dope straight. Where are we going to hike?"
"Hit it up, old war-horse! We want the facts, and we want 'em bad. Get
down to business, and whisper it!"
William smiled as these and many other cries greeted him. It pleased
him to keep his comrades on the anxious-seat a little longer; but when
threatening gestures were beginning to prove that the patience of the
assembled scouts had about reached its limit, he was wise enough to
surrender.
So he held up his hand, with the little finger crossed by the thumb--the
true scout's salute. Instantly the tumult ceased.

"Gentlemen," the chairman of the selected three went on, "this
committee has decided, after much powwowing, and looking into all
sorts of propositions, that the country to the north offers the best field
for a record hike, and a camp in the wilderness; where the scouts can
discover just how much they have learned this past Winter of woods
lore. So it's back to the tall timber for us next week!"
"Hear! hear!"
"Wow! that sounds good to me all right!"
"But just what tall timber, Mr. Chairman? Tell us that, won't you?"
Once more William made the signal for silence, and every scout
became mute. At least they had learned the value of obedience, and that
is one of the cardinal virtues in a Boy Scout's ritual.
"This committee recommends that we hike away up to Rattlesnake
Mountain," William went on to say, "and explore the country
thereabouts, which has not been visited by a boy of Stanhope, in this
present generation, at least. That is all for me; and now I'll skidoo!"
with which the chairman dropped down into his chair again with
becoming modesty.
Then arose a great uproar. Cheers rang out in hearty boyish manner, as
though the committee had struck a popular fancy when it decided upon
the neighborhood of Rattlesnake Mountain for the Summer camp.
This elevation could be seen from the town on the Bushkill. It had a
grim look even on the clearest days; and there were so many stories
told about the dangers to be encountered in that enchanted region that
boys usually talked in whispers about a prospective trip of exploration
there.
Thus far it was not on record that any of the Stanhope lads had ever
wandered that far afield, every expedition having given up before the
slopes of the lofty mountain were reached.

There were claims set forth by some fellows of Manchester, to the
effect that they had climbed half way up to the crest, and met with
many thrilling adventures among strange caves which they found
abounding there. But Stanhope boys always smiled, and looked very
knowing when they heard about this trip. They believed it originated
mainly in the imaginations of those rivals from the nearby town.
It can be seen, therefore, with what elation the announcement of
William was received. All felt that there was a glorious future
beckoning them on. Boys delight in adventure; and surely the
mysterious mountain that had so long been unknown ground to them,
offered great possibilities.
Every one seemed to have some particular way of expressing his
satisfaction.
"The greatest thing ever!" exclaimed Albert Cypher, who by