Rod found it very hard to keep his mind down to his lessons that day.  He was too much excited over the idea of helping Whyn.  He wanted to speak to the other scouts about it, and thus relieve his feelings.  But he had received the captain’s order, and so must obey.

The rest of the scouts were most anxious to know what the special summons meant, so it did not take them long to reach Headquarters as soon as school was out.  Their scoutmaster was there before them, who explained in a few words why he had called them together.

“I want yez to decide this matter fer yerselves,” he told them in closing, “and I’ll tell yez what I think about it when yez have made up yer minds.”

“Certainly we must give the money,” Rod cried, as soon as the captain was through.  “It’s for Whyn, and who wouldn’t do anything for her?  He has no right to belong to this troop if he wouldn’t.”

“Let’s give it,” the rest shouted in unison; “every cent of it.”

“But what about the prize?” the captain asked.

“Let it go,” was the general response.

“And the motor-boat?”

“We can do without that, eh, boys?” This from Rod.

“Yes, yes.  Hurrah for Whyn!” and the scouts in their loyal enthusiasm threw their caps into the air, and shouted at the top of their voices.

Into the captain’s eyes gleamed a light of joy and triumph.  He felt at that moment like a general whose men had consented to make a mighty sacrifice for a great cause.  He tried to say something, but the words would not come.  Instead, he stepped up to each scout, and reached out his big right hand.  This action on the part of their leader had more effect in filling their hearts with pride than an outburst of eloquence.  They understood something of what the captain felt, and how pleased he was at their decision.

“But remember, lads,” he reminded them, “our money’ll go only a little way, and we mustn’t git too excited jist yit.”

“How much will it take?” one of the boys asked.

“I can’t say fer sure.  But I wouldn’t be a bit surprised if it should take two thousand dollars.”

“Oh!” was the astonished exclamation from all.  “Why will it take that much?” they enquired.

“Specialists are expensive people,” the captain explained.  “I knew a man years ago who went to one, and it cost him more’n that.”

“But maybe he won’t charge as much for a girl, especially when it’s Whyn?” Rod suggested.

“H’m, I guess that won’t make any difference.  Anyway, we must be prepared, as our motto says.  We’ve got to git more money, that’s certain, and how are we to do it?”

There was silence for a few minutes, as the scouts well knew from past experience how hard it was to think of any plan to raise money quickly.  They realised that they could not expect to have such good fortune as they had during the past year.  It was Rod who broke the silence.