The competition was keenly contested.  A dozen different events had been scheduled some time back by the committee, as the more important elements that would enter into the struggle; and the scout master of each patrol had been notified, so that he might select those most competent to succeed.

Scout master Gordon, and later on his deputy, Paul, had been working with those who excelled in these various lines.  Nothing was left undone to make them proficient in their work.  When the critical time came, and before the eyes of thousands they lined up before the committee to take the test, Paul believed that success was sure to come.

Football was in the air for the afternoon; but that morning every school flag fluttered in that densely packed field where the arena was laid.  Scores upon scores of pretty girls clapped their hands, and sang patriotic songs that had reference to their particular town, whenever a Stanhope, a Manchester or an Aldine competitor started to prove his superior knowledge of the arts of woodcraft.

Wallace Carberry brought the first honors to the Red Fox patrol.  He had his quart of water boiling a full minute before either of his rivals; and retired amid thunderous applause.  Wallace would show up in several other events, for he was the mainstay of Paul’s contesting delegation.

Then came other interesting object lessons.  Many present failed to understand altogether what they signified; but they were patriotic, and ready to cheer the victor to the echo.

On account of the lateness of the season several events that might have taken place at another time were debarred, such as swimming, fishing, and sports peculiar to the good old summer time.

Nevertheless, there were plenty of others equally as interesting.  Three boys entered as contestants in the rapid photography class.  They took a snap shot at a given word, darted into separate prepared dark rooms, developed their plates, dried the same, each after his own fashion, and presented a completed picture before the other competitions were done.

Meanwhile three others showed just how a scout should learn to follow a difficult trail, where all manner of obstacles stood in the way.  While the crowd could not fully understand just how this was done, the committee seemed unanimous in awarding the victory once more to Wallace, for he had not made a single error, and he finished ahead of his rivals.

Others were set to work tying ten difficult knots, and the fun waxed fast and furious as they worked their nimble fingers, keeping an eye on each other the while.

In another place three tents were given to squads of boys from each patrol, and at the word they set to work to erect the same, dig a water drain in case of rain, and have everything in “apple-pie” shape.  The committee gave plain warning that it was not speed alone that would count here, but the general ship-shape condition following the carrying out of the conditions.