On the whole the meeting had been a most interesting one.  Every scout was burning with enthusiasm, and many were the resolutions that Stanhope must have what Bobolink called a “show-in,” with regard to that coveted banner, which was to fall to the leading patrol of the county.

They were now almost ready to “break camp” for the evening, and before doing so indulged in a little general talk.  Many had ideas which they wished to advance, in order to discover what the attitude of their comrades might be.

“Mr. Chairman,” said Wallace Carberry, when he found a little lull in the buzz of conversation, “I have a proposition I’d like to put before the meeting before we disband.”

“Hear! hear!” shouted several of the boys, notably those who had been seen in close confab with Wallace, and hence probably in touch with his scheme.

“All right, Number Seven; let’s hear what it is,” replied Paul, readily.

Every member of each patrol had a number.  These began with the scout leader, who of course had to take the “initial sack,” as Bobolink, still baseball wild, put it.  Jack, as his assistant in control, came as Number Two; Bobolink next; Bluff captured Four as his distinguishing feature; Nuthin’ being Five, and the twins the next pair, for it would never do to separate William and Wallace, while Tom Betts was Eighth and last.

“If the gentlemen present will give me the floor, with the privilege of three minutes in which to explain what I have in mind, I will be glad to comply.”

Wallace was very precise in his way of putting things.  This did not happen only when in school, or as he stood up to address a meeting of his chums.  He could not unbend his dignity even under the most trivial conditions.

William was just the reverse; and so full of frolic and fun that the boys always declared the pair to be unequally matched, since in disposition they were exact opposites.

And yet under it all there was the same abiding affection that generally may be found between twins.

“Hear! hear!” shouted the boys once more.

“Let’s have it, Wallace, old sport.  It’s bound to be a jim-dandy idea!” declared a loud voice that seemed to spring from the ceiling; but no one was deceived, for they knew only too well how Bobolink could throw his voice pretty much where he pleased.

“Silence!”

When Paul, who in the absence of a regular scout master, occupied the chair, uttered this one word every sound ceased; and after that there was no excuse for Wallace to hesitate longer.

“Some of us have been talking it over, Mr. Chairman, and we would respectfully request that you name an early date when we can go out into the woods for several tests of skill.  There is much keen rivalry among a number of us already, which can only be settled by an open trial.  First of all there is the interesting water-boiling test of woodmanship.  We want to know who is the leading light in that class so we may push him forward to enter the general competition with other Boy Scout troops.  Am I understood, Mr. Chairman?”