“He’s a punk scout,” some one called.

“I have here also,” Mr. Temple continued, “the testimony of Tom Slade himself that Hervey Willetts climbed a tree and in a daring manner saved a bird and its nest from the ruthless assault of an eagle.  That bird’s nest, with its little occupant, hangs now in the elm tree at the corner of the pavilion.” (Great applause.)

“Thus Hervey Willetts won the animal first aid badge without so much as knowing it. (Applause.) He had won twenty-one merit badges and he did not know it. (Great applause.) He was then and there an Eagle Scout and he did not know it. (Deafening cheers.) But Tom Slade knew it and said nothing——­”

“Thomas the Silent,” some irreverent voice called.

“So you see, my friends, it really made no difference whether our young hero tracked an animal or not.  He was an Eagle Scout.  He could go no higher.  He had reached the pinnacle—­no, not quite that.  To his triumph he must add the glory of a noble, unselfish deed.  Never knowing that the coveted honor was already his, he set out to win it by a tracking stunt which would fulfill the third requirement to bring him the stalking badge, and with it the Eagle award.  He had said that nothing would stand in his way, not even mountains.  He had made this boast to Tom Slade.

“And that boast he failed to make good.  Something did stand in his way.  Not a mountain.  Just a little tenderfoot scout.  You have seen him up here.  Alfred McCord is his name. (Applause.)

“And when Hervey Willetts found this little scout hot upon the trail, he forgot about the Eagle award, forgot about his near triumph, braved the anger and disappointment of his friends and comrades——­”

The troop of which Hervey was a member arose in a sudden, impetuous burst of cheering, but Mr. Temple cut them short.

“Just a moment and then you may have your way.  Hervey Willetts cared no more about the opinion of you scouts than this big oak tree over my head cares about the summer breeze.  There were two trails there, one visible, the other invisible.  One on the ground, the other in his heart.  And Hervey Willetts was a scout and he hit the right trail.  If it were not for our young assistant camp manager here, Hervey Willetts would this minute be witnessing these festivities from yonder tree, and little would he have cared, I think.

“But he reckoned without his host, as they say, when he sought the aid of Tom Slade. (Deafening applause.) Tom Slade knew him even if he did not know himself.

“My friends, many scouts have sought the Eagle award and a few have won it.  But the Eagle award now seeks Hervey Willetts.  He threw it aside but still it comes to him and asks for acceptance.  He deserves something better, but there is nothing better which we have to give.  For there is no badge for a noble good turn.  Tom Slade was right.”

“You said something!” some one shouted.