“I didn’t know,” said Rand, “that the American flag had such a history.  Can you tell us when the first Union flag was made?”

“The first Union flag was raised by Washington at Cambridge, January 2, 1776.  This flag represented the union of the colonies—­not then an established nation—­and while this flag, by its stripes, represented the thirteen colonies, the canton was the king’s colors.”

“Then, when did the stars and stripes become the national flag?” asked Jack.

“On the 14th of June, 1777, Congress adopted the resolution that the flag of the thirteen United States be thirteen stripes alternating red and white, and that the Union be thirteen stars, white in a blue field, representing a new constellation.  But I think the dinner must be ready by this time, and I have no doubt you are.  You know the Scout motto is, ‘Be prepared.’”

“We will do our best,” responded Pepper.

“Well,” said the colonel when, a little later, the dinner had been eaten to the last scrap, “how do you like Scout fare?”

“It’s ail right,” conceded Pepper, “as far as it goes,” looking longingly about him.

“You think there wasn’t enough of it,” laughed the colonel.  “You have a real Scout appetite.”

“To change the subject, what about uniforms?” inquired Jack.

“We will have to have them, I suppose,” replied Gerald.

“Sure,” returned Pepper; “that’s all right, they won’t cost much.”

“I have an idea,” broke in Rand.

“Clutch it, Randolph, ere it flies!” cried Pepper; “what is it?”

“I think,” went on Rand, “that it would be a good idea if we, each one of us, earned the money ourselves to buy our uniforms.”

“’Tis no a bad idea,” assented Donald.

“I think it is a very good one,” commended the colonel.  “You have caught the spirit of the organization.”

“How shall we do it?” asked Jack.

“Any way you like,” replied Rand.  “We will have to work it out, each one for himself.”

“All right,” responded Pepper, “I am going to get busy right away.”

“Right now, Pepper?” asked Dick.

“Now, that don’t remind you of anything,” warned Pepper.  “Not just this minute, but as soon as I get back to town.”

“What’s your scheme, Pepper?” asked Donald.

“Can’t give it away,” replied Pepper, “or you would all want to do it.”

“I think,” broke in the colonel, “it is time we were starting back.  If you like, we will have a game on the way.”

“A game?” asked Jack.

“Yes; a chase.”

“Hare and hounds?” asked Pepper.

“In a way,” replied the colonel.  “Gerald, you and Pepper will be the hares and the rest of us the hounds.”

“Do you mean to scatter papers?” asked Rand.

“Hardly,” replied the colonel.  “Nothing as plain as that.  Remember, we are scouts, and we are going to try and follow the trail they leave.  Now, then, hares, off with you.  Go any way you choose, and in ten minutes we will take up the trail and see if we can follow it.”