With one accord the boys put their bugles to their lips and sounded the Scout salute.

“By my faith,” cried Rand, in generous admiration of the other’s skill, “’twas a noble shot and well placed.  You might be the bold Robin himself returned.”

“It was but a chance shot that I might not be able to repeat,” returned the other modestly.  “But I was a member of an archery club in our place and that brings me to my errand here.  You are Randolph Peyton, leader of the Uncas Patrol, if I am not mistaken.  I was told in the town that I would find you here.”

“That is my name,” replied Rand.

“My name is Wat Watson,” announced the other with a smile.  “It is an alterative sort of a name, but all I have.  I have here,” presenting a paper to Rand, “a challenge from the Highpoint Patrol.”

“A challenge!” exclaimed Rand.  “Not for an archery contest, I hope, or we are beaten before we begin.  Master Watson, permit me to present Don Graeme, Jack Blake and his brother, Pepper, Dick Wilson, and last, but not least in his own estimation, Gerald Moore.”

“I am heartily glad to meet you all,” said Wat, shaking hands all around, “and hope I may often have the pleasure.”

“The same to you,” responded the boys.

“And may you live to be a hundred,” added Gerald, “and may Oi be wid ye.”

The paper which Nat had brought and which Rand had opened, ran: 

“To the Uncas Patrol, Greeting: 

“The Highpoint Patrol, of the Boy Scouts, hereby challenges the Uncas Patrol to a contest for the Scout championship of the Hudson, to be rowed by crews selected from said patrols, at such time and place as may be hereafter agreed upon.

“Highpoint patrol.  Jack Dudley, Leader.  Tom brown, Corporal.”

“Well, boys, what do you say?” asked Rand, when he had finished reading the challenge.  “After the prowess exhibited by their messenger, do you think we dare accept?” Whereupon there arose a babble of voices in which all sorts of opinions were expressed.

“Shure they can’t bate us more than three miles,” concluded Gerald.

“Then I suppose we may accept,” said Rand.

“Shall I so report?” asked Wat.

“You can report that the challenge has been received and that we will send our answer by messenger.”

“Thank you,” replied Wat, “and now I must be off.  Be sure and come and see us; we will try and treat you right.”

“There can’t be any doubt of that,” replied Rand.  “But, just a moment,” as Mrs. Peyton appeared on the green with a tray of cakes.  She was followed by a maid with a pail of lemonade.

“Isn’t it time for a feast and a war dance or something?” she asked.

“We have just been having a pow-wow,” replied Rand, “and our throats are dry with much talking.  We have just concluded a treaty with the tribe of Highpoint and are ready for the feast of amity.”