Rod of the Lone Patrol

E-text prepared by Al Haines
Author of If Any Man Sin, The Chief of the Ranges, The Long Patrol, The Frontiersman, Etc., Etc.
A boy's will is the wind's will, And the thoughts of youth are long, long thoughts. —LONGFELLOW.
McClelland and Stewart Publishers ——— Toronto Copyright, 1916, George H. Doran Company Made in U. S. A.
To My
Three Little Boys
Who are anxious to become Boy Scouts,
This Book is
Affectionately Dedicated
Parson Dan chuckled several times as he sipped his hot cocoa before the fire. It was an open fire, and the flames licked around an old dry root which had been brought with other driftwood up from the shore. This brightly-lighted room was a pleasing contrast to the roughness of the night outside, for a strong late October wind was careening over the land. It swirled about the snug Hillcrest rectory, rattling any window which happened to be a little loose, and drawing the forked-tongued flames writhing up the large commodious chimney.
When the third chuckle had been emitted, Mrs. Royal laid aside the paper she had been reading and looked somewhat curiously at her husband.
The missionary meeting must have been very amusing to-night, Daniel, she remarked. It is too bad that I didn't go.