[If a longer scene is required Nicholson might then address the chiefs on the might of Britain, which, though a small country, is all powerful for good of the world, and so he, as representing her, stands one among them for the good of the whole. And that if they want peace and prosperity they themselves must be loyal and true to the hand that is arranging it. Nicholson's words are splendidly rendered in the poem by Henry Newbolt.]
CAMP FIRE YARN.—No. 27.
CITIZENSHIP.
Duties of Scouts as Citizens—Duties as Citizen Soldiers—Marksmanship—Helping the Police.
SCOUT'S DUTY AS A CITIZEN.
There are two ways by which every good Briton ought to be prepared to keep up our Empire.
The first is by peaceful means as a citizen.
If every citizen of the Empire were to make himself a really good useful man, our nation would be such a blessing to the civilised world, as it has been in the past, that nobody would wish to see it broken up by any other nation. No other nation would probably wish to do it. But to hold that position we must be good citizens and firm friends all round among ourselves in our country.
A house divided against itself cannot stand. If a strong enemy wants our rich commerce and Colonies, and sees us in England divided against each other, he would pounce in and capture us.
For this you must begin, as boys, not to think other classes of boys to be your enemies. Remember, whether rich or poor, from castle or from slum, you are all Britons in the first place, and you've got to keep England up against outside enemies. You have to stand shoulder to shoulder to do it.
If you are divided among yourselves you are doing harm to your country. You must sink your differences.