"Three cheers for Captain Donavan and Eagle Patrol," shouted Mr. Norton, waving his hat. "Now!"
I'll bet they heard us down in the village. After it was quiet again I saw Skinny whispering something to Bill. Bill nodded his head and passed it on to Hank, and finally it came to Benny and me, who sat at the end of the line. We nodded and began to creep nearer the fire while waiting for the signal.
"Caw!" yelled Skinny, all of a sudden, like you sometimes hear a big crow in the Bellows Pipe.
As he yelled, he grabbed a burning brand out of the fire, and the rest of us did the same. Then we formed a circle and danced a war dance around the Gang, whirling our brands in the air until the sparks flew in the growing darkness and there seemed to be a ring of fire.
"Shall we eat 'em alive, my braves?" chanted Skinny.
"No," we shouted. "They are brothers."
"Shall we mop the earth with 'em?"
"No," we yelled. "They are Scouts."
"What shall we do?" asked Skinny, stopping in front of Jim, who was too surprised to say anything.
"Give them the glad hand," we answered.