He hesitated a moment; then went on:
"I have made official application for Honor Medals for the part they took in saving human life at that unfortunate train wreck, and I hope the National Court of Honor will award them. But I, myself, have wanted to do something personally to show the boys how much I have enjoyed their companionship and what I think of their conduct—all of them, not only those who happened to be on hand at the time of the wreck. So I have had this banner made to hang under the other one, in the cave, or wherever their place of meeting may be."
He pulled out a fine silk banner from his pocket, as he spoke, and shook it out until it hung full length in the moonlight, and, looking, we saw in one corner a black raven and "Patrol 1, Troop 3 Mass."; then, in large, gold letters, the Scout motto:
"BE PREPARED."
How we did cheer! And our folks cheered louder than anybody.
"Guess what!" said Benny, after all was still again. "When we grow up, we are going to try and be like Mr. Norton, our Scoutmaster."
"Bet your life we are!" shouted Skinny, springing to his feet and waving the banner.
Then he stopped and stood there, looking at us, with his arms folded.
"I have spoken," said he. "Let be what is."
THE END