Skinny was the proudest fellow you ever saw because we had found Bill. It made him real chesty and we all felt good about it.
"Say, we're the stuff," said he. "If you don't believe it, watch our smoke. That's all I've got to say. Hurry up and get well, Bill, so we can have a meeting and tell about our hikes. I want to see a First Class Scout badge on my manly bosom."
We were sitting in Bill's house at the time, to cheer him up a little because he couldn't go out without a crutch.
"What's the matter with having the meeting here?" said Bill. "I don't suppose Mr. Norton will give me a badge because I haven't delivered his message yet, but I'd like to hear what the rest of you did. I can't get out for a few days. When I do, I'm going to North Adams and back, if it takes a whole leg. Believe me."
"You did more than any of us," Benny told him, "badge or no badge."
"I guess you won't chase over the mountain the next time," I said. "When you stick to the roads there don't anything happen."
"Oh, there don't, don't they?" exclaimed Skinny. "Say, you fellers ought to have been with me. There was something doing every minute. Ma says it's a wonder that I'm alive. I've had awfully hard work to keep from telling about it."
"Tell us about it now."
"Not much, you wouldn't be able to sleep to-night. Besides, it might make Bill's ankle worse."
"Great snakes!" said Bill. "There ain't anything the matter with me, only it hurts me to step on my foot. Come on, Skinny. Let's have it."