"I'll bet it's the uniforms," exclaimed Jerry, referring to the boxes. "See what the letter says, Windy."
"Guess it's answerin' the letter I wrote 'em about the patrol," remarked Fred, tearing open the envelope.
"Yep," he announced, "it's from the scout commissioner at Albuquerque. Listen to this:
"'Dear Sir:'" (Fred swelled his chest, and looked very dignified.) "'I am glad to know that you have formed a scout patrol at Fort Bayard and I certainly wish you every success. I am sending under separate cover a Boy Scout Handbook for each member of your patrol, badges bearing the insignia of an Eagle, the nearest thing that we can get to the name of your patrol. Learn the call of the eagle, if you do not know that of the thunder bird, as it is the signal of your patrol. You will also receive a flag with a picture of your patrol animal stamped on each side.
"'I happen to be acquainted with Mr. Hawke, who is sojourning in Fort Bayard. He would make a capital scout master and I am asking him by this mail to accept that appointment. I am sure he will be of great assistance to you in training the members of your band, and in helping them to earn merit badges and medals, for I know you are all ambitious to gain as many as you can.
"'Yours very truly,
"'George Stanton,
"'Scout Comm'r.'"
"Whoopee, what do you think of that?" yelled Fred, throwing up his hat. "With Hawke to help us we'll make a crackerjack out of this patrol and run them out of merit badges and medals. Maybe I can get the eagle medal."
"What's that?"
"It's the medal they award to the scout gettin' twenty-one merit badges. You know I only have four now," answered Fred.
"Let's call up Herb before Ike starts over to his place, and tell him the things have come."
"All right," assented Fred eagerly, as he followed Jerry into the house and to the telephone.
"Hello, Herb," called Jerry, when he had obtained the connection. "Things doing over here at the Fort."