All the scouts were glad to hear that the injured boy was improving. But it was not yet possible for any of his boy admirers to be admitted into the sick room. The real preparation for the next outing was left to Mr. Trevor, and he responded most satisfactorily. It was finally arranged that the patrol was to start for Bluff Creek Thursday morning and return Saturday evening. The boys were to walk both ways, the camp equipage being carried in a single-horse cart loaned by Mr. Addington.
This had been a delivery wagon and it bore a dilapidated top, the ornamentation of which was the legend on its sides:
STAPLE AND FANCY GROCERIES.
By Wednesday evening new strips of white muslin had covered these and on the new field of white blazed the words:
SCOTTSVILLE BOY SCOUTS:
WOLF PATROL.
When the squad started Thursday morning Colly Craighead was in the driver’s seat and the wagon bed behind him was crowded with tents, poles, bedding, cooking utensils, dishes and, not the least in importance or quantity, provisions both “staple and fancy.”
It was perhaps unfortunate that the direct road to Bluff Creek, east of Scottsville, lay through the danger zone of Goosetown. No assault from their old enemies was anticipated but it was certain that the expedition would not pass unobserved. And it did not. While they were crossing the railroad tracks a well-known voice greeted the joyous party. It was that of Nick Apthorp, who was beginning the day with a pipe and a bit of gossip, perched high in the air in the semaphore signal tower.
“Hello, kids,” he exclaimed heartily. “Lookin’ for some more lost treasure?” The result of their Round Rock River humor was of course well known to the Coyotes long before this.
“You had a lot of courage to kill a little pup like that,” responded Art instantly. “Take all of you to do it?”
“Nope,” responded Nick with a guffaw, “he died o’ grievin’ fur his friends. What’s doin’?”