Mr. Chase attempted, for a moment, to make a point that Art, Connie and Colly Craighead had gone out of bounds by crossing the river line. But the umpires rejected his contention as the conditions clearly specified “beyond the river” and not “in it or on it.” When the list was checked up, all names and numbers were found to agree with the umpires’ list and the Coyotes were officially credited with having found eight of the ten Wolf “hide outs.”
Then followed the luncheon hour. Every shady tree seemed to have its group of picnickers busy with fried chicken, jelly cake, potato salad, pickles and like refreshments. The Coyotes were guests of the Wolves at a special spread. Everyone ate hurriedly, for the real struggle was yet to come. The Wolves knew what they had to do to win and, figuratively, they pawed the ground eager for the start. Sharp at one o’clock the ten Coyotes marched out on the road with the committee. At one thirty the straining Wolves were turned loose.
But, to the surprise of the spectators, the Wolves trotted down the road only beyond the crowd. There they came to a stop and each scout could be seen attaching a large white flag to his staff—all except Art Trevor and Willie Bonner who did not even carry staffs. Then, Leader Conyers was observed to take from his pocket a roll of paper and trace his finger over it as if giving certain directions.
This done, Connie and seven other boys separated and spreading out like the sticks of a fan, took to their heels. There was an advance to right and left over fences, several scouts started straight down the road, and two boys set out up and down the river. Art and Willie Bonner waited until their mates had begun to disappear and then they turned and ran back to the camp.
The astonished spectators gazed at them without comment. The two Wolves silently trotted into the camp and then toward the bridge in the rear. It was not until the bridge began to rattle under the feet of Art and Bonner that curiosity found words. At that point the factory umpire called:
“Here, you fellows! You’re going out of bounds!”
But the running scouts proceeded without a pause.
“You’re wrong,” explained Professor Souter. “The pursuers can go where they please. It’s the ‘hide outs’ only who must keep within the district.”
To confirm this, a fact well understood by Art and his companions, the rules were examined and Professor Souter was found to be right.
“I hope they ain’t givin’ up,” laughed the factory owner. “A real sport sticks, win or lose.”