'Bit of a temptation, worn't it, to tumble into the car?' said Chippy.
'Oh, Chippy, that would have spoilt it all!' cried Dick. 'My foot's giving me beans rather, but I'm not going to chuck it for a six-mile tramp.'
'I know just how ye feel,' replied the Raven; ''twould ha' seemed to tek' the polish off, but I was thinkin' o' yer foot.'
'That will be all right after a day or two's rest,' said Dick; 'but with the end of the journey in sight I mean to stump it out.'
A couple of miles on he was stumping it out steadily, when all thoughts of lameness and soreness were put to flight by a joyous vision; for just as they gained the heath two files of marching figures came into sight in the distance. The familiar uniforms at once caught the eye of the two patrol-leaders.
'Scouts!' cried Chippy.
'Our own patrols!' yelled Dick. 'Look, Chippy; our patrols have come out to meet us!'
At this instant the two marching figures were seen by the advancing patrols, and on dashed Wolves and Ravens, eager to greet their leaders. Dick and Chippy hurried to meet them, and at the next moment the two leaders and their comrades met, and there was such an outburst of cheering, questioning, shaking hands, and chanting of the scouts' war-song and chorus—a general merry babel of welcome and greeting!
The first to recover were the corporals, who had been in charge while the leaders were absent.
They gave orders for the patrols to line up, and the Scouts obeyed instantly. Wolves on the right of the way, Ravens on the left, they formed up shoulder to shoulder to be inspected by their leaders. Dick and Chippy each went along his own line, and saw that the men were turned out in proper style, and the inspection was careful and thorough. Everything was found correct, and the corporals were congratulated on the manner in which they had handled the patrols during the absence of the leaders. Then review order was broken up, and the patrols gathered in cheerful, laughing, chattering groups to discuss the week's march with the heroes of the day. The Wolf Patrol was a member short. No. 6 had left the town during the week, and his place was vacant among Dick's followers.