“Why, it is the mayor of Wyoming, as sure as you live!” exclaimed Tubby, beginning to look “flustered.”
“And those other people are some of the leading citizens of the town,” added Ralph, with a chuckle, as though he half suspected what it all meant. “Yes, I can see several gentlemen who are owners of those mills and factories. I wouldn’t be much surprised now if they thought they hadn’t thanked us enough for doing that little job, and have come out to repeat.”
Rob jumped up, but Sim and Andy caught hold of him.
“No, you don’t skip out of here,” they told him in concert. “If there’s going to be any sort of bouquet throwing, you’ve got to stay around and take your share of it. A scout never runs away from the firing line, you ought to know, Rob. So just grin and bear it.”
Accordingly, Rob had to remain, though he looked uncomfortable.
There were fully a dozen gentlemen in the party accompanying the fat mayor of the town, and all of them seemed to be in a most agreeable humor, judging from the smiles that wreathed their faces.
Mr. Jeffords greeted each one in turn, shaking hands. No doubt, he was able to give a pretty good guess as to what had caused this exodus from Wyoming on such a warm afternoon; and it could be put down as certain that this was not intended to be merely a social call. Those men meant business as well as sentiment.
When they lined up, and the mayor turned toward Rob and the rest of the boys, it was plainly apparent that he had a little speech ready.
“I’ve got a few words to say to you, Ralph, Rob, and the rest,” he commenced, “after which I have a very pleasant mission to carry out. We have been holding a meeting since the great fire that threatened to wipe out our town, and when all of Wyoming’s influential citizens learned what a narrow escape our beloved homes and business blocks had from destruction, they decided that they had not been able to express the feelings they experienced toward you boys who so nobly fought to hold the fire fiend in check. So we have come up here today, sent by the women of Wyoming, to tell you again how much they appreciate those efforts in our behalf.
“We know that it is against the rules of your organization, Mr. Scout Master, to accept payment for services freely rendered to others in times of trouble; but the grateful hearts of our women hope that each of you will not disdain to wear these modest little badges which they have had made by our town jeweler, and which are emblematic of the feeling they entertain for you.