“Better than being covered with fat,” parried Rob, who didn’t relish this open praise.
“Three cheers for Rob Blake!” yelled Fylan Fobbs, a town character.
“Hip! hip! hooray!”
The cheers rang out with vim, the voices of the young scouts sounding shrill and clear among them, giving the patrol call:
“Kree-ee-ee-e!”
Rob, coloring and looking embarrassed, made his way off while the enthusiasm was at its height. With him went Merritt Crawford, Tubby Hopkins and tall, lanky Hiram Nelson, the New England lad, who had already gained quite a reputation as a wireless operator and mechanical genius of the all-round variety.
“Reckon that was a right smart piece of work,” drawled Hiram in his nasal accents, as the four of them trudged along.
“Al-ice, where art thou?” hummed Tubby teasingly, with a sharp glance at Rob. “Say, what a romance for the newspapers: Gallant Boy Scout rescues bee-yoot-i-ful girl at risk of his life, and——”
He got no further. The tormented Rob grabbed the rotund youth and twisted his arm till Tubby yelled for mercy. With a good-natured laugh, Rob released him.
“Bet-ter sue him for damages, if he’s broke your arm,” grinned the practical-minded Hiram, in consolatory tones.