"Shure they can't bate us more than three miles," concluded Gerald.
"Then I suppose we may accept," said Rand.
"Shall I so report?" asked Wat.
"You can report that the challenge has been received and that we will send our answer by messenger."
"Thank you," replied Wat, "and now I must be off. Be sure and come and see us; we will try and treat you right."
"There can't be any doubt of that," replied Rand. "But, just a moment," as Mrs. Peyton appeared on the green with a tray of cakes. She was followed by a maid with a pail of lemonade.
"Isn't it time for a feast and a war dance or something?" she asked.
"We have just been having a pow-wow," replied Rand, "and our throats are dry with much talking. We have just concluded a treaty with the tribe of Highpoint and are ready for the feast of amity."
Wat would have declined to join in the festivities, but the boys were importunate, and the next half-hour was spent in an interchange of talk, in which the words: Scouts, patrol, tests, boats, were of frequent occurrence, and during which the cake and lemonade vanished as quickly as snowflakes in July, after which the Uncas escorted the messenger for a distance on his way, finally bidding him good-by with three cheers and a flourish on their bugles.