Spike and Cooper, getting the wink from Billy, and seeing how Alec frowned as he followed Hugh’s form around, seemed to understand how the matter lay. They knew Alec’s failing of old, and saw that envy was again torturing him.
“One thing has been settled,” observed Billy just then. “You know that there’s a chance for eight scouts to be allowed to accompany the members of the Naval Reserve aboard the vessel that the U. S. Government puts at their disposal for practice week after next. And one of the rewards given by the committee is that the highest individual marks, two to each patrol, are going to entitle those lucky fellows to the great honor of going to sea with our Coast Guard. If I strike that prize I’ll be the happiest boy in seven counties, you hear me mention it; but I’ve got little hope myself even before the individual records are made up.”
Alec walked away with his head held high in the air, looking very important; but all the same he cast many uneasy glances in the direction of his rival leader.
CHAPTER XII.
VICTORY WELL WON.
As early as seven o’clock that evening there was a decided movement toward the big town hall, where all the important gatherings were held, although it was generally known that the doors would not be opened until half an hour later. It was guessed that there would be a crush, and consequently word had been quietly circulated among the families connected with the scouts, so that most of them might come early and get seats.
As this was a meeting of particular interest to boys, as many would be admitted as could be accommodated. Others might be expected to climb to the outside of the windows and perch there like so many monkeys, eager to hear and see what wonderful things were done.
Like magic the hall began to fill after the doors had once been opened, and by a quarter to eight chairs were being placed cautiously along the aisles. There had really been no such excitement in town since it was falsely reported that the big-top circus tent had collapsed, and the wild animals were loose; and that had been a night of storm and anxiety few persons would ever forget.
Places had been reserved on the stage back of the committee of leading citizens for the entire membership of the Boy Scout Troop; and when they came marching down the aisle, two and two, in their neat khaki uniforms, with the glorious Stars and Stripes at the head and a bugler and drummer following, the entire assemblage broke out into a roar of applause that must have been very gratifying to the hearts of those lads.
Besides the members in uniform, there were a number of other fellows who were the latest additions, forming the new Owl patrol. None of them had as yet received his suit, and therefore could not quite feel the same sensation of importance that entered into the hearts of the older members, whose exploits were already very well known throughout the town.
As each patrol was grouped under its totem flag, this brought Billy, Bud and Arthur close together, an arrangement that was very satisfactory to the first named, as he could turn from one to the other of his chums and whisper. Billy would have been an unhappy boy if compelled to remain mute for any great length of time.