Hugh would keep the secret, of that Tom felt assured, and no one need ever know what terrible fears he had been entertaining on account of Benjy.
“Hugh,” he went on to say, as he clapped his hand on the shoulder of the scout master, with a movement that stood for deep affection, “it’s all come out right, and I’m the happiest fellow in Oakvale, let me tell you. Benjy and I understand each other now, and I’ll see to it that after this never a cloud is going to come between us. Hugh, he’s going to drop over tonight to see you.”
“I hope he doesn’t know that I felt worried about him the same way you did, Tom?” remarked Hugh.
“Oh! I was too ashamed of my fears to ever tell him about that,” replied the other, quickly. “Benjy has been explaining to me what a fight he had with himself before he could break off connections with that crowd. I think a dream he had one night had a heap to do with his making a decision. He wouldn’t explain just what it was, only shuddered as he spoke of it. You can govern yourself as you think best, Hugh, when you’re talking with him.”
“He’ll never learn a single thing from me about your worrying, Tom. Although you haven’t said so, I imagine he’s coming to make some inquiries about joining the scouts?”
“Yes, that’s what he’s got in mind now, Hugh. He’s found himself interested in a lot of things we’ve been doing the last year or so. Somehow, they seem to look different from what they used to. Benjy has waked up, you see, and once a fellow gets to feel an interest in scout doings he’s bound to go on wanting to know more. When the fever begins to burn in his veins he never finds any rest until he throws his lot in with the wearers of the khaki, and starts to learn things for himself.”
“Tell him I expect to be home to-night after supper,” said the scout master, “and will be glad to have him drop over. We need a few more good fellows to fill out the vacancies in several of the patrols. Lieutenant Denmead, you understand, may be home the end of this week, and assume his old position of head of the troop.”
“He’ll be surprised to learn what’s been going on here during his absence, believe me,” observed Tom, grinning.
“Oh! I keep in touch with him, and I’ve written an inkling of what we’ve been doing,” Hugh admitted. “All the same he’ll be pleased to find Oakvale so changed. The ladies say it must never go back again to where it was before. We scouts are of the same mind. Homes are going to be protected against those whose evil influence is all for pulling them down. That’s going to be the slogan of the scouts from now on. Tom, every new member we take in means one more timber in the structure we’re building on this safe foundation. Work all you can to spread the gospel of scout activities. There are dozens of fellows still around town who ought to be given an opportunity to learn the great benefits that go with scout membership.”
When Benjy came around that same evening, Hugh was primed for him. He went about his task with diplomacy, knowing that some boys can be led but never driven. So successfully did Hugh accomplish his labors that before Tom Sherwood’s younger brother left the house he was fairly wild to have his name brought before the nominating committee at the very next meeting.