“I think I know who he is,” said Tip Lange. “Yes, that’s Mr. Hungerford, the mayor of our town, and a mighty fine man at that. Better run in and see what he wants, Hugh, if you think best.”
“I certainly will,” was the immediate reply of the pilot, as he changed the course of the launch until they came close to where the gentleman stood.
“What can we do for you, Mr. Hungerford?” called out Tip, thinking that as he knew the mayor he ought to take it upon himself to interrogate him.
“You Boy Scouts are covering yourselves with honor and glory to-day, I want to tell you in the first place,” said the gentleman. “Lawrence isn’t going to forget it, either, understand. I saw you landing that family, and the other boys in the boat doing just as well. Besides I’ve watched some of your crowd working a raft through one of the quieter streets to load up with people or goods. But I believe we can now take pretty good care of all those in danger in the town. With your means for getting around it would be a splendid thing, boys, if you started up the flooded valley to see what good you could do.”
“Yes, sir, we were just meaning to do that,” Hugh assured him.
“I am glad to hear you say so,” said the mayor, a little of the worried look on his face disappearing. “Reports have been brought in that they are having a truly terrible time of it all along up there; and I am sure you will find dozens of things you can do to save life and property. God bless you, boys! Lawrence is proud of her sons this day. Now, make all reasonable haste, and play your part in this terrible drama that has been thrust upon us. Good-by, and the best of luck to you!”
They waved their hats, and gave the mayor a parting cheer as Hugh started the throbbing motor on at full speed. And it can be readily asserted that Tip Lange’s heart was swelling with a song of thanksgiving in that he believed the scouts of Lawrence had at last been afforded a glorious chance to come into their own.
CHAPTER VIII.
THE DAWN OF THE SCOUTS’ DAY.
“Oh! did you ever see such a sight as that?” cried Tip Lange, after they had presently turned into the section that lay back of Lawrence.
No wonder the boy was amazed and almost terrified. It was a spectacle calculated to make any one rub eyes, and wonder whether it was not all a dream.