"His proposition appealed to me as being both generous and just, and I had confidence enough in the Scouts of Pioneer Camp to accept it on the spot!"
A spontaneous cheer burst from the boys at this point.
"Well, tell me, do you like the idea?" urged the Scout Master smilingly.
"Now, boys, tell him!" cried Walter Osborne, springing to his feet and facing the troop.
"Let her out! Now!"
"Rah! Rah! Rah!" yelled the scouts, jumping to their feet.
"Rah! Rah! Rah! Lieutenant Denmead!"
"Kree-kree-eee!" shrilled the Hawks. "How-ooo-ooo! Yap-yap-yap! Skee-eee-eee!" barked and squealed the others.
As the Scout Master raised his hand, silence fell upon the company again.
"The plan for the two weeks of study is only preliminary," the lieutenant continued. "Following that, we will organize the patrols into four squads of geological surveyors. Each squad will be given two days to make an accurate geological survey of a section previously selected and surveyed by Mr. Thayer. The scouts will note its dimensions, the quality of its soil, the height of its hills, the extent of its valleys, the growth of its vegetation, its stratified zones, its mineral deposits,—-in a word, whatever points Mr. Thayer shall designate to you in his course of study under the head of the 'geological survey,' is to be included in an accurate report, neatly recorded and finally submitted to Mr. Thayer for his marking.
"And last of all a system of 'points' will be established for the course, by which the patrols may be credited for certain accomplishments in the line of this particular training, in addition to the points won by the neatness and accuracy of the reports. The patrol winning the highest final rating will be given the title: Official Geological Surveyors to the Troop!"