"The notice says that Mr. Thayer will begin work, with us at nine o'clock sharp next Monday morning," announced Don Miller of the Foxes.
He had already seen the bulletin and made some inquiries of Lieutenant
Denmead, in order to coach his patrol more intelligently.
"Are there any 'points' for knowledge of trees and plants?" asked
Shorty McNeil.
"I didn't read everything carefully, Shorty," replied Don, "but I do remember the word 'vegetation.' Maybe that will cover your specialty."
"I hope so," was the earnest rejoinder. "I can't do anything with the mathematical end of this stunt, I tell you right now. But leaves, and flowers, and different kinds of bark!—-they are as easy to read as print! And I would like to bring in a point or two for our patrol."
At this moment Walter Osborne approached, walking rapidly from the direction of headquarters.
"Hullo, Don," he called. "Have you seen the schedule? Great, isn't it? Brings in about all our scoutcraft up to date!"
Walter hurried on, scarcely waiting to hear Don's reply in his eagerness to overtake Blake Merton.
"I say, Blake," he began enthusiastically on reaching the fellow-hawk, "do you know that this geological survey is going to give us fine training in signaling? I hadn't realized it before, but maybe you have, because of your experience over at Ralph's."
"Yes, I was interested in the simple system the railroad men used,"
Blake responded. "It is an eye and hand language worth learning."