And Alec’s remark was indeed true, for Lieutenant Denmead announced that evening that Hugh Hardin was appointed leader of the corps.
Thereafter, with Alec’s former hostility removed, there was not a scout in Pioneer Camp who did not congratulate Hugh with genuine pleasure,—for, when the history of the maneuvers was told, all felt that Hugh’s reward had been fairly won.
CHAPTER XI.
A MOUNTAIN ADVENTURE.
Early one morning in the following week, Hugh and Alec, moved by a spirit of newly cemented friendship, asked that they, attended by Indian Joe and accompanied by Billy Worth and Sam Winter, be permitted to make a trip on foot through the wilderness, to a mountain about five miles east of old Stormberg.
This request Lieutenant Denmead readily granted, after giving each of the four young “mountaineers,” as he called them, a physical examination, testing heart, lungs, muscle, etc. “It ought to be a rule in all camps,” said he, “that no boy whose heart is not first examined should attempt a mountain climb over a thousand feet, or a long march,—that is, no boy in his teens. You fellows, with the exception of Alec, are ‘sound in wind and limb.’”
“What’s the matter with me, sir?” queried Alec.
“How about that ankle of yours, my boy?”
“Oh, that’s all right, Chief! It’s quite strong again. I had forgotten all about it.”
“All right, then. But be careful. By the way, I think I’ll ask Rawson to go with you.”
“Fine!” “Great!” “Wish he would come!” the boys responded enthusiastically.