The shrill of Mr. Wall's whistle brought the scouts to attention again.
"Tonight we take up the theory of building a bridge with staves and cords," the Scoutmaster said. "The Fox patrol was to have provided two logs."
The Fox patrol hustled outdoors and returned in a moment with their burden.
The scouts set to work to build a bridge from one log to the other. Mr. Wall walked about, watching but offering no advice. After an hour the bridge was completed.
"Scouts Lally and Davidson," said Mr. Wall, "see if it will hold you."
Tim and Alex stepped out on the structure. It held. A cheer started and died. For the bridge was sagging. Abruptly it gave.
"Ten minutes for examination to see where the fault lies." The
Scoutmaster took out his watch. "Next meeting we'll try again."
Ten minutes later the lashings were untied, the staves were back in their wall racks, and the logs were outdoors. Each scout was sure he knew just what was wrong with that bridge and no two scouts agreed.
"Squat!" came the next order.
There was a rush for camp stools piled in a corner. Still grouped by patrols, the scouts faced Mr. Wall.