"Each patrol leader will select a scout to accompany him into the woods. They will enter Friday afternoon at 3:30 o'clock. Each patrol will start from a different part of the woods. They will find trees blazed with whitewash. They will follow this blaze. When night comes they will camp."
"Each two scouts by themselves?" asked a voice breathlessly.
"By themselves," the Scoutmaster answered, "unless they desire to risk capture."
The patrols murmured softly. Gosh! This was a real stunt.
"Each of the three trails leads toward the treasure; it has been hidden. When a patrol comes to a blaze mark that has a circle around it, they will know that that is the last blaze, and that the treasure is near. Two things they must then do—search for the treasure, and avoid capture by another patrol. Any patrol surprised by another patrol will be considered captured and out of the contest."
"But suppose a patrol finds the treasure, what then?" called another voice.
"Then that patrol must make its way safely from the woods and avoid capture. If it is captured, it surrenders the treasure to the captors."
"Why," cried Don, "that's just like old-fashioned Indian warfare."
Mr. Wall smiled. "I think you'll like it. There will be another meeting Wednesday night. I want every scout to notify his patrol leader in writing whether he will be allowed to make the trip if he is chosen. Wednesday night each patrol leader will announce the name of the scout who will accompany him into the woods. I think you're too excited to do scout work tonight. Would you prefer to talk this over?"
"Yes, sir," came a roar.