The hike home was all downhill. The scouts swung along gayly. The prospect of penetrating Lonesome Woods shortened the miles. What would they find? What strange adventures would befall them?
"Adventure? Piffle!" said Tim. "Give me Danger Mountain."
"Sssh!" warned Ritter. "Mr. Wall will hear you."
"Gee! Can't I even say what I'd like?" Off in the distance a dog barked.
Tim barked in reply. The dog answered. It became a duel of sound.
Tim was in his glory. Weird, nerve-racking screeches came from his throat. Presently the uproar became unbearable.
Mr. Wall's whistle shrilled. The noise stopped.
"What's the matter back there?" Mr. Wall demanded. "Can't the patrol leader keep order?"
"Cut it out, Tim," said Don.
"Go on!" Tim answered sullenly. "Say it louder so Mr. Wall will hear you." He slouched through what was left of the hike and did not speak a word to anyone.
"He surely can make things pleasant," said Andy. "Some day he'll go too far and Mr. Wall will bundle him out of the troop, and it will be good riddance."