It was the voice of authority—the scout signal for attention.
Instinctively the boys straightened and looked alive.
"We're going home," said Don. "We're going to show that a scout is trustworthy. Forward!"
An air of suspense seemed to come down over them there in the road. Don's pulse throbbed. Would they obey?
"March!" he ordered. The die was cast.
Three of the boys swung forward. Tim stood with his feet spread apart, frowning and glum. Presently, when the others had gone several hundred yards, he hunched his shoulders sheepishly and slowly followed after.
CHAPTER VI
SPROUTING SEEDS
Don had pitched a full game that day. He was tired. Yet, as he slowly rode the bicycle, he scarcely felt the weary complaint of his muscles.
A great peace lay over the road. The air was soft with summer's glory.
Faces that had been turned toward Danger Mountain were now turned toward
Chester, and that made all the difference in the world.
At first the journey back was something like a funeral. Tim shuffled along in the rear. Ritter and the two other scouts had nothing to say. Then by degrees the tension wore off. Tim still clung to the rear, but the others began to laugh and to talk.