The Boy Scouts of the Geological Survey Part 9

"We're safe here," said Rawson, "and we'll camp here for the night."

CHAPTER X

CAMP LIFE

After a long march through magnificent forests, along winding streams, up and down the sides of steep hills, the boys and their leader and the guide reached Pioneer Camp late the following afternoon.

A rousing welcome awaited them, and almost the first news they heard was that Tom Sherwood had been elected leader of the Otter patrol, during Alec Sands' absence.

Tired as he was, Tom received this information with due appreciation of the honor. He was glad to hear also that the troop was getting up a baseball game for the morrow, to be played by two teams chosen from all four patrols. In this way he hoped to be able to tell just who were the best players in his patrol and who needed coaching for future games.

As Pioneer Camp was nearer Oakvale than his farm, Ralph knew he could learn the decision of the railroad officials sooner than if he had stayed at home. He had sent word to the village postmaster, asking him to forward all letters to Pioneer Camp until further notice, and meanwhile he waited in feverish suspense. So much depended on the surveyors' report!

The second evening of Ralph's visit to Pioneer Camp was given over to verbal "examinations" on the subject of geological surveying.

To create real fun in the compet.i.tion, Lieutenant Denmead conducted the test like an old-fas.h.i.+oned spelling school. The various patrols were lined up in open opposition, and the boys were increasingly interested as one by one they missed some question and retired from the ranks in laughing confusion.

Finally the light of the campfire revealed only four up-standing contestants: Tom Sherwood and Sam Winter of the Otter patrol, Bud Morgan of the Wolves, and Blake Merton of the Hawks.

"They can't faze Blake," whispered Walter Osborne, hugging himself joyfully, as once again Blake gave a calm and sure rejoinder to the Scout Master's query.

"No wonder!" replied Don Miller. "He has had all this practical work over at Ralph Kenyon's!"

"What's the matter with Bud Morgan?" asked Arthur Cameron. "He makes me proud to be a Wolf! He has always been loony over surveying, you know."

Just at that moment Sam Winter joined the boys who were looking on at the finish.

"Welcome to the company of the honorably defeated, Sammy," called d.i.c.k Bellamy softly. "And here comes Tom!" he added. "Now it lies between Bud and Blake.---hus.h.!.+ What is the Chief saying?"

"As a final test, I will ask each of these boys to write a list naming the twenty mineral specimens that Mr. Rawson has collected in the last two days," announced Lieutenant Denmead. "The list that is most nearly correct will give the troop champions.h.i.+p for the course of study to its writer."

Profound silence fell upon the eager group around the campfire as Rawson brought out his box of specimens, with paper and pencils for the boys.

At the end of ten minutes the lists were claimed and soon after Rawson handed to the Scout Master the successful paper.

Bud Morgan had won the compet.i.tion,---and the Wolves howled in glee!

Not to be outdone, the Hawks, led by Walter Osborne and Blake Merton, lifted their voices in a shrill "_Kree-kree-eee_," which rose piercingly above the Wolves' "_How-ooo-ooo_!" Then the Otters and the Foxes added their characteristic cries to the din, and away off in the shadows where the contagion of the noise penetrated, Indian Joe gave vent to a warwhoop of delight.

"Much noise---sound good!" he muttered to himself. "Don't know what all about. Never mind. Boys glad. See 'em go!"

The whole troop, glad indeed to have a legitimate excuse for l.u.s.ty activity after the mental exercises of the evening, had jumped to their feet _en ma.s.se_, and, headed by the howling Wolves, were parading joyously around the campfire.

Bud Morgan was borne on the shoulders of the leaders, and there was nothing to suggest the student of rocks and rivers and undulating hills in his happy abandon to the situation.

In fact, the majority of the boys had already forgotten the contests in the temporary excitement and the uproar.

Lieutenant Denmead, after exchanging a word and a good-humored smile with his a.s.sistant, hurried to his cabin, and returned a moment later with a small volume in his hand. Then, at his signal, Mr.

Rawson lifted the camp bugle, which he had secured hastily, and blew the a.s.sembly call.

At that, the boys, quite ready to quiet down again after their outburst of overflowing spirits, dropped into line with the promptness of long practice and awaited their Scout Master's word.

"Be seated, Scouts of Pioneer Camp," he directed, returning their salute and seating himself on his favorite log. "In the few minutes remaining before 'taps,' I wish to emphasize the meaning of the business and the fun of the evening. I am gratified by the interest you have shown in our field work and in these tests, but I am satisfied that we can add to the introductory knowledge that we have gained a more practical and helpful course.

"This is what I propose: First, I will give you two weeks of 'summer school' training in geology and surveying under the tutelage of a young man who is a thoroughly trained geological surveyor. He was recommended to me by my friend Mr. Brett of the B.N. and C. Railroad.

The young man, Ransom Thayer, is willing to come to us on one condition. He has been technically trained, and he insists upon strict attention to the matter in hand and strict school discipline in return for his services. He has arranged a schedule of hours both for camp study and recitation and for practice in surveying, and has left ample time, also, for recreation, such as swimming and ball-playing.

"His proposition appealed to me as being both generous and just, and I had confidence enough in the Scouts of Pioneer Camp to accept it on the spot!"

A spontaneous cheer burst from the boys at this point.

"Well, tell me, do you like the idea?" urged the Scout Master smilingly.

"Now, boys, tell him!" cried Walter Osborne, springing to his feet and facing the troop.

"Let her out! Now!"

"Rah! Rah! Rah!" yelled the scouts, jumping to their feet.

"Rah! Rah! Rah! _Lieutenant Denmead_!"

"_Kree-kree-eee_!" shrilled the Hawks. "_How-ooo-ooo_! _Yap-yap-yap_!

_Skee-eee-eee_!" barked and squealed the others.

As the Scout Master raised his hand, silence fell upon the company again.

"The plan for the two weeks of study is only preliminary," the lieutenant continued. "Following that, we will organize the patrols into four squads of geological surveyors. Each squad will be given two days to make an accurate geological survey of a section previously selected and surveyed by Mr. Thayer. The scouts will note its dimensions, the quality of its soil, the height of its hills, the extent of its valleys, the growth of its vegetation, its stratified zones, its mineral deposits,---in a word, whatever points Mr. Thayer shall designate to you in his course of study under the head of the 'geological survey,' is to be included in an accurate report, neatly recorded and finally submitted to Mr.

Thayer for his marking.

"And last of all a system of 'points' will be established for the course, by which the patrols may be credited for certain accomplishments in the line of this particular training, in addition to the points won by the neatness and accuracy of the reports. The patrol winning the highest final rating will be given the t.i.tle: Official Geological Surveyors to the Troop!"

As the Scout Master made this elaborate announcement in his most grandiloquent manner, the boys responded laughingly, clapping their hands appreciatively, but uttering no word.

"That is all for to-night, boys," resumed Lieutenant Denmead after a moment, "but it will give you food for thought and a subject for your dreams! Details will be posted soon, and, meanwhile, let your enthusiasm grow.

"This little book in my hand will have to keep its story to itself for to-night, as the hour is late; but to-morrow I will read to you a brief account of a national hero who found a knowledge of surveying a great help to him in his military capacity. Good night, boys."

"Good night, sir!" came the hearty response.

CHAPTER XI

THE NEW PROJECT