Bud had not been very successful in his wonderful inventions. They
were apt to disappoint him in the severe testing out. Theory might
be all very well, but when it came to practice there was generally
a screw loose in his figuring that could not be tightened; and, in
consequence, trouble often perched on Bud's shoulders.

During the late summer and early autumn he had been working on some
idea that seemed to have taken hold of his mind to a greater extent
than any previous effort had ever done. His chums knew of it, but
no one had been able to coax Bud to let them share his confidence.

When the time came that Bud could not contain his secret any longer,
he had gone to the leader of his patrol and confessed. At the same
time he managed to interest Hugh to such an extent that the other
promised to go off with him during the few days of grace granted by
the school authorities around "turkey-eating time" in late November,
so as to give his new invention at least a fair trial.

And this was why they had started so soon after the annual big dinner,
which fact in itself spoke volumes for the grit and determination
of the two lads. Few boys would have been in condition to walk three
miles during the balance of the day.

They knew one fellow at least, Billy Worth, also a Wolf scout, who
was so fond of eating that doubtless at this very moment he was
stretched out at full length on the sofa in his den at home, trying
to figure how ever he could partake of supper after disposing of such
a stupendous amount of turkey and fixings.