"Can we do it, captain?" was the reply.

"Do it? Sure we kin. We may be the smallest troop in the province,
but we'll show them a thing or two."

In his dreams that night Rod saw once again the six hundred scouts.
But they seemed different now, for among them was the Hillcrest troop
receiving from the Lieutenant-Governor the coveted bugle-band, amidst
the wild cheers of the other troops.




CHAPTER XVI

WHYN DECIDES

There was considerable excitement among the Hillcrest troop when
Captain Josh and Rod returned home. The rest of the scouts were at the
wharf to meet them, and marched with them at once to Whyn's room. The
new scout suit was greatly admired, and the jealous ones had enough
sense to keep quiet. In fact, they were too much ashamed to say
anything, so they sat and listened to what was going on. Whyn was
delighted, and made Rod stand before her while she examined him with
critical eyes.

"My, I wish you all had suits like that," she sighed, "then you would
look something like a troop. Soldiers never seem of much account until
they get their uniforms on."