"Yes, why not? You can get another, can't you?"

"I suppose so," was the slow response.

"And if that isn't enough, you can sell your place. You would do it for
Whyn's sake, wouldn't you?"

This was more than the captain had expected. He crushed back a naughty
exclamation, and rose slowly to his feet.

"Look here, Rod, what d'ye think I am? A saint? Git away to school now,
or ye'll be late. I'll think over what ye've said, and discuss it with
the troop this afternoon. Ye'll see the boys at school, so tell them to
meet here as soon as they git out. Ye'd better not tell them anything
about yer plan until I've had time to think it over fer awhile."

Rod found it very hard to keep his mind down to his lessons that day. He
was too much excited over the idea of helping Whyn. He wanted to speak
to the other scouts about it, and thus relieve his feelings. But he had
received the captain's order, and so must obey.

The rest of the scouts were most anxious to know what the special summons
meant, so it did not take them long to reach Headquarters as soon as
school was out. Their scoutmaster was there before them, who explained
in a few words why he had called them together.

"I want yez to decide this matter fer yerselves," he told them in
closing, "and I'll tell yez what I think about it when yez have made up
yer minds."