"It seems so. The operation was pronounced a decided success, though
it will take some time yet for her to get strong."

"She's the finest girl that ever drew breath," and the captain turned
away his face so as not to show the mistiness which had suddenly dimmed
his eyes. "She's a plucky one, sure."

Three weeks after the Review Anna Royanna left Hillcrest. This was a
great grief not only to the scouts but to the Royals as well. But the
promise that she would visit them at Christmas if she could possibly
arrange it, gave them some comfort. This bright sympathetic woman had
entered so much into their lives, and had shared their joys and sorrows
as one of themselves, that when she was gone they felt depressed for
days.

With the passing of summer came the fall, with long cold nights, and
heavy winds. The scouts found it pleasant to meet in their snug room
around the genial fire. Gradually they began to settle down to the
work for the first-class tests, and also to review what they had
already learned.

"Yez must never imagine that ye know a thing thoroughly," the captain
reminded them. "Fer instance, there is yer signallin'. Ye should be
able to make each letter without thinkin' how it is to be made. And I
want yez to practise up the Morse system, as well as the Semaphore.
It'll come in mighty handy at night, when ye can't use the flags. Yez
kin never know too much."

The scouts found great pleasure in carrying out the captain's