Then several boys had doubled, for surely the knowledge of cookery went
hand in hand with that of camping; while a good stalker could at the same
time enter for a merit badge in the path-finding line.

Besides, though the season was late for swimming, several fellows who
knew just what their best accomplishment might be, had qualified to
enter this class.

On the whole the meeting had been a most interesting one. Every scout
was burning with enthusiasm, and many were the resolutions that Stanhope
must have what Bobolink called a "show-in," with regard to that coveted
banner, which was to fall to the leading patrol of the county.

They were now almost ready to "break camp" for the evening, and before
doing so indulged in a little general talk. Many had ideas which they
wished to advance, in order to discover what the attitude of their
comrades might be.

"Mr. Chairman," said Wallace Carberry, when he found a little lull in the
buzz of conversation, "I have a proposition I'd like to put before the
meeting before we disband."

"Hear! hear!" shouted several of the boys, notably those who had been
seen in close confab with Wallace, and hence probably in touch with his
scheme.

"All right, Number Seven; let's hear what it is," replied Paul, readily.

Every member of each patrol had a number. These began with the scout