"Let's capture some of them, then!" shouted William, always ready for
battle, as was also Bluff Shipley, whose hands were never bothered with
impediments as was his speech.

A rush was made for the bushes, and retreating footsteps announced the
hasty departure of the enemy.

None of the new scouts seemed to care about following very far. They knew
Ted of old, and feared lest they be drawn into a trap, so that their last
condition would be really worse than the first.

"No damage done, after all," remarked Paul, as he brushed off his
clothes; while the others gathered around, and Nuthin' came down to
secure the treacherous rope.

"Barked my shins some, now; and sooner or later I've just got to take it
out of that crowd!" muttered William, limping around, and shaking his
head.

"Better do it soon, then," observed Bobolink, "for after you've taken
the oath of allegiance to the scouts you dassent tackle a feller without
losing marks."

"H'm! is that so?" grunted the injured member, regretfully; for to be
deprived of the boon of fighting would be taking some of the joys of life
away from the pugnacious Carberry twin.

"Fall in again, boys!" said Paul, cheerily.