Their indignation was boundless when they learned what new meanness the
coming of Paul and his two chums had interrupted.

It required considerable persuasion on the part of the scout leader to
prevent an immediate chase of the culprits.

"Let them go this time," said Paul, impressively; "but I'm going to see
what can be done to put a stop to this rowdyism. It gives the boys of
Stanhope a bad name all around. I told Ted I'd speak to Chief Billings
about it."

"You won't get any too much satisfaction there," remarked wise Nuthin';
"because, you see the Chief owes his position to the political influence
of Mr. Kenwood; and as Ward runs with Ted he won't dare do anything for
fear of offending the head of the party. We've just _got_ to find a way
ourselves to change things."

"Well, I'll ask my father about it. Perhaps he can suggest a plan. He
used to be a boy himself once, and never forgets it either," was Paul's
conclusion, as they each bought an apple from the old woman to make her
forget her recent trouble, and then walked away, followed by her earnest
thanks.

"Say, but time just crawls along," observed William, dolefully; "because,
you see, I'm dying to get to work and win some of them merits you told us
about. Just set me the stunt of making water boil over a fire I have to
kindle, and I'll do it in three shakes of a lamb's tail. The rest of you
will be left hull down. And then there's lots of other jobs that look
good to me. Let's get a move on, and start the ball rolling. When's the