For an hour routine business was transacted.

There were just twenty-one names on the roll now, and all present saving
two, Wallace Carberry and another. It was decided to organize two patrols
at once, the first to be under the charge of Paul as scout leader, while
Jud Elderkin took the Gray Fox crowd.

The more the assembled lads learned concerning the duties and sports of
the Boy Scouts, the greater became their enthusiasm. As the evening
progressed they were fairly bubbling over with excitement, and it began
to look as though the success of the new movement were already assured.

But Paul knew that it must be a constant fight between the natural
rough-and-ready, give-and-take spirit which almost every boy inherits
from his ancestors, and the new idea that would have him a hero without
being a bully or a brawler.

And he was not surprised when, later on, just before they thought of
breaking up the meeting, William got the floor on the question of a
personal privilege, and threw a bombshell into the camp.

"I'm going to ask a favor of you fellows," he said; "and you can help me
break even with that old rooster as well as have some fun. D'ye think
you can stand the racket?"

The others crowded around, for they knew very well that when William had
anything to propose it usually meant some frolic. But Paul noticed to his
surprise that the joker seemed worked up far more than he could ever
remember seeing him before, and he scented trouble ahead.