"And now you want to bring a dozen and more of your friends down on his
place to commit some prank that will make him dislike boys more than
ever. It's all wrong, I tell you, fellows, and for one I refuse to lend
a hand," and Jack folded his arms as though his mind were made up once
and for all.

Paul saw that they were very near a division that might be fatal to the
future good of the cause. He wondered whether he could swing the crowd
to the other side, like the pendulum of a clock. It would take
considerable eloquence, as well as all his powers of leadership to
accomplish it; but the crisis was upon them, and he would be false to
himself if he did not meet the issue squarely.

"Will you listen to me, fellows?" he said, quietly, stepping forward to
occupy the place just vacated by Jack, and managing to whisper to the
other in passing: "back me up for all you're worth, and we may win the
day!"

"Of course we will! You're the scout leader, Paul, and when you hatch up
any game it's sure to be worth the powder. Let her go!" came from Jud,
who seemed to be a sort of ringleader in this little rebellion in the
camp.

"All right, boys. I'm going to make a proposition that will take your
breath away; but I have strong hopes that after what you've listened to
from that manual to-night, you'll be ready to back me up," continued
Paul.

"We believe in you, Paul. You never fooled us yet; and you never will.