were safer to let severely alone.

When Paul saw the amused smile creeping over the rugged and seamed face
of the old farmer he understood that Peleg had really experienced a
wonderful change of heart, dating from that night when the new Boy Scouts
cleaned up his dooryard as an object lesson.

And now Peleg was coming slowly forward, looking a bit awkward; since he
had never been accustomed to facing an audience, and especially one
composed of boys.

They made way for him, so that presently he found himself completely
surrounded by an eager throng.

"Glad to see you, Mr. Growdy," said Paul, holding out his hand
impulsively; and to the surprise of the others it was eagerly seized upon
by the calloused fingers of the toiler in the fields; "these are the
friends I spoke to you about. And this is the Fox Patrol of the newly
organized Boy Scouts."

Peleg grinned, and acknowledged the introduction by ducking his touseled
head.

"Glad to meet ye, boys. I've be'n hearin' quite considerable 'bout what
ye was adoin' over here, an' I thort as how I'd jest drap in to see ye
all; sorter like returnin' yer call, so to speak!" he said, again
allowing a humorous look to appear upon his face.

And somehow the boys instantly concluded that when Peleg allowed the
lines of his severe face to relax, he was rather a jolly old chap after