Then being real boys they found their voices with a rush. No need now for
Tom Butts or Joe Clausin to suggest three cheers. That old barn fairly
rocked with the volume of sound that burst forth, as every fellow swung
his hat in the air, and tried his best to give his feelings free rein.




CHAPTER XI

CAUGHT NAPPING


"Silence!"

The tumult died away as quickly as it had sprung into being, when Paul
held up his right hand and made this request.

All being still again, he turned to the grinning old farmer, who was
doubtless getting more solid satisfaction out of this new experience than
he had obtained from any clever dicker or trade engineered in the last
ten years.

"Mr. Growdy," said Paul, with considerable of feeling in his voice, "as
the present scout leader of Stanhope Troop No. 1 of the Boy Scouts, I
want to thank you sincerely for your generous offer. We all appreciate
the kindly spirit that causes you to make it to us. But unfortunately it
happens that the rules of our organization will not allow us to accept."

Peleg's face fell several degrees at this.