after a glorious career of nine days, was struck a mortal blow, never
to be heard of again except in the pages of history. Its three
remaining members were summoned to their several homes simultaneously;
one new scout was hastily secured but on learning that he could not be
patrol leader he tendered his resignation and was soon called home to
attend his sister's wedding. Scout Harris faced a cruel world alone.

Meanwhile, Billy Simpson had been called to Temple Camp from Bridgeboro
to fill (if anyone could fill) the enormous space left vacant in the
Raven Patrol by the withdrawal of its enterprising genius.

"Never mind," said Mr. Ellsworth, the troop's scoutmaster, "there are
plenty of fish in the sea--to say nothing of Pollywogs. Bridgeboro is
full of permanent material. You have all this winter to round up a new
patrol."

"Only don't round up any snow men because they melt," said Roy
Blakeley, leader of the Silver Foxes; "and don't bother with shadows
because you can't depend on them. And when you get a scout put a paper
weight on him so he won't blow away."

"If you'll give me some of the biscuits you make, I'll use them for
weights," Pee-wee shouted.

"You mean you'll eat them," Roy said. "What are you going to name the
new patrol? Why don't you name it the Canned Salmon? Then they can't
get away from you."

"Sure, you can have a can-opener for your emblem," said Dorry Benton.