The Hickory Ridge Boy Scouts: Under Canvas

ked Toby, when they were drawing close to the border

to keep the whole lot in your barn. Some day we'll get together and divide up, because, as they stand no

and do they trust me as f

pocketbook, Toby,"

," the driver flashed back, as quick as anything; "but see

, we'll lift all our own bags out, and stow the same away in that room in your barn that's got a lock to it. Then I'd like you to hitch up Nancy again, so we can go around and dr

ry accommodating fellow, and easily influenced; "I guess I'll feel

things that way; and possibly George, as well as Ted, felt that they were escap

s were abroad just then to ask where they had been, for supper time came early in most of the Hickory Ridge homes du

lighted lantern proceeded to the big barn. Here they found that the wagon stood just where it had been le

uts, and stowing the same away in the man's room near by; but both

e only half filled; but I kind of wish we had 'em planted O.K., and were on the way home again. Whew! what would hap

as well as I do, because he doesn't live far away from my house, you'd never expect him to be home at nine o'clock on a Saturday night. He's too fond of loafing down in the p

started to back the vehicle out of the b

when we come back," he told the driver; after doing which he m

ugh the windows, but the boys found it an easy thing to lift one of the half-filled sacks of nuts out of

as easily as at the Jackson house. The third one proved a little harder

ed the scout master; "they've been having visitors,

ey wished to leave the sack of nuts, the boys drew in the an

that makes three of the lot, and only

putation as a fighter among the boys of the town; but everything appeared to be quiet, an

rasp over the fence. Hardly had they managed this than there was an e

continued to bark fiercely, with his blunt nose pressed against the palings surrounding the enclosure; "hurry, Elmer, and let's get aw

o boys parted at the g

ink of what a crazy scramble that Connie and his bunch put up when you gave 'em the ghost walk with that birch bark horn. Most people like to see the ghost walk on pay days

f we go up in that region for our Thanksgiving camping trip. Good night," and with that Elme

bject in view, and Elmer was not the one to sleep l

d see the Mallon yard quite plainly; and taking a field glass h

thered by gnawing hunger as he continued to sit th

s getting breakfast ready. Then the big hulking boy himself appe

sight near the fence. The dog had already been chained to his kennel by Mrs. Mallon, the watcher fancied, though he had not seen her do this. Connie stoppe

e well, where he was evidently expecti

him come to a standstill, and look straight at th

ss the yard until he reached the bag lying where Elmer a

started to scratch his head after the manner of one who did not know what to believe. Just as Chatz had suggested, perhaps he began to think the prize must have rained down in the night, for he

t have been a bad dream, and that after all he and his cronies had brought back some spoils

ag again, as if he thought it would speak and explain the mystery. This is surely worth watching. Hello! there comes Phil Jackson, and that Benners fellow on

at one of the bags half filled with nuts stood in th

red it all out, and must know to whom they were indebted for a winter's stock of nuts. What they might choose to do abo

ded, as he saw the Mallon boy shoulder the sack and carry it to the house, after saying good-bye to the other two, who hastened away, p

had not been the least hint from Connie or his three allies that they knew who put those nuts there. It almost seemed as though they purposely avoided meeting Elmer and his chums. Even at school

hat he had done the right thing, and deep down in his heart he hoped it might in s

ut Elmer hoped the seed would find lo

ight and early on the morning after Thanksgiving, George of course professed to

ttle tap at that, to make any impression there, he's so extra tough. Chances are he just don't want to stir us up

me lines; but Chatz knew Elmer must be looking beyond this explanation, and sti

g of the sun on Friday morning. This would give them two nights in camp, even if they

in the air even now, and you can see your breath easily. That means we'll enjoy a camp fire more than ever, because it never feels half as good on a ho

g there in the doorway, found himself a little disappointed because there had been no response to the inv

o as to be ready for the wagon when it came along about sunrise. Having satisfied his hunger, and seen that all his

the door was a brace of freshly killed rabbits; and Elmer knew to

mile crept over his boyish face, and a glow of satisfaction could be seen

meadows hunting; and the very fact that he had thus shared the results of his tramp with the

d with their camping outfit; so Elmer got in his seat, wondering what Doubting George would have to say