"Boys!" he said, heaving his massive figure erect, the sky-blue rift of his eye twinkling under the cloudy lid. "Boys! it's an able craft, this new movement, if you'll only buckle to an' work it well. And it's a hearty motto you have: BE PREPARED. Prepared to help yourselves, so that you can stand by to help others! Lads,"--the voice of the old sea-fighter boomed blustrously,--"there comes a time to 'most every one who isn't a poor-hearted lubber, when he wants to help somebody else more than he ever wanted to help himself; and if he hasn't made the most o' what powers he has, why! when that Big Minute comes he won't be 'in it.' Belay that! Make it fast here!" tapping his forehead. "Live up to your able motto an' pretty soon you'll find yourselves going ahead under all the sail you can carry; an' you won't be trying to get a corner on the breeze either, or to blanket any other fellow's sails! Rather, you'll show him the road an' give him a tow when he needs it. God bless you! So long!" And when the wisdom of the grand old sea-scout had been cheered to the echo, the eight members of the new patrol, rallying round their Owl flag, broke into the first verse of their song, a part of which Nixon had sung to them by the camp-fire in the woods:-- "No loyal Scout gives place to doubt, But action quick he shows! Like a knight of old he is brave and bold, And chivalry he knows. Then hurrah for the brave, hurrah for the good! Hurrah for the pure in heart! At duty's call, with a smile for all, The Scout will do his part!" "Sing! Harold. Do your part, and sing!" urged Nixon, the patrol leader. "Oh, go on: that isn't a scout's mouth, Harold!" looking at the weak brother's fear-tightened lips. "A scout's mouth turns up at the corners. Smile, Harold! Smile and sing." A minute later Scout Warren's own features were wreathed by a smile, humorous, moved, glad--more glad than any which had illumined his face hitherto--for by his side the boy who had once feared the stars as they stole out above the clearing, was singing after him:-- "Hurrah for the sun, hurrah for the storm! Hurrah for the stars above!" "He's going to make a good scout, some time; don't you think so, Cap?" Nixon, glancing down at the timid "poltron," nudged Captain Andy's arm. "Aye, aye! lad, I guess he will, when you've put some more backbone into him," came the optimistic answer. But Captain Andy's gaze did not linger on Harold. The keen search-light of his glance was trained upon Leon--upon Corporal Chase, who, judging by the new and lively purpose in his face, had to-night, indeed, through the channel of his scout oath, "deepened the water in which he floated," as he stood holding high the royal-blue banner of the Owl Patrol. CHAPTER IX GODEY PECK