"Exactly," said the judge, nodding, then he turned to the men about him. "All right, gentlemen?" he asked. There was a whispered conference of a few moments, and then, to Danny's surprise, they all turned to him. "Daniel," said the judge, "do you know why this Court of Honor has been called into session?" Danny's glance swept the khaki-clad figures against the wall--he looked at Mr. Gordon. "I hope," he answered to the judge, "that you like what we did." "Yes," said the judge, smiling this time, "yes, the Whippoorwills are quite in our good graces, and we commend the promptness and efficiency of Mr. Gordon and your leader, McKenzie. However, this court has been called together to sit in judgment on _your_ part in last night's performance. Daniel, do you realize that you have done bravely and well?" Danny stood for one moment, stunned by the dawning realization of what this meant. Then he looked across at his mother. Life holds for a boy no higher, happier moment than that in which he realizes he has made his mother proud of him. Without waiting for him to reply, the judge was continuing: "This court finds, Danny, that in spite of very human, very natural fears, and at the cost of suffering to yourself, you performed a service to your country which may be more far-reaching than any of us dream. And if there is anything braver than the conquering of fear, anything more manly than the voluntary endurance of pain for a high cause, or any earthly motive of action higher than one's duty to one's country, we have never found it. "Now, Son, it is not within the power of this, our local court, to confer upon you what we think you deserve. It is ours, however, to recommend to the Boy Scout National Court of Honor that you be awarded the Honor Medal. This we are going to do because we believe you have saved more than life by your prompt action, and we know that you did it at the cost of suffering to yourself and at the risk of your own life." * * * * * When, a few weeks later, the Honor Medal did arrive and was pinned upon Danny's breast, the young scout found it necessary to take his little mother in hand. "'If you cry like a baby,'" he whispered laughingly but with his arms about her, "'I'll _disown_ you!'" UNDER THE FLAG "_Louise!_" The little girl came to a halt suddenly and nearly dropped her book-satchel. Somebody had called her name--some startling, mysterious voice had called her! She looked hurriedly about, but there was nobody in sight--nobody but a saucy squirrel perched upon a park bench, and a redbird flitting along the open between the enclosing hawthorns. Which one had called? "_Louise!_" The little girl started back, too frightened to scream--it was the hawthorn! But the next moment a boyish bullet-head appeared between parted boughs. "Come here!" exclaimed its owner in suppressed excitement. "We've got something to tell you!"