It was given with a will, not once but twice, and there were cries of “Speech! Speech!” And that reminded someone that they hadn’t been told who was to captain the team and the question was propounded. It was decided that the team members should vote for captain and instantly the names of the three councillors were proposed. But Mr. Gifford replied that he believed the honour should go to one of the boys and in the end the choice fell on Ed Thursby. They cheered Ed then and again demanded a speech, but the newly elected captain firmly refused to oblige. It was Mr. Gifford who finally came to his assistance. “Since,” he said, “Thursby is overcome with the honour you have done him and is blushing over there so that for a moment I mistook him for the fire, I take it on myself to reply for him. Here’s what Ed would say if he made that speech: ‘Fellows, I appreciate what you’ve done and I thank you for it. Let’s all do our best from now on. For my part, fellows, I don’t see why we shouldn’t everlastingly whale the daylights out of those chaps up there. Anyhow, let’s try to! I thank you one and all!’” When the laughter subsided Mr. Gifford added: “To-morrow, fellows, there’ll be only a very short practice, for there’s going to be a lot to do in the way of packing and getting ready. Right after siesta every fellow must get his bag ready. Don’t put in more than you’ll need. Remember that when we start the hike we’ve got to get down to essentials. Those of you who were here last year will know what to take. For the benefit of those who were not I’ll just say that the nearer you can come to limiting your pack to a toothbrush and a cake of soap the better off you’ll be! Now then, let’s have a song or two to end up with. What’ll it be, fellows?” CHAPTER XII ON CONQUEST BENT At a few minutes before seven on Thursday morning the last coach rolled away from The Wigwam. Everyone was in fine spirits. The morning was mild and still, and the sun, low above the eastern hills, was burning off the last pearl-grey wraiths of curling mist from the surface of the lake, promising a fine day for the journey and the game to follow. Only Kitty-Bett and Jerry remained behind to keep camp. Up the long hill road went the coaches, swaying and creaking, while, inside and out, filled with the excitement of the adventure, the boys laughed and shouted merrily. At the last, since there had been a delay in starting due to Ned Welch’s inability to remember where he had placed his suit-case, there was a wild gallop into the town, the crazy stages rolling like ships at sea, and an excited scrambling at the station where the through express puffed and hissed impatiently. Then they were off, with the rumble and click of flying wheels in their ears and the green morning world speeding past them on each side.