"What color would you say I am--not counting the mud on me?" said Danville. "I never said I wanted any Gold Cross. I saved Alf because he's my side partner. And as long as I saved you I might as well finish the job. I'm not going to say I came to this place at all; I'm not going to say I saved either one of you. And I'm not going to make a strike for the badge on this hike. It's all off. If I say I saved Alf then there'll be a whole lot of questions, and nix on lying. Nobody knows we came here and nobody needs to know it. I've got twenty dollars and I'll give it to you--ten for smashing Kinney, and ten for that other fellow for what he said. Will you look at the mud on that twenty spot? It went right through my clothes. You visited me for two weeks in camp only I didn't know it, and my dad will pay the bill. Why don't you go back to reform school?" "Would you?" Danny asked. "Hanged if I know; only won't they get you?" "Not if I can once get on a ship." "Well, you have to mind your business, and I have to mind mine. And maybe I can't see my way clear to go by notices on bulletin boards. Anyway, I forgot all about saving anybody's life and making the fourteen mile hike, and you're a darned good scout only you don't know it. I'd rather be you than Sharpy. I came up here to have a good time and not to be a detective. I don't care a hang about the Gold Cross. You can't prove anything by me." "You mean you're not going to tell--how you found him, and how you saved us both?" Skinny asked excitedly. "You mean you're not going to get the _Gold Cross_?" Danville Bently shook his head and made a wry face. "I don't like it, it costs too much," said he. "I'm a stingy scout and I won't pay the price. Come on, what do you say we eat! Tea for three. How the dickens can you cut two sandwiches to make three helpings? There's a sticker. Got a lead pencil and I'll see if I can do it by geometry." CHAPTER XXIX JUST AS EASY---- Thus ended the adventures of Danny McCord in the neighborhood of Temple Camp. He had been an expensive luxury during his brief and colorful sojourn. He had cost poor Skinny much worry, and he had cost Danville Bently the Gold Cross for heroism. He went forth upon his way with Skinny's scout suit (much the worse for wear) and the twenty dollars that Danville had insisted on his taking. His unexpired term at reform school must also be charged against his account. Yet I like Danny, even though I do not approve of him. The blow he struck the historic Kinney, as also the blow he struck Vic Norris, was rather to his credit; he was a pretty good big brother, even if he was not such a very good boy. And the blow that he did not strike Ralph Warner showed him capable of sacrifice. It was because of this sacrifice that Holman Sharpe remained at Temple Camp and filled three note books before the season was over.