'I come over wi' a little challenge,' growled Chippy. 'Our patrol 'ud like to have a fren'ly try wi' yourn, at any sort o' scoutin' ye like.' 'Patrol!' cried Arthur in astonishment. 'What's a rum-looking beggar like you got to do with a patrol? What patrol?' 'Raven Patrol o' Skinner's 'Ole,' announced Chippy. The Wolves received this with a shout of laughter, but Chippy remained as solemn as a judge. 'I like that,' said Arthur. 'Do you suppose anyone will take notice of a patrol you wharf-rats would set up? Why, I know you now! You're the fellow that blacked my eye the other week, confound you! It's like your cheek to come here! You'd better clear out of this!' 'Well,' replied Chippy, 'wot if I did black yer eye? I did it fair and square. I stood straight up to yer. Ye'd a-blacked mine if yer could! Wot yer grousin' about?' 'Oh, shut up and clear out!' said Arthur impatiently. 'What's the use of coming here and talking about a patrol of wharf-rats? Where's your patrol-leader?' ''Ere 'e is!' And Chippy tapped his breast. 'Oh, you're patrol-leader, are you?' returned Arthur 'Where's your patrol-flag?' ''Ain't got none!' replied Chippy in laconic fashion. 'Where's your badge?' ''Ain't got none.' 'Where's your shoulder knot?' ''Ain't got none.' 'Where's your lanyard and whistle?' ''Ain't got none.' 'You're a fine lot to call yourselves the Raven Patrol!' cried Arthur jeeringly. 'What have you got, I'd like to know?' Chippy looked him straight in the eye. 'The mind to run straight an' play fair,' he said. ''Ow's that for bein' good enough?' 'Pooh!' said Arthur. 'A patrol of scouts must be turned out properly. That's the first thing.' 'I dunno about that,' growled Chippy, and drew a very dirty and well-thumbed book from the inner pocket of his ragged jacket. 'I bin a-goin' by what the cove says as writ this 'ere book--B.-P.' 'You can't teach me much about that book!' said Arthur loftily. 'I know it from end to end.' 'Well, I bin through it about ten times, I shouldn't wonder,' huskily murmured Chippy, 'an' I've got it all wrong if 'e don't say as to run straight an' play fair is just about all there is to it.' Chippy began to turn over the leaves, and there was silence for a moment. The patrol had left everything to their leader. No one else said a word. But Dick Elliott felt interested above all. He knew that this was his doing. It was he who had really started the Raven Patrol by giving the book to Chippy Slynn. The latter looked up quietly. He had found the place he wanted. 'I can't teach yer much out o' this 'ere book, eh?' he said. 'I can teach yer "Scout Law No. 4."' And Chippy read in a loud voice: '"A scout is a friend to all, and a brother to every other scout, no matter to which social class the other belongs."' 'Wait a bit!' said Arthur. 'You think you're very sharp, but how do I know you're a scout?'