"We might be caught in the rain," said Roy, soberly. "We might have to pick our way along obscure trail or up steep mountains." "You ought to go and take a ride in a merry-go-round," cried Pee-wee, sarcastically. "In short, it is fraught with peril," said Roy. "You got _that_ out of a book, too," said Pee-wee, disgustedly, "_fraught with peril_!" "I think it is too much of an undertaking," said Roy, ignoring him. "We can get round-trip tickets." Pee-wee almost fell off his chair. "But, of course," continued Roy, soberly, "a scout is not supposed to think of himself--especially a Silver Fox. I am a Silver Fox--sterling--warranted. A scout is a brother to every other scout. He ought to be ready to make sacrifices." (Mr. Ellsworth began to chuckle.) "He ought not to stand by and see a fellow scout in danger. He ought not to stand and see a poor Elk go headlong----" (Hisses) "He ought to be ready with a good turn regardless of his own comfort and safety." (Hoots and laughter) "I am ready with a good turn. I am ready to sac----" (Jeers) "I am ready to sac----" (Jeers) "I am----" (Cries of "Noble lad!") "I am ready to sac----" "Well, go ahead and _sac_, why don't you?" shouted Pee-wee in disgust. "You're a hyp----" "Hip--hooray!" concluded several scouts. "You're a hyp--hyp--hypocrite!" Pee-wee managed to ejaculate amid the tumult. "I am ready to sac----" "Oh, go on, sac and be done with it!" "I am ready to sacrifice myself for Tom Slade," finished Roy, magnanimously. "Tom," he added, extending his hand across the table with a noble air of martyrdom, "Tom, I will go with you!" The meeting broke up gaily, Mr. Ellsworth saying that he would certainly communicate Roy's generous and self-sacrificing offer to National Headquarters as a conspicuous instance of a memorable and epoch-making good turn. "He gets my goat!" said Pee-wee to the scoutmaster. "I am very glad," said Mr. Ellsworth, soberly, "that our summer begins with a good turn. The Silver Foxes should be proud of their unselfish leader." Then he turned to Doc. Carson and winked the other eye. He was a great jollier--Mr. Ellsworth. CHAPTER II [Transcriber's Note: An Indian scout sign drawing was inserted here.] The old Indian scout sign, which is the title of this chapter, means _There is nothing new along this trail and it brings you back to the same place._ If you are already acquainted with Tom Slade and his friends you will be safe in skipping this chapter but, otherwise, you would better read it for it will tell you a little of Tom's past history and of the other scouts with whom you are to become acquainted in this volume.