"As you know from my note of ten days or more ago, I have amused myself during the past few months by having a permanent mess-shack and recreation-room built on the site of the big dining-tent. The finishing touches will be put to this within a few days, and I think something in the nature of a housewarming is in order. It will give me great pleasure if your troop can be my guests down at the camp during their Easter vacation, which begins, I understand, toward the last of the month. By that time the weather ought to be mild enough for a week of tent life--at least for Boy Scouts; and there will always be the new building to fall back on. I will see to the transportation back and forth, and I hope every one of your boys will be able to come. "Sincerely yours, "JOHN THORNTON." For an instant there was a dazed silence throughout the room. Then a yell broke forth which could have been heard--and was--as far as the green. Breaking ranks, boys clutched one another in exuberant embraces and pranced madly about the hall. Then there was more shouting, and throwing-up of hats, and general disorder, which Mr. Curtis made no attempt to check. When failing breath brought comparative quiet, he raised his hand for silence. "I gather that the invitation meets with your approval," he remarked with a smile. "Shall I send Mr. Thornton the grateful acceptance of the whole troop?" "You bet!" came back promptly and emphatically from a dozen voices. "Wough! He's _some_ good sport!" "Think of it, fellows! A new mess-shack! A whole week in camp in April!" "Pinch me, somebody; I don't believe I'm awake at all!" The last speaker was promptly accommodated, and after a little additional skylarking, things quieted down. Before the meeting broke up, Mr. Curtis wrote a letter of sincere thanks and acceptance to John Thornton, which each one of the scouts signed with a flourish. After that, with youthful inconsequence, they hustled home to obtain parental sanction. CHAPTER XXVIII WAR!