The council-fire that night was built out on the point instead of in the great stone fireplace. Because of Mr. Thornton's presence, a special program had been arranged. There were scout games and stunts in abundance, songs galore, and a number of other features which had proved effective last summer. But it wasn't quite all gaiety and careless amusement. Mingling with the joking and laughter and occasional bit of skylarking was a touch of sober seriousness. It was their last night in camp together. Moreover, from that momentous Tuesday things had never been really quite the same. Their daily drills and practice were rousing in them a sense of responsibility. They knew that all over the country preparations for war were being pushed energetically. There had been time also, to hear from home--of how this brother talked of enlisting in the marines, or that cousin, a member of Captain Chalmers's own regiment, who had been ordered to hold himself in readiness to join the colors. And so at the end, standing shoulder to shoulder around the blaze, their young voices ringing out in the stirring strains of "America," more than one throat tightened, and there were few who did not feel a tingling thrill beyond the thrill those verses usually evoked. There came a pause. Then slowly John Thornton rose and stood for a moment facing them in silence. "I want to thank you, boys," he said at length, in tones which emotion had rendered brusk and almost harsh. "It--it has been a privilege and more than pleasure to see your surprising work this afternoon and to be with you in this way to-night. I am proud of you--prouder than you can ever know. I can say nothing more than this," and his voice rang out suddenly with a note that stirred them inexplicably: "If only the youth of our country will measure up to your standards in the crisis that is before us, we need fear nothing for the future." CHAPTER XXIX "EVERY SCOUT TO FEED A SOLDIER" The returning scouts found Hillsgrove buzzing with preparation. In fact, so changed was the atmosphere of the town that it was hard to believe they had been away for little more than a week. Several of the young men had already enlisted in army or navy. The post-office, courthouse, and many of the stores displayed inspiring posters urging others to do the same. A home guard was being organized for the purpose of dealing effectually with any sort of disturbance from resident foreigners, while a number of men, both young and middle-aged, talked of forming a regular military troop to be drilled twice weekly on the green by army officers or men who had been at Plattsburg.