The boy scouts of the air at Greenwood school

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Contents

CHAPTER PAGE

I “ Prexy Porky ” 9

II A New Plan 17

Chapter I “ Prexy Porky ”

“ Prexy Porkie ” was angry. He was mad. He was hot. He was boiling over. His real name being Bacon, the boys of Greenwood Academy naturally gave the president and master of their school the nickname of “ Porkie.” This play on the “ Old Man’s ” name struck them as a happy thought.

It was more than a general titter that greeted “ Porkie ” as he entered the assembly hall where the one hundred and sixty-five boys of the school were gathered for their regular morning lecture. There was much disorder in the room, reaching a climax almost amounting to an uproar as the master entered, straight, stiff and prim. He was tall and rather thin and wiry. He sniffed the air as if he smelled mischief. As his ferocious gaze swept the rows of seats and their occupants, every dis- 9 orderly movement and unbecoming sound ceased. An ominous silence reigned.

Then President Bacon, being unable to fasten any specific instance of misconduct on any boy in the hall, turned and walked toward his desk on the platform in front. Suddenly, however, he stopped short and every pupil of Greenwood Academy present held his breath. The expected storm was about to break.

And the cause of the threatened disturbance in the school atmosphere was this :

Some pupil of moderate artistic ability had drawn a picture on the front blackboard just behind “ Porkie’s ” desk. It was a half -life-size picture of a man, tall and lean. Every boy, as soon as he saw it, knew at once whom the ridiculous chalk picture was intended to represent.

But there were two special peculiarities about the drawing that called for particular interest among the Greenwood pupils. Before presenting these features it will be necessary to explain some incidents that led up to them.

President Bacon was a man of sharp temper. He was not a hard man, for in his own peculiar way he had the welfare of his one hundred and sixty-five boys at heart. But this was not always tempered with good judgment. The master ‘ 4 flew off the handle ” occasionally, and woe to the lad who happened to be nearest. “ Porkie ” did not resort to physical violence. His methods were always “ intellectual 9 9 and his manner of scoring an object of his wrath was his own.

Only two days before this incident of the picture, “ Porkie ” became angry with the janitor of the school. The cause of his ire is a matter of no importance here. He turned the guns of his wrath upon the lowly workman, who proved, however, to be not so humble as he was lowly. The consequence was that the dignified head of an august institution received a blue-black eye, and the janitor was discharged.

Now the master of Greenwood was most exacting in his demands for the observance of a laiddown rule. He was a man of many precepts. He issued many bulletins filled with advice, commands, instructions and injunctions. Of these he distributed copies among the boys and forced his charges to read them in concert every morning. In addition, he had special rules for special classes and these he compelled the boys to commit to memory and to recite. One of the rules of the penmanship classes, which became very monotonous to the young students of the academy, was this :

When the president appeared with the blue-black eye in the lecture hall on the morning after his trouble with the janitor, Archie Chance whispered to Dick Harding:

“ Porkie’s eye is dotted.”

This clever but heartless jest spread like wildfire. Dick passed it on and soon it was being buzzed over the whole room. The president was not discountenanced, however, although he must have known the cause of the mirth. But he had lost some of his customary dignity and seemed unable to glare about with his usual fierceness. Hence he found it necessary to rap loudly several times for order before he succeeded in quieting his boisterous pupils.

This story opens the following morning when ‘ 1 Prexy Porkie , 9 appeared i ‘ angry — mad — hot — boiling over.” A man of his disposition might well have been stirred into a tempest of wrath, for the first view of the caricature on the blackboard impressed him with these features:

The legs of the chalk man were close together, military fashion. The arms were extended directly and horizontally to the right and the left, with hands bent downward at the wrists — the figure presenting the appearance of a well-lettered capital T. On the right eye of this clever but unscrupulous work of some mischievous boy was a rude drawing of a bandage, indicating that the sight organ behind it had been damaged.

Within a circular line touching the bandage were these heartless words : “ This eye is dotted.” Within another circular drawing was this legend, also remindful of one of “ Porkie’s ” rules, “ This T is crossed.”

President Bacon’s face became pale and his frame trembled. Then a great surprise followed, so great that any boy in the room would have declared it impossible. Natural color returned to the countenance of the master of Greenwood and in a short time he was looking almost pleasant. He ascended the platform and stood behind his desk. His right eye was not bandaged as was the corresponding eye of the chalk drawing, but it still showed some discoloration from contact with the late janitor’s fist.

He remained in a half stern attitude for some moments, as if not quite certain what to say or to do. Perhaps his eyes were searching the room for the author of the blackboard mischief, for suddenly he seemed to become sufficiently interested in one of the boys to let his gaze rest on him. Of course the boy trembled, although he knew of no good reason why he should.

He attempted to return the master’s gaze with an innocent expression, as any other boy in the school would have tried to do under similar circumstances. But presently he heard the feared master saying in a well controlled voice:

“ Hon Collins, step up on the platform.”

Those were the words that Hon heard and he could hardly believe his ears. What was ‘ 1 Prexy ’ ’ about to do — accuse him of drawing the picture? Surely the president did not suspect him. What could have occurred to arouse such a suspicion? But the president was speaking again, repeating his command in sterner tones :

“ Hon Collins, step up on the platform.”

Chapter II A New Plan

This sudden change in President Bacon’s manner marked an epoch in the history of Greenwood Academy. The fact was, he had found himself in danger of losing his position. Several members of the board of directors had gone to him and urged him to modify his methods of dealing with the boys.

It was true that Mr. Bacon was a man of considerable mental endowment, of good connections and one of the largest stockholders in the Greenwood Academy corporation, but he did not hold a controlling interest. If he did not keep the friendship of those other members who had warned him he knew that his throne was in danger. Because of that, “ Prexy ” looked himself over, reviewed some of his later history, scrutinized his blue-black eye in a mirror and decided in favor of a new course.

After he had made this decision he fell to wondering why he had not done thus long ago. He 17 was fifty-two years old and this certainly seemed a late day for an old dog to learn new tricks. Because of that, it is not to be wondered at if he was fearful of his ability to get rid of a cranky and disagreeable disposition.

Greenwood Academy, located on a Wisconsin river about a mile from the small city of Oberton, was financially a well-paying institution. It was devoted particularly to the education of half-orphan boys of wealthy parentage and those who were without living parents or whose fathers and mothers were unable to watch properly the development of their children.

Naturally there were in this company of one hundred and sixty-five boys, a number that were not of the tamest disposition. In fact, some of them were inclined to be more than wild, and this circumstance served as a good excuse for making the tuition and living charges at the school rather high.

It was little wonder that President Bacon had something of a temper, dealing as he did with such a half-Indian aggregation of boys. Perhaps, too, there is even less wonder that he nearly lost control of his good resolution to be more lenient when he beheld the caricature of himself on the blackboard. It was only the day before that he had received the call from three of the directors burdened with suggestions. This was why on this morning he entered the assembly hall with his new and good resolve.

But as he stepped inside and noted the evidences of disorder, the old spirit came back to him with full force and he nearly “ flew to pieces.’ ’ The struggle within him was great and perhaps that was why he looked even more ferocious. Then he saw the drawing on the blackboard and the real test of his new resolve came. At the climax he successfully put forth a supreme effort.

After it was all over and the picture had disappeared, “ Prexy ” stood smiling before his audience, with the announcement that he had something of interest to tell them. Each boy waited, almost holding his breath for the next words.

i ‘ It is evident that you all need some method of working off your surplus energies,” began the master at last in a composed manner. ‘ ‘ That picture shows some young fellow here has too much of the Old Nick in him. The question now arises as to what we shall do for a remedy.’ ’

“ I might require him to do four hours’ work extra for a week. I might confine him to the Reflection Room for two days. I might suspend him from athletics for a season. But I’m not going to do anything of the sort. I shall not permit anything to mar the success of a movement that is to be begun here to-day. All your past misdeeds are forgiven, whether I know of them or not — unless, of course, some one has committed a crime. But I’m sure none of you is guilty of any such thing.

4 4 Now this is what I mean to suggest: How would you like to be Boy Scouts? ”

There was a gasp of surprise throughout the room.

“ Fine! ” “ Great! ” 4 4 Me for that! ” were some of the expressions of delight that met the question.

“ Yes, I see you all want to be scouts,” commented the president, the smile on his face becoming broader and more genuinely good-natured. “ But what do you suppose I mean by a Boy Scout? ”

“ A spy,” replied Hal Kedfern.

“ A war detective,” called out Burt Cole confidently.

“ A fellow that sneaks into the enemy ’s camp,” said Dick Harding.

“ A person sent to watch the danger line and to get information,” volunteered Don Collins slowly and thoughtfully.

“ Collins has given the best general description,” announced the master after waiting some moments for further definitions.

“ I object to all the others because they are of a too hostile nature. I don’t want any of you to become a spy or a detective or a sneak. But there are dangers that every person should be on the lookout for, in and out of wartime. Therefore, the 6 danger line ’ suggestion of Collins is best. For the time being we’ll accept his definition — 1 a person sent to watch the danger line and to get information.’ Now, what kind of information do you think it would be wise to send boys after? ”

“ We might try to find out who drew the picture on the blackboard,” suggested Philip Dunbar, one of a small clique of boys who could be depended upon for more mischief and violation of rules than all the rest of the school together. In fact, Phil was the leader of this set and his proposal to the president was received with a chill of astonishment. Indeed, there were not a few who had suspected Phil of drawing the picture. And the chill was not relieved when the master replied:

i i There is no need of that, Dunbar. I know already who he is. ’ ’

Phil looked boldly at the president but made no further answer. The head of the school, however, relieved the situation by continuing:

“ But I have forgiven that misdeed, and the author of it need not be afraid. Now, let us forget the incident and discuss this new idea. How many of you have heard of the Boy Scouts of America? ”

Nearly every boy in the room raised his hand.

“ I thought so,” continued President Bacon. “ But how many of you know what the organization is and why it exists ? ’ 9

At first not a hand was raised. Then a few went up in an uncertain, hesitating manner.

“ Tommy Pratt thinks he knows? ” announced the president cheerfully. “ I hope he does. Well, Pratt, tell us what you know of the subject.”

“ I don’t know very much,” replied Tommy. “ All I know is that the Boy Scouts learn to shoot guns and to be good soldiers and make long marches like they do in the army.”

“I’m afraid you really don’t know much about it, ’ ’ commented the master with a smile of amusement. “ How about the rest of you who put up your hands? Have you all the same idea that Pratt has ? Put up your hands again. ’ ’

For a few moments not a hand was lifted. Then the president was about to call on one of those whom he remembered to have signified willingness to reply, when Don Collins volunteered some information.

“ Well, Collins, what is it? ” asked the president.

“ The Boy Scouts,” began Don, “ as I understand it, go out and seek information at first hand. They camp out, go riding, boating, and study all kinds of animals and nature in general. They learn how to help those who need help, such as drowning and injured persons, and they learn hundreds of useful things just as if they thought it all fun.”

“ That’s an excellent explanation,” exclaimed the master as Don finished. “ I am proud of you, Collins. You’re not a Boy Scout yourself, are you? ”

“ No, sir, I just read about ’em.”

“ Well, boys, this is all the time we can give the subject this morning. Go to your class rooms and forget about the Boy Scouts until after recitations. In a day or two I hope to have my plans completed and we will then get down to business. ’ ’

The boys filed out of the assembly hall to the various recitation rooms to which they were assigned. As Don Collins was passing into the main corridor, he noticed two boys just ahead of him in earnest conversation. They were Phil Dunbar and Tommy Pratt, members of the * i wild set ” of the school. Don was not trying to overhear what they were saying. Indeed, the mere fact that they were deeply interested in a discussion of some subject would not have attracted more than passing notice. But he heard his name mentioned. It was Dunbar speaking.

“ Don Collins thinks he’s a wise guy because lie knows more about the Boy Scouts hi you did. I can’t see ’at he knew so terrible much. Anybody could’ve guessed that. You could’ve guessed it yourself.”

‘ ‘ Of course I could, ’ ’ asserted Tommy in a confident manner. “ But say, Phil, who drew the picture on the blackboard! Did you! ”

“ No, I didn’t. But I know who did.”

“ Who! ”

“ Don Collins.”

“ You don’t say! ”

“I’m dead certain of it. He’s a big bluff. He’ll do things like that an’ then try to work his way into Porkie’s favor. He’d ought to be told on.”

“ I never thought it was him,” said Tommy. “ But if you say so, I reckon it was.”

“ Of course it’s so. An’ you just watch me; I’m goin’ to put Don where he belongs, even if Porkie did say he’d forgive ever ’one. See if I don’t.”

The boys were so busy that they did not observe Don just behind them.

Chapter III A Malicious Letter

It was in the early fall of the year that these incidents took place. All was life and action at Greenwood Academy just after the summer vacation, in which the boys had thoroughly rested and were ready for the new school year.

The Boy Scout movement at Greenwood was the chief subject of interest for several days. Groups would gather on the campus or in the gymnasium or other convenient places and discuss the project with deep interest. Sometimes this interest was favorable and at other times it was unfavorable to the plan of President Bacon.

Some of the boys, particularly the set that acknowledged the leadership of Phil Dunbar, did not take kindly to the definition of Boy Scouts offered by Don Collins in the assembly hall when the subject was introduced by the master of the school. These wanted guns and revolvers and swords and knives and hunting and “ real scouting.’ ’ They argued that the school ought to be 26 divided into two armies, with the Dunbar set at the head of one of these.

44 I’ll tell you what we’ll do,” explained Phil in conversation with a number of his followers. 44 We’ll form an organization of our own if Porkie tries to put over wishy-washy work like Smarty Collins wants.” He was fond of so referring to Don. 44 An’ we’ll make things warm for them other guys. We’ll get guns an’ revolvers and build a hide-out. An’ if any of the goody-guys get gay, we’ll let ’em know we’re around.”

44 But won’t we get into trouble? ” asked Billy Beckman, a cautious little fellow who seemed to be always making objections to the schemes of the bolder fellows of the set.

44 Oh, cut out that kind of talk, Billy,” replied Phil in disgust. 44 You’re always talking that way. I don’t know ’at you belong to our bunch at all. If you’re afraid, go an’ join the sissy crowd — they’re more like your sort.”

When Billy became angry he had a good deal of nerve, as developments will prove. This sort of talk woke him up and he retorted :

44 Well, you can say what you like about Don

Collins, but I’ll bet you be can lick you, Pbil-up Dunbar.”

“ Phil-up ” was a humorous nickname frequently applied to Phil by even his own friends.

Phil flushed with anger. With doubled fists he stepped up to Billy, who was two years younger and much smaller than himself.

“ Mebbe you think you can do the job,” he began with a half savage sneer. “ Better not talk about what other people can do till it’s been settled what you can do yourself.”

“ That’s settled now,” retorted Billy even more sturdily than might have been expected. “ I reckon you can lick me all right. But if you don’t like to have me talk out, don’t talk out yourself. ’ ’

“ That’s fair enough,” put in Dick Harding who was almost as strong a leader as was Phil, being in fact almost a rival of the latter among the “ wild set.” “ Billy’s kind o’ weak-kneed but he’s a pretty good fellow. He knows how to keep his mouth shut when he’d ought to.”

“ What I want to know,” declared the scowling Dunbar, “ is where ’d Billy get the idea Collie-dog Collins can lick me? Has he been braggin’ about it himself? If he has, just bring him ’round and I’ll knock seven kinds o’ tar out o’ him.”

“ I didn’t hear him say anything of the kind,” answered Billy. “ But I’ve heard a lot about the way he can wrassle. Harry Aiken says Don threw Charlie Rush and he ’s twenty pounds heavier than Collins. I never seen you anxious to go up against Rush.”

“ I can lick Rush any day with the gloves,” exploded Dunbar, “ an’ I ain’t a bit afraid o’ him in a rough-and-tumble. Mebbe he knows a few holds I don’t, but that’s no test who’s the best man. Anyhow, it won’t count for much if we get down to real business. An’ if you ever hear Dan Collins say anything about me, just tell him for me I’ll be glad to meet him on any terms he wants. I’ll give him all the odds an’ lick him to a lay-down. ’ ’

This conversation took place Tuesday afternoon and resulted in nothing definite, either as to a test of strength between Don Collins and Phil Dunbar or as to an organization of real Boy Scouts as proposed by the latter. Phil had only suggested what he might do in case a

“ wishy-washy ” organization such as that described by Don was formed. Saturday there were no classes. In the morning President Bacon called a meeting of the school to consider anew the Boy Scout project.

Nearly everybody seemed delighted with the revolution that had transformed the master into a likable man. Some who were humorously inclined suggested that he had discovered a cure for indigestion. At any rate, he appeared before the boys with a smile, and almost everybody seemed to catch the infection of his good nature.

“ I think Porkie’s playin’ a game,” said Phil Dunbar to Larry Lecky. “ He’s got somethin’ up his sleeve, you can bet on that. He’s been on the sour edge too long to change so sudden.”

This might seem a natural inference, but Phil was wrong. Mr. Bacon had merely found himself up against a necessity and was wise enough to meet conditions.

On this occasion the master of Greenwood presented a definite plan for the organization of the pupils of his school into a body of Boy Scouts. The plan was not elaborate, as the system is simple and leaves an opening for originality. He told the boys they must begin as “ tenderfeet ” and that a few months later they might become “ second-class scouts ” by passing an examination. In order to become “ first-class scouts,” he explained, they must pass a more rigid examination, preparation for which would require considerable work.

“ Now, boys,” said the president after his preliminary remarks, “ I’ve obtained a supply of books giving full instructions regarding the Boy Scout movement. You’ll be 4 tenderfeet ’ to begin with. First of all, we’ll divide the school into two troops. This will be done by lot. Then I’ll appoint two members of the faculty, Mr. Wheeler and Mr. Flood, to act as scout masters. The troops will be divided into patrols, and officers of these bodies will be selected in accordance with the rules.”

The division into troops was quickly effected. Then the formation into patrols followed and the one hundred and sixty-five boys became ‘ 4 tenderfeet. ” As it happened, Phil Dunbar and Don Collins became members of one patrol and were rivals for election as leader.

The patrols consisted of eight members each in most cases and the contests for leadership could not be so very exciting. But Stacey Williams, a friend and crony of Phil, made a long talk in favor of Dunbar for leadership in their patrol. This was followed by an equally fervent speech from Julian Hartwick in favor of Don. When the vote was taken, two ballots were found to have been cast for Phil and five for Don. One ballot was found to bear the name of Julian.

The speech of Julian Hartwick in favor of Don Collins made a favorable impression. As a rule, Hartwick was regarded as something of a mystery in the school. But his well-measured praise of the good qualities of Collins caused many of his fellow patrol associates to forget his usual quiet and solitary habits and to feel a new interest in him. Julian was generally respected by the more thoughtful, for it was he who received the highest standing in class work and examinations.

But those who measured importance by spending money and fine clothes were inclined to snub the plainly dressed Hartwick.

Stacey Williams was something of an orator and commanded a good deal of respect in the school because of this. He was one of the star debaters of the school and his handsome appearance added to his popularity. But his skill and good looks availed him little when he championed the cause of Phil Dunbar as patrol leader.

Phil was enraged over his defeat, but for a time he managed to keep his feelings under control. After the meeting of the patrol had adjourned, however, he and several of his followers retired from the academy buildings and held a council of war. There were a number of “ soreheads ” among them, for most of the members of the “ Dunbar crowd ” had been defeated in their attempts to secure election as patrol leaders.

Meanwhile Don and the other successful candidates immediately held a meeting with the president, at which plans were laid for the beginning of activities in the following week.

But on Monday morning something happened that indicated an unhappy undercurrent in the affairs of the school. The master of Greenwood received in his mail the following anonymous letter written in a disguised hand:

“ President Bacon:

“ Perhaps it would interest you to know that Don Collins is the fellow who drew the picture of you on the blackboard in the assembly hall. The writer of this note saw him do it.”

Chapter IV The Dunbar Scheme

From the moment of his election as leader of a patrol of Boy Scouts, Don Collins knew he had enemies in the school. He did his best, however, to ignore the evidence of this that was at times forced upon him. He even went so far as to extend special favors to Phil Dunbar.

The organization of the Boy Scouts completed, attention was next directed toward a program of scout work. Information on this subject was obtained from the manual President Bacon had supplied for the purpose. Because of his facility in learning the rules, Don Collins was the first boy dubbed with the complimentary title of “ Good Scout.” His kindness toward those who did not attempt to conceal unfriendliness toward him, made him the most popular boy in the academy. Julian Hartwick, too, advanced in popularity. The manner in which he had urged the election of Don as patrol leader had started the ball rolling in his favor. He was 35 found to have cast off much of his silent and retiring manner and to have become one of the boys.

Nobody seemed to know anything about Julian’s history. He had been regarded as a boy of mystery up to the time of his connection with the Boy Scout movement. A number of boys, including Don Collins, who was his closest friend, made frequent remarks concerning a strangeness that seemed to attach to Hartwick. Every boy in the institution, except Julian, belonged to a family of standing and even wealth, while young Hartwick was said to be as poor as Job’s turkey. How he happened to enter such a school as Greenwood was another mystery, but he paid his tuition and his board bills and ranked at the head of his classes and minded his own business. This was all that was required of him.

Julian was quick to see the new hostility Phil Dunbar held for Don, apparently without any ground. Being an admirer of the rough-andready, honest, athletic patrol leader, young Hartwick determined to keep an eye open for his friend’s interests. Also, he meant to thwart, if possible, any movement on the part of Dunbar or bis associates to injure Don. With this end in view, Julian began to feel his way among the Dunbar element to 4 4 get on the inside of things ’ ’ if possible.

In Billy Beckman he found just the sort of ally he wanted, for Billy was already “ on the inside ” and also entertained kindly feelings for Don. Although “ Beck,” as he was called, admired many ‘ ‘ heroic ’ ’ traits he detected in Phil, yet he saw in Don Collins certain qualities not to be discovered in Dunbar. If Billy was easily led, it was not always the wild, unprincipled leader who could take him in tow.

Phil Dunbar avoided Don after the defeat of his own ambition to become a leader in the Boy Scout organization. If he had disliked Collins before the latter’s rise in power, he afterwards hated him and cherished hopes of soon getting even. He waited impatiently for results of his malicious note to “ Porkie 99 regarding the blackboard caricature. But several days passed and he heard nothing on the subject. He did not confide with any of his cronies concerning his act, wisely deciding to keep it a secret.