"That's a pretty bunch of shovel-nosed maneaters for you!" remarked the mate. "Gosh, would n't you hate to give the hungry critters a chance at you, though?"

THE baile was in full swing. The bichara was proving a great success. Governor Findy graciously accepted the savages' allegiance to the new government and their promises to make the trading system a success. The small park in the center of the garrison was teeming with life. On one side the American band gave the first notes of civilized music that the Moros had ever heard; opposite, rows of brass tom-toms responded in turn, mournfully. Gaudy lanterns festooned the tall trees and swung between them, describing graceful curves. At one end of the park a platform had been erected for the officers and their families. The savages crowded around as the Americans swayed to the waltz, and their surprise was no less than the Americans' when the tom-toms stirred the Moros to the dance and they whirled and crouched in native fashion.

Governor Findy was surrounded by his personal guard; stalwart Moros shared this honor with burly Irishmen, thus proving the governor's trust in the natives.

Dato Mandi, Dato Kali Pandapatan, and Governor Findy were conversing on the steps of the dancing-platform.

"Kali says that Piang mysteriously disappeared about noon to-day," explained Mandi, in excellent English.

"Who is this Piang, Mandi?" asked the gov

ernor.

"Piang is the idol of the Buldoon tribe. He is Kali Pandapatan's famous charm-boy, friend of General Beech and Lieutenant Lewis," replied Mandi.

"Strange that one so well known should disappear! Yes, I have heard much of this boy's loyalty and sagacity-"

The two Moros turned quickly, warned by a startled look on the governor's face. Far down the smooth shell road a figure was staggeringwavering toward them.

The music ceased with a discordant jar. There was a slight stir among the spectators as Sicto and his companions attempted to retire, but, to their surprise, Kali's faithful men closed about them significantly. On came the figure, lithe, slim, and brown

"Piang!" cried Kali Pandapatan, and instantly his eyes sought out the cowering Sicto.

The heavy, labored breathing became audible as the exhausted boy stumbled through the crowd. A sentry started forward to seize him,

but the governor waved him aside. Dripping and panting, Piang staggered toward his chief. "Juramentado-Gobernador-" faintly whis

pered Piang.

A wild shriek crashed through the intense stillness, a green sarong was torn off, and the white-clad figure of a juramentado rushed at the governor. But Kali Pandapatan was quicker, and just as the assassin raised his barong (knife), Kali's slender kriss glistened in the moonlight-descended-and the juramentado was struck down.

Jumping up to the platform, Kali Pandapatan raised his hands. "My brother chiefs," he cried, "did any of you know of this foul plot?"

"No! no!" came the quick response from every Moro; and although the Americans could not understand his words, they began to realize that Kali was exhorting his people to disclaim knowledge of the outrage.

"Viviz Gobernador!" ("Long live the governor!") came from the full, savage throats, and the cry was taken up by the multitude.

The dazed governor looked down at the prostrate figure of the poor fanatic at his feet.

"But for the brave Piang I should have been lying there," he murmured.

Piang, leaning upon Kali, watched this new chief. "Come here, Piang," said the governor. Fumbling with the collar of his white uniform, he loosened something.

"My lad, I thank you for your bravery," his voice shook slightly; "your name shall be sent to the great chief at Washington."

The words were repeated to the jungle boy, and his manly little chest swelled with pride.

"Piang, I am about to decorate you with the emblem of our Government; these infantry crossguns I shall pin on your breast-" the dignified governor reached forward to make good his words, but paused in embarrassment, the speech. dying on his lips. He gazed in dismay at the scantily clothed little savage, standing straight and expectant before him.

"I shall place this emblem-" again began the worthy official. There was a titter among the spectators.

Piang, eagerly eying the treasure, wondered why the governor delayed. Suddenly a gleam of understanding broke over Piang, and he grinned. broadly. With the tip of his finger he touched the shining cross-guns, then his necklace of crocodile teeth. The situation was saved.

Amid thunderous applause the smiling governor fastened the guns to the indicated article of dress, and loud and clear rose the shout: "Piang! Piang!"

CHAPTER XXVI

THE WISH OF HIS HEART

AND how swiftly those remaining days passed with their mingling of work and play! There were more fishing excursions and athletic meets. One afternoon was devoted to an exciting treasure-hunt; another saw a sham battle in which part of the boys in boats attacked one of the islands defended by the remainder. At regular intervals, too, Captain Chalmers gave scout examinations in headquarters tent, and an encouraging number of fellows increased their standing or obtained merit-badges.

Dale Tompkins thoroughly enjoyed each minute of his stay. He entered with keen zest into every game and competition, and took his share of the various chores-even the hated dish-washing-without a grumble. It was all so fresh and wonderful that the simplicity and freedom of the life, with the nightly council-fire under the stars and the intimate companionship. with so many "dandy" fellows, appealed to him. intensely even without considering the added interest of each day's activities.

Best of all, perhaps, was his feeling of growing comfort in the attitude of Ranny Phelps. There had been nothing in the nature of a formal reconciliation. On the contrary, the blond lad's manner toward Tompkins still showed traces of embarrassment. But one does not always need the spoken word to realize the truth, and deep down in his heart Dale knew that, though they might not yet be close friends, at least no shadow of coldness or enmity remained between them.

When the last day came, as last days have an unpleasant way of doing, Dale tried to think of the wonderful time he had had instead of regretting that it was almost over. More than once, too, his mind dwelt with gratitude on the unknown customer whose need for bird-houses had made it all possible.

"Maybe some day I 'll find out who it was and be able to thank him," he said to himself during the course of the morning.

A final trip in the motor-boat had been planned for the afternoon, but after dinner Captain Chalmers announced that Mr. Thornton would inspect the camp at about five o'clock, and stay for supper and the council-fire afterward.

"So I think we 'd better put in a few hours

making things spick-and-span and working up a specially good program for to-night," he concluded. "You fellows all know how keen I am to give him an extra good impression of scouting, and you 've kept things in corking good shape these two weeks. But let's see if we can't give him a regular knock-out blow when he comes."

One and all the scouts took up the idea enthusiastically and worked to such purpose that when the banker appeared he found a camp which would have done credit to the West Point cadets. He was a little stiff at first, but during supper in the big tent he thawed considerably, and later, at the council-fire, he applauded the various stunts with the enjoyment and simple abandon, almost, of a boy. When these were over he rose slowly to his feet, and the firelight gleaming on his face showed it softened into lines of genial good-fellowship.

"I've had a mighty good time to-night, boys," he said, glancing around the circle of eager, young faces. "I just want to thank you for it and tell you frankly that what I've seen of Hillsgrove Boy Scouts has changed my mind completely about the whole proposition. If you fellows are a fair sample of scouting generally, -as I begin to suspect you are,—I see no reason why you should not consider this camp a permanent thing, to come back to every year and be responsible for and do with as you like. I should very much--"

The wild yell of delight which went up drowned the remainder of his remarks. Leaping to his feet, MacIlvaine called for a cheer, and the three times three, with a tiger at the end, was given with a vigor that left no doubt of the boys' feelings. When comparative quiet was restored Mr. Thornton thanked them briefly and said he would like to shake hands with every one of the scouts present.

Laughing and jostling, the boys formed in line, and as each paused before the banker, Captain Chalmers introduced him. Tompkins was just behind Ranny, and he noticed the extra vigor Mr. Thornton put into his handshake.

"I'm very glad to meet you, Phelps," he said genially. "Your father and I are old friends. In fact, I dined with him at Hillsgrove only a few days ago. And by the way, I was immensely taken with those bird-houses on the place and want some like them for my own. He told me

you had put them around just before you came down here. Did you make them yourself?"

The usually self-contained Ranleigh turned crimson and dropped his eyes. "N-no, sir," he stammered. "They were made by-by-another I'll write the address down, and-and give it to you afterward."

He passed on, and the boy behind him took his place. In a daze Dale felt his hand shaken and heard the sound of Mr. Thornton's pleasant voice, but the words were as meaningless as if they had been spoken in another tongue. Muttering some vague reply, he dropped the other's hand and was swept on by the crowd behind.

Out of the whirling turmoil of his mind one thing alone stood forth sharply. Those were his bird-houses; they could not possibly be any other. It was Ranny who had given him these wonderful two weeksRanny, whom he thought

His head went up suddenly and, glancing around, he caught sight of the blond chap disappearing toward the beach. In a few moments he was at his side.

"Ranny!" he exclaimed impulsively. "You-you-" Something gripped his throat, making further speech impossible. stirred uneasily.

Phelps

"Well," he said with a touch of defiance, "I wanted them, and-and I could n't make them myself. I-I 'm a perfect dub with tools."

"You-you did it to give me a chance at camp."

Dale's voice was strained

rotten, conceited way I kept you out of baseball. After that it was only-decent to do what I could to-make up."

They stood in the moonlight, the water at their feet, while back among the trees the fire blazed up, sending a shower of sparks drifting across

and uneven. His hand still rested on the other's arm, and in the brief silence he felt Ranny stiffen a little.

"If I did, it was only fair," the older chap said suddenly, in low, abrupt tones. "I-I 've been a beastly cad, Dale. I 've worked against you every way I could." His voice grew sharp and selfreproachful. "I kept it up like a stubborn mule even when I began to see- Why, look at the

'YOU-YOU-'"

the spangled heavens. The talk and laughter of the crowd seemed to come from very far away. "You did it to-to square up, then?" Dale asked presently in a low tone.

There was another pause. Suddenly an arm slid about his shoulders, and for the first time Ranny looked him squarely in the eyes.

"No," he answered quietly. "It was because I wanted us to be in camp-together."

CHAPTER XXVII

THE SURPRISE

THE last barrier of reserve between the two had fallen. From that moment they were friends of the sort Dale had sometimes dreamed of, but only lately dared to hope for. And as the weeks lengthened into months, as summer sped along to fall, the bond grew closer, until they became well-nigh inseparable.

Troop Five held well together throughout the winter, and had better times than ever. After Christmas they began work in earnest on their share of the big scout rally, which was to be given in the spring to illustrate for the townspeople the aims and purposes of scouting, and also as a means of gaining new recruits. Every troop was to take part, and not a little goodnatured rivalry developed between them.

Troop Five was to illustrate the various uses of the scout staff in a number of drills and formations, the most effective and also the most difficult of which was one that Mr. Curtis called the riot wedge. Though necessitating a good deal of hard work, most of the boys were keen about it. Only Bob Gibson complained, and he would n't have seemed himself at all without finding something to grumble about.

"Gee! but I'm sick of this silly drill!" he growled under his breath one night when they had been practising steadily for an hour. He slumped his shoulders, and his staff tilted to a slovenly angle. "What's the sense of it, anyhow?"

""Tention!" rang out the quick, decisive voice of Scoutmaster Curtis, standing slim and erect before the line of scouts. "We 'll try that once more, fellows, and get a little snap into it this time. Bob, if you 'll keep your staff in an upright position, it would improve the looks of the line." There was no sting in his tone, and Bob, grinning sheepishly, straightened his shoulders and brought his staff to the same angle as the others. "Prepare to form riot wedge!" ordered the scoutmaster, crisply. "One!"

There was a rapid thud of feet and a swift, scurrying movement which might have seemed to the uninitiated meaningless and without purpose. But when the stir had ceased and silence fell, each of the three patrols had formed itself into a regular wedge with one of the largest, strongest boys at the apex and the patrol-leader standing in the middle of the base. Their staves

were upright, but at the sharp command of "Two!" these swung into a horizontal position, the ends crossing and the whole becoming a continuous barrier with the boys behind it.

"Fine and dandy!" approved Mr. Curtis, heart

ily. "That's more the way it ought to go. Now, let's try the double wedge I showed you last week. Eagle patrol, dress a little to the left; Beavers to the right. Ready? One!"

This time there was a little more confusion, for the movement was newer and more complicated than the other. Raven patrol took position as before, though spreading out a bit and gathering in a boy from each of the other patrols to form the ends of the larger wedge. The Eagle and Beaver patrols then swung around against either side of the wedge, each boy covering the space between the two lads behind him. The final manoeuver thus presented a double row of scouts linked together by their lowered staves into a formation that would be equally effective in pushing through a dense crowd or withstanding the pressure of their assaults.

"Good!" smiled Mr. Curtis. "A bit slow, of course, but we 'll get it all right. Now, fellows, I'd like to have a full attendance next week. Captain Chalmers will address the troop on a special matter, and I think by that time I'll have a rather pleasant surprise for you. Has any one any questions to ask before we break up?"

Court Parker saluted, his face serious save for an irrepressible twinkle in his eyes. "Could n't you-er-tell us about the surprise to-night, sir?" he asked. "Next week 's an awful long time off, you know."

The scoutmaster smiled. "You'll enjoy it all the more when it comes," he returned. "Besides, it is n't quite ready to be told yet. That's all tonight, fellows. Patrol-leaders dismiss their patrols."

As the crowd poured out of the building a chorus of eager speculation arose.

"Wonder if it 's anything to do with camp," suggested Frank Sanson.

"How could it be?" objected Dale Tompkins, his arm across Ranny Phelps's shoulder. "Camp could n't be much better than it was last summer; and if he 's had word we can't use the placewell, that would n't be exactly pleasant."

"Right, old scout!" approved Ranny. Then his face grew suddenly serious. "Do you suppose it could be about-the war?" he ventured.

There was a momentary silence. In Hillsgrove, as in most other parts of the country, war and rumors of war had been plentiful of late. The ruthless German submarine campaign had been on for weeks. Only a few days before, the severing of diplomatic relations with that government had made a great stir. Everywhere people were wondering what would be the next step, and, according to temperament or conviction, were complaining of governmental sloth or