Boys' Life 1925-12: Vol 15 Iss 12

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Beginning ‘The White Leader by Constance Lindsay Skinner

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i) ATWATER KE What two boy explorers saw in a radto Baking the Coils In these great vacuum ovens they are dried for seven hours, When all the moisture is out they are impregnated with special wax which keeps it out CuHapter II: Winding the Cals Dear Dap: "ge know if a coil in a radio set isn’t just mght the whole set is wrong. A lot of people who are hollering about poor reception have got bad coils, only they don’t know it because you can’t see the inside of a coil. I guess Mr. Kent knowsa lot about windingthem. His factory was doing it a long time for automobiles. When radio came, all they had to do was change the machinery a little and keep right on. You remember how you taught us to wind a string ball and how you made us keep turning the ball just a little so it: would come out round and not punkin shaped? Well, they are a lot stricter than you. The winding ts done by women and girls, because their fingers are not clumsy like the manlier sex. They have to have eyes like a squirrel, too, because the wire Howard and I saw them winding isn’t as big as a hair. It is only 1/3000 of an inch thick and the foreman told me my hair is 1/2500 of an inch, Can you imagine it? The machinery almost works itself, like your auto- matic reel, But the girls have to keep an eagle eye on it to make sure it doesn’t play any tricks. For instance, it would be a crime to let one strand of wire cross another strand. And the wires mustn’t touch each other the way they do in the coils we made before we got our Atwater Kent. They have a space between them. The girls have to see that gorse LIFE, The Boy Scouts Magazine. Published Monthly by the Boy Scouts Ls: America, 3 200 Fifth Avenue, New Yor! BY, tered as second-class matter, Juiy 19, 1912, at the rust Uffice ut New Y inder the Act of March 3, Tens: Acceptance for special ra: BOYS’ LIFE ‘a ay ee bap ee oF: Sei a ee. eee ot - Pine the spacing is always the same, so that one coil will be just as good as another. And they slip a sheet of special paper between every two layers of wire to make the insulation better. If moisture gets into your coils in the set you'll have all kinds of misery. So they dry the coils for seven hours in a thing that looks like the furnace in As good as a Stadium Seat “Second down and four to go . . pass and Chiswick has the ball ... Stafford nails him ... Heavens, what a thump! ... Time out— towels, water bottles’n’ everything. Okay now . Looks like a sure punt ... There’s nerve for you; it’s a forward pass . . . Chiswick leaps for it, but...” . It’s a delayed Have you got your seat for the big games?; You can as good as see everything in your own Stadium at home—if you have an Atwater Kent. Model 20 Compact, $80 ~ . Radio Speakers priced from Model 10, $80 $12 to $28 Prices sligntly higher from the Rockies west, and in Canada Winding the Coils Sharp eyes and nimble fingers are needed here. Women like to work in the Atwater Kent plant because it is bright, airy, 20 Cents a Copy. December, 1925. Vol. XV, No. 12. Copy: spacious, clean, and friendly. our cellar. They call it a vacuum dryer. Then they squeeze the coils full of a special wax. W hen they come out of the furnace moisture can’t get into them any more than it can get through the shell of a turtle. The men who were drying the coils were so good natured I wanted to say something to them, and all I could think of was: “If you only dried them six hours would anybody know the difference?” One of the men gave a snort and said: “Son, you bet they would. Do you know how many times these coils are tested after they leave us? Eight. And when you go home remember this: You never hear anybody in this factory say, ‘Oh, that’s good enough. Let it go.’ No, sir, it’s got to be just right.” Howard said: “That sounds just like Dad,” and the man laughed and said, ““You’re a good kid.” Well, there’s an awful lot to tell. Will try to dobetter when I writeagain. ‘ - Your Aff’t son, * a * * Jack’s nent letter will appear in the Boys’ Life next month. Meanwhile, let us send you a 32-page illustrated booklet describing the largest radio factory in the world and the Radio Receivers and Speakers made there. ATWATER KENT MANUFACTURING COMPANY A. Atwater Kent, President 4798 WISSAHICKON AVENUE PHILADELPHIA, PA. 1925, by the rica. ke pustage provided for in Section i1 gt of October Ssh Fume 1s ‘918.

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n't the 0d all ody 1s send world ANY nerica- }. 1918. FOR ALL BOYS The Boy Scouts Own Book Edited by FRANKLIN K. MATHIEWS This book is especially made up for the boy who is waiting to become a Boy Scout. In its stories, articles and pictures, scouting is especially emphasized. No boy who intends to join the scouts should be without it. $1.75. The Boy Scouts Book of Stories Edited by FRANKLIN K. MATHIEWS A gold mine of entertaining reading is this book that brings together stories by such writers as Mark Twain, Robert Louis Stevenson, Booth ‘Tarkington, O. Henry, Conan Doyle, and others. $2.50. The Boy Scouts Book of Say Boys! Here it is! and it is bigg=r and better than ever before. The stories and articles and pictures are dandies, and you will find about everything you are interested in figures in what is all-ways the big book— The BOY SCOUTS YEAR BOOK Edited by FRANKLIN K. MATHIEWS From the picture of the Indian on the cover straight through you enjoy every page. Here are The Stories Boys Like Best—and they are written by Albert Payson Terhune, Rafael Saba: tin, Ralph Henry Barbour, Irving Crump, J. Allan Dunn, Brewer Corcoran, Joseph B. Ames, and other favorites. Here, too, are articles on Things All Boys Want to Know—the authors including Dan Beard, Douglas Fairbanks, C. L. (“Grizzly’’) Smith, Homer Croy, Anthony Fiala, Wilbert Robinson, Lee S. Crandall, Horace Kephart and others. ‘Don’t miss this year’s ‘‘ Boy Scouts Year Book.’’ $2.50. For the all-round boy! These books are designed for the young fellow who is interested in everything. You may enjoy books that tell of special sports or other single items of interest, but on your bookshelves should be these Boy Scout books, too. They are the all-round books for all-round boys. Campfire Stories Edited by FRANKLIN K. MATHIEWS The campfire is the place for story-telling and this took is filled with stories good for telling and for reading. They are by Henry Van Dyke, Jack London, Zane Grey, Ralph Connors, Rex Beach, Irvin Cobb, Stewart Edward White, and others. $2.50. For Sale at all Booksellers D. APPLETON AND COMPANY 35 West 32nd Street, New York ——- ———- —— -—— SEND THIS COUPON- —_—- —_—_—— =—-> =} D. APPLETON AND COMPANY 35 West 32nd Street, New York Please send me your -free illustrated cataiog ot the books a boy wants to own. Name....... sas Se 0 eaten ee |i | FF. 5. Address B.L.-12-25 : 1925 When answering advertisements please mention BOYS’ LIFE

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7 BOY SCO SONG BOOK " uf hy Zi Gi Ji tern er Scouc Neckerchiefs Available in 16 plain colors and 13 color combinations. Made of a splendid quality of soisette, size 28 x 32 inches. They are of excellent appearance, strong and durable. Plain Color Neckerchief Price, prepaid, each 50c Triangular Neckerchief Color, Black No. 686. Prepaid, each 20c Triangular Neckerchief Brilliant shade of red No. 673. Prepaid, each 30c Combination Color Neckerchief New and attractive design con- taining First Class Emblem Price, prepaid, each 60c Neckerchief Slide Scout Neckerchief should always be worn with these Slides. They are furnished in a variety of colors, each troop adopting a color to be worn by all members with the neckerchief of standard contrasting color. Price, prepaid, each 15c ——_ 2 a oe le ” * li ‘The Best of Gifts Real Scout Christmas Gifts A real Scout Christmas gift, something that your pal or your Scoutmaster places among the treasures of his pack, or carries on his person, something that he uses on his hikes and in his camp, that’s the real Christmas gift for remem- brance sake. A Few Suggestions Complete Boy Scout Outfit Hat, Shirt, Breeches, Stockings, Neckerchief, Necker- chief Slide, Belt with Belt Hooks complete Scout Outfit ‘‘B’’ $9.25 Scout Mackinaw All wool made of heavy woolen melton cloth No. 564. Price, $7.50 Scout Raincoat Absolutely Waterproof. Olive drab made of Ar material No. 658. Shipping wet. 4 Ibs. $6.50 Scout Poncho Latest Style. As used by U. S. Army. Material of double texture. Size 60 x 72 in. No. 611. Shipping wet. 5 Ibs. $4.50 Scout Woolen Shirt Made of 9% oz. Olive Drab shirting flannel. No. 649. Shipping wet. 1 Ib., 3 oz., $3.65 Regulation Khaki Shirt Made of standard Khaki material. No. 648. Shipping wet. 10 oz., $1.95 Regulation Scout Breeches Equipped with belt loops, two front, two hip, one watch pocket. No. 651. Shipping wget. 1 Ib., 8 oz. $2.40 Regulation Scout Coat Made of standard Khaki; has notched roll collar, two breast and two lower bellows pockets. No. 645. Shipping wet. 1 lb., 10 oz. $3.45 Woolen Stockings Very attractive and durable and made from pure wool. Olive drab yarn. No. 527. Shipping wet. 10 oz. $1.50 * Wax Scout Sweaters Olive Drab Sweater. An Ar warm garment good not only for the hike but for school and general wear. No. 594 Shpg. wet. 11% Ib. $3.50 New Worsted Sweater Made cf high grade Khaki yarns, pure worsted front. Very effective in wear. No. 666. Shpg. wet. 1'% Ibs. $3.50 Khaki Sweater For those wanting a less expensive Sweater, we cffer 1 wll-knit art wool garment that will give hard wear. No. 644. Shpg. wet. 3 Ibs. $1.95 Khaki Knit Wool Cap Just the thing for Winter Hikes or whenever the stiff brim official hat is inconvenient. Pulls down over ears and back of neck. No. 665. Price, prepaid, 85c We have every thinga Scout needs every time, everywhere. Write us for a copy of the new Boy Scout Catalogue. It is just out Scout Jewelry Watch Fobs for Tenderfoot, Second and First Class Scouts. Genuine Leather Strap, Metal Buckle, Polished Metal Fob. No. 301-3-5. Price, 25c Scout Insignia Jewelry Set Consists of Sterling Silver Scarf Pin, Cuff Links and Tie Clasp with First Class Emblem. No. 320. Price, $1.50 Scout Jewelry Set —same as No. 320 but each article stamped with Tender- foot Badge. These are intended for use of all Scouts below the First Class Rank. Sterling Silver. No. 325. Price, $1.50 Scout Watches Scout Model Wrist Watch. Six Lever Movement with Suede Strap — Luminous—can be easily read in the dark. No. 1547. Price, prepaid, $6.50 Luminite Watch. A real Scout’s Watch. Radium Dial will stand hard usage. Keeps good time. No. 1471. Price, prepaid, $2.50 Sterling Silver Ring Seal Ring bearing First Class Emblem, Oxidized finish. No. 321. Price, 85c Gold Filled Ring Seal Ring bearing First Class Emblem. Heavy 10K Gold filled. No. 322. Price, $1.00 Solid Gold Ring Seal Ring bearing First Class Emblem of 10K Solid Gold. No. 323. Price, $5.50 Boy Scouts of America SAN FRANCISCO 604 Mission St. 200 Fifth Avenue, New York CHICAGO 37 S. Wabash Ave. When answering advertisements please mention BOYS’ LIFE BOYS’ LIFE December

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SAN FRANCISCO 604 Mission St. Ready for Your ‘Ire Make This a Scouting Christmas In the great Boy Scout family, every article of real Scout equipment recalls the open w companionship, adventure, and all the vigor and lustihood that strong agile bodies and keen minds, working under the same great Oath and Law, can give. HIKING TOOLS Upton Mess Kit Made of polished nickel steel. Set consists of large size soup can, two cups, two fry pans ind wire broiler with separate handle for each article. Dandy for tvvo Scouts. No. 1535. Ship. wet., 2 lbs., 4 ozs., Remington Knife Regulation Model, large size Stag handle, heavy cutting blade, screw- driver, bottle and can opener, punch blade. Has shackle for hanging on belt. Built to stand rough usage. No. 1496. Price, $1.50 Scout Haversack Made of good stout Khaki material with web straps. Buckles and straps reinforced. Compact yet roomy enough to take what you will need. No. 592. Ship. wet. 134 lbs. $2.50 Rover Pack Made of heavy waterproof canvas 27 inches deep with inside collar. Adopted to satisfy. No. 1434. Ship. wet., 234 Ibs. Price $5.00 Scouts’ Official Note Paper Scouts of each class can have their own note paper with their Badge design on each sheet. Each box contains 24 sheets and envelopes. For Tenderfoot Scouts No. 3182. Ship. wet., 12 ozs. 65c For Second-Class Scouts No. 3183. Ship. wet., 12 ozs. 65c For First-Class Scouts No. 3184. Ship. wet., 12 ozs. 65c romance, A Few Suggestions Rexcraft Official Bugle Exceptional quality, easy blowing, rich mellow tone. No. 1538. Prepaid, $5.00 King Official Bugle Tone quality blends perfectly with professional band instruments. Key of G. Tuning Slide to F. No. 1537. Prepaid, $6.00 Drum Fife Madeof Nickel plated brass with hard rubber mouthpiece. No. 1066A. Price, prepaid, $1.00 Drums All model drums ranging in prices from $7.50 to $11.00 Boy Scout Field Glasses Essential in signaling and study of birds and stars. Powerful lenses. No. 1212. Shipping wet., 2 lbs., $6.00 Scout Axe and Sheath “Plumb” Brand Scout Axe—Distinctive red handle and black head with patented Plumb take-up wedge which keeps the handle tight. Has slot for drawing nails. No. 1510. Price, prepaid, $1. “‘Collins Brand’’ Scout Axe—Unusual resistance to rust. Splendid results reported from various tests including hard- ness of cutting edge. Also has slot for drawing nails. No. 1507. Price, prepaid, $1.80 Tool Sets Consisting of many useful and practical tools. Prices range from $4.00 to $35.00, Scout Moccasins We are prepared to fill orders for an excellent grade soft leather all black moccasin. No. 663. Natural soles. Per pr., $3.25 No. 664. Stiff soles. Per pr., $4.25 American First-Aid Box Excellent for emergency uses both at home and in camp. Size 10x94 x 3% in. containing more than 35 First- Aid appliances. No. 1294. Shipping wet., 7 lbs., $8.50

Postage Must Be Added to Price of Article Where Shipping Weights are Mentioned

Se y “Stag ; Boy Scout Christmas Cards Five artistic designs in appropriate colors. Ten distinc- tively worded messages. Sets of ten assorted. No. 3194. Post-paid. Per set, 25c Boy Scout Christmas Cards in four colors. Very attrac- tive and handsome. Each, 10c No. 3193. Post-paid. Boy Scouts of America 200 Fifth Avenue, New York

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1925 , the camp-fire, boon great-heartedness CAMP TOOLS Wearever Aluminum Canteen Made of heavy seamless aluminum and fitted with removable, adjustable leather strap. Canteen is concave to fit wearer’s hip. No. 1466. Ship. wet., 2 lbs. $3.00 Feather-weight Shelter Tent. Made of a specially processed thor- oughly waterproof canvas. Laces up the front: thereby affords protection from wind and rain. Length 84 in. Width 46 in. Height 36 in. Furnished with nine pegs, two folding poles and a carrying case. No. 1303. Ship. wet., 6 lbs. $7.00 Blankets Official Khaki Camp Blanket. An economical wool blanket of excep- tional wearing quality. Weight. 3 lbs. Size 58 x 82 in. No. 1172. Ship. wgt., 4 lbs. Each $4.00 Wearever Cook Kit Made of heavy, gauge seamless alum- inum. Outfit consists of fry pan with patent handle, cooking pot and cover, drinking cup and stew pan which also serves as plate or cup bowl. No. 1200. Ship. wet.,3 lbs. $2.85 Boy Scout Photograph Albums For preserving photographs of Scout activities. 100 pages, loose leaf in black imitation leather covers. Size 544 x 8%. Ship. wet., 2 lbs. Price, 75c Scout’s Memory Book A Kodak Photograph album bound in very fine leatherette. Scout Emblem and lettering beautifully reliefed in gold on front cover. A Kodak Diary to be illustrated with the Scouts own pictures. Size 12x 73% inches. No. 3655. $1.50 CHICAGO 37 S. Wabash Ave.

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BOYS’ LIFE THE SEASON’S OPPORTUNITY “A DOLLAR doesn’t go very far now-a-days.”’ Time andagain you’ll hear this said, and it’s true. But there are exceptions and none of us pass them up. Here’s your chance—a rare one indeed. For $2 you’ll get enough to last you for 12 full months—a whole year of Boys’ Life with plenty of thrills and dozens of adventures thrown in. Take a peek at these advance proofs from the printer and see what’s coming. OOR iJ When Pee-Wee Founds a Patrol, Fun and Frolic Follow No reader of Boys’ Lire is unfamiliar with Scout Pee-Wee Harris, who has appeared in many of those books by Percy K. Fitzhugh that sell by the thousands. Or, if there is a new reader who has not met that real scout let him read the instalment of “‘Pee-Wee’s Patrol” in this issue. The story is just getting under way and there are many more instalments to follow. Those Romans Sure Could Fight Carthage and Rome and their wars may be tiresome in school history, but they offer many thrills when pre- sented in such a tale of heroism and treachery and adventure as ““The Mamertine Treasure” by George Fielding Eliot. Twice Lance Has Outplayed Dazzy Who Will Win in the Third Contest? Once more Harold M. Sherman writes about May- field and Lance Sparks and Dazzy Veach in a new three- part basket-ball serial called “Mayfield Plays at Home.” Do you remember “The Dark Horse En- try” and “The Mayfield Water-Dogs?” If so, you won’t want to miss this one. Could Pete Jarrell Save Himself in the Desert? You will learn why in the splendid Western story of mystery and adventure which Joseph B. Ames has written especially for Boys’ Lire. It is called “The Mounted Troop” and is a mounted troop of scouts. a. BULLETIN EE WEE HARRIS Leade aal What Was the Terrible, The Mysterious, The Dreaded Bunyip? Stories of whose human sacrifices were told to Captain Burr and Jim Morse as they made their way through the tropical jungles of unexplored Australia. True Friend or Treacherous Foe—the IIl- favored Indian Blue Arrow In a new serial, starting in this issue, Constance Lindsay Skinner, author of the stories about Silent Scot, Frontier Scout, writes of a little known character who had great influence on our history after the close of the Revolutionary War. What Kind of a Bird is This Gray Goose? One of the most popular recent serials in Boys’ Lire was “The Cruise of the Cuttlefish.” Now comes another story about that famous trio. Win, Darby and Henry are returning to Boys’ Lire in a story of Western adventure, “‘The Flight of the Gray Goose.” Read through this issue and see what a whale of a Christmas Gift a subscription tor this big 88-page magazine makes, and $2 does it for a whole year. Glance over the next page—don’t let up until you reach the coupon. Fill it in, attach $2 and head for the nearest mail box. When answering advertisements please mention BOYS’ LIFE December Seiniamasiinnsaediens ee

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| | . Don’t Miss It! FOR ALL BOYS + OH BOY! Your $2% will buy 45 InstéIments of Serials Including: “The Flight of the Gray Goose’? by Francis Lynde, author of ‘‘The Cruise of the Cuttlefish’’ and ‘“‘The White Leader’? by Constance Lindsay Skinner, author of the popular Andy McPhail — an ‘*‘Mayfield Plays Again’’ by Harold M. Sherman, author of favorite sport stories and ‘‘Pee-Wee’s Patrol’? by Percy Fitzhugh, author of the famous Tom Slade, Roy Blakeley, Westy Martin series. and ‘‘The Mounted Troop,’’ a ee ~ story by Joseph B. Ames also ‘‘Jim Morse in Australia’’ by J. Allan Dunn 120 ShortStories & Articles Among these will be short stories by Francis J. Rigney ‘“‘Sufficient for the Day’”’ in which Jimmy Case goes hunting rattlesnakes and finds some thrilling adventures ‘‘Found in the Dark,’’ another thriller ‘“‘Terence Manning, Detective’? by George Troll, the story of a boy who overcame a great handicap also ‘‘The Message to San Acacia”’ by Jim Dan Hill, a railroad story ‘‘In Wrong Right’’ by Edward Morrow, a humorous story of an attempt at hazing ss-aahaideaailion j ‘“‘Snakes’’ by Rodney Wood, relating to a true adventure experienced by the author in Africa ——. . —_ and Remember these are but a few of the 120 short stories and articles to be published in the next twelve months. 140 Department ‘Articles COVERING THE FOLLOWING SUBJECTS: The Radio Tower Stamps The World Brotherhood of Boys Dan Beard’s Scouting Section Photographic Contest Puzzlecraft Think and Grin Editorial The Scout World The Lone Scout The Readers’ Page Why-I-Subscribed Contest 12 Great 1925 Copies of the Big BOYS’ LIFE For Two Dollars.—Use This Coupon Now DON’T Here’s What You'll Get in BOYS’ LIFE in 12 Months MISS IT ee ewe as ae es 8 aw ee es oe oe ene BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA Fifth Avenue Building, New York, N. Y. For the enclosed $2.00 please send the Bigger and Better Boys’ Life for ONE YEAR beginning WEE sini sake inten ohdobscede number. SOC LE OE D060 086.006 0.0:0 66066 0:6 0:0060060000000626 00.0% When answering advertisements please mention BOYS’ LIFE

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BOYS’ LIFE ~s—=- = Remington Sheath Knives for Sportsmen— Beautifully finishedand perfectly balanced, with extra-heavy gauge blades, correctly shaped for Supplied practical service in camp in various styles and lengths Remington Model 24— Hammerless, take-down autoloader, chambered either for sageles +22 shorts, or .22 Jong- rifle cartric igen. : My, alien Model 12— Hammerless, take-down re- $s: peater. Shoots either .22 - short, long, or long-rifle = EPO FETE Rifles Ammunition SES Would You Like to Be the Boy in This Picture? OUR relatives and friends are wondering what to give you for Christ- mas. They want to please you. But sometimes grown-ups don’t know what kind of a knife a scout needs. It’s a good i idea to tip off relatives, and others you suspect of generous im- pulses in your direction, that a genuine Official Remington Scout Knife is what you want. Explain that National Scout Headquarters have endorsed it. Tell them that it is the most useful thing in the whole scout kit; with its big, sharp cutting blade, screw-driver, bottle opener, punch or reamer blade, and sure-grip can opener. Show that you know a thing or two about knives yourself. Make it clear that the fellows who knoware getting Remingtons, and that only a Reming- ton will make a hit with you. Tell Why It Should Be a Remington shoots every time you pull the trigger. Therecoil ejects the empty and puts in another cartridge. It holds 15 regular.22 shorts, or 10 .22 long-rifle cartridges, but they are not interchangeable. You decidewhich you wantand order the rifle cham- Same thing when it comes to a .22 rifle. A word in time may save you a lot of disappointment on Christmas day. You know you want a Reming- ton, but others may not understand how import- ant that name is to you unless you tell them why. RS3333 — The Remington ‘**Of- TS ficial Knife — Boy en cartridges. ’ Ph Scouts of America.’ POIWOa IAL Fevers Just to refresh your memory, here’s the story of two famous .22 Remingtons in a nutsheil: The Model 12 Hammerless Repeater has the speedy, pump action, solid steel receiver, and closed breech. The empty is thrown out theside, so no smoke, gas, or powder grains can blow back in your eyes. The ms, :zine holds 15 .22 shorts, 12 .22 longs, or 10 long-rifle cartridges. The Remington Model 24 Autoloader is the rifle that loads itself. It Game Loads When answering advertisements please mention BOYS’ LIFE Remington Arms Company, Inc. 25 Broadway Established 1816 New York City . Remington... CF BPANE EEE EES CEVA athena bered for shorts, or for long-rifle cartridges. Both these models are take-down, The barrels re- move easily without tools, so they can be cleaned from the breech, which is the right way. And these accurate, graceful little guns are so beauti- fully balanced that they seem to point themselves. A lot of lucky boys will get them this Christ- mas. You want to be one of them, so pass this word around that your choice is a Remington. - Co, 7 v Ny GER Cash pe isters December rr

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FOR ALL BOYS DECEMBER, 1925 BoyssLiFE 9 VOL. XV, NO. 12 For All Boys—Published by the Boy Scouts of America The White Leader By Constance Lindsay Skinner “ ACHLAN, we’re hittin’ the trail again tonight.” “I’m willin’,” the boy answered, without looking up. His father sat down on the log beside him. Lachlan had guessed that something was in the wind. There always was “something” when Ross Douglas looked like that. He had watched his father walking across the short space from James Robertson’s cabin, his rugged face masklike, except for an occasional whitish flash of his very pale and bright gray eyes. Ross Douglas’ eyes flashed out that way suddenly whenever he was in deep and troubled thought, as if they sought to see the answer to his problem on the face of sky or forest. Lachlan, himself, had the same curiously pale gray, brilliant, piercing gaze. That was why the Chickasaw chief, Opimingo, had named Lachlan ‘‘Storm- Star’’; because the light bright flash of eye coming out from under the cloud of brown lashes reminded Opimingo of a star’s brightness appearing as the wrack of cloud is moved off by the wind. Lachlan had just finished cleaning his rifle and was now giving it the final touch—a tiny gesture which, in itself, told a tale of the Frontier. He crushed a green hickory nut till the thick, milky juice oozed. With this he smeared his gun wher- ever it reflected a glint of light. In those dark days in Ten- nessee, days of the Indian terror along the Cumberland, a hunter was in deadly peril as soon as he quitted the sheltering walls of the Nashville fort. Therefore he did not woo the foe’s attention with even dully gleaming iron barrel or glitter- ing brass plate. ‘“‘Jim’s -had a letter,’ Ross Douglas went on, ‘“‘from the Spanish Man. He’s fair bothered and worrited wi’ it.” Lachlan nodded. The “‘Spanish Man” was Miré, Governor of Louisiana. And “Jim” was James Robertson, the brave founder of Nashville, whose generalship and fortitude had held the small harassed settlement steady through the inces- sant raids of the redskins during the War of Independence. Not only Robertson but all Nash- ville believed that the Spanish to the south were the chief foes of the Americans west of the Appalachians. When peace was signed between America and England, the frontiersman had expected Indian warfare also to cease; for, they argued, from whom but the British could the Indians procure arms and powder? Instead, Illustrated by Remington Schuyler Or had they always been foes, secretly? It had puzzled the Nashville men, even before the war ended, to account for the plethora of ammunition possessed by the Creeks and Choc- taws after the British had been driven from the Back Countries of Georgia and the Carolinas and had no longer any contact with those tribes. “‘What’s the Spanish Man’s game?”’ Ross Douglas had asked the old scout, Kaspar Mansker, only a few days ago. Kaspar had slowly shaken his leonine German head and answered: “Only vot I know is vot is my game. Here I am und here I stick!” That was the answer of Nashville generally. They would not flee from scalping knife, torch nor tomahawk. They would stand their ground, or perish. “It’s verra bad times we’re in, Lachlan, my laddie,’”’ Ross Douglas said presently. “‘Ay, ’tis bad. This mornin’ Opi- mingo came in. He says some Creeks an’ a white man were followin’ him—meanin’ to kill him, he thinks.” ‘‘Why did they want to kill him?” Lachlan asked. “Just Injun nature?” ‘He thinks not. He says the Creeks came to his town wi’ the white man that said he was a trader. But what they really came for was to bring a message from McGillivray.” Lachlan looked up, his eyes flashing with startled interest. ““What does the White Leader want wi’ Opimingo?”’ ‘Nothin’ much; but only to join wi’ him an’ his Creeks an’ their friends the Choctaws, an’ the Lower Cherokees. Wi’ Opimingo an’ his Chickasaws they’d make a big army. An’ then, says McGillivray, they’ll wipe out Nashville first, then Watauga an’ Franklin an’ every American settler in a’ Ten- nessee. That’s all. Nothin’ much!” his father informed him with grim humor. ‘“* An’ what did Opimingo tell them?” “Oh, he talked clever to them, as crafty as he could, an’ said he’d have to think it over. But he says they sus- pected he might sneak over here and tell Jim. The Injuns f all know Opimingo’s a man 0’ his word; an’ they know he made peace treaties wi’ Jim when the British made them we wae es Ss I, pen Ra ee et annette wi’ Benjamin Franklin an’ the rest o’ our fine lads ’way yonder—i’ London—or it maybe was Paris? An’ so they likely guessed right that Opimingo would feel bound by his honor to tell Jim what was intended by the White Leader an’ his mob o’ bloody feathers.” Lachlan nodded. “Does Opimingo think the Spanish Man is puttin’ Mc- Gillivray up to it?” “Well, he says ’twas Spanish trinkets mostly the trader had wi’ him, like them he brought Jim afore. But any lame-toed fox wi’ one squint eye could tell ye that McGillivray needs no Spanish Man to put him onto killin’ Americans!” “Father, what’s the reason the White Leader hates us so black?” ‘Nobody knows. But ye’re right when ye call it black hate. lad. Black as night is the soul o’ Alex McGillivray toward Americans; an’ his hands drippin’ wi’ our blood; an’ him always reachin’ for gnother bucket to dip them in.” “Yet he’s got a white man’s blood in him, judgin’ by the name.” “Oh, ay. But likely his father was some worthless low cur, half-injun himself maybe. Ye know, lad, how there’s traders, an’ traders! Some’s decent, clean, honest white men ? “Like Ross Douglas,” said his son promptly. ‘Qh, ay,” said Ross, nonchalantly, his eyes lit with a humo- rous glance. ‘An’ there’s others, low whites, or, what’s worse, low whites wi’ a big slice o’ bad Injun in them. An’ I take it that the White Leader’s father must have been that sort—a bad lot, ye see. An’ that likely accounts for the bloody nature o’ Alexander McGillivray as well as for him havin’ a white man’s name. "Iwas a sad day for Tennessee settlers that saw that red mongrel become chief o’ such a large an’ warlike nation as the Creeks! Jim believes the Spanish Man is helpin’ McGillivray. An’ ’tis them two fiends that’s sendin’ us out on trail tonight. I feel bad about it, Laddie.” He put his hand over his son’s briefly, then withdrew it. ‘‘For ’tis more’n likely we’ll never get back alive, even if we get to the far place, Jim’s sendin’ us. I don’t care for mysel’,” he added. ‘Well, Father, that’s nothin’ new in the Cumberland,” was all Lachlan said. It was true. Death had walked with men as their own shadow.in that lonely district of Middle Tennessee for the past half-dozen.years. y the red fury had increased. The Indians, chiefly the Creeks and Choctaws, seemed to be better supplied than ever. That fact, interpreted by some Spanish trinkets which the Chickasaw, Opimingo, brought to the fort to show Robertson, had convinced the Nashville settlers that Spanish influence was at work to uproot and destroy them. Why? That was a question beyond them to answer. During the Revolution, as they knew, Spain as well as France had joined in the American cause against England. Why had the Spanish turned foe now? 1925 The white men at first could see nothing

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10 “Seems to me I ought to be doin’ somethin’ better for my only son an’ child than leadin’ him into one danger after another,” said Ross, with a troubled look. There flashed across his mind a poignant memory of the Scotch Highlands, of green misty hills, a peaceful cot, bands of gently moving, cropping cattle, or the smaller, whiter bodies of sheep, coming and going in a tender ghostly calm through the violet-gray wet haze, a tinkle of belis; 2ad a pang smote him that he could not give his son a boyhood of safety among those loved hills. “I’m thinkin’ there’s nothin’ better for a boy than jus’ learnin’ to be a man; for a man’s what I'll get to be, an’ nothin’ else, if I live long enough. So ’tis best I’m forced to learn how,” was Lachlan’s very practical answer. ‘‘ Where are we goin’? An’ is it the letter from the Spanish Man that’s made Jim send us out?” “Ay. ‘Tis the letter. The Spanish Man says in it that Jim’s all wrong in thinkin’ he’s i’ cahoots wi’ that devil, the White Leader. Says the Spanish Man, he’s full o’ friendship for Jim an’ all 0’ us. An’ to prove it, says he, this letter’s an invitation to us to come in under the banner o’ Spain an’ forswear the States. What good can the States do us, says he, when they’re so far off to the east o’ the mountains? Join wi’ Louisiana, says he, an’ take the oath o’ allegiance to the King of Spain. An’ then, says the Spanish Man, he'll send troops to talk to Mr. McGillivray!” “H’m,” mumbled Lachlan, “h’m.” “Oh, ay,” his father nodded. ‘‘ Ye can see the way o’ it.” “Ay. If we'll turn Spanish, he'll call off White Alex. An’ if we won’t, why then he'll keep on feedin’ McGillivray an’ his six thousand Creeks all the powder an’ tomahawk they can swallow. Eh?” “Ay, Lad, till there’s not one American settler left i’ the Cumberland; an’ maybe till they’ve cleaned out eastern Tennessee too.” ““An’ what is it Jim wants us to do, you an’ me?” “We're goin’ to try to get through to Watauga wi’ a letter to John Sevier.” “Oh, ay.” The boy’s eyes lighted up gleamingly. sure be sendin’ word o’ it to Nolichucky Jack!” “Jim says it’s a big Spanish plot to seize the whole o’ the “He'd “Well, Father, we'll go an’ get help, you an’ me. I’m not fearin’, an’ I know ye’re not, save for yer boy. Tis along trail to Watauga an’ maybe ’tis crossed somewhere by the White Leader. But bein’ rocked to sleep wi’ tomahawks isn’t a bad lullaby for men; an’ ’tis almost sure to be the end of a trader in this country sooner or later. So, if ’tis sooner *stead o’ later—” he rose and stretched his arms over his head. “T’m not worryin’,” he added, with a yawn. “We ought to have another man along,” said Ross. “ But there was no volunteers. An’, the truth is, too, there’s none to be spared.” “T'll go an’ tell Blue Arrow to come wi’ us,” Lachlan an- swered, starting off hastily. “Lachlan!” The boy paused and looked back. “We need a man an’ we need him bad. But maybe ’tis walkin’ straight to death to trust that redskin.” “Blue Arrow’s all right. Rusty likes him.” Lachlan’s hunting dog. “4 dog can be mistaken,” Ross said doubtfully. “Ay. But ye know we’ve got to have a third man. An’ Blue Arrow ‘Il go, if ask him. That’s what comes o’ findin’ a redskin half dead from a wound an’ hunger off there i’ the brush an’ fetchin’ him home on my back. I don’t doubt I’ve got Blue Arrow on my back for the rest o’ my life!” “That may not he long enough for him to begin to lie heavy on ye, Lad.” The troubled look settled like a cloud on Ross Douglas’ face again. ‘‘Laddie, I’ve never been a fearfu’ man, nor one that’s always thinkin’ about death an’ ghosts an’ such. But I’ve got a chill on meabout this trip tonight; like somethin’ was tryin’ to tell me there’s terrible sorrow ahead o’ me.” ““Ye’ve been doin’ sentinel duty too long. Ye need sleep. Doze off, now, for a couple o’ hours. I'll get our stuff ready zn’ call ye in time for a good supper afore twilight. To tell ye the truth, I’m keen for the trail, whatever we meet onit! I’ve been shut up i’ this little fort so long, I’m smothered—like a mouse sewed up i’ a flour sack. I’m about ready to eat my way out!” He bounded off, whistling. Ross watched him. “*\ thousand shall fall at thy right hand; it shall not come Rusty was BOYS’ LIFE nigh thee,’”” he murmured a line from the Psalms, never far from the lips of the Scot. ‘‘O Lord, save the laddie!” ET though so dark an apprehension had settled on his own spirit, and though the perils of the venture in prospect were so great that disaster.seemed almost certain, neither Ross Douglas nor hisson thought of refusing togo. Noteven to save his boy would Ross have forbidden Lachlan to do the duty which the time, and the needs of his fellow-settlers, demanded of him. Asa matter of fact, even Ross’ command would not have restrained Lachlan from taking the dangerous trail with his father. Since his mother’s death, when he was six, Lachlan had gone wherever Ross went and shared his every hazard. Lachlan found Blue Arrow busy splitting kindling for Mrs. Robertson. The young Indian paused for an instant to stroke Rusty’s foreleg, somewhat awkwardly; because the dog had run up to him and thrust its nose against his hand. He did not look up. Lachlan stood silently beside him, studying his scarred and unhandsome face and thinking there was little wonder that the settlers were not attracted to Blue Arrow. The Indian’s countenance had a somber, even sullen, cast though the black eyes were mournful rather than fierce. ‘He always looks like he was broodin’ over somethin’,”’ was Lachlan’s thought. That brooding look of Blue Arrow’s repelled men. In their experience the brooding Indian today was the killing savage tomorrow. Several in Nashville had said openly that Lachlan should have left the Indian to die where he found him and not have brought him into the fort. How, they asked, had he been wounded? Most probably by one of them when he was raiding their settlement with his fellow Creeks! That he was a Creek, Blue Arrow had admitted. “Well, the rest is easy guessin’!”’ they said. Lachlan had no excuses. He just couldn’t leave a wounded human being to die from starvation or the fangs of wolves; and he couldn’t shoot a lone wounded Indian, even if he were a Creek, as he would shoot a wounded animal under the same circumstances. There had been nothing for him to do, being the sort of chap he was, but to hoist Blue Arrow on his back, bring him to safety and nurse him ier to send word o’ it into Ken- tucky to Isaac Shelby, that’s gone western country, Tennessee an’ In (17 \ \\ Uhh \ Kentucky, too. An’ he wants Sev- \\ S into health. Lachlan did not pre tend that he knew anything that was in Blue Arrow’s mind. He only saw what the others saw there now. Shelby’s an old chum o’ Sevier’s. They fought at King’s Mountain together, where they killed the Wolf, Fergusson.” “ Ay,” Lachlan nodded. “‘ Cousin Andy MacPhail used to tell me about how he once met Fergusson at a battle in Pennsylvania. "Twas the year they fought at King’s Mountain that we came here wi’ James Robertson. I’m thinkin’ if the Spanish Man had seen Jim on the trail that year he’d not be sendin’ silly letters to him, invitin’ him to turn traitor for an easy time!” o~— LU 1-1 41, nh (hh hbicdeds a OSS DOUGLAS smiled. Lach- lan saw the smile, and laughed. They were both think- ing of James Robertson’s strong, heavy-set body, his large powerful head, his unsmiling, rather stern, yet not unkindly face, his slow speech and economy of words which seemed to enhance his out standing quality of immovable ness. It was impossible to think of James Robertson as_ being turned, alive, from any purpose to which he had dedicated himself. “Jim’s got the worst fault o’ all Scotchmen,” said Ross. “The Scotch never know when it’s time to give in.” “Ye’re jokin’,” his son charged him, reprovingly. “For I know that, mysel’. An’ I’m only a lad yet.” “Yedo? Well, tell me then, what ye consider the time to give in.” He regarded the boy curiously. “The time is never,” Lachlan informed him cheerfully. His odd eyes sparkled. Ross laughed. “Ye trapped me!” he said. “For I sure thought ye’d found out the one wise thing yer race has never discovered yet. Jim will O and get the holly wreaths, hang them on the wall, Barberry and mistletoe, do not loaf nor crawl; Furbish up the old house; sing a cherry song, Everywhere is laughter now; join the merry throng! For if’s Christmastime again, lads, Christmastime again, Scudding winds across the hills, snow drifts in the glen, Skiing days, tobogganing, and forts of snow to win, And three cheers for the loser with the wide scout grin! Split the logs and bring them in, lay the pieces straight; Then along the pathway trim, swiftly out the gate, Join the bunch that’s waiting there, skates and sleigh and sled, * Play the game and play it hard, leader or the led! Winter sports and winter fun, snow is here again! Coasting down the hillside, sleighing in the glen, Hockey en the old pond, skating on the stream, ind tales of ghosts and goblins in the firelight’s gleam. Summertime’s a merry time, so are Spring and Fall, But Christmas is the merriest, gladdest time of all, Christmas days are days of fun, glorious good laughter Enough to keep « fellow glad all the long months after. And now it’s Christmastime, Scouls, Christmastime again! Good-will on the old earth and in the hearts of men, Happy times and laughing days! Now no one should be blue, For Christmastime is with us! Merry Christmas, Scouts, to you! Edmund Leamy. namely, a morose taciturn savage keeping to himself as much a possible, never asking for food even if he knew it was being pre- pared in this or that cabin, and only obtruding when there was some job to be done which he understood, like chopping kindling, or tanning hides, or making new ax handles. Probably he was industrious, thought Lachlan, because he felt that his sole chance of life was to make himself useful. But there was the odd fact that Rusty liked him: and Rusty, like all settlers’ dogs in those days, hated Indians. Of course, Rusty was no beauty himself; and he was rather taciturn and undemonstrative too, and no- body but his young master thought particularly well of him. “Maybe he feels a sort of sym pathy for Blue Arrow,’ Lachlan thought. He noticed the Indian’s awkward, almost timid, way of stroking the dog’s paw or his flank, instead of patting its head as a man used to dogs, and liking them, would do. The gesture told, of itsel/, how utterly unaccustomed Blue \rrow was to any expression of ten derness or even of comradeship. Haltingly, in bad Creek, because Blue Arrow knew hardly a word of English, Lachlan told him of the journey in prospect. Without wait- ing to be bidden, the Indian said he would go too. Lachlan explained unnecessarily, that it would be very dangerous. Blue Arrow agreed; but stated that he, him- self, would be safer on trail with Ross and Lachlan than left behind in the fort without them. If the Creeks came down in a raid, he said the settlers would almost surely kill him first, fearing that he would open the gate or kill never give in to the Spanish Man, nor to the White Leader. So he’s for warnin’ Sevier an’ askin him to come or to send men to help us Robertson or otherwise serve his tribe from within. In the last raid, all that had saved him had been Lachlan’s protection and the if possible.”’ De cembe) Pee

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FOR ALL BOYS fact that he, Blue Arrow, had crouched close at Lachlan’s side, greasing his bullets and handing them to him. Yes: he would go—he preferred to! On trail a man _ had, he said, at least the same chance as a hunted rabbit; ‘there, no!” “Well, Lachlan, so you’re leaving us tonight.” The boy turned quickly to answer the greeting. James Robertson and Kaspar Mansker had come up, with the noiseless tread which even huge men, like Mansker, andheavily built men, like Rob- ertson, learned quick- ly on the Frontier. “‘T vish dot Injun vos oud of here,” said Mansker. “He’s goin’ wi’ us,” said Lachlan briefly. “Den look oud for your scalbs,” an- swered the old scout. Lachlan smiled. He liked Mansker. In- deed, all the boys and young men ad- mired the famous scout. They loved to hear tales of his early wanderings in Kentucky before a cabin had been built there, in the days when he had been one of the Long Hunters and_ the friend of Daniel Boone. “We need him,” Lachlan replied. “T can’t spare you a white man in his place,”’ said Robert- son. ‘There is this comfort for you, Lad; you'll be in no more danger than those of us that stay here. We! daren’t let the roofs dry, for fear that any night the Creeks ’ll be here throwing torches on them. The Spanish, too, are fiends of cruelty, bent on destroying us all. And the biggest devil among them is that half Spaniard, half Frenchman, half Scotchman and altogether Creek scoundrel McGillivray!” ‘Do you know why he hates us so?” Lachlan asked. “I can’t get over that. It seems queer to me.” Robertson made a negative gesture. He and Mansker shook hands with the boy and moved off. Lachlan bade Rusty and Blue Arrow follow him, and started for the cabin. He saw his father asleep inside. Quietly he gathered up their rifles, am- munition, blankets, and their small hoard of jerked beef; and, with Blue Arrow’s help, he loaded the packhorse. The men would walk; for they could go more silently afoot and hide more securely. It would have been safer for them if they could have done without the packhorse. But they had to take food enough for three men for a good many days; because they would not dare to hunt until they were almost at their journey’s end, lest a shot betray them to a wandering band of the White Leader’s allies. If they came suddenly on Indians there was the likelihood that the redskins would try first to secure the packhorse for whatever it carried; and this would give skilled frontiersmen a chance at least to make off. ” N THE first dark, three dim human figures, with a horse and a dog, slipped out of the stockade, and were swallowed up in the forest shadows. According to Ross’ orders, Lachlan went ahead with Blue Arrow behind him, while Ross himself marched last, leading the horse. Ross did not put the young Creek in the lead because, if Blue Arrow were not loyal, he might then dart off into the woods and possibly set some roving band of his tribesmen on their trail. Nor would he trust him in the rear, lest he slip away there, too, or suddenly shoot or tomahawk the white man in front of him. Ross de- termined to keep Blue Arrow between them, where he could watch his every move. That spectral fear still weighed on Ross Douglas’ heart like the black gloom of the starless night about the forest trail. Yet it was from Blue Arrow that the first warning of danger came. “Huh!” With a low grunt of warning Blue Arrow leaped forward and gripped Lachlan’s arm. He swung round quickly to Ross and, pointing into the blackness, grunted again. “Huh!” The white men at first could see nothing; then, after an instant, they realized that there was a fire somewhere below 1925 the forest, probably on the river shore, because a faint sugges- tion of color thinned the farthest blackness. ““Injun,” said Blue Arrow. Then he added in Creek (Mus- kogee), which Ross, particularly, understood fairly well after his years of trading with the Creeks, ‘“‘It must be a big camp or we could not see the upper light of the fires so far off. We must leave this trail and go north over the rocks. We must i gestures! The mysterious lonely camper had barely touched the grass before Lachlan was sprinting down the cliff. ‘* You stay here with Ross,” he called blithely to Blue Arrow. N THE far side of the ravine, which inclined gently enough to the creek, Lachlan found himself among trees again, with a rough tangle of underbrush. Having no longer need of silence, he “TI see you have heard of me. That will make explanations unnecessary” eyed travel only at night and hide in the rocks in the daytime. That is no hunting camp. It is a war camp.” “You see, Father?”’ said Lachlan; ‘‘ Blue Arrow’s all right.” “Creek war camp, you think?” Ross asked. “No. I think Chickamaugan. Creeks don’t come by boat.” “‘He’s probably afraid for his own scalp, too,” said Ross. “The fact that McGillivray is sending emissaries to the Chicka- maugans wouldn’t stop any one of those river sharks from scalpin’ a lone Creek anywhere he met him by way o’ cheerin’ himself up!” ‘“‘That’s true,” Lachlan admitted. ‘‘Do you know McGil- livray?”’ he asked Blue Arrow suddenly. ‘“‘Huh. Better not talk,’”’ was all the answer he got. Blue Arrow pushed ahead now and assumed the lead, saying that some distance in the direction he was taking there was an old war trail which the Cherokees had used before the redoubtable Chickasaws had driven them out of Middle Tennessee. There . was nothing to do but to follow him. Lachlan did so trustingly enough. But Ross Douglas felt a chill pass over his body as he turned into the dark unknown at the heels of this morose savage, the White Leader’s tribesman. They were still in the forest when dawn broke; so they did not camp but pushed on, halting only once to rest and to eat a frugal meal of their jerked beef. The next day found them in more open country marked by ridges of clay and rock, the steps of an ascending plateau. Now they traveled only by night, because there was little cover to screen them from the hawk-eyed foe if he should be within seeing distance. It was dangerous travel, beset with sudden gullies and small preci- pices. On the fifth night out, Ross Douglas missed his footing and fell into a shallow ravine floored with loose rock, injuring his shoulder and one ankle. His leg collapsed under him when he attempted to stand. They made camp and waited for dawn, which was only an hour or so off. With the light came a hope of help. Looking down from the height where they lay among boulders, invisible to all eyes but those of a hawk hanging in the sky over them, they saw in the distance below the farther wall of the ravine, a wide creek playing between grassy shores and, at its edge, a small tent. ‘There are no Injuns round, or one man wouldn’t camp like that in the open,” said Lachlan. He continued to watch and presently saw a rider come through the leafy trees, cross the stream, dismount and hobble his horse. The boy could make out for an instant, a tall figure in frontiersman’s garb carrying a rifle. As he looked, the man pulled off his deerskin cap, tossed it aside, stretched his arms over his head and then threw himself down on the grass. These were a white man’s crashed through till he reached the wide sward that ran along the creek’s edge. “Hallo!” he called. The lone camper was already on his feet; for he had _ heard Lachlan coming through the forest. “Hallo!” he an- swered, and moved a few steps forward. ‘““And what do you want, my Lad?” he asked. ‘‘And where do you come from? For the hill here does not usually vomit copper-headed boys.” Lachlan was too breathless for speech, but he would not have answered frank- ly at once in any case. The man might be an honest hunter who would give help, or he might be a ban- dit who would steal their packhorse and even shoot if they protested. “T was on a long hunt an’ I got lost,” he panted. ‘Who are you?” There was no answer for a ee moment and the two each other thoughtfully. Lachlan was looking at the tallest man he had ever seen, though the men of his own people were generally tall. The camper was about six feet three or even more, finely propor- tioned, erect, with a proud carriage. His abundant hair was a soft dark brown. His face was strikingly handsome, the features being chiselled as finely as if done by a great sculptor. His eyes were so remarkable that Lachlan’s gaze quickly came back to them and fixed there. They were, to begin with, dis- proportionately large for his slender aquiline face, and they were set very deeply in his head. They were very dark and, had they been duller, would have appeared black; but they burned, rather than shone, with a somber fire as his look traveled over the boy’s face and body. Lachlan’s first re- sponse to them was a sort of pleased fascination. They were extraordinary and beautiful eyes, and they reminded him vaguely of others he had seen somewhere—he tried to remem- ber where—not another man’s, no—a lynx’s? a wolf’s?—not that any lynx or wolf ever had such large eyes, nor of that color—yet 7 Then suddenly his smiling pleasure vanished in such a sudden and terrifying sense of imminent death as he might have experienced if a wolf and not a man were poised in front of him to spring at his throat. For, without being able to reason about it, or even name his thought, he became conscious in that instant that the somber fire in those extraordinary eyes was hate, ferocity, madness perhaps, unbridled and lusting for blood. “Who are you?”’ he almost gasped. The man turned towards the leafy coppice on the other shore and gestured. Then, even as Lachlan saw feathered Indians spilling out, like an immense covey of partridges rising, the man said in his coldly even, cultured tones, with their trace of Scotch accent: “My name is Alexander McGillivray.” “The White Leader.” The words fell from the boy’s lips mechanically. “T see you have heard of me. That will make explanations unnecessary.” He spoke in Creek to his followers. Stupefied with horror, Lachlan heard him ask them what sport of torture they pre- ferred to inflict on their prisoner, And, having glutted their cruelty to the full, by what death should this boy die? In the flames? ‘The fire! The fire!” was the cry. The cruelest test of courage which ever came to men, white or red, in the Indian country had come upon Lachlan Douglas; and, boy though he was, he prepared to meet it with the (Continued on page 36)

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12 BOYS’ LIFE Cured by Christmas T WASN’T stealing. In fact, the idea of stealing never entered the irresponsible, thoughtless head of Stan Walker. It was just the easiest and quickest way out of an uncomfortable situation. He would just ‘“‘take a lend” of Chuck McMaster’s bike. Chuck never used it on Saturdays. He was too busy working Preston’s drug-store, scrubbing floors, washing soda glasses and working hard for a few dollars spending money. Stan even intended to ride past the drug-store and tell Chuck that he had borrowed the bike. But at the last minute he forgot to do that because it was four blocks out of By J. Irving Crump Illustrated by Leslie Crump save half a mile. Stan swung onto the bike and rolled smoothly out of the drive into the street, then with spokes and handle- bars glistening in the sunlight he flashed up Union Street, past the high school and headed toward East Orange. T WAS a great game. Hackensack won by the narrowest of margins. It had been 7 to 7 up to the last three minutes of play. Then Smitty had broken through East Orange for a twenty-yard gain, and on the next play Lank Lindstrom, Stan’s best pal, booted the old ball over for as pretty a drop- something else interfered and likewise Wednesday and the rest of the week was crowded. Saturday, on his way home from the athletic field after the Passaic game, in the dim No- vember twilight he met Lafe Edwards, the regular clerk in Preston’s drug-store. “Hello, Stan,” said Lafe, McMasters?” Stan’s heart skipped a beat and he had a vacant feeling in his stomach. He remembered that wheel still standing, he hoped, in the bike rack over in East Orange High School. ‘“Nope. What happened? Someone “did you hear about Chuck his way and he was in a hurry. , It all began because Stan slept late on Saturday morning. He was a chump to stick in bed so long on Saturdays, he had told himself so a hundred times, but it felt so good not to have to get up at a stated hour. He seemed unable to re- sist the temptation. He had intended to get up this particular morning, but the gang would not start until nine o’clock. He could stay in bed until eight, he figured, and still have plenty of time. But at eight o’clock he turned over, squinted sleepily at the clock and decided he could shave the time a little closer; take a ten- minute snooze. He shut his eyes, and when he opened them it was ten minutes after nine. ; He did some hectic hustling, tumbled into his clothes, scalded his throat with a cup of cocoa and bolted out of the house with a piece of toast in his hand. He made the high school at nine-twenty. Lut the gang had gone. The school and the campus were as lively as only a school and campus can be on Saturday. ““Shucks. Serves me blamed good and right. Now how am I going to get to see that game?” Stan cogitated as he stood in front of the school building, staring down Union Street. Hackensack High was playing East Orange. It was the first big out-of-town football game of the year on Hackensack’s formidable sched- ule. Hackensack was out to revenge a > to o beating of the year before. Every fellow in school was going even though he had to mortgage his weekly allowance until Christmas-time to do it. They had hired four busses to make the twenty- two-mile trip. The busses were scheduled to leave Hackensack High at nine o’clock. The fellows were going to stop over in Newark and have lunch. It was going to be a regular party and Stan, trying to get that extra ten minutes of sleep, had missed the whole fun. He could have kicked himself. ELL, he wouldn’t miss the game at least. He could take the train into Hoboken and the tubes out to New ark. But that would cost real money and take along time. If someone he knew would only come along in a fliv and give him a lift—but ha wasn’t lucky enough for that. Even a bike would be welcome, but his bike had long since been discarded as useless; sold to the junk man. Then he thought of Chuck McMaster and his bike. Chuck had to work,on Saturdays and couldn’t use it. Stan knew just where Chuck left it. Out in the wood- shed back of the house. He would drop in and tell Mrs. McMasters he wanted to use it. Chuck wouldn’t mind. He was a good kid and he thought a lot of Stan. But Mrs. McMasters wasn’t home. Chuck’s wheel was in its accustomed place, however. Stan rolled it out of the wood- shed into the October sunlight. It glistened with care and liberal applications of varnish and oil. Chuck thought a heap of that bike. The well-graphited chain purred over the sprocket, as Stan tested it. Chuck wouldn’t mind. Stan looked at his watch. It was half-past ten. It would take him two and a half to three hours to make that spin, barring And if he got a puncture or something like that he might lose a half hour more. That would mean he could just about make it in time for the game. He wouldn’t bother stopping to see Chuck. He would ride out the back way and accident. kick as Stan had ever seen him make. That won the game and sent the Hackensack ‘‘gang”’ into a wild snake dance across the field and started them off on a riot of joyous cele- bration that lasted for half an hour. Then the busses rolled up and everybody tumbled in still yelling with enthusiasm and congratulating the team.as they started for Hackensack. Stan was in the first bus, with Eddie Wilson and Nipper Knapp and Lank Lindstrom, talking, yelling, laughing with the rest of them. And it wasn’t until the busses reached Hasbrouck Heights that Stan thought of Chuck’s wheel standing in the bike rack in the basement of the East Orange High School, where he had parked it before the game. For a moment he had a sinking feeling in the pit of his stomach. What a trick to play on Chuck! And now he would have to go all the way back to East Orange to get it. Served him right for being so blamed forgetful. But he’d do it to-morrow, first thing. Then it occurred to him that the next day was Sunday and the East Orange school would prob- ably be locked up. Well, Monday, then. After. school. He’d go over by train‘and ride back. He'd do it surely. But Monday he had to make up two recitations. Tuesday Stan was ashamed to face Chuck McMasters on Christmas morning = Reed steal ?” : “He’s in bad shape. Been sick all “ week. it’s mastoid trouble; abscess under the bone behind his right ear. Pretty serious. They took him to the hospital this afternoon. Likely they are operating now. ‘Ticklish job. Have to chisel the bone away close to the brain. Tough. If he comes through he'll be laid up for a couple of months. Rotten juck for Chuck, I'll say.” Stan felt sort of sick himself when he heard it. Poor Chuck! He was a blamed good kid, too. He’d pulled a dirty trick on him. But there was one consolation. Chuck hadn’t been able to use the bike during the past week. Likely he never missed it. And he wouldn’t be able to use it for a long time to come. Stan figured he had plenty of time to get it back and clean it up before Chuck got out of the hospital. He felt a little easier about the whole thing. It had been wor- rying him all week. But he wouldn’t wait. The blamed wheel might be stolen. He would go over next week and get it if he could find the time. Doctor say HEN Stan and Eddie Wilson and Lank Lindstrom decided to build an ice-boat. They began it during the last week of the football season so as to have it ready in plenty of time for the first ice on the lake. They were going to have a lot of fun with it during the Christmas vacation. That ice-boat took a lot more of their leisure than they thought it would. They were building it in Stan’s garage, and it occupied all of their time from the close of school in the afternoon until well into the evening. It cost a heap of money, too. All of Stan’s allowance that he could spare was invested in it. Bui it was going to be worth the money and trouble. They were all sure of that. What a whale of a time they would have with the thing, with ten days of winter vacation ahead of them! Stan hoped that the ice would be thick enough by Christmas to make it safe. In his en- thusiasm Chuck and his bike were crowded into the background of his mind and all but forgotten. Early in December he met Lafe Edwards on the street again and he suddenly remembered to ask after Chuck. “He’s coming on. But slowly. Had a tough siege, poor kid. It was touch and go whether he would live for awhile, but he’s getting better slowly. They expect to have him out of the hospital in about two weeks. Hope he'll be cured by Christmas.” “Jingo, I ought to go up and see him! [I ought to go get his —TI mean get him something to—to cheer him up,” said Stan, catching himself just in time. But in spite of his good intentions Stan never carried out his plan. His interest in the construction of the ice-boat was too keen and he never could seem to spare the time for a visit to the hospital. In fact, he wasn’t very keen about facing Chuck until he got that bike back. But he just couldn’t seem to think of it at the right time. He remembered it, with a sinking feeling, just before he dozed off to sleep at night sometimes, or in the middle of a recitation, or it haunted him at inopportune moments, but never when he could really start right off for East Orange and get it. And each time it (Continued on page 79) December

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FOR ALL BOYS Brother Scots HE big collie sniffed the strange, sweetish stuff dis- tastefully. But the man who held it to his nose was friendly, and Don liked his Scottish speech and his tone of comradeship. “Steady, old man,” his khaki-clad friend was saying. ‘*We’ll have you O. K. in a brace of shakes.” The dog, Don, laid his heavy head on the supporting arm and breathed deeply. Suddenly he sat up, looking anxiously about him. The kindly khaki-clad man was no longer there. The noises of battle were still. The trench had vanished. Don saw instead the clouds‘curl round the Trossachs, and, as a cool blast swept over them, sink heavily, to mingle with the mists of the valley. Evening was coming on. A man might well lose his way on the tortuous, befogged sheep-paths; even a dog had to keep his wits about him, if he was to get his flock safely down to the byre by nightfall. Don brought his ears to half-cock, nuzzled round a bit and set to driving and leading his charges along the steep valley road. One old mother sheep, more enterprising than the rest, always gave trouble by discovering a succulent mouthful in some out of the way corner, and straightway becoming ob- livious of all else. With the flock safely on the open road at the foot of the brae, Don, marshaling them for the home trot, discovered that the old nuisance was at her tricks again. He left the others and started back up the hillside, barking sharply now and then, in the hope that the silly sheep, fright- ened and alone, would answer with her customary plaintive bleat. He espied her in a gully, half-heartedly munching her latest find, and trying with uncertain steps to make her way back to the road. Her fleece was soaked with mist and the light of adventure no longer gleamed in her wicked eye. She looked subdued and forlorn. Don tried to head her off in the right direction, but she seemed too bewildered to obey, till a more imperative bark set her moving homewards. As he sprang up the gully, he felt a prod in his ribs. It seemed to fall on a particularly sore spot, which was queer, By Euphemia MacLeod Illustrated by Harold Anderson for he had not felt any ache there before. With a little wincing cry, he set off at a run after the truant sheep. He heard voices, far-away voices. He caught the words, ““Good dog!’’ Someone seemed to be praising him. But he did not like the situation, all the same. He was eager to escape from this atmosphere of fog and strangeness. As he neared home with his sheep, McLean, the shepherd, in his rough grey, his old tam o’shanter on the back of his head, came to meet him, swinging his lantern. He was ac- companied by a stranger in a soft felt hat and a long loose overcoat. The man had a business-like air and a sharp ir-’ ritable voice, very different from the shepherd’s deep slow tones. The latter was saying, ‘“A most intelligent dog, and I ken weel, as he’s late, we'll find an old beast at the back with a deil o’ a look in her eye. She always dodges on a night like this. But Don rounds her up,” he finished proudly. ‘‘There’s no getting away from him!” When the sheep were penned, the dog was sent to the house for his supper, and the shepherd and the stranger followed. They sat by the hearth fire, each with a tumbler of toddy, and talked of Don. He was quite used to being talked about, and was not made a bit vain by praise of his heavy black overcoat and his bushy inner coat, which kept him dry on such nights as these. He knew that the rich tan of his cheeks, legs, and underbody was just the right shade and in just the right spots to prove his aristocracy. He knew that there was no match in all Scotland for the white tip to his fine, black, feathery tail and the im- mense white ruff that stood out around his face to the eclipse of Mary Queen of Scots’ ruff in the picture over the ingle nook. The soft Scottish burr was music to him. But this for- eigner’s accent and his guttural intonations jarred on Don’s sensitive ears. He could not understand much of what the man said, but he took a dislike to him, for he connected him vaguely with the uncanny voices and the prod on the braeside when he was bringing the old sheep down. He heard Andrew Macpherson’s name. He was not especially interested in old Macpherson, though he knew him well. If it had been the lad, Sandy Macpherson, his young master’s friend, he would have pricked up his ears. Don had visions, as a dream within a dream, of Sandy leading the pipers up from the village on New Year’s eve, and calling at the house to get young Allan to join them, urging the shep- herd tocome too. The collie had accompanied them, enjoying the skirl of the bagpipes and the swing of the kilts, at which he snapped in play, as they flirted with the lively stepping of the men. Even his old master had donned the kilts to join the revels, and the dog did not at all approve when McLean, who had started home before the others, insisted on sitting down by the roadside to have a pipe, and let it fall from his fingers before it was half smoked. His master was not dressed for that sort of thing, as any common sense dog could tell him, so Don tugged at the kilts till they ripped. He put his heavy forepaws on McLean’s shoulders and licked his face over. Yet nothing came of it but, “Good dog, lie down!” This was just what neither he nor his master must do. He tried other tactics. Putting his muzzle close to the shepherd’s ear, he emitted a series of sharp, piercing barks, such as only a collie can give. GAIN he felt that sharp stab, and he had the sensation of something hard being drawn through his side. The far- away voices spoke kindly, and praised him. That was good. But what was it all about? And in the meantime his master had to be got home. The barking had brought McLean to his senses, and he rose muttering thickly. “Good dog, saved Master’s life!” The story of this rescue was being recounted by the shepherd, with many an affectionate thump on the animal’s broad back, to which Don responded with a faint motion of the tip of his tail. It would have been an effort to move the whole tail, to say nothing of his entire body, his usual response to his master’s caresses. He was strangely tired. It could not be the run after the stray sheep which made him feel so exhausted, for this was far from the first time that she had taken herself off in a fog. Both Don and the shepherd agreed that there had never been a sheep like her. Don put his nuzzle to the lad’s ear and barked

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14 The dog shut his eyes and listened contentedly to McLean’s soothing voice, which seemed to come from farther and farther away, until it died down to a whispered blur of words. Don felt with a throb of alarm that somehow his old friend was passing away from him. He tried to focus the vanishing voice, and struggled ineffectually to raise his eyelids before his master should be gone. He felt something being poured dewn his throat. It tasted curiously of the familiar smell of teddy, and a kind hand was laid on his head, while a friendly voice with the loved burr admonished him. “Buck up, old chap: There’s life in the old dog yet!” What did it mean? The tang of the whisky gave him strength. He opened his eyes. He saw that there was no one present but his master and the unwelcome foreigner. McLean was saying enthusiastically, just as he had said fifty times before to visitors—Don knew every shade of expression by heart—— “And so, along comes the new flock that I had bought from Johnstone, a hundred s!i told, not used to me, not used to Don. Just where the road narrows they take it into their silly heads to ke frirhtened at a gun going off in the copse, and they all start at a run and get jammed, and not one of them with sense to stop forging ahead till the foremost should get through. Man, you should have seen it! Me in front, not able to do a thing with them, when Don catches my eye, sees the trouble, and up like a flesh he leaps on the backs of them sheep, as lightly as a lady would dance, hardly touching them with his feet. I doubt if they knew he’d passed over them, when he leaps down in front, waving his tail in the air And as sure as I sit here, sir, that dog backs up them that were jamming, starts the leaders on the open road, and has the whole hundred of them sheep jogging along as calm and peace- ful as if, nothing had happened, and all in less than five minutes!”’ ‘Fine, fine!’’ assented the stranger. ’ “T’ll take him.’ ON did not gather the full significance of this remark, yet foreboding fell upon him; he shivered. “Tf it had been last year,” said the shepherd, ‘‘I’d have flung the money back in your face. But my old woman has been ailing and my boy is at the University. Times have been hard, but we'll have to put him through. His cousin, that’s a year older, got his degree in 1912, and we'd never hold up our heads again with the Stevenson family if Allan didn’t get hisin 1913. But it’s asad heart the lad would have, could he know the cost of his learning the They put him off at the next station and he found his way home, but he nearly died of grief. He wouldn’t eat till the lad’s letter came, and we read it out at the table, Don listening the while. Then he snuffed at the bit of paper, and carried it off to the hearth, where he lay down with it under his paws. The lad’s mother tried to take it from him, but he just looked up at her with those sorrowful eyes of his, and she hadn’t the heart to touch it.” ‘4 very intelligent animal,” said the foreigner, seeing that it was expected. ‘Ay, and better than that. He’s as true as steel, our bit doggie, he’ll aye be faithful to his ain. When the lad came home for his holidays, Don knew as well as ourselves the day his train was due. He could not wait for it to get in at the station, but flew barking down the track to meet it, and nearly met his own death. I doubt if Allan will forgive me for selling him,” the old shepherd added wistfully, laying his hand affectionately on the dog’s head. The stranger broke in impatiently. “Well, it’s settled. You accept the twenty pounds?” ““Bide here the night, and I'll give you your answer in the morning. The dog has had a hard day. He shouldn’t travel to-night in any case,’”’ said Don’s master. A mist came over his clear blue eyes, and the tremble in the old voice did not escape Don. He blamed the stranger for it, and with a low, menacing growl, he moved slowly toward him. A firm hand fell on his neck and a deep, kind voice said with authority. “Steady, man, steady.” EWILDERMENT made the dog drop down by the hearth again. What could it mean? Neither McLean nor the stranger had spoken to him nor touched him. As fear of the dark clutches at the heart of a nervous child, so did something fearsome clutch at the dog. Sheep he could under- stand, and storms and hunger—but through all the vicissi- tudes of his two years in colliedom, he had never known any- thing like this. As he settled by the fire, the stranger spoke again: “T’ve got to catch the train to-night, and I’ve got to have the dog with me. Three other dogs will be at the station waiting, besides Mr. Macpherson’s two.” ‘“What on earth are you doing with so many?” asked the shepherd, curiously. The man scowled. continent who wants to breed collies. “But you'll be good to the lad? “T’m getting them for a friend on the What is it to you?” He’s no just a dog, as BOYS’ LIFE you might say. He’s always been like one of ourselves Troth, and I’d just about as lief sell my own son.” The old man buried his face in Don’s glossy black fur and choked. The dog struggled free, and putting his paws on his master’s shoulders, licked his face lovingly. “Take him,” said McLean at last. ‘‘Take him. But if you or them you’ re taking him to, are not kind to the dog, may the Lord give you your deserts!” To Don, the weary, lonely journey, by cart and train, and boat and train again, was a blur of homesick memories. In his new life, there were no sheep, no misty uplands. There was no soft burr in the speech of his trainer. Sharp, guttural commands he received, and scant patience when they were not understood. The world was a miserable place. But Don was an unusually intelligent fellow, and soon took a half-hearted pleasure in learning his tricks, though they seemed so useless that he despised them. He could see the necessity of getting the sheep home before the murk, but he could see absolutely no sense in bringing a cap from a dummy hidden in a field. Still, there was a certain interest in choosing one kind of cap and rejecting all others. It was more interesting when little pouches were strapped on him, filled with objects which real men, lying on the ground, took and used. The day came when he consciously ministered to men, who no longer lay.in safe and quiet fields. He saw their faces brighten at his approach through the smoke and din, where the great shells exploded. He saw the look of pain leave their faces as they took the remedies he carried, and he knew that his ministrations availed, he knew, too, that he himself might at any moment be injured as these were, yet he no more thought of seeking his own safety, than he would have thought of deserting his sheep in the Trossachs. But his sensitive ears were deafened by the roar, his fine nostrils shrank from the stench. True to his training, he at first kept to the men in greyish uniform and spiked helmets. One day, however, a kiltie lying among them called him. In his voice was the burr Don loved. He went over, and stood quietly while the soldier took from his pack water, brandy and some little white tablets. Then he hurried away to attend to his grey coats. From that moment he divided his favors equally between the grey and the tartan. Then there came a time of greater din than ever before, and hundreds of grey uniformed men lay on the ground waiting for Don and the other Red Cross dogs to bring relief. Hun- dreds of kilties, too, strewed the ground. doctoring.”’ The stranger shrugged, and McLean continued, with a touch of emotion, ‘Since the collie was a pup a few hours old, Allan and himself were never parted a day till the lad went to college.” That was true. Don remembered his puppyhood. The journeys over the moors and up the braeside, carried safe and snug in his young master’s pocket; and later the short trots on wobbly legs; the tiny barks, that had seemed so big to him, as a stray leaf whirled past, or a horse jogged by on the road; young Allan’s delight in all the antics of his collie pup. Then had come the time of hobbledyhoy- dom, when he could outrun his master and romp with him on equal terms. The days were too short to crowd in all the joy that possessed him. Then, the } training in his craft, the proud import- ance when he had mastered a hard lesson; and; his training completed, the trust placed in him by the shepherd;—memory flashed all this through the dog’s brain. He remembered poignantly the day Allan’s small trunk was packed and tied to the back of the sulky. Allan had sat by Don, out in the barn, and resting the out. big dog’s head on his shoulder, had talked earnestly to him. Then he had said good bye very gravely and had gone away, locking the dog in. Don had waited. But no one came to release him. When the wheels turned out of the gate and down the road he could stand it no longer. Hurling his immense body upward, he landed on a beam near the loft. An other leap brought him among the hay. Scrambling over to a window at the far end, he dashed through the glass, scatter- over. ing the hens as he alighted, and tore across the fields. Old McLean, rounding a steep corner, almost let the reins drop, as he swore roundly though proudly at the dog who had outwitted them. Don heard the old man telling about street o’ town. bad men, (us this. He was saying: ‘“*The dog escaped from us and got on \ out t’ names o’ each arm. They holds a whisperin’ conversation. lessen—’ Mike stopped and thought a moment. purty an’ call off any gun play. an’ I'll hold off adornin’ o’ their hands with bracelets ‘till t’morrer. neegotiate with ’em.’ draw but desists when they notes he ain’t gun totin’. in. They been dodgin’ t’ authorities o’ three counties fer two weeks. Soys— reflectively. ‘** Boys,” he says, ‘I reckon these hyah festivities is gotta be postponed a leetil, an’ this fair hollerday is gotta be desecrated some with gun play. Red hyah tells me t’ two Mc- Calkinses, t’ hombres what stuck up t’ overland mail stage last week, is uh amblin’ up t’ main It’s my specul dooty t’ go out an’ arrest these bozos so I guess | gotta do it Then he grinned, ‘Lessen they'll act If they does we kin invite ‘em in t’ join our happy gatherin’ I'll go see can “*Mike, he leaves his guns behind an’ goes out empty handed t’ talk peace talk with t’ “By all boys coverin’ them from t’ winders.) When they seen him they make t’ They look right hollow eyed an’ all Mike looks ’em “**Boys this same bein’ Christmas yo’re invited t’ partake of t’ sociabilities. Yo’-all checks yo’re guns with Abe Turk an’ we calls off hostilities ‘till daylight t’-morrer. Yuh can feed proper an’ join t’ fun, an’ t’-morrer yuh git a hours start outen town before we comes after yuh. savvy.’” _ They was right suspicious first but when they seen we let ‘em in on everythin’ they got right sociable themselves an’ we'all had a bang-up good with time no blood spilt. didn’t take t’ hours start next mornin’. a Charlie “There’s somethin’ different about Sundays an’ Christmas thet gits under t’ skin o’ t’ toughest o’ us,” said Cherokee Charley “That fact was impressed on me forceful like t’ Christmas o’ 1893 when I was in t’ flourishin’ metropolis o’ Crooked Elbow. It was colder ‘en blue bullfrogs with snow a-plenty. But that didn’t in no ways deter our festivities so t’ speak. T’ Vigilantes, that bein’ our law an’ order committee an’ civic assassination all in one, headed by Mike Lusk, otherwise Mike t’ Terrible, t’ sheriff, has fixed up a right likely celebration program, said ceremonies t’: be held in Turk’s honkeytonk dance hall an gamblin’ emporium. Abe agrees t’ put away t’ faro layout an’ all other things whatever an’ devote his place t’ Christmas festivities entire. spruce tree all decorated up with all t’ Injun gew-gaws we can find in camp, an’ there’s red mittens an’ wool socks, an’ slabs o’ chawin’ terbaccer on the tree from Homer t’ Hank an’ from Jake t’ Red Ames an’ all that. a mule tail deer an’ everythin’ is set fer a bang up Christmas meal what u'll last all day, an’ likely far inter t’ night.” “Then along about t’ time us boys was just workin’ into t’ spirit o’ t’ days so’s t’ speak and things was headed fer a bang up feed with everybody packen a goshawful appetite, while Mike was de-stributin’ t’ presents from t’ tree him standin’ on uh soap box an’ callin’ an’ every recipient, Red Ames bust inta t’ place an’ grabs Mike’s Then Mike he scratches his head an’ speaks We has a big We barbecues They give themselves up without a fight.” \ Don decided to give his attention to them, letting his fellows care for the grey coats. FE HAD attended to several Scots, when something made his nostrils quiver and his hazel eyes dilate. Aslightly as he had bounded over the sheep on the Trossach road, he now bounded between the wounded—three great bounds! and he was eagerly licking the face of a wounded youth, too far gone to stretch out his hand, too weak even to open his eyes. Don put his muzzle to the lad’s ear and barked the sharp bark which had reduced recalcitrant sheep to order. As he barked, he felt again a restrain- ing hand on his mane, and again a voice with a burr spoke with quiet authority. “Steady, man.” How extraordinary! For the wounded man had neither touched him nor spoken. It was past understanding. But, at least, this soldier must be brought to safety. He tried to drag him, but the task was beyond his strength. So he picked up his cap and looked around on No Man’s Land. No, he must not take this cap back to the grey-green lines. Some instinct told him to head in the other direction. Kilties, but took no heed. He sped on. Reaching the trench, he rushed up to the first man he saw. The soldier glanced at the cap, “All right,” he said, ‘‘I’ll come.” He followed Don across the rough ground. When the dog stopped, he bent down to look at the wounded man. that’s wonderful, Allan McLean!” Lifting his comrade on his back, and half-creeping, for shots were still flying, he made for the trench. Don had trotted ahead, leading the way and turning every now and again to look back, if he con- sidered the progress too slow. As he paused, waiting for the rescuer with his burden, a grey-coat called. Don went over, standing for him to | help himself from the pouch. But the An’ they man took nothing. (Continued on page 73) the train, for he wouldn’t be left behind. December He passed Airedales working among the me

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FOR ALL BOYS Hi Grumpus’ Christmas ‘Tree ° KNOW just exactly the place to get a Christmas tree,” said Ed Wagner. “Over on the back road towards Pickle Hill. ’Member last summer when we came by that way on that hike and I said ‘Look at that nice little aemlock just right for a Christmas tree?’” “Golly yes. It was a dandy,” replied Joe Higgins, agreeing with Ed that that was the place to get a good tree for the Christmas Eve celebration of their Scout troop. They told the Scoutmaster about the tree and he said, “ You boys get us the tree, but be sure to get permission before you cut any trees on anybody’s land. See Ezra Pick about that tree. I think he owns that property over in there. He’s a lawyer here. You know him.” Ed and Joe knew who Ezra Pick was and they went to see him. “Mr. Pick,” said Ed, “over in the woods beside the back Pickle Hill road there’s a little hemlock tree we want to get for our Boy Scouts’ Christmas tree. Would you care if we cut it down?” “You boys can go over there on that wood lot and cut any tree you want,” responded the lawyer. “I didn’t know there was an evergreen tree there, but you can have it if there is.” “You mean we can take our pick, Mr. Pick, on the Pickle Hill—” Joe hesitated and Pick laughed. “Ves, Pick, pick, Pickle. Go toit. If the old codger I have living on that little farm there, Hi Grumpus, kicks, tell him you have permission.” “All we got to do now is to get the tree,”’ said Ed as they went out. “Four of us can carry that tree. It ain’t so terribly far right across the kill the short way.” “T’ll see Bobby Burnett and Poky Hood,” said Joe, “and we'll go in the morning, shall we?” So it was that the next morning Ed and Joe andBob and Poky, equipped with a rope and a hatchet, started after the tree. They did not go around by the road, but right over the hill, straight to their destination. There were no evergreens near the town and it was necessary to go some distance and even then desirable trees were few in that part of the country. They had a great scout event planned for Christmas Eve. It was going to bea regular celebration, eats, presents, speeches, everything, and they were anxious to get a fine tree. The boys had no trouble in finding the tree Ed and Joe had noticed in the summer. It reached high above their heads, though it was not a big tree. It was thick, being just outside of the woods in the open, over the fence and a few feet back from the road. It was symmetrical, but not too slender or too thinly tapering at the top. With a whoop they got over the high barbed wire fence which ran along the road, a five strand fence, built with unusual care to keep out intruders. There was a “No Trespassing”’ sign by the road, but the boys, secure with their permission, paid no attention to it. Joe had the hatchet and after cut- ting off some of the lower branches so he could get at the butt of the tree, he began chopping. The hatchet had seemed like quite a weapon as he carried it, but when he attacked the butt of that hemlock, it felt a good deal like hacking at a two- by-four with a penknife. ‘The strokes made little impression because the hatchet was very dull. The tree trunk was bigger than they had thought. “They always seem bigger outdoors,” said Poky. “{t’ll look smaller when we get it inside.” OE had the trunk cut about half way through when there was a crashing in the brush near by and a big hound burst into sight, baying loudly as he saw them. Ed and Bob and Poky made for the fence and managed to get to the top of it and make flying leaps to the other side, Poky leaving a large section from the back of his coat hanging to the barbed wire. Disappointed there, the hound turned toward Joe who had been chop- ping. He charged Joe, and Joe, regardless of the narrowed support of the Christmas tree, went up into its quaking branches to safety. The boys over the fence threw sticks at the dog until, after barking at Joe for a few minutes, it went off on the trail of a fox or a rabbit. © Joe came down and the other boys cautiously reclimbed the fence. When Joe struck ground, his knees sank under him and he sat down in the snow. “Golly!” he exclaimed, “that left me kind o’ weak, I’ll say.” “Got you scared, didn’t he?” said Poky, a little tauntingly.: “Oh, no, I wasn’t scared of the dog. I was just afraid some of you fellers would get hurt getting over that fence so fast.” The laugh was no longer on Joe and he went to work again 1925 By Frank Farrington with the hatchet. ‘You fellers keep watch for that hound,” said he. “I’ve got this tree where she won’t hold me again. I’d have to join the rest of you on the wires.” The boys watched and Joe chopped. ‘Which way’s she going to fall, Joe?” asked Ed. “We don’t want to be smashed under the weight of this monarch of the forest.” The boys laughed as they looked at the little tree. “Don’t know,” grunted Joe from beneath the tree. “Catch her when she comes down and put her over the fence.” The tree trunk creaked, cracked, snapped. The top tilted and started over slowly toward the boys. They raised their arms to catch it as it came down. Its weight surprised them. {t was more of a tree than they had thought. . “H’yar you devilish little runts! What you doin’ cuttin’ that hemlock?” a voice yelled as the tree fell. The boys, struggling toward the fence with the tree could see nothing through the top. Before they reached the fence, THE LONG WINTER TRAIL Ho, there’s ice on the streams, there’s zest in the air There’s an undefiled blanket of snow everywhere; There’s frost on each twig and each roadside weed Is burdened with _ rubies diamonds for seed. And through the long stretches of deep forest lanes A tense, white, crystalline silence reigns. So come with me now over hill, over vale! Come away with me now on the long winter trail! and Ho, the storm-clouds are tumbling thick in the sky, Flinging their pellets of sleet as they fly! -° The snow-wreaths are slithering . swift in the road, The hoary old wind from the North is abroad! Out of the arctic waste, barren and vast, Rushing with fury—a blast! Come along with me now—push into the gale! Come along with me now on the long winter trail! terrible Oh, there’s beauty to me in the soft, rounded lines Of the snow-moulded hills and the fleecy-crowned pines; There’s music to me in the squeak of the snow, And the gurgle of streams as they |) hurry below x Their blankets of ice. And there’s | joy in the fight, In matching my strength with the a storm-monarch’s might. There’s health in the open—hearty and hale! Ho! Come with me now on the o long winter trail! ei E —By The Cave Scout. ; man. however, they were forcibly halfed. A man came up behind them, a big, whiskered man, with anger in his face. He grabbed two of the boys by the back of their coats and pulled them toward him with a jerk. They clung to the tree in- stinctively, another jerk and boys and tree came backward into a heap on top of the man who went down in the snow. Three of the boys were under the tree with the man. Joe was on the other side of the tree. But the boys were on top of the man. He heaved them up and struggled to get free. His great strength was likely to be too much for them, though they climbed upon him like the Lilliputians swarming over Gulliver. He pushed them away through the thick boughs, but they came back as fast. Then the tree rolled from them and it seemed that the man was going to get to his feet in spite of them, but Joe got into the game then. He shoved the tree back on top of the combatants and added his weight to the top of it. The boys strove to get the man’s arms pinned to the ground. He could not do much with his legs under the tree. ““What’s the matter with you?” Ed yelled in the man’s ear. “We got a right here. We got permission to get this tree. Will you get out and leave us alone if we let you up?” “T’Il kill you all before I get through with you,” roared the “Here Dan! Here Dan! Here Dan!” he called. “Wait till I get that hound back here. I'll show you boys a thing or two. Here Dan! Here Dan!” His voice, it seemed, could be heard a mile away. Surely the hound must hear it and come back. The boys were in a bad predicament. They dared not let the man up, now that they had him down, for fear of what he would do to them in his rage. They dared not keep him down until his dog re- turned for they knew the hound would attack them. D SOUGHT to solve the problem by indicating to the boys that they were to work themselves up on top of the tree, try- ing to keep the man down with the tree until they were all on top of it, when they could all jump and make for the fence and get over it before he could get from under the tree. They would, he thought, be safe when once over the fence. Joe vetoed that plan as he saw through it. “No, sir,” said he, “‘ we ain’t going to leave this tree; not after I got it all cut down. Get this rope around that old bird in there.” He passed into the tree part of the rope they had brought with them. “Get it around him quick. Get his hands behind him and tie em. I'll tie his feet together.” Joe had cut the rope in two with a few hacks of the hatchet and he held one piece. He struggled with the refractory feet held down by the tree until he managed to get a slip-noose around them, while the other boys roped first one hand and then the other, and drew them together behind the man. He called loudly and continuously for his dog and paid not the least attention to Ed’s attempts to tell him that they had permission to cut the tree. Fearing the arrival of the hound at any moment, the boys worked as fast as their struggling captive permitted and at last they had him bound enough so they were sure be could not get loose until they had a good start. “Now, over the fence with the tree!” said Ed, and heaving and lifting, they finally shoved the heavy hemlock over into the highway. They climbed right after it, leaving their prisoner struggling in the snow, trying to get to his feet,andcallinglouder than ever to the hound. They had hurried none to fast, for the last boy was scarcely off from the fence when Dan was heard crashing through the brush and soon he was at the fence, look- ing through it, baying fiercely at them. The boys lost no time in getting away, with anxious glances back at the man and the dog, as they lugged the tree between them, making slow headway across the fields away from the scene of the struggle. They could see the man working to get his hands free to enable him to lift the hound over the fence. “Gee, this tree weighs a ton,” said Ed. much. We'll never get anywhere with all this. make it lighter.” “Give me that hatchet,” said Joe “and I’ll cut off some. It’ll be big enough then and if we don’t, we’ll never get home alive or get the tree home either.” The rest rested while Joe chopped again, in spite of Poky’s warning that they would make the tree too short; that it wouldn’t look so big inside. The operation did lighten their load a good deal and they (Continued on page 62) “We cut off too We got to

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BOYS’ LIFE “Fioht “Em, Big Three” A Football Story in Three Parts PART III OVEMBER succeeded October with cooler weather and darker days. The days seemed dark in more ways than one, especially to members of Milford High’s football team. They missed Stuffy, and just when they needed him most—when all the stronger teams on the schedule must be met. -Somehow, since his suspension from school and athletics, the football eleven had lost fully half of its early season offensive power. Stuffy’s presence had been a steadying, inspiring influence—much more so than anyone had realized—even Coach Dolan. No one had really expected that the chicken-thieving case would drag on the way it had. After being kept out of school a week while a thorough investigation was being made, Stuffy and Brick had been permitted to return to their studies, but their suspension from athletics had been permanent . . . at least to last throughout the term. Having been pronounced guilty, action against the boys had been dropped only after a settlement had been reached with Mr. Sanderson by their

parents. Under the stigma which had been placed upon them, Stuffy and Brick kept pretty much to themselves, avoiding everyone that they possibly could, and not appearing in public beyond their attendance at school. Public sentiment, at first aroused against them by Mr. Sanderson’s bitter accusations, had now begun to swing back as the unusually penitent attitude of the boys was observed. Besides, Mr. Sanderson had injured his own case, in the estimation of fair-minded Milford citizens, by getting far more excited about the affair than the actual situation seemed to warrant. Those who did believe the boys guilty of trying to perpetrate a prank upon the chicken fancier by removing his prize stock, felt that Stuffy and Brick had been punished enough. How Stuffy and Brick felt about the matter was evidenced in a conversation they held some weeks after. They had left the school building one night, standing a moment to watch the football squad as it left the locker-room for the customary jog out to Brinkley field. Pepper passed within a few feet of them, with a nod to Stuffy, appearing not to have seen Brick, who stood by his chum’s side. Then came Conway who had been shifted to fullback to fill Stuffy’s shoes. Conway stopped a second to chat. “Tt’s a shame, fellows,” he said, indignantly. ““We need you worse than poison . . . both of you. Pete Arrick sprained his ankle last night in practice. Looks like he’ll be out of the line-up when we meet Orville Academy day after to-morrow. Orville hasn’t been stopped this season, you know. We've sure got our work cut out for us!” “Well, maybe Dub Eldred will get his chance now,” } grinned Stuffy. ‘He hasn’t been doing so badly 4 on the reserves. I’m sort of pulling for him any- : way. Any fellow who gets out for every athletic team for four years deserves a better fate than he has hag.” Conway glanced at Stuffy soberly. ““Say—how’d you guess it? It’s on the Q. T. yet, but Dub’s been moved up to the first team. He works out with us to-night.” “Hurray!” exclaimed Brick, with sincere enthusi- asm. ‘“That’s almost worth being suspended for. Dub warned everybody to watch his smoke when he got out for football this season. The way he’s going I guess there’s not going to be any doubt about us seeing it!” Conway laughed and backed off. “T’ve got to be legging it for the field or the coach will give me a panning. Gee, I'd like to see you guys in uniform! Well, slong.” Stuffy and Brick watched Conway as he gave chase to the squad, now a straggling speck down the street leading to the field. Then they resumed their steps toward home. “Do you think you'd recognize that little fellow you tackled if you ever saw him again?” asked Stuffy thoughtfully, referring to the thieves they had tried to capture in Mr. Sanderson’s coop. “Do 1?” echoed Brick, stopping short. I could pick him out of a crowd if he’d grown a beard ten feet long. How about that big boy you tackled?” “‘T’m not so sure about him, ”’ answered Stuffy, consideringly. “TI didn’t get such a good glimpse of my man as you did yours. I had my hands too full trying to hold him . . . and besides, Say, By Harold M. Sherman Illustrated by Richard A. Holberg we never did see his face like we did the little fellow’s because the flashlight he had was always pointed away from him.” “‘Sandy didn’t even try to explain how that cap got in his backyard,” said Stuffy. ‘“‘And Chief Phillpot didn’t seem to attach any importance to it, either. Imagine them decid- ing that the cap belonged to one of our crowd who’d been lucky enough to escape! And even after they’d investigated the whole neighborhood and hadn’t-found a fellow whom it they just dropped the affair after our folks I wish Dad hadn’t been belonged to . settled things with Mr. Sanderson. so anxious to hush matters up.” HE day of the football game with Orville Academy dawned cloudy, with a cold wind blowing. Stuffy and Brick attended the game, sitting quietly on the first row seats near the center of the field. Orville Academy won the toss and chose to kick off. Milford High immediately electrified its supporters by receiving the kick and tearing into the highly-touted Orville team for four straight first downs which carried the ball from Milford’s eleven yard line to their opponent’s twenty-seven yard line before a fumble by the over-anxious Dub Eldred at left half gave the ball over to the enemy. Milford rooters, during this drive, spotting the Reedland contingent in the stands, had yelled: ‘What do you think of Milford now?” The Reedland fellows waved their hands at the crowd with good-natured disdain. But Milford had gloated a bit too soon. Once Orville Academy came into possession of the ball it started a nice little offensive all its own. The Milford team was forced to retrace its steps over the same ground it had traveled in momentary triumph until, after resisting bitterly, the home eleven was pushed back over its own goal line for an Orville touchdown. “What do you think of Milford now?” an Orville enthusiast called up to the Reedland bunch, sarcastically. Orville proceeded methodically to kick the goal after touch- down, getting off to a 7 to o lead early in the first quarter of play. Milford kicked off this time and Orville at once started in upon another march toward a touchdown. Stuffy and Brick glum

exchanged glances. “Orville’s got a heavy line like Reed- land’s,”’#said Stuffy. “Dub’s fumble has taken the heart out of the team for an- other thing and the Wooney took th proffered nole boys are off their stride. If they don’t recover soon, this game will be a rout.” There appeared to be no stopping of the well-oiled Orville machine. It was living up to advance notices. <A confident, dashing spirit began to manifest itself as the team pounded its way down the field through the Milford line and around the ends, using nothing but straight football. As time for the quarter was up, the Orville fullback crashed over the Milford goal line for the second touchdown. Try for a goal was missed and the score stood; Orville 13; Milford o. The second quarter served to revive the dying hopes of Milford fans. Receiving the ball from kick-off, Dub Eldred partially redeemed himself for the fumble by returning the pigskin thirty-five yards in the most thrilling open field run of the game thus far. Milford, conscious of the lead it had to overcome, mustered up full fighting strength in launching its attack upon Orville from the mid-field mark. Milford screamed its joy as the team drove Orville back to gain a first down. Pepper was a dynamo of action behind the Milford line, exhorting his players to do their utmost and getting a response from them, too. But Pepper was overly concerned about the working of his backfield . . . so much so that under the heat of this conflict, his old tell-tale mannerism was returning. Brick noticed it first, from the stands, and shuddered. He saw Pepper turn his head to glance at Conway who crouched, clutching with nervously eager fingers at the clumps of grass. Brick breathed a prayer that no one on the wide-awake Orville team would discern Pepper’s give-away as to who was to re ceive the ball and where the play was to go. He jumped to his feet to cheer as Conway plunged around right end for a seven-yard gain. Oh, well . . . perhaps Pepper’s mannerism Brick . and surely the was not so noticeable to others as it had been to him. had never heard anyone else mention it coach would have. “There goes the ball to Dub!” Brick told himself, as Pepper looked around to see if Dub was in position. URE enough! Dub took the ball and shot through a hole opened by Beef Mellon, huge Milford center, for four yards and another first down. Amid the frenzied cheers of the crowd, Orville called time out. An Orville player stretched out on the ground apparently all in. While several team- mates worked over him the Orville fullback and captain gath- ered the rest of his eleven about him. With play resumed, Pepper gave the ball to Kline, who had been called out of his position at left tackle to plug the backfield hole at right half following the shake-up due’ to Stuffy’s suspension and Arrick’s injury. Kline headed for the right end of the line but found the Orville line shift- ing to meet him and the secondary defense closing in. He attempted to cut in short as he saw a small opening but three Orville men veered and struck him almost simul- taneously, throwing Kline for a three-yard loss. The Orville stands roared their joy. Brick shook his head grimly “That's too bad,” sympathized Stuffy. “Kline should have followed his interference. He cut in there and they nabbed him.” Brick eyed his chum with an expression of surprise. “Kline was a goner,;no matter where he went. And the whole team is from now on no matter how hard it tries. Watch Pepper.”’ “What do you mean?” ““They’re on to him.” Stuffy settled his eyes curiously upon Pep- per, studying every motion. He saw Pepper kneel near the center, saw him shout out his signals, saw him turn his head to glirapse Dub Eldred... . “There! Now watch that Ovrille line!’ directed Brick. As the ball snapped back the Orville line swung quickly and surely to the left, not wait- ing to see what direction the play might go. It seemed as though Dub, starting around that end, was buried under half of the opposing team, such a wall did he encounter. ‘“What’s the answer?” asked Stuffy, quite bewildered. “His head, you boob!” cried Brick. ‘‘I should think anyone could see that. Remem- ber the night we reserves stopped you? That December

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FOR ALL BOYS . Pepper’s dead give-away. He got almost . . but now that he’s in a tight game he’s was the reason . . over it for a while . doing it again.” On the third down, with some fifteen yards to go, Pepper called for a trick play . ..a play which depended for its success upon perfect deception. Stuffy and Brick recognized what the play was going to be as soon as the formation started. Jim Hemming, right end, was to drop back of the line and circle around, taking the ball from Conway, the fullback, as Conway charged around right end. Hemming was to con- tinue on in a wide half-moon, tearing around left end where he was to pick up interference. This trick play had only been used twice during the season and had averaged a gain of thirty-two yards. Such a gain now would put the ball on Orville’s three-yard line. It was worth trying. T WAS a throbbing moment for Stuffy and Brick. They leaned forward anxiously, hopefully as Pepper barked out the signals. Then both uttered a groan. Pepper had turned his head toward the right side of the line, spotting out Hemming. Conway took the ball and Hemming raced back to meet him. But Hemming was closely followed by the Orville left end. As Conway went to slip Hemming the ball, the Milford right end was dragged down from behind, tackled so fiercely that he fumbled. An Orville player scooped up the fumble, heading for the Milford goal but was dropped by Pepper just as it appeared that he had a clear field. ‘What did I tell you?” said Brick, disconsolately. The Milford stands sat in deep dejection. Stuffy gave no answer, sitting looking out over the field, his chin in his hands. The first half came to a close soon after, saving Milford from being scored on again as Orville had carried the ball inside Milford’s ten-yard line. For three, good minutes Stuffy and Brick remained, un- moving, listening to the din being made by the wild Orville Academy rooters, who were shouting: “On to Reedland! Good-bye Milford!” Then Stuffy turned abruptly to Brick. “Somebody ought to tell Pep- per,” he said, pointedly, then adding, with well-directed diplo- macy, “‘For the sake of the team.” ““That’s just what I was think- ing,” returned Brick, hesitantly. “T wonder ...?” He glanced about, sighting Slim Mooney, Mil- ford yell leader. Slim chanced to catch Brick’s eye at that moment. “‘Oh, Slim! Here a minute, will you?” “Sure thing!” The colorfully attired yell leader made his way through the crowd, all eyes follow- ing him, until he reached Brick. ‘‘T’d like you to deliver a note,” informed Brick, taking out a pencil and tearing a leaf from his pocket notebook. ‘“Mooney’s Quick Messenger Service at your disposal,” replied Slim, with mock courtesy. “Who’s the girl?” “Get out!” retorted Brick writing. “‘No girl to this. Here!” He folded the piece of note paper and wrote across it hurriedly the name “Pepper.” Mooney took the proffered note, glancing at the scribbled addressee. ' “Holy smoke!” he gasped. “Never mind the smoke,” ordered Brick. ‘‘Get that note to Pepper as soon as you can, please. It’s mighty important.” Slim needed no further bidding. He saluted in soldierly fashion, wheeled about and cut across the field on the run toward the Milford bench. Stuffy reached over and patted Brick on the shoulder, ap- preciatively. Brick looked away and gritted his teeth, feelingly. ‘*I—I don’t think we’ve got much chance anyway,” he said. Across the field, Pepper looked up surprisedly when he heard his name spoken and had a slip of paper handed him by the Milford yell leader. ‘““What’s this?” he asked. “Love note from your former sweetheart,” responded Slim, bound to get in his wit. Pepper unfolded the paper, giving Slim an icy glare. Mil- ford team members growled their disapproval. “Get out of here and stay out!’ snapped Coach Dolan, pushing Mooney away. This was no time for any nonsense. Milford two touchdowns behind. . . . Team-mates crowded about Pepper with natural curiosity as he stared down at the note. What Pepper saw was this: Pepper— Just a tip. Stop looking around before every play. You're putting Orville wise to every move we're going to make. Brick. 4925 Pepper’s face turned crimson. He crumpled the note in his hand and backed away from the group of eager ques- tioners. It was soon apparent to Stuffy and Brick that Pepper had taken the tip. Pepper was even crafty enough to turn his head in the opposite direction from which a play was going, throwing the Orville line entirely out of position so that the Milford backfield men with the ball loped around the ends for big gains. The Milford fans saw a team rejuvenated. Com- pletely baffled, being constantly fooled as to where a play was going, the Orville eleven went to pieces. . . . Milford driving down the field and going over the line for a touchdown seven minutes after the third quarter had opened. Conway kicked goal to bring the score to 13-7 as the crowd roared. “‘What'do you think of Milford now?” a Milford supporter began to chant again. The Reedland contingent laughed heartily and applauded. Maddened by having been scored on, Orville attempted a come-back but met a Milford line now which was holding grimly. Orville made a first down, but was finally forced to punt. This time Orville paid no heed to the supposedly tell- tale signs of the Milford quarterback, confining itself to the business of stopping Milford plays after they were started. Putting up a stern defense, Orville clung to its one touch- down lead tenaciously ... abandoning all hope of de- feating Milford by a topheavy score, as had been their early intention. [ATE in the last quarter, Milford, making its supreme effort, battled the ball down to within three yards of Orville’s goal. Pepper’s genéralship of the team on this drive had been thrilling to see . . . Another play would have put the ball over. At least Conway and Kline and Eldred . . . backfield war-horses . . . all said that it would have .. . but Time, the arch enemy of Milford on this memorable afternoon . . . rung down the curtain on Milford’s first defeat of the season The pigskin met the kicker’s toe 17 for the final score of Orville 13; Milford 7. Orville’s record was still clear . . . but, oh, how she had earned that victory! But, had she? There were people in Milford who knew that Orville hadn’t actually earned the victory . . . in the finest sense of the word. Stuffy knew it... and Brick knew it . . . and Pepper knew it most of all. Although Pepper saw Stuffy after leaving the locker room that night, he made no mention of having received the note from Brick. Pepper felt greatly depressed and noth- ing that Stuffy could say served to console him. Stuffy had been hoping that Brick’s note might be the beginning of a reconciliation. He observed now, with regret, that the two chums were apparently as far apart as ever. Pepper had accepted Brick’s tip as an impersonal matter which—in truth— it was. Brick had acted for the good of the team and not because Pepper was Pepper. But each, although neither would confess it, had felt a peculiar pull toward the other. Milford fans were interested in reports the next week from Reedland where the game with Orville ‘Academy was _ being played. The final returns from the Reedland-Orville game gave the Milford fans an opportunity to shout their astonishment and dismay. REEDLAND 67, ORVILLE o! “Gee, Reedland’s no high-school team, They’re a regular college bunch!” grumbled Slim Mooney. “No wonder they can run up such scores when the first team doesn’t play only about every other week and then only part of the game. They’re always fresh as cucum- bers.” Members of Milford’s varsity also had some ideas on Reed- land’s latest sensational vic- tory. “We mustn’t forget that the Orville fellows practically played themselves out when they went up against us last week,” reminded Pepper, hopefully. “They wanted to keep their winning slate clean just as much as we did, and they paid the price. I'll bet they weren’t half the team to day that they were when they played us . . . which would naturally make them an easy mark for Reedland.” TATE papers were unanimous in declaring, after the Orville game, that nothing could stop Reedland from annexing the State Interscholastic Football Cham- pionship for the second time. Coach Dolan had attended the Reedland-Orville game and _ re- turned to Milford with some ideas on the building of a defense to cope with Reedland’s steam-rolling style of attack. Up to Thursday of that last, anxious week Coach Dolan worked into the darkness behind closed gates with his eleven. And whatever he had managed to do to them, it was observed that the boys all radiated confidence and enthusiasm when they departed early Thursday afternoon via motor-cars for the scene of the big battle now but two short days away. It was Coach Dolan’s plan to have the boys work out on the Reedland field Thursday and Fri- day. The workouts, of course, were to be of the lightest character, but they would at least familiarize the fellows with the gridiron they were to play on. After giving their team a rousing send-off, Milford citizens feverishly set about getting their affairs in order so that they could troop to Reedland early Saturday in time for the great clash. Stuffy and Brick watched their former’ team-mates depart, both trying hard to swallow lumps which persisted in coming up in their throats. “See you Saturday!” Brick called, with an attempt at cheeriness. “Give ’em fits, gang!” entreated Stuffy as he shook hands all around. In Reedland, following the late Thursday afternoon prac- tise, Pepper sauntered off by himself. On passing a newsstand, Pepper was reminded to get a

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18 paper and glance over the last minute reports on the respective strength of the two football teams. He stood by the curb, turning to the sporting section as the newsboy watched him curiously. “Tf you'll excuse me, Mister, I think your picture’s in that paper,” ventured the boy. “That so?” inquired Pepper, good-naturedly. that’s funny!” “You'll find it on page seven amongst the ads,” volunteered the boy. “That's a fine place for it I must say!” exclaimed Pepper, thumbing the paper to the place directed. As he turned to page seven, Pepper’s eye caught part of a heading which caused him to turn back, impulsively. He stood reading a moment, eagerly, eyes widening. ““What’s the matter—can’t you find it?” asked the boy. “Yes—but I’ve found something lots more important,” announced Pepper, excitedly. “Say, son, is there a telephone near here?”’ “Sure! We got one in the stand.” “Mind if I use it? I want to put in a long distance call!” ee go right ahead. Gee, Mister... what did you see in that paper? Somebody dead or some- thi’n?’’ “Well, RICK had just finished supper and was sitting at the living-room table doing some more work on his history notebook when the telephone rang. He answered it. “Reedland call ing,”’ informed the “One minute please. . . **Reedland!”’ Brick thought, ‘Why, who could be calling me operator, from. . . .? “Hello! Is this Mr. Brick Mitchell speaking?” = 3 ¢¢@ what .. .?” “Allright. Go ahead!” Brick stood, hold ing the receiver, lis- tening to the whining of the wires across the forty-eight miles and _— wonder- ‘other end of the line. “But listen, Pepper. ..T.. .” It was no use. Brick heard the receiver click up at the He hung up at his end, despon- dently. So, that was the only reason Pepper had put him next. ... Well, it didn’t make any difference what the reason had been ... the main thing was in know- ing about it. Brick quickly acquainted his folks of the news and—within one hour after Pepper had called —an automobile, comfortably packed, was speeding for Reedland. On Stuffy’s insistence, the cap which had been found in Mr. Sanderson’s backyard the morning following the chicken stealing episode, was taken along. In the office of the Reed- land jail, a farmer by the name of Blackler who lived on the Strawton pike out of Reedland, identified the dark, tight- fitting cap as that worn by the smaller one of the two men who had robbed his hennery. The men themselves, Stuffy and Brick were able to help identify. Their chicken thefts had been so numerous and the witnesses against them were so many that the two thieves finally made ing... Finally a voice, a_ startlingly familiar voice. “Hello, Brick? . . . This is Pepper.” Brick sagged up against the wall and caught his breath. ““Y-y-yes?” “I’m sorry to bother you but I couldn’t reach Stuffy. He was out some place... .” ““Oh—a—that’s all right.” “Listen . . . I’ve just got next to something . . . entirely accidental . . . that may mean a lot to you!” “‘TIs—is that so?” “A news item . . . in the Reedland Evening News .. . it tells about the Reedland police catching two chicken thieves!” Brick straightened up as if the receiver had contained an electric shock. ““What? It does? Gee, whizz! You don’t say! ““Yes—it goes on to tell about them being notorious . . . operating all through this section of the country . . . stealing prize stock and taking it into other States and selling it. Sounds like the guys you said . . . er-—a—TI mean, Stuffy said, were trying to get away with old Sandy’s birds.” “Wow! That’s the greatest news I ever heard! It pos-i- tive-ly is! Mother! Dad! Listen to this . . . Pepper’s...” “Hey, wait a minute. Tell them about it after I get off this line. I’m paying for this call—you’re not!” “Excuse me, Pep. Go ahead. Shoot! What else?” “Well—I just thought it would be a good stunt for you to get ahold of Chief Phillpot and Mr. Sanderson and your father and Stuffy and his father and come yourself . . . right to- night . . . to Reedland and investigate this thing!” “‘Say—that’s a great idea. That’s just what we'll do! I’m ever so much obliged, Pep.” “Oh, that’s all right . . . I was doing it for Stuffy. It might just be possible that he might get cleared of that chicken stealing business in time to get in the game against Reedland. Bye, bye!” Despite the arm of a tackler wound about one leg Brick dragged and fought his way along a complete confession which, in itself, absolutely exonerated the boys. No humbler individual ever existed than the aggrieved Mr. Elmer Sanderson, Milford’s distinguished chicken fancier. He went himself to Principal Pomeroy and straightened it all out so that the two boys would be eligible to play in the game against Reedland. He even pledged himself to return and see the game, promising that he would learn enough about the rudiments by Saturday to have a fair understanding of it from a spectator’s point of view. ATURDAY morning, the day of days, arrived all too soon. It brought a pitter-patter with it which beat a tatoo on the Y. M. C. A. roof and awakened the Milford team to the un- pleasant realization of rain. The wet weather was greeted with groans of dismay until Coach Dolan dispelled the gloom by declaring: ‘‘Cheer up, fellows! This is great! We're Reed- land’s match to-day. Our light line can hold them with a slippery condition underfoot or I miss the best guess I ever made. And our fast, shifty backfield should not be slowed up as much as their heavier backfield men. Let her rain!” “Wonder what Pepper is doing?” Stuffy said, suddenly. “I'd like to see him.” Brick’s face sobered. “Then you'd better hunt him up,” he said, bluntly. ‘“ Pep- per’s not likely to come after you while you're staying with me. Stufiy hesitated at the door. ‘““You’re not really sore at Pepper, are you?” he ventured. Brick hesitated, then kicked at the metal leg of the two- decker bed. “Well, no—not exactly . . . but he’s got to come to me and apologize first ... I tried to make up with him and re as BOYS’ LIFE “Oh, I see,” said Stuffy, gently, stepping out and closing the door. Coach Dolan had been particularly pleased with the last light workout of the team on the Reedland gridiron Friday afternoon. The morale of the team picked up easily fifty per cent. because of the reinstatement of Stuffy and Brick. Stuffy, in celebration of his return, averaged forty yards in punting practice. Brick had been drilled in the position of left half because though Pete Arrick was back in the line-up, his ankle was yet none too strong. “This battle is going to be largely won or lost by what account you fellows on the line give of yourselves,” the coach had emphasized on more than one occasion as he taught them the special system of defense he intended to employ against Reedland. | ides thousand people is more than a fair-sized crowd at a high school athletic contest. . . . But there were actually more than this number present when it came time for the . Reedland-Milford game to be called! Fifteen hundred of this surprising total had journeyed from Mil- ford to witness their favorites go up against tremendous odds . . . odds which sporting authorities said could not possi- bly be surmounted. Milford had _ been counted out and put away in moth balls before the contest had even begun. Some might even have argued that there was little use in the game being played except to establish the defi- nite results as a matter of record. With the outcome so finely estimated in advance, it was really remarkable that so many people were willing to come out and stand or sit in a damp, falling mist while twenty- two football gladia tors, eleven on a side, stamped each other into the mud for sixty long min utes. Ah, but it was the stamping that they liked! In the dressing- room, as the whistle sounded, Coach Dolan gave his last- minute instructions. * Arrick goes inat left half,” he directed. ‘‘Conway moves to his old position at right half. Stuffy, of course, at full. Kline at left tackle. Eldred and Brick on the bench to start. Rest of the team as was. Nothing more, gang! You know what to do. DO IT!” Pepper, acting captain, lost the toss. Reedland chose to receive and Pepper chose the south end of the field, though there was really little choice in this as the entire field was soggy, part of it being under water. As the referee’s whistle screeched the Milford line lunged forward, taking care to keep behind the kicker until Stuffy’s toe sent the ball skimming on a low arch, far into Reedland territory. Several of the players on both sides slipped and fell heavily, splashing mud and water in doing so. The big battle was actually on! A Reedland player caught the twisting pigskin and fell in behind his interference, getting under way toward the Milford goal, almost the length of the field away. He did not go far. Tearing over the ground with astounding speed considering the slippery going, Jim Hemming, Milford’s right end, crashed into the interference, spilling three men—while Kline, left tackle, following up—downed the man with the ball in a skidding tackle on Reedland’s seventeen-yard mark. “Yea, Hemming! Yea, Kline! Yea, yea, yea!’ roared fifteen hundred Milfordites in a frenzy. This was great—the mighty Reedland stopped on the kick-off almost in the shadow of her goal posts! Reedland, however, seemed totally undisturbed about Milford’s burst of speed and spirit. The championship eleven set out at once to show of what stuff it was made. And the light Milford line began at once to shift to meet the attack which it had been trained to anticipate. Wily Coach Dolan had known that, if he left his line in such a position that (Continued on page 31) December o>

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FOR ALL BOYS Make Scout Christmas Presents OYS, this season makes me homesick, no, not homesick like a fellow is when away at boarding-school for the first time, that can be cured by a trip home; but this sickness is more in the nature of a sudden yearning for the good old days when I was your age; when life was all before me; if I may be allowed to use surveyors’ terms, when my foresight ended in a vanishing point on the distant horizon and my _ hindsight ended but a short distance back in the cradle. Gee! those svere great days! Christmas? why that was the greatest day in the whole year. Oh, yum! yum! my mouth waters now as I see visions of those mince pies that grand- mother made! They were the real thing. The making of mince pie is now a forgotten art. The sweetened hash sprinkled with a few measly currants, sandwiched between two pieces of pastry, which now masquerades as mince pie, has the lower crust heavy and soggy and the layer of dough forming the roof has a brown varnished surface; the two indigestible pieces of pastry inclose the mystery which, through courtesy, is called ‘“‘a mince pie.” But such concoctions bear no resemblance to the thick delicious mince meat with its white flaky crust that gave world fame to the Christmas pies of yesterday! Why, bless your hearts, I would not trade one of those old pies for all the flying machines, dirigibles, poison gas, jazz, radios, Bolshevikis and baggy trousers in the world! No- sir-ree bob-horse-fly! But what’s the use of grieving over the old days; these days will seem just as good to you and, if you live long enough, you will talk of them the same as I am now talking of my boyhood days. All the same I will not admit for one moment that any of you ever tasted a real honest-to-goodness mince pie! Geologists divide the world into ages, as for instance, the carboniferous and the lower silurian age, so it seems perfectly proper for me to say that it was back in the mince-pie age of my boyhood that a great truth began to dawn upon me and I gradually realized that the best part of Christmas was the hanging the stockings, so to speak, in other words the getting ready for Christmas. The proper way to prepare for Christmas, and the way that brings most joy to one’s heart, is to plan happiness for others, not any hifalut- ing imaginary happiness as expressed in set words and phrases, but the real genuine article expressed in DEEDS. Of course one feels mighty jolly when old Santa Claus leaves him just the thing for which he was wishing, but one is much happier when one sees the glistening eyes and ecstatic smile on the face of a person to whom one has been lucky enough to give the right present. Granting this to be true, why not add double value to your presents by manufacturing your own Christmas gifts for your friends and your particular buddy. If your buddy is a scout, that simplifies things a whole lot, for every scout knows just exactly what will please another scout. Some of you fellows write to me asking questions which it would take pages to answer, and Boys’ Lire has not enough space for such answers; but this time of year a fellow must be good-natured and so I will answer, in part, the numerous requests asking me to tell how to braid leather. Before we get busy on the leather, however, I want to call your attention to a most popular neckerchief brooch (Fig. 1). It is of simple design being nothing more or less than a lozenge shaped piece of wood with two slits cut in the wood (Fig. 2) through which to draw the ends of the neckerchief. 1925 By Dan Beard Illustrated by the Author ER SSSR SELL ments. Eagle Scout Deck in- troduced the style of wearing a buckskin garter guard, Fig. 10, which is simply a piece of buckskin or leather cut with a long fringe and wrapped around the stocking over which the garter is slipped. This prevents the garter from bind- ing too tight upon the leg. It does this by distributing the pressure after the manner of a snowshoe. When the fringed buckskin has been put around the stocking and the garter adjusted, the stocking is then rolled down so as to cover all but the fringe as shown in the f diagram of the leg and stock- it ing, Tig. 10, F. How to Braid a Single Strap Without Cutting It Apart AKE a strap of rawhide, whang string, buckskin or any sort of leather. Cut two slits in it, one from A to B, one from C to D (Fig. 11). In the diagram, I have painted D> The boys of Troop 1, Pike County, Pennsylvania, all wore these wooden brooches, and some of them were carved into most interesting totem designs, as shown by Figs. 3 and 4. The Neckerchief Lozenger Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 4 were invented and designed for the boys by our head councilor, a Texas cow-puncher. The wooden brooches are about four inches long, two inches wide and a quarter of an inch thick. Braided Leather Hatbands DO not know who invented the method of braiding leather shown in Figs. 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9, but it is an ingenious inven- tion. The braid is made of two pieces of leather, whang string, belt lacing or rawhide. Fig. 7 shows how the slits are cut into the piece of skin or leather thongs and how the braiding is made by slipping the piece B into the slit in the thong of the piece A and through the thong itself; (Fig. 8) this is continued, Fig. 9, until we have the full braid as shown, Fig. 5, which can be made into a hatband or a belt, Fig. 6; used either way gives the wearer a wild and woolly Western appearance and at the same time it is a very neat hatband or belt. Buckskin Garter Guards Since all of us cannot dress in buckskin, we can borrow from the buckskin clothes some of the picturesque ele- Gere \ SSS a | | the left side of the strip black and have shaded the right; this I did to aid you in under- standing the process of braiding. Tirst take the black strip, A-B and push it over the white middle strip and under the tinted strip (Fig. 12). Next take the white middle strip, push it over the tinted strip, under the black strip as shown in Fig. 13. The strands will now begin to tangle and this mess must be undone. Take the end D-B, bring it up and insert it through the mesh at E, put it through as in- dicated and it will apparently not help matters much (Fig. 14) but by careful work, you can untangle it. Fig. 15 shows next position of the straps. Take the lower end, l‘ig. 15 and push it through between the white strand and the tinted strand. Continue to braid as far as your space will allow; when you reach a point where the pieces are too short to pull through mesh or to untangle it will leave an open space of two or three inches at the end of the strap. This can be adjusted by working the braid with your fingers gradually down to fill up the vacant space. You will then have a braided strap like that shown by Fig. 17. Straps thus braided can be used as dog collars, dog harness (Fig. 18), for hatbands, belts and many other purposes; the leash for my own dog is of braided leather and it is much more durable than a simple leather strap, besides being highly ornamental. If you carve a wooden brooch for your buddy’s neckerchief put your heart into it. If you braid a hatband for one of your patrol leaders or for your scoutmaster don’t fail to intertwine with it the twelve points of the scout law. If you make a harness or leash for your sister’s dog, braid into it a big strand of brotherly affection. If you make a golf belt for your splendid daddy do not forget to weave into the mesh all the respect and affection your dad deserves from his son. Although you may not see them, [have woven into these words and diagrams splinters of yule logs, leaves of mistletoe, fibers of holly; the tinkle of sleigh bells; all intertwined with the old Irish Christmas Carol, ‘‘What Child is This?” the old Bohemian, ‘‘The Angels and the Shepherd,” the old German “Holy Night” and the old Breton ‘“‘O’er the Cradle of a King.” These things combined and welded together with all the jolliest as’ well as the holiest of Christmas thoughts, you may translate to read: MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL . MY SCOUTS AND THE HAP- SD, PIEST OF ALL NEW YEARS. .

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2 ” HUCK” TERRY’S father did not regard the confidence and self-reliance he had instilled in his son as a boom- erang, but it frequently led the boy into strange adventures from which he invariably extricated himself with little apparent difficulty. Chuck and his partner, Sam Shaw, were busily engaged in tightening nuts and bolts on a motorcycle and sidecar. Mr. Terry hurriedly finished shaving, then with the manner of a man approaching an unpleasant task stepped toward the garage. Really he must put a stop to this thing, but before he actually stopped it he would give his son a chance to present his case and he would listen with an open mind. “William,” he said, in the tone of voice Chuck quickly rec- ognized, “it seems to me of all the places in California inviting adventure you could have selected a place other than Death Valley. The very name sug gests danger. Now you must re- member the heat is intense, the water problem is ever present and there are spots nearly three hundred feet below sea-level, the lowest on the American continent, I believe. Here you will encounter unusual atmospheric pres- sure. It seems to me the entire trip is foolhardy, calling for great hard- ships and danger and little pleasure in return, now there are several National Parks well worth visiting.” “Of course, Dad, if you have given this matter deep thought and object, that settles it. Sam and I have no desire to die of thirst and heat, but we have visited every place of inter- est in the state. We f have tried to draw Men a line between ex- ri citing adventure and i plain foolhardiness We haveinvestigated the matter, prepared for it for over a year, have talked with men at the automo- bile club who have recently been in Death Valley, and have studied the map carefully .. .” “Yes, it was that infernal map that started my worries. The names scattered about, ‘Death Valley,’ ‘Furnace Creek,’ ‘Poison Spring,’ ‘Salt Spring,’ ‘Funeral Mountains, ‘The Salt Beds.’ Such names, but if you can convince me... proceed, William.” “We find that desert traveling is safe enough if one uses patience and keeps his head. We are taking twice as much grub, water and gasoline as we need; there is new rubber on all three wheels; the motor has been recently overhauled and we have learned from experience the modern motorcycle stands the worst kind of gaff and rarely goes wrong; we are in the best of health and . . . besides Death Valley is an interesting spot and a place few ever reach. This time of the year is the best and we can just about make it easily during Easter Vacation.” Mr. Terry was thoughtful for a considerable period. Sam tightened up a bolt to cover his nervousness while Chuck waited patiently for his father’s verdict, knowing it would be just, even if disappointing. ‘Another question, William. If your motorcycle is in such perfect condition why this additional work?” “How about it, Sam?”’ queried Chuck with a grin. “You see, Mr. Terry,”’ explained Sam, “‘ we've learned that it doesn’t pay to trust others when planning a hard trip. The boys at the shop try to do perfect work, but sometimes they are interrupted in the middle of a job and when they go back to it forget the nut was half-tightened or a cotter pin left out. We try to have everything right at the start. Just listen to this motor.” He kicked it over. “Isn’t that running sweetly?” Mr. Terry admitted it was, though his knowledge of motors was limited. “Your arguments were convincing, boys,” he said at last, “but the most convincing argument of all is the thoroughness of preparation. With that argument you won your case. Good luck and be careful. Wire me when you leave Rands- burg and again when you cross the desert and arrive at Shoshone.” They thanked him, but the real thanks Mr. Terry saw on their joyous faces. Sam tackled a loose nut with such en- thusiasm he twisted the head off. A motorcycle officer drew up alongside of the pair on the Los Angeles-Mojave highway. His keen eye sized up the outfit and perhaps he remembered when he was eighteen years old. ‘Cut down the speed a little bit, son,” he shouted to Chuck who was driving, “I know you’re in a hurry to shake off civilization, but ten miles above the limit is too much.” “Thanks!” yelled Chuck as he slowed down to the limit, “too bad you can’t go along with us.” “Wished I could!” The motorcycle officer roared away and their heavily ladened outfit seemed to crawl thereafter. They filled up gasoline and water tanks at Mojave, left the pavement behind and followed a dusty road winding through A desert-tanned individual eyed the outfit with critical eyes the mesquite to Randsburg. The extension axle on the side- car had been pulled out to standard tread and a box strapped between the wheel and sidecar body with heavy leather straps which seemed to keep things in place when ropes work loose. In the box were canned tomatoes, peaches and other fruits and vegetables running heavily to water. Also they had three tanks containing water, gasoline and oil that Sam had borrowed from the running board of his father’s car. Their pup tent, tarp and blankets were lashed to the luggage carrier of the motorcycle. In the rear sidecar com- partment more grub had been snugly stowed. Beneath the seat tools, spare parts and extra tubes. Over the nose of the sidecar a new tire rode snugly. In the nose was a specially fitted water tank. Chuck’s twenty-two rifle was ready for any stray cottontail, and his .45 automatic pistol and holster was tucked in the sidecar pocket. The most comforting and inconvenient object was the five- gallon tank of gasoline riding in the sidecar. Sam’s legs were jammed against the tank which early showed a tendency to rub the skin raw, then liberally dampen the raw spot with gasoline that oozed from the cap on top. Sam said nothing, but grinned cheerfully when it came his turn to drive and Chuck’s turn to battle with the tank. “This thing,” he grumbled and grinned, ‘“‘goes into the sage brush the moment we get out of Death Valley. The ride from Shoshone to Silver Lake, Barstow, San Bernardino and home is to be made in comfort.” HEY camped on the edge of Randsburg that night and early next morning filled their tanks. At Randsburg they would leave civilization such as gasoline stations and telegraph offices behind. A desert-tanned individual regarded the outfit with critical eyes. ‘That’s Jim Witt,”’ whispered Chuck, “all he has to do is round up bad men on the desert and rescue the tenderfeet that get out there and into trouble. We'd better tell him exactly what we intend to do, so if we do find ourselves in trouble we’ll know Jim Witt will be along to help us.” “Death Valley, eh?” said Witt, “got plenty of water, grub, gasoline and common sense and resourcefulness?” “We have plenty of water, grub and gasoline,” answered Chuck. “Well, you look sensible enough. Suppose you figure on camping at Saratoga Springs to-night; make Bennett Wells or Furnace Creek Ranch the next night, you’ll be in the Valley then, still . . . just wait a while, please.” “Now, what’s on his mind?” speculated Chuck, as the deputy sheriff hurried away. “Darn’d if I know,” replied Sam, “he seemed to be satisfied to let us go into Death Valley, then . . .” “Here he comes back!” broke in_Chuck. Witt tilted his hat back and scratched his head. ‘Don’t know if you are Boy Scouts or not; any way doing a daily BOYS’ LIFE | The Resourcefulness of Chuck By Frank Richardson Pierce Illustrated by William P. McNulty kind deed shouldn’t be confined to the scouts There’s an old desert rat three miles off the Emi- grant Pass road and he’s about out of grub. That’s a rough old route, but you can make it with a motorcycle. You'll then come into the valley from the North instead of the South if you went by the Saratoga Springs road. It’d be miglity decent to take that old cuss some grub, and besides I’m not crazy to have you boys on the desert between here and Saratoga Springs. A prisoner leaped from a train several nights ago and is at large on the desert. He’ll have to make for one of the water- holes and he’ll have a hunch, no doubt, my men are hanging round them. He’s desperate and wouldn’t hesitate a minute to pot you boys, and leave you dead or dying on the desert. That’s another reason I want you to go the) other way. If you have a_ breakdown, ' leave a note on your. motorcycle and make for the nearest water-hole if it isn’t: too far. Then stay’ there, I'll take your' trail if you don’t wire me from Sho- shone in four days.” “I'd like to see the excitement when that outlaw shows up at a water-hole,” admitted Chuck, “but your request is mighty near an order.” ‘Pretty near,” said Witt. “‘Then we'll take grub to the desert rat. It doesn’t happen to be Death Valley Scotty, does it?” ““You’re a romantic chap,‘I see,” replied Witt, “no, this is Old Joe Smith. He’s a little off from being alone so much but he’s interesting. You can get grub at the store, he’s got an account there he pays once a year in dust.” E’RE leaving a big adventure behind, Sam, but we’ve got a little one ahead and doing an old timer a good turn besides,” said Chuck as they left Randsburg and bucked desert roads with a vengeance. Sam was in one of his prophetic moods. “Maybe the big one is ahead of us—the desert plays queer pranks at times,” he said hopefully. Driving was hard work for much of the road followed a wash with boulders lurking to break a wheel. Foot-boards soon vanished and Chuck drove with his feet on the gear housing and sidecar chassis. The motor plugged steadily and consumed gasoline and oil in alarming quantities, then just as Sam took his place in the saddle, they topped a ridge and had better going, which ended in a dry lake as flat as a table and as smooth. The speedometer hand crawled up to fifty, hovered a moment, then dropped back to forty-five. Chuck grinned in approval. No speed cops here; no chance of collision. This lasted for six miles then ended as abruptly as it began. “To-morrow we should meet Old Joe Smith,” said Chuck as they camped that night. They had watched the wonderful desert colorings as the sun set during the last few miles. It had been a tough old day, they were tired, but happy. “Yeah!” grunted Sam. He was on his stomach filling a canteen at the water-hole. Presently he placed the canteen to his lips and took a mouthful. With a yell he blew the water from his mouth. ‘“Sufferin’ cats, Chuck!” “Bad water?” queried Chuch nervously. “Good water, but full of pollywogs. I clean forgot Jim Witt told us to strain all water. I can still feel ’em wiggling in my mouth.” Sam emptied the canteen, refilling it with water strained through a cloth. Presently the low hanging stars filled the desert sky. “Ever seen ’em so big and low, Chuck?” ‘“‘Nope!’’ grunted Chuck and fell asleep. They were off early, eager to take advantage of the cool driving and to learn what the day held. A battered sign-board pointed the way to Joe Smith’s hang-out and they lunched with the old timer that noon. He was down to his last pound of grub. “I allowed Jim Witt would get me grub some way,” he explained, “mighty nice of you boys to bring me my grub. Mighty nice.” He knew better than to offer them pay, sensing they would refuse. “Going into Death, Valley isn’t so much if you’ve got a good burro or two,’ but with that contraption it certainly takes nerve. Well,‘ s’long, sorry you can’t stay longer.” He was thoughtful a moment, then to their amazement tossed a poke of gold into the sidecar. “I know honesty when I see it; give it to the storekeeper at Randsburg and tell him to send me in a year’s grub.” December ~ - 7 ed

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FOR ALL BOYS T WAS not until they were ten miles from Joe’s camp they realized they had not planned to return by Randsburg. “But we'll get gasoline at Furnace Creek Ranch,” suggested Chuck, ‘then swing back towards Randsburg, by way of Saratoga Springs. Maybe we’ll get in on that outlaw excite- ment. We got a good excuse now, eh?” Sam appreciated the possibilities. ‘‘Let’s step on her!” he said, “‘the excitement may be over before we . . . hello, what’s that?” He adjusted the binoculars as Chuck brought the motorcycle toa stop. A man was staggering towards them a mile ahead. He stumbled and fell as Chuck watched him. “Take ’em!’’ Chuck directed extending the binoculars to Sam. ‘That poor cuss is in trouble. Gee it sure is hot to be afoot!” The sun was beating down fiercely now, but their motor was running comparatively cool. Chuck opened up as much as he dared and the car leaped and bounded over small rocks and crashed through brush. Both boys leaped to the ground as Chuck brought the machine to a stop. Sam carried a canteen, unscrewing the top as he ran. “‘ Don’t let him have too much to start with, Sam, they say it’s fatal when you’re dying of thirst.” HE “victim” suddenly rolled over and with the move- ment whipped out an automatic pistol. “Stick ’em up!”’ he ordered, “drop that canteen!’ Eyeing the pair sharply he drank deeply. Intent only on aiding a distressed desert rat the boys were dumfounded at the sudden turn in events. One glance was sufficient to inform them who it was they faced—the outlaw Jim Witt’s men were seeking. Apparently he had taken a desperate chance and followed a course far removed from peace officers. His face was burned and his eyes inflamed from the heat; he was more than merely dusty—he was filthy. Like a hunted animal he was thinking only of self-preservation. Keeping them covered he slapped the boys to see if they were armed. Chuck thought of his automatic pistol and groaned. It was so near and yet so far. The outlaw picked up the twenty-two and broke it across a rock. “Turn that machine around!” he ordered. “ll push,” said Chuck, “you Sam, work the handlebars. No need of using the motor here, the rear wheel will dig in.” A sudden report caused the outlaw to start violently. He swore and fingered the trigger of his pistol threateningly. “Rear tire let go!” explained Chuck coolly, “these rocks are haré 7n rubber.” “You've got a spare!” snapped the outlaw, “put it on! Pll wait!” The blood seemed to pound in their temples as they worked beneath the sun’s merciless blaze. Sam _ repressed A knife a desire to whistle when he examined the tube. blade had stabbed both casing and tube. It looked a lot like the stab of Chuck’s blade, too. ‘Good old Chuck!” he whispered to himself, “his old re- sourcefulness is at work!” With the tire changing job completed the next order came swiftly. “Fill up the tanks. Hey, quit drinking so much water, I want that myself.” “There’s water-holes ahead!” said Chuck. “T ain’t stopping at water-holes! Fill up the gas and oil tanks and be quick about it!” Chuck lifted a spare tank and prepared to pour. Sam repressed a desire to laugh at that moment. The out- law leaped forward and sniffed. His pistol jammed against Chuck’s ribs. “You young idiot, want me to kill you in your,tracks! That’s water you're trying to pour in that gas tank.” “So it is,’ admitted Chuck with a fine show of fright, “‘you’ve got me so scared I don’t know whether I’m afoot or horseback.” The Outlaw was inclined to doubt the statement. Sam did! “Now show me how to start the motor; which is low gear?” He watched carefully while Chuck explained. No need to tell 1925 Chuck slung a “Put them they were to be left behind to perish. canteen over his shoulder and handed one to Sam. ’em back!” snapped the outlaw. “Tt’s death!” cried Chuck and his alarm was real enough this time. “Sure it is, unless you can reach a water-hole,” agreed the Outlaw with a cruel grin. Up to this time neither of the boys had shown the fear he expected, now that they were breaking he paused to enjoy their misery. “If you want a quicker end, I can help you out a bit!”” He swung the automatic to cover Chuck Terry. Chuck felt sick inwardly, but he did not pro- pose to weaken before a thing he regarded as scum. ‘We'll take a chance on the desert,” he managed to say calmly. From the first the outlaw had given them no chance to overpower him. Now he ordered them to separate and walk ahead, taking positions a considerable distance from the trail. He could not very well handle the motorcycle and a gun at the same time. Without saying a word Chuck and Sam had planned to attack the instant he clin. ved into the saddle. They watched him kill the engine several times, then at. length get under way in low gear. He shifted to second and roared away. A quarter of a mile beyond them he shifted to high. By this time the boys had joined each other. They stood beneath the blazing sun with serious faces. “Well, Chuck, if this is the end we'll face it like men, eh? And we'll stick together, because when the thirst gets us, we'll be seeing beautiful lakes, waterfalls and things. We'll leg it for the nearest water-hole, but there’s only a chance in a million . rf “A little better than that,’”’ replied Chuck. He jerked his thumb down the road. Four cans of tomatoes lay in the sand. “A can of tomatoes has saved more than one man’s life on the desert. When I sized up our Outlaw I got ready for the worst. I managed to sneak four cans out of the side- car and slip them beneath it when we worked on the tire. Even you didn’t see me do it, and I knew there wasn’t any chance of him Jooking back once he got started—he’d be too busy razzing that outfit along.” “And you stuck your knife into that tire, too?” challenged Sam. “Yeah! Wanted to delay things as much as possible even if it did mean a lot of hard work. Well He broke off abruptly. There was something else he had done, too, but he did not care to raise Sam’s hopes too high! Chuck Terry led off, following the motorcycle tracks, Sam Shaw followed. There was nothing to do now but plod, plod, plod through the endless sand to a water hole. It would test their gameness and endurance to the limit. Sam glanced about. The heat waves seemed to dance like mocking fiends. He was not feeling very good, but weakness had no place in desert life. Sam set his jaws and followed his plodding companion. OUR recently emptied tomato cans dotted the desert at regular intervals. Chuck Terry’s feverish eyes looked back and saw only mesquite, sand and the dancing.heat waves. True there was a lake off to the right, but he ignored that after a mental battle. “Stick to the road,” he muttered, “it’s the only way. Where’s Sam? Sam! Oh Sam!” His words were thick, dry. The heat dried the moisture from the body and the strength with it. Chuck remembered, now, that Sam had said something about a lake The machine was bottom up with the equipment scattered 21 with green trees. Chuck half turned back, snook his head and plodded on. Always the stronger of the two, he too, was close to the shadowy border of delirium. He must be near- ing the end of the journey now. The country changed. There was less sand, mesquite and more boulders. A breeze, like the blast of a furnace seared his flesh. He thought of Sam back there, suffering. It was going to be hard on his folks. Chuck stumbled and almost fell, scrambled to his feet and looked ahead. The road disappeared around a shoulder of rock. “Ina minute I'll know,” he muttered, “in a minute.” Briefly he hesitated, then stepped around the shoulder. An exclamation of satisfaction escaped him. The motorcycle tracks led to the edge of the road and vanished. Chuck looked down. The machine was bottom up, with the equip- ment scattered about. The outlaw lay doubled up badly battered. He had fallen through a mesquite and the shade had saved him from the heat somewhat. Chuck worked his way down, righted the outfit with its bent bars and broken headlight. He straightened the mudguards, filled the gasoline tank with fuel from the reserve which had somehow survived the fall, then worked his way out of the canyon. Once on the road he fairly leaped over the back trail. With water once more his fine, clean body was responding instantly. He picked up the spot where Sam had wandered from the trail and with the aid of a shattered spotlight followed the tracks, agony tugging at his heart. Each moment he expected to see Sam’s body stretched out before him, for here and there he saw where Sam had fallen. Then burrow tracks appeared and the footprints vanished. Far ahead he saw a light shining on the desert. Chuck made his way towards it with hope in his heart, as he twisted through the mesquite in second gear and low. Into the white flood of the spotlight lurched Sam Shaw. “Chuck!” he yelled hoarsely, ‘Chuck is it you!” “Sam! Sam! You made it!’ Chuck leaped from the saddle and pounded his friend’s back. “Almost made it. When the Outlaw came by the roar of the motor reached Old Joe Smith’s ears . hig “And thinks I,” broke in Joe at that moment, “that blamed contraption ain’t going to carry ’em through. I makes my way to a ridge and sees it go by with one man. Now something’s wrong and I think of me poke of gold and you being such nice boys, too. So I fill me canteens and saddle my burro and what doI see but young Sam chasing phantom lakes and jabbering like a wild man.” “The Outlaw abandoned the outfit, eh?’’ queried Sam. “Yes, abandoned it in mid air,” chuckled Chuck, “but my work’s not done. I’m in good shape now that I know you’re safe. Rest up; I'll be along later.” And before.Sam could ask more questions Chuck was roaring through the night, his spotlight sending mesquite shadows dancing with far greater madness than the heat waves of day. The sun rolled over the brown hills as he reached the scene of the wreck. He gathered up his camera and other personal articles. The weapon he had removed from the Outlaw he wore as a trophy. Of the man himself there was no sign. Chuck examined the gun, shoul- dered two canteens filled to the stopper and set off, afoot. Nothing short of a burro could follow the Outlaw’s trail through boulders and brush. ‘‘ Where he goes I can follow,” Chuck decided with grim determination. He did not propose the man should escape after all the suffering he had caused. An hour slipped by, then two, then three, with the wander- ings becoming more and more indefinite. Chuck climbed a (Concluded on page 72) neat — —- PMN C. MON Vix.

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22 BOYS’ LIFE Pee-Wee’s Patrol A Story With a Hundred Laughs N THE evenings of that momentous week, Bruno and Tasca practised the Poet and Peasant overture on the marimba, as their father had told them to do, and brushed up on some lively popular airs with a dexterity of team- work that was uncanny. But they did not forget to practise tying and untying a number of complicated knots (using the family clothesline) for they had it on the highest authority that they do these things in order to be accepted into the class of tenderfoot scouts. As for Pee-Wee, he was busy organizing the new Chipmunk Patrol, for his fame as a producer was second only to his fame as an organizer. He was, in fact, safely anchored in the Raven Patrol of the First Bridgeboro ‘Troop but he was continually revolting from its authority and starting new patrols which never attained the requisite number for membership. These patrols, after tremendous enterprise and glowing announcements, invariably fizzled out. ‘The First Bridgeboro Troop, and especially the well-established Ravens, did not take these revolutionary undertakings too seriously. Usually, a new patrol was started every time a strange boy moved to town. The present enterprise was not viewed apprehensively. The troop did not mind, and as for the little chipmunks that frequented the woods, probably they did not care either. But the Liventi brothers cared. The Chipmunk Patrol meant as much to them as the Declaration of Independence did to the thirteen colonies. They saw it as the only way to get into scouting. So they studied the scout laws and prac- tised the salute and rehearsed the oath and tied knots and perfected their skill with the gorgeous, shining marimba. As the days of that memorable week dragged along, and they read about trailing and stalking and signaling, they became a little ashamed of their one great accomplishment. But then, they were ashamed of the whole business too; not ashamed exactly but they could not bear to have the boys of the neighborhood know that they were preparing to be scouts; they were afraid that the noisy rabble that called them wops would somehow find new mater. ‘or mirth in this. They hoped that Pee-Wee would not speak of it. And he didn’t speak of it— , he yelled it. N THE day of the big affair in Little Valley, a day never to be forgotten in the annals of scout- ing, the Chipmunk Patrol had swelled to six members. First and foremost there was Pee-Wee, patrol leader of course. He had adapted the wise parliamentary proce- dure of electing himself before there were any By Percy K. Fitzhugh Illustrated by A. Conway Peyton Begin the Story Here The rumor that the parents of the Liventi brothers, Bruno and Tasca, present a musical act in vaudeville, arouses the interest of Scout Pee-Wee Harris, who questions the boys and promises them that he will make scouts of them if they will allow him to see their parents, deciding on the instant to form a new Chipmunk Patrol. The Liventis are overjoyed at the prospect of becoming scouts and readily agree to play their marimba at an entertain- ment which Pee-Wee plans to stage for a church festival in a nearby town. members to vote for anybody else; hence he had a safe majority of one. Then there were Willis Harlen and Eddie Carlo from the troop that was no more. And there was Peter Tower, a discovery all Pee-Wee’s own. He was only three or four inches high, more or less, but what he lacked in size he made up in admiration for Pee-Wee. He was under the scout age which made no difference at all to our hero, since he owned a tent which Pee-Wee had "not failed to notice in a corner of the Tower lawn. He also had forty two cents free and clear. Then there were the Liventi boys, Tasca and Bruno. The ceremony of initiation was deferred until after the big show, pending the rounding up of a complete patrol. “Do we have to play the marimba?” Bruno asked wistfully of Pee-Wee on the day preceding the grand pilgrimage. “Scouts don’t do those things, it isn’t in the book,”’ the timid Bruno protested. He and his brother wanted to be real scouts, not marimba playing scouts; they wanted to be wild and primeval, and skilled in woodlore as Pee-Wee had explained that all scouts must be. “T know why you ask that,” Pee-Wee thundered; ‘“‘it’s because all the fellers are making fun of you and saying, ‘Yes we have no music.’ ” Alas, this was true. The sensitive boys had not been able to keep their secret, the whole noisy, jollying throng of scouts and non-scouts had found out that the dark-eyed strangers were in Pee-Wee’s new patrol and that their specialty was playing the bimbo, which was the nearest they ever came to the correct name. “Hey, Bimbo,” called Charlie Bulton.on the way home from school one afternoon that week. ‘Hey, playa da bimbo! I hear you’re going to be boy sprouts, you two. Yes, we have no Americans in the Chipmunk Patrol. We got kids and has beens and wops. But yes, we got no Americans; We got no Americans to-day.” It was a pity that Pee-Wee was not present to handle this situation; Bully Bulton, with all his cruel humor had neither the voice nor the sticking qualities of the head chipmunk. Nor, it may be added, had he the ingenuity of our hero in epithet and thundering repartee. Tasca Liventi’s eyes blazed. ‘I am an American,” he said; “‘T was born in this country as much as you were.” “We've got right to be scouts,” his less impulsive brother said. “It doesn’t hurt you, does it?” “You hurt me?” Bulton ejaculated, advancing menacingly for the benefit of the lookers on. ‘What did you say about hurting me?” : Bruno stood his ground. They made a picturesque figure, these two brothers, standing together as if at bay. There was a fine spirit in the face of Tasca as he stared, trembling but resolute, amid this vulgar show. “T didn’t say anything about hurting you,” he said. “He, how do you get that way—hurting me?” Bulton per- sisted. “Look out, Bull, he'll stab you,” a boy said; “He gotta stilet’.”” The Liventi boys had heard much talk of stilettos before; the crude mimicry of their father’s broken English was not new to them. It was the denial of their Americanism that hurt. Tasca’s handsome eyes continued to blaze and his brother seemed to hold him back. ‘ Nobody said anything about hurting you,” the latter said. ‘“‘Why you make a fuss?” The omission of a word now Here again was an opportunity to do something big in scouting How to tell the difference between mushrooms and toadstools Gute and then was the only suggestion of broken English these boys ever showed. ‘We got right to be scouts.” HARLIE BULTON subsided, he appeared as if accepting an apology. But he was not going to let the brothers off tooeasily. “If Kid Harris had asked me to join his patrol, he could have had a couple of hundred dollars to start with, the blamed, little fool. My father gives away money enough every week to buy that little shack you live in. I suppose you dagoes think you'll go to camp this summer, but how are you going to do that without money? Your folks haven't got any money. You wouldn’t be living on Terrace Avenue at all if it wasn’t for those three, old, tenement houses standing there. It shows how much sense you have to swallow every- thing a kid like Pee-Wee Harris tells you. If he’d asked me dhe’d have had a good start, maybe a thousand dollars, what does my old man care?” But just the same Bully Bulton’s old man did care. He wanted to see his son in the scouts and it puzzled the bluff, good-hearted man that somehow or other his son never seemed to make the grade. No one seemed to want him. “They had his number” was the laconic way Tom Slade put it. Mr. Bulton believed in scouting and it is true that he had given a considerable sum in the scout drive. But this had not helped his son. At last, he had fallen back on the al- mighty dollar to help this bullying, bragging son of his. He had told Charlie, that he would give a hundred dollars to the patrol that he, Charlie, should grace with his membership. And that he would give Charlie a new bicyle. He was a better sport than his son. Charlie did not care anything about the scouts and as for Pee-Wee, “why he was a mere kid,” . . . and so on, and soon. But he wanted a bicycle. And he was so false in his dealings with his father that he would let that hearty, self-made, generous man invest a hundred dollars.in scouting just so that this bicycle might be won. Charlie would not remain in the scouts—only long enough to get the bicycle. So it was not only his bullying spirit which had prompted him to menace and ridicule the Liventi boys. He was piqued that Pee-Wee had not opened the way for him to join a patrol for convenience sake. He wished to join that budding patrol and then ride out of it on his bicycle. Thus, the Chipmunks would be of some use after-all. He had hoped that Pee-Wee would invite him, then when Pee-Wee had not, he had (like the vulgar bully that he was) taken it out, as they say, on the poor Liventi boys. After that he decided to pocket his pride and make a direct proposition to the “Harris kid.” If the mountain will not go to Mohammed (as the saying is) why then Mohammed would go to the mountain. Though, to be sure, Pee-Wee was not much as a mountain... December

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—— FOR ALL BOYS T WAS Thursday and already the anniversary celebration up in Little Valley was on. On Saturday night the new Chipmunk Patrol was to hike up through the woods under Pee-Wee’s skilful guidance and contribute to the big concluding program. A great piece of luck had befallen Pee-Wee on this very day; the Jansens had returned to Bridgeboro from Europe and Wendy and Billy Jansen (former scouts, and good ones at that) had been recruited to make a full patrol. This windfall had so elated Pee-Wee that he was celebrating it by sitting on the slanting cellar doors eating a huge and toppling piece of cake, when Bully Bulton strolled around from the lawn and sat down fraternally beside him. “H’lo Walt,” said he. No one ever called Pee-Wee Walt, his family called him Walter. Pee-Wee was his universal name, though his proper title was Scout Harris. He glanced sideways in the midst of a huge bite as if to inquire the reason for this chummy saluta- tion. Charlie Bulton sat down beside him. “What are you doing around this neighborhood?” Pee- Wee inquired. He had had many verbal encounters with Bulton, but it is to his credit that he cherished no enmities. You could be friends with Pee-Wee by simply being friends with him. Or if you preferred to jolly or assail him he would gladly meet you on that ground. He never seemed to remem- ber his mortal combats, perhaps because he had so many of them. “TI got a full patrol,” he said. ‘“They’re all going to take the oath when the troop meets next Friday. I’m going to have them in that troop, it’ll make four patrols.” Charlie was not much interested in scout procedure. ‘“‘ You got a full troop, hey?” he asked. : “Not a troop, a patrol,” Pee-Wee said. ‘A full patrol is eight scouts; gee whiz, don’t you know that? A troop is three or four patrols.” “How do you expect me to know when I never had a chance to be in one?” Bulton said. “You had lots of chances, chances.” “Maybe I didn’t have sense enough when I had a chance,” Bulton said. . ““Now you admit you haven’t got sense,’”’ Pee-Wee said, assailing the-last crumbling remnant of cake. Bully Bulton had often encountered Pee-Wee as an ad- versary, but he had never appealed to him as a political power. The situation was new. “Why don’t you start a patrol?”’ Pee-Wee said. ‘Anyway, nobody’d join it because you’re so fresh and bossy.” These words from the throne caused Charlie to pause and consider his course. ‘‘I’d like to join your patrol, that’s one thing,” he said. “I never meant to be fresh with you.” ‘* Anyway, I don’t care because I can be just as fresh as you can,” Pee-Wee said. Charlie saw that not much was to be gained by remorse. “Tf. you and I were in together we could have some patrol all right,” he said. “‘Just the same I’d be the leader of it,” Pee-Wee warned. “Sure you would; who’d try to stop you? Only we’d have a hundred dollars to start with and that’s something I hope to tell you.” “Who would?” “We would.” “T bet you haven’t got as much as twenty cents,’’ Pee-Wee said. “T bet my father has.” “Maybe he has, but I’m not talking about him,” Pee-Wee said. “*Anyway, I got a full patrol.” “Yes, full of what?” Charlie sneered. “‘ Hey, listen here Walt; this is honest and true I’m telling you. My old man says he'll give a hundred dollars to any patrol I pick out to join.” This was not exactly what Mr. Bulton had said for he knew something of his son’s status with the Bridgeboro boys. It was to be no matter of autocratic choice with the unpopular Charlie. “I guess a little, ole hundred dollars would start a new patrol off pretty good, hey? And he’d 1925 ? >said Pee-Wee; “‘any feller’s got “Didn't I say there was going to be one. If I say a thing I meanit” ' Ag give another couple of hundred, too, after he saw we got started.” This latter announcement was altogether un- authorized. “Do you expect me to believe that?” Pee-Wee asked. “T’'ll take you to my father and you can ask him,” said Bulton. “Only what’s the use as long as you got a full patrol.” “Scouts can find ways,” Pee-Wee said. And indeed he found many ways, through trackless woods as well as over difficulties. But he knew in his heart that he could not stretch a scout patrol to include nine boys. He was the grand champion fixer, but here was something that he could not fix. For it was already fixed: , Scout Harris, patrol leader Willis Harlen Eddie Carlo Bruno Liventi Tasca Liventi Peter Tower Wendy Jansen Billy Jansen It was fixed better than in Pee-Wee’s fondest dreams. HERE flashed through Pee-Wee’s active mind visions of how the First Bridgeboro Troop (his permanent scout anchorage) had started. It had been financed by Mr. John Temple. Perhaps here again was an opportunity to do some- thing big in scouting. What would not a hundred dollars do for a budding patrol? Tents, cooking sets, archery outfits, perhaps a patrol radio set! Things all necessary in scouting. A hundred dollars!’ As for the prize that would come in this package, Bully Bulton in person, that did not trouble Pee-Wee. He had no particular grudge against a boy whose voice was no louder than his own. And he knew that the purpose of scout- ing was not to exclude bossy and unpopular boys, but rather to include and improve them. .. . But there was the full patrol. Pee-Wee was not too ready to believe Bully Bulton. He was a natural-born skeptic, especially where the fabulous sum of one hundred dollars was concerned. As we have already seen, he believed in going to original sources where boys were in- volved; that is, to their parents. “You’re a scared to take me to your father,” he said. “‘You’re a scared to let me ask him myself.” But here Bully Bulton was as good as his word. Jumping up with alacrity he said, ‘Come ahead.” Pee-Wee was in for it now. Bully Bulton was going to make good for once. “You'll just start and go a couple of blocks and then you'll laugh and turn around—I know you,” Pee-Wee said. “T cross my heart I'll take you to my father,” Bully Bulton said. Pee-Wee contemplated him skeptically. ‘‘All right,” he said finally, “wait a second till I get a couple of cookies.” 23 Mr. Bulton owned a large hay, grain and coal establishment in Bridgeboro and to him Charlie presented the diminu- tive scout organizer and producer. Pee-Wee was the least bit embarrassed as he stood before the big, good-natured man who swung around in his chair, cocked his cigar up in his mouth and said, “So you’re a scout, huh? You’re Doctor Harris’ kid, ain’t you? Gosh!” said Mr. Bulton. “Yes, go ahead.” Pee-Wee emitted a piercing squeak. “Don’t you think that’s a peach of a name—chipmunks?”’ he said. “TI can trail a chipmunk, too. Even once I trailed a snake only it turned out to be a mark from a feller dragging a stick, so it didn’t count, but, anyway, I got the badge for stalking.” “And you kids go to camp, huh? And live outdoors, and learn to swim?” ““Suuuure! And we cook ourselves and everything.” ““Cook yourselves?”’ laughed Mr. Bulton. “T don’t mean we get cooked,’”’ Pee-Wee said, “‘ but we cook things ourselves—potatoes and everything and—” “Well, now you listen here,’ said Mr. Bulton. youngster of mine isn’t cooked, but he’s half-baked—know what that is? Now you fellers take him and make a real honest- to-goodness scout out of him. Take him away up to Mr. Temple’s camp up there and show him how to swim and if you catch him teasing little girls hammer the life out of him. There’s a hundred dollars goes with him with my regards to the Chipmunks. As soon as he’s in you fellers get a check. Now I understand you’re the big scout around here so I’m going to leave it to you, see?”’ “Yes, sir,” said Pee-Wee, greatly flattered. “See if you can make a regular all-around scout out of this feller. You got a rule about tellin’ the truth, haven’t you? Well, show him that. Now clear out of here, both of you.” Mr. Bulton turned abruptly to confer with a waiting clerk. But his son ran back as Pee-Wee was going out and said in an undertone. ‘And I get the bicycle, too, don’t I, pop?” “Did you ever know me to break my word?” said poor Mr. Bulton. “This HE effect of Mr. Bulton on Pee-Wee was as that of a tempest. Our hero was overwhelmed. He was over- whelmed not only by the hundred dollars, but by the masterful and hearty Mr. Bulton. He could not have refused to espouse the cause of Charlie Bulton while he stood before that scout financial angel, Charlie’s father. And now he felt committed. It was the old, old story, so characteristic of Pee-Wee, of over- doing everything. He always had three helpings of dessert. And now he had more than his share of boys for a patrol. “One thing anyway,” he said as he and Charlie walked along together, buoyant and full of plans as a consequence of the altogether sensational development, “I’m not going to ask Peter Tower to leave, that’s one sure thing. Because I promised him ever since last summer.” “We don’t have to fire anybody because it isn’t started yet— not regular,” said Charlie. ‘All we have to do is to say who we don’t want in.” You will notice he said WE; he was in already. “Weil,” said Pee- Wee, ‘“Harlen and Carlo and the Jansen fellers, they got to stay in because they were scouts already and we want that kind because, gee whiz, I don’t want all tender- foots. And you can shut up about Peter Tower because I’m the boss and I’m going to have him in, so that’s one sure thing.” Charlie thought it discreet at this junc- ture to make some reference to their capi- tal. “We'll make a list of things we'll get with the hundred dollars, hey?” he said. “All camping things, hey?” “Sure,” said Pee- Wee, rather pre- occupied. “Hey listen, Walt,” said Bulton. ‘“‘Let’s drop that pair of dagoes. What the dickens did you ever

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24 want to ask them for, anyway? They won’t stick to scout- ing, kids like that. Anyway, do you suppose they'll be living here in Bridgeboro long? Why those little houses are going to be torn down soon. First thing you know they'll beat it and be living out in Chicago or traveling around with their mother and father. Honest, Walt, we can’t make scouts out of that kind.” ““Who’s we?” Pee-Wee demanded. ‘How can you show fellers about scouting when you don’t know anything about it yourself yet?” “All right, you then. Only this is what I’m saying; I bet they never asked to be scouts.” “T said if they’d show me their mother and father I'd get them into the scouts,’’ said Pee-Wee. “A lot they care,” said Bulton. ‘You'll see none of the patrol will stick if that pair isin. And, anyway, they won't stick themselves. They don’t belong in Bridgeboro. Gee, you don’t see my father or yours or Mr. Blakeley or anybod) asking their father to join the Golf Club, do you?” O, THAT was true. No one had asked the i gracious, enthusiastic, gesticulating, kindly, little Signor Liventi to join the Golf Club. He did not belong in Bridgeboro. “‘Now you see ’em, now you don’t,” said Bulton. ‘What do we want anyway, music players or scouts?” Pee-Wee was silent. “You’re always talking about Temples,” persisted Bulton. ‘Did those kids get invited up to Mary Temple’s birthday party?” No, that was right too, they had not been. ‘We'll drop them,” said Bulton, “and I tell you what we'll do. I'll take the place of one of them and we'll get Ben Maxwell to take the place of the other and Ben’s got a big radio set, so we won’t have to buy that. That'll leave usa clean hundred to get maybe a big tent and a lot of scout stuff and make a good start. All American patrol, hey?” Pee-Wee was silent. ‘“‘How do you know they'll move away?” he finally asked. “Why surest thing you know, they will— circus actors. And, anyway, I ought to have something to say because isn’t it my hundred dollars that’s giving us such a fine old start— isn’t it?” Again Pee-Wee was silent. ‘“‘Who’s going to tell them?” he asked weakly. “Why, jiminy Christopher,” said Bulton, en- couraged, ‘‘it isn’t like as if you had to fire them. All you have to do is tell them you changed your plans, see? Tell em you're going to start another patrol later. “TI am, too,” Pee-Wee said, soothing his troubled conscience. ‘And they can be in that, hey, if they’re here?” “Tf,” said Bulton. “They used to travel with their mother and father,” said Pee-Wee, still trying to square him- self with himself; “maybe theyjwill again, hey?’’ “You go up there and tell ‘em to-day,” said Bulton. “Tell ’em you changed your plans and you’re going to start another patrol after a while. And I'll come up to your house to-night and we'll make a list of all the things we’re going to buy. What do you say?” “ All right,” said Pee-Wee hesitatingly. “And maybe I can get the check to-night, too,” said Bulton. ‘I got my old man eating out of my hand.” “ All right,” said Pee-Wee. “You'll sure do it?” “Tf a scout says he’ll do a thing, he does it,” said Pee-Wee. “All right then, so long, I'll see you later,” said Bulton. “T’ll be up at about eight and I’ll squeak like a chipmunk outside your house, hey?” “All right,” said Pee-Wee. ” T IS to Pee-Wee’s credit that convinced though he was, he did not go at once to the little house of the Liventi boys. He walked past it but he did not goin. He was glad not to have seen either of the brothers while he was near their home. The three little houses huddling together in a close row seemed more than ever like outcasts on the fashionable Terrace Avenue. It seemed likely enough that Bulton was right about this ugly, little, out-of-date trio being doomed. One porch ran across the three little houses and this was made into three porches by little separating fences, long unpainted and falling to pieces. A woman was shaking a rug out of an upper window of the end house as Pee-Wee passed. The middle house, which was the Liventi house, was without curtains, nor Was there even a sociable bench or chair upon the wretched little porch. Pee-Wee wondered in what distant town or city the gracious and bespangled tenants of this poor abode were playing and bowing and smiling to applauding audiencés. He went by very quietly and hurriedly for he did not want to be hailed. “Do you apologize?” said Ben coldly. Why? Had he not a message to deliver in that house? Well, he told himself they might not be home. . . . After supper he realized that only about half an hour re- mained before Bulton’s coming—before the promised squeak of the new chipmunk. Yet.still Pee-Wee pushed the mower around the front lawn (entirely unnecessary) before strolling up to the end of the block. Then he went. LL was quiet around the three little houses. Pee-Wee allowed himself some comfort from the doubtful information that this unsightly little block was soon to be razed and that those roving strangers, the Liventi family, would be gone, no one knew where. Yet the enthusiastic gesticulations and ready compliance of the little actor man who talked broken English kept intruding into Pee-Wee’s mind. Well, anyway, he had done a foolish thing to make such a bargain with these strange boys, and now he was going to undo it. He was going to start big, with a hundred dollars. . . . He went up the steps on tiptoe, he did not know why. But he did not pull the old-fashioned bell handle. From some- where in the house he could hear music. He paused, listening. It was the marimba that he heard and the air was a familiar one to Pee-Wee. It was a popular piece that he had more than once heard over the radio. The Old Lake Trail it was called. It was a spirited piece and was being played with all those running variations that characterized the Liventi method. Nowand then the players paused, repeating a part, as if practising. The Old Lake Trail, Pee-Wee knew it well. The word ¢rail was always in Pee-Wee’s mind and he had used it much in his talk with these brothers. But the truth did not occur to him, which was that Tasca and Bruno had selected this piece as having at least a remote connection with scouting. It was about a trail. And they played it in march time to give an impression of hikers upon a lonely trail. They were going to surprise Pee-Wee and every one by playing it as an encore, in the event of their winning applause. And they played it so that the messenger without could hardly keep his feet still. But he had his duty to perform and he pulled the bell. Tasca opened the door, holding one of the marimba hammers. Pee-Wee walked into the tiny, musty hall and to the poor little living-room where the old Italian grandmother in her motley shawl was so intent upon her sewing (and so removed from America’s young life perhaps) that she only nodded at him. Then Bruno came through from the back room, his hair all disheveled from his musical acrobatics. “Flo,” said Pee-Wee. “Did you hear it?”’ Bruno asked. Si ag arp) BOYS’ LIFE “Ves, but there’s something I got to see you about,” Pee-Wee said. Did Tasca and Bruno sense something wrong? Those whose hopes run high are apt to sense trouble and anticipate bad news. How could Pee-Wee (rough woodsman and all that) know how high their hopes had run. The old woman, who knew not a word of English, caught the agitation of her grand- sons and watched Pee-Wee shrewdly. ““Ts—isn’t there going to be any show?” Tasca ventured. Pee-Wee paused. And before he found words to answer, he found himself—the real Pee-Wee Harris. That was better than finding a hundred dollars. For of all the scout claptrap that money will buy,Aents and archery sets and so on, Pee-Wee Harris himself was the greatest piece of scout paraphernalia known to scouting. You could stagger him with a hundred dollars, but you could not buy him withit. You see how it was, he started after a hundred dollars and he stumbled into The Old Lake Trail.’ Pee-Wee was again on the right trail. ‘“‘Didn’t I say there was going to be one?” he demanded. “Tf I say a thing I mean it. You got to be ready by five o’clock Saturday afternoon. We’re going to hike up through the woods to Little Valley and we’re going to cook our supper in the woods and go by scout resources and things and maybe even we'll get all smutched up eating roasted potatoes and that’ll show the audience we’re real scouts and don’t have to eat home or buy our suppers. So you fellers have got to be ready at five o’clock sure. Because maybe we'll stop in Bennett’s and get ice cream cones before we start.” There was the real Pee-Wee Harris for you! EE-WEE did not know what he was going to tell Charlie Bulton, but on the way home he found ott. It was almost an hour now since he had had supper, already the demon of hunger was upon him, so he took a long cut home, as he called it, and went around into Main Street for a cents worth of golf balls, these being three candy spheres, red, white and blue respectively, and so hard that concrete was like melting snow beside them. They could be reduced only by a long and patient process during which the cheek was like a balloon. In Bennett’s Fresh Confectionery, Pee-Wee encountered Ben Maxwell to whom he proffered a blue golf ball. Ben was a tall boy who had refrained from joining the scouts for no better reason than that he thought he was too big. This absurd excuse (rather more prevalent than it should be) was regrettable, because Ben was a fine sort of boy and scouting was the poorer without him. He was always quiet and friendly. ““How’s the new crowd coming on, Kid?” he asked as they paused outside of Bennett’s. ‘Vou don’t call °em a crowd, you call ’em a patrol,” said Pee-Wee. “Listen, Kid,” said Ben, hesitatingly as if doubtful whether he should say what was in his mind, “‘don’t take too much stock in Charlie Bulton. He may be all right in a way, but he’s just using you, Kid. Don’t waste your time training him; why he isn’t even going to get a scout suit; he wouldn’t be seen in one, that’s what he told me. His father promised him a bicycle if he’d join the scouts. When he gets his bicycle, good-bye scouts. He’s going to put one over on his father and he’s going to put one over on you fellows. Don’t you let him. He doesn’t care anything about scouts. All he cares for is hanging out with that gang of big fellows down in South Bridgeboro. He’ll be holding his father up for a Ford next year. Why he told me he could get a driver’s license as soon as he’s sixteen and that then Bridgeboro wouldn’t see much of him. Don’t you be a step on a stepladder for anybody, Kid.” “Did he tell you that?” Pee-Wee roared. “He told me he didn’t expect to be in your kindergarten class two weeks.” “Did he call it that?” the head chipmunk demanded. “‘That’s just what he called it,” said Ben quietly. “T promise you I won’t tell him you told me,” said Pee- Wee excitedly. “Why, you can tell him anything you want to, Kid, I don’t care,”’ Ben laughed. “I just didn’t want to see him using you, that’s all. I was glad to see you take up with those Liventi fellows, too, poor little codgers. They’re a couple of nice, decent kids. Their father’s nice, too, only if you tie his hands he can’t talk. I saw him at the station Sunday night and he nearly knocked me over telling me his kids were going to be scouta boys.” Pee-Wee was silent. But his heart was glad. “Tt’s only bluffers like Bulton that guy fellows just because they’re strangers and different,’”’ said Ben Maxwell. ‘‘He’s like a windmill, his arms are always going and he never hits anything. All right, so long, good luck to you, Kid.” Pee-Wee stood aghast. He felt as one might feel who has (Continued on page 57) — December —

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FOR ALL BOYS 25 Jim Morse in Australia T WAS plain that they were honored and, at the same time, feared guests of the Korroboree. Their friends— if they could be called that— were plainly showing off by producing them and it was evident that word had gone out that these white men and their attendant blacks had powerful kobi (magic) from the rolling eyes and timid attitude of the crowd of tribesmen. Among these they saw the man who had fought so well, his body recoated with ocher and grease, his hair plastered with beeswax and decorated with the yellow crests of cocka- toos, as closely set as flower petals. The girl was with him and both appeared to be people of importance. The girl was really beautifully formed and her eyes were big and lustrous. Her face was masked with alternate red and black bands and there were pearly mussel shells glued to her body in simple pattern. Not many of the men were painted, as they had been for the borbory. Jim fancied that the yellow warrior had made up in self honor as having been, as he undoubtedly was, the hero of the fighting. His big rival was not in sight. A space for the ceremonial dance had been well trampled down in the grass and the spectators took position in two rows opposing each other. These seats were reserved for men only, sitting cross-legged or on one of their hams while the women, in two groups, one at the end of each line, rested on their calves and heels. Between the groups of women sat the orchestra, consisting of two men, their bodies and limbs quartered off in yellow, white, red and sooty black, their legs crossed, each beating together a boomerang and a nolla-nolla. This the women supplemented by striking both hands, hollow-palmed, against their thighs, producing a series of rhythmic plops. To the right of the orchestra was a vacant space. Thus the spectators and the orchestra formed three sides of a hollow square, which was the stage. The skipper and Jim were led to places of honor directly behind the musicians, in orchestra seats, Tufa and the rest of the men close behind them. At the far end of the stage four fires were blazing, serving at once for illumination and a screen for the dancers, back of which they changed their makeup for the varying scenes, using wigs and beards of opossum wool and wood-fibre, every time making some alteration in their paint. The dance started by the two musicians suddenly com- mencing to sing in hoarse but not entirely unmusical tenor voices a monotonous series of strophes, raising their voices with every phrase. The girl with the yellow warrior took the vacant place to the right of the orchestra and began to dance, commencing what was a performance that became an endurance contest before very long, shared by the orchestra. The dancers had their breathing spaces between the acts, the women beating out the juba accompaniment upon their laps occasionally = | | | | | } | | } | |

By J. Allan Dunn Illustrated by Douglas Duer Begin the Story Here Captain Burr and Jim Morse, resting at Sydney after a voyage in the Manuwai, are asked by Pro- fessor Langley to journey to the interior in search of his brother, who went up country, back of Herbert River, five months before on a quest for opals and has not been heard from. An agreement is made and the Captain, Jim, the Admiral, their parrot, and their Kanaka crew travel by the Manuwai to Hinchinbrook, where they leave the vessel and go by whaleboat up the river. Forty miles from its mouth they come upon a campfire surrounded by blacks feasting on giant snakes. The Adnmiiral betrays the presence of the strangers, and the blacks charge toward them. Jim sets off a magnesium ribbon that he carries in his pocket for such emergencies, and this exhibition of white man’s magic so frightens the blacks that they fall on their faces and the party escapes. The next morning, some distance farther on, three blacks visit the camp and invite the party to their village and to a wallaby hunt. In the camp when inquiries are made for the white man, the aged medicine man is brought out in a litter. He shows them a drinking cup made of a skull, a white man’s skull. The Captain is convinced after a careful look that the skull is old and has no connection with their quest. They push on to an abandoned cattle station at Herbert Vale, where they find a well- built house in charge of a Gilbert Islander, Kuriri, who proves useful, though evidently a rascal. He tells them of a festival to be held shortly by many native tribes. They decide to attend the Korro- boree and march through a great forest, suffering intensely all the way. Finally they come to the plateau designated by Kuriri, and concealing them- selves, watch a series of duels. In one of these their sympathy is aroused for one of the com- batants, a youth who is attended by a young girl. Finally they return to camp, where the black who had first visited their camp finds them and delivers an invitation to the ritual dance, the Korroboree about to be held.

rested but the singers never stopped, their sticks never halted clacking against the boomerangs and the girl never ceased to hop up and down, her arms extended to full length and her fingers spread wide apart. At some indistinguishable signal twenty-four men, in rows that shifted with swift evolutions from four to six, that occasionally presented a phalanx, came prancing out from behind the fires, their bodies shining with the greasy paints that covered them, carrying tufts of darkly iridescent feathers z

in their mouths, grunting and twisting and turning to the pounding tempo of the clattering sticks, the hollow beating of the women and the thump of their own heavy footfalls. They marched in closed ranks to the music, marking the time with blows to right and left with tomahawks and boome- rangs. Or, with arms akimbo and knees as far apart as possible, they jumped and spun and stamped and grunted while the combination of moon and firelight gave the scene a fantastic, savage aspect. EYOND doubt the performance had been rehearsed. Like children at charades they would disappear and Jim caught glimpses of them behind the fires, furiously spotting themselves with fresh color, adjusting their false wigs and beards to rush out with zest. In these short ‘‘acts” the dancers formed in two opposing lines and two of them became stars, clowning in antics that brought laughter from the onlookers. Local hits were made, sly allusions, mock mimicry of the day’s fighting. The two stars ran up and down the ranks peering into the faces, speaking to them, calling them by names and making jests that brought laugh after laugh. Wood was piled on the fires, with plenty of flaring brush so that this was the principle illumination, the moon acting as calcium. Back of the blazes, behind the ranks of spec- tators, now laughing and applauding uproariously, there was pitchy darkness. Only, far off, the moonlight touched the ghostly stems of the giant gums, revealed their scanty foliage. The closing scene started with a solo performance by the yellow victor. He came dancing out armed with his shield and a long spear, going through an elaborate review of his conquest at the borboby. He struck himself upon the chest, apostrophizing himself, his name appearing to be Gongola. His eyes were fixed on those of the girl and hers on him as he shook his spear and pirouetted, twirling so fast the blazonry on his shield was only a blur. Thetwo principal actors bounded suddenly out to join him and gave him exaggerated reverence, making obeisances, pretending to be tremendously afraid of him, begging favors of him; all of which he answered with thrusts of his spear before which they cowered, rolling on their backs like frightened dogs, legs and arms bent in token of surrender. They had got rid of all their brave array of paint and were now black from head to foot so that ther< were places where they were hardly visible. Out from back of the blazing fires there came a rush of seeming skeletons. On their naked bodies the blacks had picked out ribs, legs and arm bones and pelvis in white. White streaks on their faces transformed them into skulls. The effect was startling. At their approach the two stars feigned death and were picked up and swung out over and through the fires. Then the sixteen ranged up in lines and did a prancing war dance before they joined hands and Daatsg Ou hy - ere 2 gett SS sas iat ESE Rk S

Gongola stood before them tapping his chest “Kakavago wainta? which way you go?” 1925

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26 whirled in a frenzied circle about Gongola. When this circle broke apart Gongola had disappeared. It seemed like magic. There was no sign of him. The music stopped, the girl ceased her leaping up and down, all noise ended and the spectators craned their necks with awed faces to view the empty enclosure. Jim wanted to rub his eyes, the skipper was blinking. Then Jim laughed. He had solved the mystery. In that mad whirl someone had flung into the circle a mat of green grass which Gongola, crouching and then lying, had pulled over himself. A little deft rumpling of the trampled grass about him and he was indistinguishable. It was the only solution and, once arrived at it, Jim detected the unnatural look of the ground before the skeletons came leaping, shouting back again to form a circle once more, jumping high and breaking away to reveal Gongola once more while the applause broke out deafeningly. They joined in it heartily. The trick was cleverly done and the effect was stupendous. From now on Gongola would have the reputation of great kobi. Could he not make himself invisible at will? He stood there posturing. A single figure rushed in from one corner, whirling a tomahawk of stone set on along handle. This person, too, was painted as a skeleton. The onlookers waited for the finale. Gongola, his shield cast aside, revealing all his splendid body under the moon, before the ruddy fire, its outlines limned in cold blue and vivid red, his shadow flung twice on the grass; took no notice of the entrance. But the girl gave a scream of alarm and sprang toward her lover. Jim was alert. He had sensed an anticlimax in this. The perform- ance had been brought to its end, Gongola receiving his plaudits was the proper conclusion. There had been a grim earnestness about this last entrance that was out of key with the rest. The makeup was rudely applied, the man had a natural beard. His size helped the recogni tion. It was Gongola’s giant rival who now sought his revenge, thinking perhaps to cover his identity by posing as one of the dancers or in his disguise to secure his chance to split Gongola’s skull. He was taking his last jump, the weapon raised above the unconscious Gongola’s head, the girl five paces off; when Jim switched oh the beam of his powerful torch. The ray struck the giant fairly in the face, showing its ferocity of curling lips and snarling teeth, of blazing eyes that suddenly faltered, dazzled by the blinding beam. ( ANGOLA caught the alarm of the girl’s approach, whirled and dodged the falling blow. Jim saw his arm come back, straighten as he hurled his spear with prodigious force. Then the ray was playing on the big body of the bearded man, flung upward in agony, fairly off the ground, half of the long shaft buried in his chest before he fell transfixed and struggled for a moment on the grass before he died. The friendly comedies had ended in stark tragedy with a grim aftermath to come. ““We’d better sneak out of this, Jim,” said the skipper. “This means a feast—with éalgoro as the main dish. Look at ’em. They won’t want to see your magic or my terbaccer ternight. They’ve got meat.” As he spoke two men came from back of the flames and each clutched an ankle of the dead man, dragging him off toward the fires. Gongola came over to them as they rose. The girl was with him and both were friendly. Gongola seemed to think that Jim had saved his life. He took off the headband of woven grass that he wore and gave it to him, together with the tomahawk of his dead foe. The girl came close and, to Jim’s utter embarrassment, put her hands on his shoulders and rubbed noses with him. It was a nice little nose enough for a savage. Her face, for all its paint, was not uncomely and her big eyes shone with gratitude. But Jim was fussed and knew that he flushed under his tan. The girl smiled at him as if she understood and was willing to tease him. Gongola grinned and pointing to her gave her name— Olanga—repeating his own several times and then the word deerbera, which Jim knew, by Karuri’s vocabulary, meant “tomorrow.” “He'll be a useful chap to us, Jim,” said the skipper as they went to their own camp. “If he comes from one of the inland tribes we may git him to tell us something of Langley, or to find out from the tribes what they wudn’t tell us. He’s under obligashuns now an’ I reckon we’d better cultivate his acquaintance. But you'll have to be keerful not to make him too jealous,” he went on drily. ‘Better wipe off thet nose paint she left on yore proboscis before he sees it.” Jim wiped his nose with the back of his hand and looked at the result—a smear of scarlet paint, transferred by the greeting of Olanga. “If Jane was here she’d scratch Olanga’s eyes out,” said the skipper. Jane was the white girl they had rescued from a kidnapping tribe in New Guinea. Now Jane—Naka that was —was in school at Sydney, acquiring what was described in the prospectus as “a refined education, including deport- ment and social graces.” Jim laughed. He knew what a little sp?tfire Jane was. She would be quite capable of tackling Olanga in primitive New Guinea fashion is she felt so minded. “Tl tell her about it when we get back,” he said. ‘And I’ll give her this for her den.” Gongola revealed all his splendid body under the moon He showed the tomahawk of the dead man that Gongola had given him. It was nicely made of greenstone, its edge whetted to tolerable sharpness. The handle was made of vine stalk twisted about the stone and bound together with withes as tightly and close to the axehead as possible, with gum to make all more secure. A primitive weapon enough, typical of the people who made and wielded it. It was not easy to get to sleep that night, for Jim. The sound of monotonous chanting, of the clacking of sticks, kept up until dawn—after one ghastly pause, in which he imagined a horrid feast. He half mused, half dreamed of having himself reverted to the beginning of the race in this strange country where the people lived in small tribes with the borboby and korroboree as their only social inter- course; always moving without any fixed place of abode, though tribal boundaries were well defined, without any definite belief in God, naked or practicaliy so, destitute of metals, of bows and arrows, without any knowledge of agriculture and with their only domestic animal the half-wild dingo. Surely this was the cradle of the human race. But they seemed to lack humanity, if the tales that were told and vouched for by white residents were true. These creatures could make fire and they could laugh, and these were human attributes. But their cannibalism was BOYS’ LIFE more animal than that of New Guinea, where the reason— without excuse—for eating one’s fellow man was frankly that here was the best of meat and, all meat being scarce, why should the best be wasted? One killed one’s enemies, not one’s tribesmen. Here, mothers were known to kill their own children for the family larder. It seemed incredible, more than merely brutal, yet there was little doubt but what it was done. Certainly it was referred to by the natives as nothing out of the way or to be considered blameworthy. It was hard for Jim to get out of his mind the sudden, fixed regard with which the tribesmen had suddenly—and simul- taneously—regarded the still warm and quivering body of the man Gongola had killed. From laughing approwal their faces had hardened on the second into masks of lust, their eyes had flamed crimson. Morality had not been born in them. He wondered if they had souls, any urge of impulse that had nothing to do with bestial appetites. HEY were different from Tufa and his fellows. One would not have to go far back in the history of the families of any of the crew to find evidence of deliberate murder, of head- hunting raids, even of cannibalism. Yet there was a distinction. These men were faithful, they would imperil themselves to serve and save their white master. They had learned to despise stealing and, while they were apt to lie, often out of a desire to piease, they regarded highly one who kept his word. These improvements were not native to them. They had come to them with the contact of civilization. Therefore, Jim argued, there must be the germs of leaven of progress in even the Australian bushmen, though it was dormant, though the whole race might die out before much development occurred. Certainly they had been inhumanely treated. From an estimated fifth of a million they had been teduced in fifty years to less than one-tenth of that numper and, in the early days of coloni- zation, when the land was full of banished British criminals, reckless and brutal, there were regular hunting and shooting parties of Queensland _ natives, as if they had been wild, destructive animals. No one was brought to book seriously for having killed a “black.” It was small wonder that they feared and hated the white man who had almost exter- minated them, small wonder that they were slow about assimilating what they might, very doubtfully, consider his virtues, in prefer- ence to their long established and familiar vices. They were all a part of The Plan. As Jim looked up at the glittering stars and thought of the immensity of space, the differences between the types of humanity that inhabited the earth seemed swiftly to be reduced to a minimum and he had a sudden flash of realization of the barely measurable lapse of time that had occurred since Man, primitive as these blacks were, had appeared upon the earth. A tick of the great clock of Eternity. Jim was not a shark for science. Evolution or creation controversies had never embroiled him in their bitterness. He held a general idea that in the Plan—which included all the ordered movement of the starry host above him—the tiny speck men called the world might well have been prepared for the gradual advent of man himself, emerging from conditions and adjust- ing himself to environments. T WAS not so long since white men had, worn skin kilts, torn flesh with flint, stained their faces with woad and shouted at the bloody sacrifices of the Druids. The monu- ments of thosestimes still endured. They had come a long way, a tremendously long way, since they had struck their pace, but they had had the luck of latitude, of climate and favoring food for their environment. The history of the Australian aborigines was wrapped in mystery, they held no legends of their arrival, of their source, they might be the original type of man, left stranded on the great island that might have been torn apart from the rest of the earth in some supreme convulsion, leaving the primitive men with the primitive types of birds and beasts and fishes, and their strange hybrids, that had survived with them. A cycle from now and the white man, with his vaunted science, his flying-machines and submarines, his electricity, his radios and his skyscrapers, might be looked upon as savage in the light of future generations. For the Australian to have evolved the boomerang from a crooked stick was an illuminating feat, as remarkable, under the circumstances, as the building of a biplane. It all made Jim feel very small. Drowsiness enveloped him. He closed his eyelids against the stars and when next he opened them the sky was flushing to the zenith.: (Continued on page 67) December

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————— FOR ALL BOYS RASH! Joe Murray was in the middle of a shower of bits of broken mirror. He had stumbled as he was carrying the ends of an iron bed down to the basement. His mother, the wife of the janitor of the apartment house, had told him to be particularly careful as he went through the hallway where a half dozen or so apartment doors were furnished with large panel mirrors. A tuck in the hallway carpet had, however, upset Joe’s calcu- lations, simultaneously filling Joe with dismay and the hall- way with glass. The shower of mirror was followed immediately by a violent torrent of words coming from Joe’s mother who, a flight of steps behind, was carrying odds and ends of things from a recently vacated apartment. The words came too fast to be recorded separately and it was not until she sat on the stairs and commenced to weep that Joe could get anything she said. “To think that you’ve brought seven years of bad luck on us,” she wailed. ‘‘Look at poor old Mr. Smith who was janitor here before we came,” she went on. “Mr. Smith?” queried Joe, ‘how can I look at him when he’s dead and buried?” “That’s just it,” answered Mrs. Murray, “he broke one of those mirrors and two years afterward he died.” ““Well,”’ said Joe slowly as he picked himself up, “that was five years that he didn’t have to worry about.” “Get out of here,” shrieked Mrs. Murray, ‘‘before I—” and Joe got out before she did, not waiting to see what it was that she was going to do. When the storm had subsided somewhat Joe returned back into the hall. He had many chores to do as a janitor’s son and the job now needing his urgent attention was the cleaning up of the mirror wreckage. He carefully picked up the shattered pieces, put them in a large zinc bucket, and carried them down to the yard. He figured that it was not quite safe to go down into the house yet—that is into the janitor’s base- ment apartment—for his mother could back up her indigna- tion with a good hefty wallop and as the apartment rooms A couple of hours work were enough to change the barrel and stovepipe into a pre- sentable submarine super- structure By Francis J. Rigney Tilustrated by the Author were not up to boxing ring measurements he calculated that the sqlest place for him at present was outside of his corner. The yard, however, was mostly his place, for among his duties was the job of shooing away peddlers and itinerant musicians. He helped in all basement deliveries and was chairman of the committee that welcomed the iceman, the garbage man and all the other legitimate basement callers. For some unknown reason apartment house areaways and yards are not always built to suit the requirements of boys who had jobs such as Joe’s, and in Joe’s particular case the passage entrance to the yard was rather zig-zagged, in fact it had three ‘“‘zigs” and two “‘zags”. This meant that Joe could not see very well from the yard to the entrance of the passage and consequently had to spend a lot of time as chair- man—-sitting on a chair—located in the first ‘“‘zig.”” This was not as he would like for he was somewhat of an inventor and could work out his plans much better in the yard. O-DAY, however, he had an inspiration. By the aid of two pieces of the broken mirror, one piece held in front and the other more or less behind, he was interestedly ex- amining a scratch made on the back of his neck by another piece of the same broken mirror, and it was while he had his eye on the back of his neck, so to speak, that the idea came to him. Why couldn’t he see around the corner by the aid of a piece of mirror, and around two corners with the help of two pieces? He immediately got busy. In the first corner he constructed, with a few large nails, a kind of rest to hold a piece of mirror at a forty-five degree angle from either wall. The resultant view of the “‘zig’”’ from the ‘‘zag”’ was fine. He tried the next corner, the view was still a success. The third corner, he could yet see the center of the entrance to the passage way though not as distinctly as in the first couple of views. The fourth corner which could be seen from the yard held, as it might be called, the eye piece of the periscope. The four times reflected view in this bit of mirror, though somewhat hazy and greenish tinted, was enough to let Joe see whoever might be entering the premises by the area passageway. He was free at last to amuse himself in the yard, providing of course, that he take a peep in the mirror every once in a while. There were still quite a number of pieces of mirror not working and to these pieces Joe gave his attention. At first he just shot back sun-rays, making them dance up and down the high wall of the apartment house, then he con- centrated the reflected rays on the win- dows and finally focussed them on an alley cat that was climbing the fire-escape just as that cat was making ready to pounce on a poor, caged canary bird. The dazzling flash saved the bird and at the same time brought the owner of the bird to the window. . This person, a tenant in the neighboring house, berated Joe for trying to frighten the canary, ending the lecture by taking the cage in and slam- ming the window. “Well,” said Joe, “my heliograph worked and I got more of an answer than I expected but I had better be careful not to be so successful the next time. Let me see—if I stand on this old barrel I might be able to signal over all the yards without hurting anybody’s eyes.” He climbed up on the barrel which stood close by the board fence sur- rounding three sides of the yard. The corner was diagonally opposite the passage- way which was the only means of entrance to or exit from the yard, not taking into consideration the back windows of the basement. Standing on the barrel he found that he could just see over the tops of the fences bordering the neighboring yards all the way down to a high billboard. This board he selected as his target. On it hap- pened to be a large poster displaying a ship at sea. Things could not have been better arranged; he would use the ship to which to signal. Later he planned to get down to that billboard and affix another bit of mirror in hopes that it might reflect back his rays but at present he had to con- fine his activities to his own yard. Instead of army engineering and signaling work, the Joe. Murray's Luck picture of the ship gave him naval notions and it was as a sailor instead of a soldier that he would continue his experi- ments. E SAT on the barrel and thought awhile. What else could he do with the many bits of broken mirror? Another great idea dawned on him. Why not a regular honest-to- goodness periscope by means of which he could look over the yard fence? He could fix it sg that it would telescope and also . arrange that his heliograph ‘pe worked by means of strings. This would do away with having to climb up on the barrel to see and signal the billboard ship. It certainly would be more like the real thing. And the barrel? Why here was a ready-made turret big enough to hold two fellows the size of Joe, who though tall for his age, was rather skinny and easy to bend. He turned the barrel over, got in, and finding that he had room to move in it, got out again and proceeded to look for some tools with which to make the barrel a ship-shape turret. He found more than he was looking for and it was a lucky find at that. It was a length of stovepipe just the thing with which to make a periscope. A couple of hours work, interrupted only by occasional looks into the alleyway mirrors, were enough to change the barrel and stovepipe into a presentable submarine superstructure. Joe surveyed his handiwork with satisfaction and regretted only that he couldn’t flood the yard so as to get the real submarine effect. He had made a hole in the top of the barrel through which the periscope projected and through which it could be taken in. A sliding piece of board with bevelled edges to fit two strips of wood also bevelled closed the hole when the periscope was withdrawn. This was worked on the inside of the barrel as was the cover of a small round bung-hole which was the glassless peephole through which he could observe more immediate enemies within the yard. He had also made a small door through which he could climb into the upturned barrel; this door also locked on the inside. When everything was battened down nobody but Joe himself would recognize the barrel as anything but a barrel. The job finished, Joe went about his regular chores for the rest of the day and when evening came he again returned to his submarine to make what he considered to be ‘“‘night ob- servations of the enemy.” He was pleased to be able to see from within his retreat the billboard battleship all lit up in the glow of a corner street lamp. He turned the periscope around and was able to survey the lighted windows of the houses of the neighborhood. He could even see Billy Whitney eating his supper in the apartment above his own home. Satisfied that there would be no attack that night he emerged from the turret and went across to see how the alleyway mirrors worked. He found that he could see perfectly to the entrance aided by the two electric lights hanging in the passage. HE STOOD peeping into the eyepiece mirror for a little while and was about to quit when suddenly a movement riveted his attention. Who, or what was it? It wasn’t his father, for his father didn’t wear a fur hat like that in the summertime. It wasn’t the iceman, the garbage man or any of the other regular visitors for they always came early in the day. Who could it be? Maybe some person to inquire about the vacant apartment. Joe was just satisfying himself with this thought when he saw that which almost caused him to lose his power of thinking. The wearer of the fur headpiece was drawing nearer and was now within the rays of the first electric light. Joe gazed horrified, he was looking straight into the eyes of a large brown bear! The animal was now in the third bend of the alley com- pletely shutting off Joe’s chance of getting into his apartment. The back windows only opened into a storeroom which the bear could also enter by an open side door. Joe could of course make a dash for the fence but should he slip— There was only one thing to do—get into the turret! Joe dared not yell for help, his only hope lay in the stoutness of the barrel. The bear had not seen him for he was in a comparatively dark corner when he looked into the mirror. A silent dash, a silent scramble and he was inside of the barrel. The porthole on the upper deck was closed, but for fear of stifling Joe had to leave the smallest possible part of the bunghole uncovered. With heart beating like a triphammer he listened as he sat all doubled up in the darkness. He had not to strain his ears for very long for right away he heard the awful pad-pad of the heavy feet and the terrifying scrape- scrape of long claws striking the cemented ground as the bear made its way into the yard! ! The walking sounds now ceased but their place was taken (Concluded on page 66)

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28 Boys¢LIFE For All Boys—Published by the Boy Scouts of America 200 Fifth Ave. DECEMBER, 1925 New York City Editor James E. West Associate Editors Dan Beard F. K. Mathiews Assistant Editors N. T. Mathiews Art Editor Francis J. Rigney fos MAGNE vat MM a E. O’Connor P. O. Lamb Treasurer George D. Pratt Chief Scout Executive James E. West Chairman BOYS’ LIFE Committee Frank Presbrey Business Director Frederic L. Colver Advertising Manager P. W. Willson Ass’t Advertising Manager V. E. Carroll, Jr. Western Advertising Manager John D. Emrich Circulation Department H. O’Hanlon Honorary President Calvin Coolidge Honorary Vice-Presidents William H. Taft Colin H. Livingstone Daniel Carter Beard William G. McAdoo ' President James J. Storrow National Scout Commissioner Daniel Carter Beard International Scout Commissioner Mortimer L. Schiff Christmas is Here! HE spirit of Christmas is in the air. The shops are decked out in their finest. There is talk of this plan and that. Everybody is strug- gling with lists of presents, biting the end of pencils in thought for fear somebody might be overlooked, and there is much prying into shop windows and looking over cards and book lists. Christmas comes but once a year, says-everybody, and they want to make sure that nobody is for- gotten, that nothing that they can do to make somebody happy is neglected. It is an open season for kindly remembrances and good turns. This is a lovely spirit. We believe in Santa Claus now, for we are Santa Claus! It is we our- selves, who come riding out of the cold north of our own selfish preoccupation, ruddy cheeks, smiling from ear to ear, our long white beards reaching to our high boots! Let us think of the reindeer as the equally magical airplane, and ship and railroad that carries our wishes and presents to the far corners of the earth, of the chimney as the friendly spot in each person down which we fly, of the bells as the joyous herald of our own friendly feeling, and, my! how that great big bag is loaded down with all the kind things which we had forgotten to think and all those good wishes we had been too busy to make, and yet, how light it seems! Christmas is a big time. We like a big time ourselves, with good things to eat—turkey and stuffings and cranberry sauce, and pudding and ice cream; and the festive air, the bright festoons, the Christmas-tree and games. Let yourself go, for Christmas is a glad time, a merry time. This is no time for a long face or that deadly earnest look. A merry laugh must rumble from way inside us to go out and infect the world. Ask any doctor and he will tell you that such a laugh is better than a tonic, for it sends the blood tingling through a thousand miles of living arteries that are coiled up in your body. The Christmas feeling is a thing all by itself. There is no feeling like it. Talking About Presents OREIGNERS say of Americans that when they go into anything they go into it with so much enthusiasm that they lose all sense of pro- portion, of perspective. That is like holding an oil painting so close to your eyes that you cannot see the picture because of the huge blotches of paint. Perhaps there is some truth in this in regard to the practice of giving presents at Christ- mas. To make it something you are compelled to do, to compare them with other gifts, or to re- gard them as something that has a commercial value, is to miss the spirit of Christmas. It is the thought, the affection, the kindness and good- will you put into it that matters. The more presents you can make, the kindlier thoughts you put into it, the better Christmas presents they become. Dan Beard in his article in this issue tells how to make a number of things for scout Christmas presents, and with a little thought, a little looking around, many other things will suggest themselves to -you. We bet that your Dad and your mother will think three times as much of such a present as anything you can buy from a store. A Real Good Turn AKE this Christmas also an occasion for a real good turn. A number of scout troops throughout the country have made it a practice each year to bring to some needy family in their neighborhood, who would otherwise not have it, a bit of real Christmas cheer. One troop last year gave twenty boys a Christmas dinner and tree, another supplies the dinner for six families, a third makes a custom of collecting toys and distributing them to poor children. One troop mended 200 toys and presented them to poor children, another got hold of a grocery truck and delivered Christmas hampers, which they had made up, to half a dozen families. These examples of the Christmas Good Turn are picked at ran- dom, only to illustrate how much boys can do at Christmas, if they have set their minds to it. No boy who has not done some little thing to bring cheer to somebody less fortunate than himself should consider his Christmas complete. Indeed, he will miss the real glow of Christmas if he does not have such an experience to warm his heart, to give real heartiness to his Christmas laugh. Get your chums together and start a toy factory, or plan a Christmas dinner for some Christmas Christmas, the season of Good-Will, is ever in the heart of the Boy Scout. He carries it through all the months of the year and through all the hours of the day. The spirit of the Yule log glows in the camp-fire by his forest lodge. The stars sparkling amid the mighty pines of the mountains are the candles upon his Christmas-tree. For the will of the Boy Scout is to be kind to all that lives, and the eyes of the Boy Scout, standing on the mountain-top, are fixed upon the blazing star that visions a new day. —Cuarces KEELER. poorer fellow. You will find a dozen people are anxious and ready to help’ you once you get started. The Christmas spirit is there—all you need is to show the way. The Serious Side HERE is a serious side to the Christmas spirit. In the birth of Jesus, which we celebrate, millions of devoted people have seen an augury of universal peace. The song the shep- herds heard was ‘“‘ Peace on earth, good-will to men.” There was bitterness and_ ill-feeling between nation and nation, men and men, then, as there is to-day, and the message came to hearts hungering for peace. Think what it would be if we could blazon across the sky, “ Peace on earth, good-will to men!’’ In the war-torn countries this would come, as it came to those shepherds on the hillside, as a supreme promise. The na- tions of the earth hunger and thirst after peace, but the good-will of the Christmas spirit is yet to come in its full force. But that too will come. Indeed, in Europe, where distrustful nations have stood side by side for bitter years after the war, seeking security in arms rather than in good- will, this Christmas will be a Christmas of hope. There is no security in ill-will, and the nations that came together at Locarno in Switzerland behaved as if they were at last learning the simple truth. What they have done may mean peace, and security and prosperity to the stricken countries, if only agreements are carried out in the Christmas spirit of good-will. In a few words, what these men did was to agree that no one nation should be an aggressor against another, and that any nation may grow in prosper- ity and strength as long as her methods are peace- BOYS’ LIFE ful and fair. It is the spirit of Christmas, and we can rejoice with the world that will see in it a Hope written in the sky. The Age of the Airplane RECORDS in the air follow each other in breathless succession. Almost on the heels of the French fliers keeping a heavier-than-air machine running for 40% hours, covering 2,546 miles, on a one-mile straightaway, Lieutenant Alford Williams demonstrated that he could make five miles a minute. Another record was established in the Pulitzer races. The fast Curtis Army plane in a sustained flight rode the air at 414 miles a minute. But the most important feature of recent flying is the development of our airways. The Air Mail has cut the distances between New York and Chicago and San Francisco by half. This service is only in its infancy. It revolutionizes our trans- portation, as the railroad did when it supplanted the mail coach and the pony express. The two big cities of America have an overnight service, which means that where it was necessary formerly to use the brevity of a telegram, a letter can be used, and the residents of New York and Chicago are getting to be almost next-door neighbors. Golden Rule Sunday AST summer two representatives of Scouting, an Eagle Scout and a Scout Executive, visited the orphanages of the Near East Relief in the Balkans and Syria. These journeys were undertaken at the invitation of the Near East Relief, who wanted these scout leaders to see the work of Scouting among the troops in their or- phanages. We hope that space will permit us to publish in one ‘of our early issues impressions of these visits written by Scout Executive Meinecke and Eagle Scout Wood. They were received with a sort of breathless gratitude—these rep- resentatives of scouts in far-away America, who had befriended these orphans when life seemed without hope. It is impossible for us to picture the condition in which these children found themselves. In simple trust they had clung to their parents’ hands, looked to them for food, run to them when frightened. The war, without any warning, swept down on them. Fathers went off never to return. Privations followed, and then, when it seemed nothing worse could happen, they were rooted up and cast upon the stricken unfamiliar country to wander hundreds of miles, clinging to their mother’s skirts, with bleeding feet, torn clothes, and a gnawing hunger, until finally the mother lay down one day to die of exhaustion or illness. It is these children that America has adopted. It is these boys that the fortunate boys of America have taken under their wing, and have striven to befriend. December 6th will be observed as Golden Rule Sunday, and the Near East Relief are asking again that a very.simple dinner be eaten that day, in remembrance of these orphans and that the differ- ence in cost, at least, be sent to them. One of these children can be supported for a whole month on five dollars. Sell to the family this good turn, and offer your help to the local Near East Relief Committee in bringing this opportunity for an excellent good turn to the attention of your home town. Christy Mathewson HRISTY MATHEWSON is dead. When it seemed that he had won the greatest fight of all, a sudden sharp attack of pneumonia brought back his tuberculosis and he was gone. They halted the play in the world series to pay tribute to the greatest pitcher of his day, and hundreds of thousands of boys, to whom ‘‘Matty” was a hero, mourned the passing of this game fighter and peerless ball player—for when they were breaking good Christy Mathewson was un- beatable. We take off our hats to him for on the mound, in France, at Saranac—in his every- day life, he was a hero of whom any boy may feel proud. December

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FOR ALL BOYS The Scout World Activities, News and Notes of Scouting Leaders Needed F YOU were to ask what is the most important event in the history of Scouting during the year 1925 we would answer readily, the opening of the First National Training School for Scout Executives which is at the time of writ- ing in progress at the Bear Mountain Inn, New York State. President James J. Storrow decided on Training as the important thing for promotion during his first year in office and this school has been made possible largely through his interest and cooperation. Better trained executives mean that scoutmasters will receive better help and advice and better trained scoutmasters mean better patrol leaders and better patrols mean well-organized troops. The chief aim, of course, is to make the program of Scouting available to any boy, who wants to join, and, once he has joined, to give him the opportunity to progress from Tenderfoot to Second Class, tolFirst Class, to Star, Life and Eagle Scout Rank. What the national training program will do is to lay a sound founda- tion. Scouting is like a pyramid—the scoutmaster stands on the scout executive; the patrol leader on the scoutmaster; and the troop on the patrol leaders. Won’t it be wonderful if in a few years, with equipment and facilities worthy of the By James E. West their gallant conduct in saving life at the risk of their own. One of these scouts is a Tenderfoot, Thomas Gill, of Troop 7, Baton Rouge, Louisiana. He is only twelve years old. He made a triple rescue, going into the strong current of the Comite River in six to eight feet of water and bringing to shore in succession, his little sister, his brother and another little boy seven years old, who had been wading in the river and had suddenly slipped into a deep hole. Several people on the banks noticed the scene without knowing what hap- pened. At the end of his work Scout Gill was dazed with his’ efforts. He Couldn’t Be Held! ANOTHER scout to receive this high honor is Scout George Dickinson of Troop 6, Bridgeport, Connecticut, also a Tenderfoot Scout. Here is Scout Dickinson’s own story: “While spearing eels in Johnston’s Creek with two friends, Harold Christensen and Granville Steggles, I heard cries for help coming from a spot about 75 feet from shore. Looking in that

(Above) Scout John Rolfe, of East High School, Aurora, Illinois, win- ner of a college scholarship awarded by the Aurora Bank to the pupil submitting the best essay on “Thrift.”

biggest organization of Scouting in any country, we could have permanent courses for Patrol Leaders, Scoutmasters and Scout Executives— courses of such exceptional merit that volunteer and professional leaders will feel that it is an ex- perience of a lifetime? That is the dream of many of our devoted leaders in Scouting, who see in this first school an augury of that dream coming true. The course at Bear Mountain Inn covers one month, beginning October 24th and closing Novem- ber 22nd. Mr. J. P. Freeman, the Assistant National Field Director, is directing the course and he has brought together a large faculty of men prominently interested in Scouting, many of whom you know, such as Mr. Daniel Carter Beard, Dr. Jeremiah W. Jenks, Dr. George J. Fisher and others. Various departments at Colum- bia University also are giving their unstinted cooperation and are conducting in the University, as part of this course, special sessions for which the men will come down from Bear Mountain. Admittance to this First Training School was strictly limited, only 40 being enrolled. The Inter- state Park Commission not only made the Bear Mountain Inn available for the school, but cooperated through their staff and wonderful outdoor facilities. Major Welch, the Director of this Reservation, is one of the lecturers. We hope in our next issue to give you a more detailed account of the school. Look ahead, scouts! We need leaders who come up through the ranks. Make good as a member of the patrol, patrol leader, assistant scoutmaster and then scoutmaster. Why not? Service is the supreme purpose in life. What better opportunity for service than leadership in Scouting? Think it over! Scouts Courageous HE much piized gold medal for heroism was awarded at a recent meeting of the National Court of Honor to three scouts and an assistant scoutmaster in recognition of (Upper right) At the Springfield Exposition Copying a Boys’ LIFE cover (Lower right) Scouts man the Constitution, better known as “Old Ironsides”’ (Left) Atlanta scouts present 14 flags to the city (Below) These Los Angeles scouts acted for Marshal Neilan in a recent movie direction I saw a small boy struggling in the water. When I reached the shore opposite him there was a small crowd around, but nothing had been done to aid him except throw- ing in a short stick. I started to go out to him but was held back by some young men. I broke loose and started toward him. He was in an open spot of water about 15 feet square clinging to the edges of the ice, unable to crawl out for lack of strength. “T lay on my stomach on the ice and pushed a stick toward him. He held the stick, but when I tried to pull him out the thin ice gave way and I found myself in the water with-him. He was unable to swim, so swimming over to him, I got a grip around his neck and towed him to a spot where the ice looked stronger. I pushed him out, climbed out after him and started to drag him to the safe ice, where the peo- ple were standing. “The boy was so frightened that he could not help himself. I dragged him about 20 feet when the“ice gave way beneath us. Feeling the ice give, I gave him a push and he landed on the edge of the hole made by my body as the ice gave way. I succeeded in getting him out a second time. I then dragged him a short distance when some one from the shore reached out and helped . us. Rescues Three Girls _— third scout recipient of this honor was Herbert Jordan of Troop 1, Bladenboro, North Carolina, who tersely de- scribes his brave act as follows: “T was standing on the bank about 150 yards away when I heard a cry for help. I ran as hard as I could and dived in and caught Julia Margaret Fletcher just as she had started to go down. I swam with her about 30 feet and put her on a log. I was just about giving out. I rubbed my legs and dived in again and got two others.” This took place in the Big Swamp River in a depth of 12 to 15 feet of water. The girls got into trouble about 30 feet from land. A Scoutmaster Hero UR other hero is Assistant Scoutmaster W. J. Burnett of Topeka, Kansas. Assistant Scoutmaster Burnett was eating his dinner when a canvas canoe in which a boy named Rose was paddling began to swamp. The boy called to his father, who put out in a boat immediately to his rescue. Just as his father was about to reach the boy, young Rose fell out of the canoe and sank. His father immediately

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30 plunged into the water after him and they both went down together. Picnickers on the grounds sounded the alarm and Will Burnett hastened to the scene, ran several hundred feet along the dam in the direction of the drowning man and boy, and was compelled to swim a wing of the lake fully 200 feet to reach the south bank and then run In the meantime, of course, other scouts had been rallying, organized under the leadership of Scout Commissioner Cecil A. Erty, ready to help in every way. In the week following they performed valuable service in first aid, cleaning away the debris, loading and unloading Red Cross supplies, and acting westward for some distance to a point opposite to where the men had disappeared. Without any hesitation, he plunged into the lake, diving in from 12 to 15 feet of water until he succeeded in raising the father and towing him to shore. Without any assistance he dragged him out and began artificial respiration on the ap- parently lifeless man, directed that a doctor be sent for and went in after young Rose. He only succeeded in recovering the lifeless body after an hour’s continuous effort, and was at the end thoroughly exhausted. Shreveport, Louisiana, Scouts to the Fore ERHAPS you read of fhe terrible fire that swept through Shreveport, Louisiana, in September, when two hundred homes were destroyed and an entire section of the town wiped out. The splendid work of the scouts of Shreveport in this emergency is a story worthy to rank with the devotion of the scouts of the Middle West during the tornado and of the Far West during the earthquake disaster at Santa Bar- bara, where a tremendous emergency found them “ Prepared.” In the story of Shreveport there is at least one event that illustrates in a unique way the scout spirit. One of the first houses to be consumed was the home of Scout William Fill- burn. He was returning with two other scouts, Will Dunn and Chris Stobel, of Troop 18 when they sighted the blaze. Sprinting to the area, they arrived just in time to see the Fillburn home go down in a whirl of fire. Cars from all over the town were rushing to the scene of the fire so rapidly and in such numbers as to create a jam of traffic on the streets and a dangerous situation. Scout Fillburn and his two companions, who were in uniform, immediately took charge of the situation and began to direct the traffic and relieve the jam. For five hours these boys stood at their self-appointed post of duty, working on their own initiative. Items of Interest to Lone Scouts FORMER Lone Scout called at the Long House while on a “hitch hike” and stated that he had been connected with three other nationally known organizations. Inquiry addressed to these organizations brought out the fact that two of them did not know him and that an official of the third had employed him as a day laborer for a short time three years We suggest that Lone Scouts who are approached by anyone who is looking for free transportation, board, or lodging, decline to furnish this unless in- vestigation shows the person applying for it to be worthy of it. ago. ICTOR H. DRAKE, an old-time Lone Scout who is now serving as the director of activities of the St. Joseph, Mis- souri, Boy Scout Council, has been given the job of looking up all former Lone Scouts in that city. bys SCOUT PRENTICE GRANT of Hope Hull, Ala- bama, is editing a department for Lone Scouts in The Scout Bugler, official organ of the Montgomery, Alabama, Boy Scout Council. ALLACES’ Farmer Tribe and the Prairie Farmer Wigwam are planning for a track meet in which the members will run off the various events at their own homes or schools. The scoring is done in such a way that the smaller scouts have equal chances with large ones. HE following Lone Scouts have been appointed deputy Scout commissioners for Lone Scout work under local councils of the Boy Scouts of America: Gilbert Turkleson, of Chicago; Ted C. Schneider, of Jefferson City, Missouri; Frederick R. Kruelle, of Lauraville, Baltimore, Maryland; and LeRoy Bare, of Lititz, Pennsylvania. Bernard Guthrie, of Nauvoo, Alabama, has secured the appointment of three such commissioners. ONE Scout Willard C. Loughlin is sending to brother Lone Scouts flower!seeds from flowers grown around the head- quarters of the Spreading Eagle Tribe. A good idea. Pa Wo ‘al BOYS’ LIFE splendid scout and once our “Chief Scout Citizen.” The troops railied at Oyster Bay at 2:30 P.M., on Saturday, October 24, with organized divisions of scouts from each of the Boroughs following behind their beloved National Scout The exercises at the grave opened with the singing of ‘“‘America’”’ by the scouts and an invocation by the Rev. T? H. McKenzie. Commissioner Beard then addressed the boys on the inspiring life of Theodore Roosevelt, after which the entire contingent of scouts rededi- cated themselves to the Scout Oath. After the National Scout Commissioner had placed a wreath on the grave, several troops followed his example and, after a period of silent prayer, the scout bugler sounded “‘Taps.” The line then returned to the starting point and disbanded. Commissioner. Scouting for Historic Secrets HE Science Editor of The Forum is asking for a search tu be made for paintings and inscriptions which are known to exist on rocks in various parts of the country. Last year an expedition found in Arizona some remarkable rock pictures which are supposed to have been made by prehistoric men and which traced the figures ot some animals that we had no knowl- edge existed in America. You may have read National Scout Commissioner Daniel Carter Beard places a wreath on Roosevelt's grav on the Sixth Annual Pilgrimage as cooks for the entire outfit at one Red Cross station, besides giving general service in traflic regulation. It is interesting to note that the fire occurred a few days after Traffic Control week in the city, when scouts were used to help with the new traffic regulations the city had installed. The local Commissioner of Traffic, following the fire, gave out a statement to the effect that while he had been a bit doubtful as to the value of Scouting before, he now saw that the Boy Scouts were the most valuable thing the city had, and that he plans to ask their greater cooperation. Sixth Annual Roosevelt Memorial Pilgrimage 7OR the sixth successive time Mr. Daniel Carter Beard, National Scout Commissioner, led the pilgrimage of scouts from the Councils of Greater New York, Lone Scouts and Buckskin Men to the grave of Theodore Roosevelt, that The Lone Scout HE Forest Service of the U. S. Dept. of Agriculture loaned the Lone Scouts in Cleveland, Ohio, a photographic exhibit on the subject: ‘‘Our Forests; W hat They Mean to Us,” and two sets of sample woods. Pamphlets on forest conservation, bookmarks relating to forestry, and posters were also supplied. The Lone Scouts arranged exhibits in three branches of the Cleveland Library a: eee ee Me eee ee ee Council Chief Election Returns Dist. 1. Nicholas J. Debacher, Adams, Mass., 6; E. Ken- neth amy Bethel, Maine, 1. Dist. 2. Bert Stubbs, Brooklyn, N. Y., 3; Maurice R. Conner, Rome, N. Y., 0; « Frederick E. Munich, Brooklyn, N. Y., 8. Dist. 3. Albert J. Woehr, Jr., Philadelphia, Pa., 6; ‘Alfred L. Mooney, Sligo, Pa., 6; V. Keith Sutton, Bethany, Penn., 2; Charles Arrera, Windber, Pa., 8. Dist. 4. LeRoy F. Greer, Baltimore, Md., 9. Dist. 5. Spencer Coleman, Tampa, Fla., 8; A. Pinkney Harris, Gaffney, S. Car., 6. Dist. 6. Bernard Guthrie, Nauvoo, Ala., 2. Dist. 7. Roy W. McDonald, Austin, Tex., 20; Tom W. Drinkard, Eden, Texas, 3; Karl M. Read, Blum, Texas, 5. Dist. 8. Irmel Brown, McAfee, Ky., 1; Albert Karalfa, Cleveland, Ohio, 6. Dist. 9. John P. Riley, Paoli, Ind., 11; Harry F. Hranack, Menominee, Mich., 7. Dist. 10. Edward B. Lathrop, Bloomington, IIl., 8; Frank A. Lass, Chicago, Ill., 2; Edward A. Bangs, Chicago, IIl., 15; George Rogge, Chicago, Ill., 7. Dist. //. Ted C. Schneider, Jefferson City, Mo., 7; Allen D. Rebo, Kansas City, Mo.,2. Dist. 12. Claude M. Robbins, Galchutt, N. Dak., 1; Edward E. Noble, Oacoma, S. Dak., 6; Maurice H. Stans, Shakopee, Minn., 2; Myron S. Hutchins, R. 2, Neosho Falls, Kansas, 2. Dist. 13. Dean S. Willey, Los Angeles, Calif., 5; Ralph H. Salazar, Los Angeles, Calif. 9. Dist. 1/4. No candidate. Dist. 15. Earl S. Wark, Baldwinton, Sask., 3. srr sara Ps 1 ta System. These included copies of the President’s Proclama- tion on Forestry Week and a letter from the Governor of Ohio indorsing the exhibit. Photographs and collections of bark made by Lone Scouts added to the interest.—FELIx ADELBERT DoMARADZKI. HE Prairie Farmer Tribe of Lone Scouts has had an interesting Weed Contest. Many large collections of weeds were received, together with instructions concerning the killing of weeds. The five winners received bone-handled of the paintings on the walls of gorges and caves in Spain and France which were neglected for years and which scientists are now studying for the information they give on ancient history hitherto unknown. If there are rocks and caves in your neighborhood, trips for the purpose suggested here should prove very interesting and in- structive. Tell your scoutmaster that any findings in your locality should be sent to the Science Editor of The Forum at 247 Park Ave., New York City. Would-Be Engineers Please Note E ARE reminded that the Webb Institute of Naval Architecture awards each year a number of free scholar- ships to boys between 15 and 21. Itisa full engineering course of four years. The requirements are a good high school education, good character and American citizenship for eligibility to the competitive examination. Scouts interested in these scholar- ships should write to the Webb Institute of Naval Architec- New York City . ture, Sedgwick Avenue and 183th Street, scout knives as prizes, and the prize-winning essay drew thirty contributors’ points. The tribe has nearly two thousand members. News of the Amateur Papers , pee LONE WIGWAM edited by H. Carle Peterson , has been indefinitely sus- pended. Money on unexpired subscriptions : and unpublished advertisements is being NS refunded. RN HE CANADIAN COUNCILOR, an- s nounced some time ago, will not appear. fii Ym, S. Wark of the official The Bear Cat, edited by Earl Baldwinton, Sask., Canada, is organ of District 15. HE POETICAL SCRIBE, published by Alfred Mooney of Sligo, Pennsylvania, announced that it would change to a quarterly beginning September 21. HERE is a noticeable tendency among Lone Scout writers to publish personal letters, in full or in part, without the permission of the writers of the letters. This is in viola- tion of one of the first rules of courtesy, which is that a personal letter is confidential unless otherwise stated by the writer. REEZY SCOUT, authorized Lone Scout publication number eight, has raised its subscription rates to 4oc per year, 20c for six months, and is hereafter to appear on the fifteenth of each month with twenty 6 x 9 pages.—ALBERT KARALFA. ONE SCOUT District 4 is one of those in which coopera- tion between the Lone Scout and Local Council officials is developing as it should. Scout Executive W. Perry Bradley of Baltimore and Council Chief Frederick R. Kruelle keep in close touch and there is no friction in their city. When the Washington Executive reported Lone Scout activity in his city which he did not fully understand, Chief Kruelle went over there and they reached an understanding. All of which indicates that where there is wise leadership there is no trouble. December

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FOR ALL BOYS “Fight ’Em, Big “Three” Reediand could batter and batter against it . . . there would soon have been nothing left of the defense. Reedland early awakened to the fact that it was running up against nothing solid. The Milford line appeared to be like a sieve until a Reedland play started through. Then the way was suddenly and quite effectively obstructed. After Reedland had barely made two first downs following desperate work, further handicapped by the treacherous condition of the sod, the crowd also commenced to realize that it might be going to witness an honest-to-goodness football clash instead of the much- prophesied slaughter. ‘Well, what do you know about that?” a Reedland supporiei exclaimed, in dumfounded surprise, as the Reedland kicker dropped back to punt on their fourth down after the team had made only six yards in three tries. Milford fans, sensing that Milford was taking Reedland’s measure, leaped to their feet with a wild outburst. Stuffy captured the punt on his twenty-one-yard line, the pigskin, wet and slippery, almost sliding from his grasp. He dropped in behind Conway and Arrick as interference. For fifteen yards Stuffy sidestepped and slipped and plunged, then—his interference gone—he splashed over the water- sogged earth on his own. “Atta boy, Stuffy! Atta boy!” yelled Brick. Stuffy heard the voice and recognized it, even above the din. It seemed to give him new impetus. He jabbed out an arm and pushed off the tackle of a frenzied Reedland player who dove at him. Buta second tackler, falling in front of him, brought Stuffy to earth and out of bounds on Reedland’s forty- two-yard mark. The stands gave him a terrific ovation. He had completed a thirty-seven-yard run . . . and Reedland— haughty Reedland—was distinctly up in the air! RAZED with joy at their showing thus far, the Milford team lined up, eager to go into action against their highly touted rivals. On the first play, Pepper slammed the ball against Conway’s stomach and the right half ripped through the center of Reedland’s line for six yards. Beef Mellon, who had opened up the hole, lay on his side and watched Conway leap over him . . . then broke into loud laughter. “Huh! Reedland—they’re not so much, guys! Come on, let’s go... a touchdown!” Pete Arrick, favoring his injured ankle, drove three yards around left end. Stuffy made it a first down with two yards off tackle. How the Milford stands did howl! And how dazed the Reedland crowd did look! The players by this time were caked in mud, gruesome spectacles—their faces streaked with black; their jerseys stained and soaked. Inspired as had been Milford’s great, opening drive against Reedland when the team which had not been rated to have a chance against the State’s mightiest eleven, had literally played Reedland off her feet, onlookers were sure this drive just simply could not last. Rising up with the wrath of a parent about to spank a naughty child, Reedland set herself grimly to the task of re- establishing her threatened laurels. The Reedland line threw itselt into the Milford forward wall and fought with a con- centrated fury to get at the man with the ball. But Reed- land was not able to recover the pigskin until Milford had penetrated what had come to be known as “‘the forbidden territory” . the ground inside Reedland’s fifteen-yard mark ... something that no other team had done that season. When the referee gave the ball over to Reedland on the home team’s twelve-yard line, a heart-rending groan went up from the Milford stands. The team had missed scoring another first down by less than a yard. And the remarkable drive had given their supporters reason to hope for a touchdown. Now, for the first time during the game, Reedland fans settled back in their seats with sighs of relief. Milford’s big bolt was shot. The game would -be Reedland’s from now on. Indeed, it did appear as though the Reed- land crowd had figured rightly. Instead of punting, Reedland started at once to eat up ground on straight- line plunging and end runs... Milford re- sisting stubbornly’ the while. The first quarter ended, scoreless, and the fight was continued. Nearer and nearer to the Milford goal the Reedland — steam-roller pounded and _ puffed. But when the Milford 1925 (Continued from page 18) twenty-yard line was reached, Reedland found the way heroically blocked. The stands gasped as they saw that Reedland was forced to abandon a try at touchdown and make an attempt at a field goal instead. It was near the end of the first half . . . almost thirty minutes of play... in all of which time the far-famed high-scoring machine had been held to a negligible zero. Norton, Reedland fullback, partially redeemed his team by spinning the mud-spattered ball between the Milford goal posts, putting Reedland in the lead, 3 too. But there the half ended. ‘I’m downright proud of you, fellows!’ were the first words of Coach Dolan’s when the tired but happy warriors had reached the sidelines amid one of the greatest dins Reedland field had ever heard.. The crowd was almost in hysterics over the unexpectedly powerful showing of the Milford eleven. ‘You're heaping yourselves with glory,” the coach added, more generous with his compliments than anyone could - remember his having been before. ‘Reediand’s gone stale. You’re the big team to-day!” As the intermission was about half over, a sudden laughing roar from the crowd called the attention of the players to the field. Strutting over the trampled earth, head held high with all the arrogance of his blue-blooded ancestry, stalked a prize rooster! He seemed conscious of the fact that he was on parade, enjoying his promenade far more than being on ex- hibit at a poultry show. A little white banner had been fastened about his neck and hung down over his wings. On the side of this banner, the following words appeared, plainly visible at considerable distance: V’VE GOT SOMETHING TO CROW ABOUT— WHAT DO YOU SAY—REEDLAND? On the sidelines, coaxing his prize rooster along on the triumphal march, crouched a stubby man that all Milford recognized as Mr. Elmer Sanderson. To show his apprecia- tion of the applause that greeted him, the swagger- ing rooster stood to his full height, stretched his neck and __ screeched, “* Cock-a-doodle-doo!” Stuffy and Brick probably got a_ bigger kick out of the little spectacle than anyone elseinthecrowd .. . but somehow they didn’t see so much humor in the antic. Their eyes went moist. “Sandy... he’s all rizht,’’? mumbled Stufly, turning away. So disgusted was the Reedland coach with the performance of his first string men that, when : last half opened, he sent his entire second team in against \/ilford! The Reedland varsity was left, sitting on the bench, peeved enough to bite tenpenny nails in two, after having received the most burning of tongue lashings. Under such circumstances, the second team went out to show the first team how it should be done. Pepper UT here was one time where understudies were as powerless as the principals had been. Though the Reedland seconds drove fresh and tirelessly at the Milford line, they could not keep up an uninterrupted advance. It was in the third quarter that Stuffy’s great kicking time and again saved Milford. Standing in water or slimy mud, his footing none too certain, Stuffy had sent back long punts—keeping the ball always far away from Milford’s goal when Milford had been unable to carry it farther. Twice the Reedland second team had smashed its way into Milford’s ten-yard line and lost the ball on downs ... and on these two occasions Stufly’s punts had been good for more than fifty yards. Seeing this the Reedland first team fairly bit their finger-nails with the desire to get back into the game. This was just what the coach wanted, a varsity so mad that it would tear through all opposition when he gave it another chance. End of the third quarter found the ball in Reedland’s posses- sion on their forty-yard line. ‘All right, first team!” barked the Reedland coach; ‘‘now let’s see a massacre!”’ The Reedland varsity men tossed off their blankets and raced out on the field while Reedland fans filled the air with noise. “Come on, Reedland! Show your stuff! What’s the matter with you to-day?” called an admirer. On the Milford bench, Coach Dolan reached over, tapping Eldred and Mitchell on the shoulders. ‘“Dub, take Conway’s place. He’s all in. Brick, go in for Arrick. Make it snappy!” Dub and Brick trotted out on the field together, Milford rising to welcome them. “Oh, boy ... looky there! There’s Brick! The Big Three’s in the game again. What do you say, Milford?” screamed Slim Mooney, doing a handspring in the mud and landing in a puddle of water. “Yea, yea, yea!” 'HE fellows had faith in the combination of Stuffy, Pepper and Brick . and they had a cordial liking for Dub Eldred who was getting his first chance in real competition after four years of trying to make a team. Reedland, overanxious to make a killing, fumbled on the first play! When the human pile disen- tangled, big Beef Mellon was found on the bottom clutching the begrimed pigskin lovingly. Oh, what a roar the Milford fans gave him! This was Milford’s biggest and last chance—their ball on Reedland’s forty-yard line and a little less than fifteen minutes to play Brick’s heart skipped beats as he heard Pepper calling his signal . . . a run around end... a run around end... sixteen .. . twenty-three... . Brick lunged forward, held out his hands, felt Pepper jam the ball into his arms, saw an opening, dodged through . . . was hit . . . knocked half-falling . . . recovered hisfeet .. . slipped . . . almost dropped flat... heard the crowd yelling . . . and then went down under what seemed to be a swarm of flying bodies. Straightening up and looking about he saw that he had gained eleven yards. ‘Bully work!” Stuffy screamed in his ear. “Come on!” barked Pepper, harshly, “get into it! Signals!” Again Brick heard his signal called... . as if in a dream. “What’s Pepper think he’s doing?” Brick asked himself. “Calling on me twice in succession like that. Has he gone off his bean?” But Brick responded, plunging through a hole in the line made by Kline who was playing a whale of a game at left tackle. Three yards more! The ball on Reedland’s twenty- six-yard line! Then Dub Eldred got his chance to carry the pigskin and added another three yards on a drive around leit end. Frantically Reedland braced herself. On the next play, Reedland broke through and downed Stuffy for a two-yard setback. Dub Eldred was good for but a scant yard on the third down. With six yards needed for a first down, Pepper called upon Brick. “‘He’s going to make me the goat if we don’t make our downs,”’ thought Brick as he heard his signal. Something red flashed up before his eyes. Brick took the ball from Pepper, head bent low and knees working up and down with pile-driver force. He shot savagely against the Reedland line, bounced back, kept to his feet despite the arm of a tackler wound about one leg . . . and dragged and fought his way until struck with great force from behind. “Great work, Brick! You made it!”’ Pepper screamed at him, helping Brick to his feet. “Yes, you. ..!’ Brick cried, hotly, as he was shoved back into position. The Milford fans were now almost overcome with excite- ment. They had never pictured their team actually outplaying outfighting and all but beating the supereleven of the State! But Milford, pinching themselves to be sure they were seeing right, was now entrenched on Reedland’s sixteen-yard line with four brand new downs in which to attempt a crossing of the enemy’s goal. “Fight ’em, Big Three, Fight ’em!” entreated Milford, giving Stuffy, Pepper and Brick much of the credit for their team’s marvelous advance. “What did I tell you? We're going to make a touchdown, gang! A touchdown on mighty Reedland!” exhorted Beef Mellon, a grinning, dripping specimen of bulky strength. The confident tone of his voice added to the team’s resolve. Yes, Milford was going over. Dub Eldred hurled himself at the Reedland line and wriggled through for two yards. Stuffy smashed around end on a wide run which gained one more. Third down and seven yards to go. Pepper called his backfield men together while Mellon and (Continued on page 52) Brick...

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32 Call of the Panthers LEASE tell me a yell for the Panther Patrol?— GILBERT COLEMAN. A loud scream, like a shriek of distress. A Scout Dam 1. Our scout troop has a creek in which we wish to build adam. It is to be twenty feet long, and ten feet high. What we want to know is what width the dam should be? 2. Where could I obtain gas-masks as were used in the World War? It does not matter if they are Army or Navy gas-masks. 3. Could you give some suggestions for building a cabin? 4. What fish would we be able to put in a creek that has a rock bottom, also where could we get the fish?—Eucenr FE. HETTIKER. 1. Width of dam depends upon the style of the dam. It should be quite wide at the bottom and narrow at the top. 2. You may be able to secure a gas-mask at an Army or Navy store. Ask your fire chief. 3. My suggestions are given in “Shelters, Shacks, and Shanties,’’ published by Charles Scribner’s. The Camping Department has issued Camp Buildings and Scout Shelters, (15¢). 4. Write your State Commissioner at the State Capitol. A Desperate Ambrose READ in April Boys’ Lire how to build a Desperate Ambrose. I wish to build such a boat if it would be per- fectly safe for use on the Cumberland River. It hardly ever is over 150 yards wide. Could it be handled all right by myself with a pad- be put together with nails, or are screws better for the bot- Do you know how much water it will draw with two persons in it?—EUGENE JORDAN. Yes, the Desperate Ambrose could be used on the Cumber- land River. Yes, it can be handled with a paddle. Have seen two of your weight (150 lbs.) in one, but it was overloaded and not safe. If the joints are made tight to start with, it will be tom and sides? waterproof after you put it in the water. It can be put to- gether with nails or with screws. The amount of water it will draw depends upon the weight put in it. .\ few experi- ments will tell you all you want to know. Hints for Patrol Leaders 1. Can you tell me a good patrol yell? My patrol is the Black Bear. 2. Can you tell me the Sioux or Apache and Algonquin name for black bears? 3. What things would you put in a pocket first-aid kit? 4. Could you tell me a good patrol stunt, or where to get one?—kE. E. PEMBERTON. 1. Woof—woof—woof. 2. Machaque. 1. Every letter must carry the name and address of the writer. BOYS’ LIFE 3. Bandage, sterile gauze, iodine, aromatic spirits of ammonia, safety pins. 4. Here’s a stunt of W. C. Wessel’s, Assistant National Camp Director: Selling Automobiles "THIS uses four boys to act the part of wheels. Each completely covers himself with a blanket. Each is pro- vided with a paper bag, blown up, and one has a bag with pebbles in it. The manager then introduces the salesman anda customer. The salesman proceeds to point out the wonderful performance of this automobile, and asks the customer to step inside (between the ‘wheels’) while he goes to the front of the machine and goes through the motion of cranking. Upon a given signal, all four wheels begin to bob up and down, and the pebbles begin to rat- tle. The salesman then jumps into the car and proceeds to drive. As they are speeding along the highway, appreciating the wonderful scenery, there is a terrible explosion (caused by breaking blown-up paper bag) and one of the wheels flattens out. The salesman jumps out and pumps the flattened tire, the boy under this blanket gradually assuming his natural position. The salesman, while going through the motion of pumping, is talking to his customer, assuring him that this happens with the best of cars, and in his excitement pumps the tire too much (the boy swelling visibly) until. finally it bursts and flattens out again. After another attempt the tire is adjusted. They proceed along the highway. Then at a given signal all tires go flat and the machine is broken. Model Aeroplanes dle? : About how many boys beside myself 2. One question only, or a group of questions on a single subject, may be asked in each letter. ; s could get in, boys weighing around 100 ; 3. Questions which require more than 75 words for reply must be ignored. 1. Where can I get a model engine for a Tell i258 is How is thi i 4. Questions which have been answered repeatedly will be ignored. — ied a 7 pounds. weigh 150 pounds. OW 15 thls : 5. Questions must have some relation directly or indirectly to scouting activities and the interests model aeroplane: boat to be waterproofed? Will it just swell | tight after being put in the water? Can it jon of scouts, though any reader of the magazine, scout or not, may use the department. A. Ideal Aeroplane & Supply Co., 165 Spring St., New York City. New Ideas in Kadio By Zeh Bouck HE two radio shows held recently in New York City have demonstrated to the fan the advancement of radio more effectively than could any series of technical articles. Radio of today looks no more like it did five years ago than a youngster starting in school resembles the infant squealing and squawking in his baby carriage. And the simile isn’t so bad at that, for it describes the fundamental technical development of radio sets in the past few years—namely, the elimination of squeals and squawks. The single-circuit regenerative receiver, that radiated the power we received as whistles and squeals even only a year ago, has gone the way of all bad rubbish, and a million fans say “good riddance.”’ In its place are the more efficient loose- coupled sets, and receivers having at least one stage of radio- frequency amplification before the oscillating detector. This reduces, when it does not altogether prevent, the leaking of disturbing energy, generated in the detector, out to the antenna, where it may be radiated to the annoyance of neighboring listeners. Controls have been simplified, showing a decided tendency toward sets having one or two tuning dials. This is as it should be, for at our best, man has but two hands, and a third dial is seldom more than an exasperating complication. Successful “‘A” and “‘B” battery eliminators have made their appearance, making it possible to operate receivers directly from lamp sockets, still further simplifying opera- tion for the non-technical fan, and contributing no little bit to all-around convenience. Loudspeakers have under- gone similar development and improvement. The old, ineflicient horn type is rapidly giving way to the cone, which, fundamentally, is the better design. A horn necessarily causes distortion, favoring certain fre- quencies, and only a large open diaphragm, which the cone approaches, can output with absolute fidelity, the variations of voice and music. The esthetic side— the idea of beautiful things—has come into its own, and the modern receiver is truly a decorative work, worthy of companionship with other furniture in the most sumptuous parlor. But perhaps these changes and new ideas can be made more clear by running through typical examples. Let’s take a little trip around these fairs and shows together. Here’s a beautifully arranged exhibit— Radio Corporation of America. The new Super-Heterodyne is a six-tube set with an unusual audio-frequency am- plifying arrangement. This is another keynote of the show —better audio amplification—better quality. You will find that many of the manufacturers are going in for resistance coupled amplification. See, here’s the Daven booth—where resistance coupling started. And right over there is the Allen Bradley Company, and to our left the Durham people from Philadelphia, both of whom are following suit with excellent resistance coupled amplifiers. Another pretty set, the Blair! Here again we have three stages of resistance coupled amplification—which is without equal for quality. But use a “C” battery with it. The fact is for good amplification with any type audio amplifier, a fairly large ‘“‘C” battery must be employed on the output tube. Speaking of amplification, let’s take a look at this Thordarson booth. Remember Thordarson—the people who used to make the old Type R transmitting trans- formers in those happy days of spark sets? Then they turned to amplifying transformers, when CW monopo- lized the stage, and now they are making coupling impe- dances. Impedance coupled a.f. amplification a.f. is a lot better than the general run of transformer coupled am- plifiers. . It’s a bit more economical than resistance coup- ling—uses one less tube—and the quality is well nigh perfect. Quality! That’s what they’re asking for these days, and this the successful manufacturer must supply! Loudspeakers have a lot to do with quality. (Concluded on page 80) The new December

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= FOR ALL BOYS Radiola 25 is a new model of the famous Super-Heterodyne. It gets volume and distance on dry batteries. Its tone is re- markably clear and true. And the loop in the top is all the antenna it uses. The simple new uni-control means easy tuning. And the fine sturdiness, the perfection of detail in construction, mean long, dependable service. With six Radiotrons, but without batteries or loudspeaker, $165 Radiola Loudspeaker Model 100, RCA Cone type, built on the new principle, achieving new clarity and far wider tone range. Can be used with any radio receiver . . . . $35 Loudspeaker Operation Now on 2 Tubes! Here’s news indeed. If you use a Radiotron UV-199 and the new power tube, Radiotron UX-120 (with socket adapters) you can get real loudspeaker volume—and splendid quality on Radiola III. And the set itself (without accessories) now Cebit. . .. «+. SS Withtwo Radiotronsand head- phones . $24.50 Then there’s Radiola III-a. Use a UV-199 and three UX-120’s —and you have great volume —trich, clear tone—better than ever. Radiola III-a, the four- tube Radiola known from coast to coast now (without acces- sories) costsonly. . . $35 With four Radiotrons and headphones $49.50 Whatachance fo, Christmas! RADLO CORPORATION OF AMERICA CHICAGO NEW YORK SURPRISE is'a surprise. But Dad knows that you know something about radio. You might let him in on these facts: The new RCA Radiolas are so satisfying to the critical musical ear that new dis- coveries will not replace them. So safely sealed-in against air and dustand moisture that time cannot alter their delicately ad- justed accuracy. So carefully synchronized —tubes, receiving sets, loudspeakers, all made by RCA and all balanced to each other—that the music and speech come through with clear, full-volumed rea/ity. Whether you buy an inexpensive five- tube set—or an eight-tube Super-Hetero- dyne that has its own power loudspeaker and no batteries—it is the most that the money can buy in radio, if it is an RCA Radiola. Victor and Brunswick, insisting upon highest quality and /asting worth, have chosen to combine with their phono- gtaphs none but genuine RCA Radiolas. RCA-Radiola MADE BY THE MAKERS OF RADIOTRONS When answering advertisements please mention BOYS’ LIFE 33 ‘The greatest Christmas in years SAN FRANCISCO

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34 Silence OHN GRIFFITH threw the magazine he had _ been reading into a corner of the room and squirmed rest lessly in his chair. ‘Hmph!’ His forehead wrinkled in irritation as he read the titles of the books which were arranged in a neat row on top of his clothespress. ‘“‘Murray’s Integral Calculus, Maurer’s Technical Mechanic, Holt and—nothing but text-books. I’ve seen enough of those all week.” He looked at his room-mate’s clothespress, but there was no fiction among Charlie’s books. The bare, painted walls and the simple furnishings aggravated him as he gazed disgustedly around the room. It was then nine o'clock. John had been confined to his room since inspection at one-thirty that afternoon and he was due to remain in confinement until call to quarters the fol- lowing evening. The dreary hours he had already spent and the prospect of many more hours, all equally dreary, were responsible for his sullen mood. Moreover, due to his being in confinement, he had missed the football game with Texas U. “Gee!” he complained, “‘it isn’t right to keep a fellow in his room for two whole days just because he had a little speck of rust on his rifle at inspection.” He took a red comforter from the bed and spread it in the seat of his chair. Then, smoothing out the folds, he sank slowly on the cushioned seat. ‘Oh, well, it could be worse,” he consoled himself. ‘‘If this had been next week I would have missed the Notre Dame game.” ‘He shuddered at the thought. He sighed with anticipation as he thought of seeing that game and then the Navy game three weeks later. ‘ The Big Ben on the mantel over the fireplace ticked slowly. John shifted his position. He wanted something to read There were some good books in Val’s room, right across the hall, but he could not go to get them without taking a chance of being caught. Frank, the cadet in charge of quarters, whose duty it was to see he remained in his room, was apt to inspect at most any time, and if he caught John visiting he would have to report him. The punishment for breaking confinement was a “‘month’s slug’’—twenty-two punishment tours and restricted limits for four weeks. Twenty-two punishment tours was bad enough, but restricted limits meant confinement to the area of barracks, not being able to go to the athletic field for the Notre Dame game, or to New York when the Corps went there for the Navy vame, that greatest of all games. “No,” John determined, “I can’t take a chance like that to get any book.’’ Still he wanted some He got up and opened the door. { He looked thing to read. The room across the hall was dark down the hall at {the other two rooms on the floor. Dark, too! Everybody was at the movies in the gym, or the hop at Cullum Hall. Saturday night is the only one on which a cadet does not have to remain in his room and John looked down the He could study. stairs. Thev were clear “Listen,” he said, “it doesn’t look right for two graduates of the Point to go around avoiding each other like you two boys do” d dash across the hall, grab a book, and jump back to his room before Frank could inspect for him. O BE sure the inspection took practically no time; Frank had only to come to the foot of the stairs and ask if it was “All Right?” John was then on his honor to answer whether or not he was in his room at the instant the report was called for. He could not go back to his room and then report “ All Right”; for the Honor System, which is West Point’s most prized institution, carefully defines the meaning of the ques- tion ‘‘ All Right?”’ and the answer to it must be true and not the least bit deceptive. If a cadet makes an answer which his questioner misinter- prets, it is his duty to correct him. It is not the verbal an- swer, itself, which counts, but the impression conveyed by the answer. Of course the word of a cadet is never questioned, and it is a hundred to one chance that he will never be found out if he violates his honor, still the code of a cadet requires that he tell the truth. There is only one unpardonable sin at West Point, and that is lying. A cadet should not break regulations, he ought to work hard, but he must never, under any circumstance or necessity, lie. John knew all this. ‘‘But gee!’’ he reasoned, ‘“‘it’ll just take me a second to get a book, and it’s hardly probable that Frank will inspect while I’m gone.”” He put-one foot over the threshold of the room and listened intently. Everything was quiet. He tip-toed to the head of the stairs and looked down. He was on the third floor so he could not see the Orderly Room on the ground floor where Frank was stationed; but every- thing seemed all right. He darted into the room across the hall, lit the light, and glanced hurriedly over the titles of the books on Val’s clothespress. There was a book he wanted to read. He grabbed it and ran to the door. “Ts it all right for you, John?” John grew stiff. His heart stopped beating for a fraction of a second, then began pounding violently. The blood raced through his body and throbbed Caught! He flattened himself against the Now he’d miss the Notre Dame game; miss going to New York for the Navy game; miss seeing the fierce struggle between the gray and the blue in the vast bowl of the Polo Grounds; miss yelling, shouting. fighting, for the team; miss the thrill of victory; have at his temples. - door. BOYS’ LIFE By Frank L. Lazarus Illustrated by Eugene M. Frandzen to stay at West Point,'walking back and forth in the area, while all the rest of the Corps was fighting, fighting, against the Navy. No, he couldn’t miss the Navy game. Anything but that. “‘T must see that game,” he cried to himself; but he knew he would not. At West Point there is no putting off of punish- ments to a more convenient time. No excuse on earth can save a cadet from the prompt execution of a just punishment. That is a rule understood by cadets and authorities; it is part of the code at West Point. “Ts it all right for you, John?”’ This time the voice came louder and more. insistent. John looked at his room just across the hall. The door was open to receive him. Frank had not yet started upstairs to look for him. Why couldn’t he dash across the hall and then answer “‘ All Right.”” No one would know the difference. It wouldn’t hurt anyone. And it wasn’t as if he was doing it for some selfish purpose, to escape punishment; he wanted to go to the Navy game, to root for West Point, to see his team win, and to feel the thrill of vic- tory over a worthy rival. Frank was coming up the stairs! John looked wildly about and dashed across the hall. When Frank reached the landing he was standing in the doorway of his room, trying hard to conceal his hurried breathing. “Say, why the dickens didn’t you answer when I sounded off?”’ Frank asked. ‘‘Was it all right for you?” OHN looked sullenly at the floor. ‘‘ You see me here, don’t you?”” Hesnappedit out. He had to see that game! Frank shrugged his shoulders. ‘Well, you don’t have to get all up in the air just because you’re in ‘con.’ It isn’t my fault, you know.” He turned and started down the stairs. “The least you can do is answer next time I sound off, so I won’t have to climb all the way up here,”’ he called back over his shoulder. John shut the door ard walked slowly to the window. High up on the hill, almost hiding the moon, loomed the chapel. John gazed intently at the black mass outlined against the silver background. Something was wrong. What had he done? The book slipped from his hand. He had lied! The realization of his offense dawned on him for the first time. He had violated all the traditions of which that chapel on the hill was a symbol. In order to escape a month’s confinement he had broken faith with his classmates, broken faith with the long, gray line of the past, all of whom had lived and fought so that the word of a cadet would go unquestioned. He clenched his fists until the nails dug deep into his palms. He must tell Frank that “ it was not all right for him—tell him immediately. It didn’t matter if he never saw another Navy game, he could not lie. He had not realized what he was doing; but now he could see clearly again. What would the Corps say if it knew he had lied in order to see a football game, even the Navy game? Navy means a great deal to a cadet, but honor means infinitely more. He shud i _— dered when he thought of what his classmates would do if they found out he had lied. They would ‘‘silence” him,—ostracize him from their society for- ever. He ran to the door and started down the stairs On the stairs he ran into Frank and Charlie, his room-mate. ‘“‘Come back to the room,” Charlie said very brusquely. John stopped. “You know, Frank, I—I—” he stam- mered. How was he going to put it? He didn’t want to explain his lie in front of Charlie. ‘Say, Charlie, I’d like to speak to Frank alone.” “T’ve something to tell you first.” Charlie’s grimness frightened him. “I was visiting in Stew’s room downstairs when Frank sounded off for you.” John became aware of (Continued on page 42) ” December Victory over the,

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FOR ALL BOYS RIVALS 28 E BEAUTY O F Red and Black Color Combination ~ Reg. Trade Mark U. S. Pat. Office THE SCAR LET TANAGER How would you like to get these school chums for Christmas? Parker Duofold Duette Parker Duofold Jr., $5; Over-size, $7 ~_ Pencil to Match, $3, $3.50 or $4 OUR parents are probably wondering what to give you for Christmas, and they don’t want to waste their money on trifles that are soon gone and forgotten. ~ Manage to let them know that you would like to have this fa- mous Black-tipped Lacquer-red Pen with the soft-writing 25-year guaranteed point, and the hand- some Parker Duofold Pencil to match. They'll be all the more likely to give you this handsome writing team if you let them know how necessary it is to your school work. No other pen and pencil set AY Eee Pa can take the place of the Parker Duofold Duette in the high regard of those who know what’s what at school and everywhere else. The shapely Black-tipped Lac- quer-red Pen with Hand-size Grip, Free Swinging Balance and 25- year Point. And to match it, the Hand-size Pencil that turns lead OUT and IN. Pens and Pencils sold sepa- rately if desired: Parker Over-size Duofold Pen, $7; Pencil, $4; Duo- fold Jr. size Pen, $5; Pencil, $3.50; Lady Duofold Pen, $5; Pencil, $3. Now ready at all good pen counters. ‘J 2 STE AT Se. Peg ¢ = ot Bis Wd —_— 35 $3.50 Parker Over-size Parker Over-size Parker Duofold Jr. Duette, $8.50; Lady Duofold Duette, $8 a $5 Duofold Jr. Big Brother” Parker Over-size Duofold Duette, $11 yey toy! on *4 acteld Pencil encil Satin-lined Gift Case included in Sets P E N cS © MF. Aw ,A eR CBCe v1.64 te. Fee 2. & tt THE PARKER FOUNTAIN PEN CO., LIMITED, TORONTO, CANADA + THE PARKER PEN COMPANY, LIMITED, BUSH HOUSE, STRAND, LONDON, W.C. rh ROR E SF NEW YORK + CHICAGO + SAN FRANCISCO - ~~ THE When answering advertisements please mention BOYS’ LIFE 1925

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36 That’s the One I want for Christmas!” If you’re a real, live “go-get- ter,” you'll start right away to be sure you get that Daisy Air Rifle you want, for Christmas. It may take a little salesman- ship on your part, but a boy who is wide-awake will know how to go about persuading his folks that a Daisy will be one of the best investments they ever made for his training and education. Leading educators and sports- men all say that there is nothing like target practice to bring out the best there isin a boy. It’s not only the finest kind of sport in itself, but it will quickly de- velop habits of concentration, steadiness, and precision that make leaders in other sports, and in business life as well. It takes a keen eye, a steady hand, and cool, disciplined nerves to become a crack shot—and the Daisy Air Rifle is the best rifle for a boy to start with. Millions of men, many of them keen sports- men and crack shots today, started with the Daisy Air Rifle. Locate the nearest dealer who handles the Daisy, and ask him to show you the different Daisy models—especially the Daisy Pump Gun. That’s the one you want for Christmas. The same action as a high power magazine rifle, the same fine finish and lines; shoots 50 times without re- loading; $5.00 et all dealers. Other Daisy models $7.00 to $5.00. DAISY MANUFACTURING COMPANY Plymouth, Michigan, U. S. A. Boys: Get Your Free Copy of the Daisy Manual The Daisy Pump Gun. A_ 50-shot Repeater for $5.00 Pacific Coast Branch: F hil. B. Bekeart Co., Managers 717 Market Street San Francisco, Calif. Go to your nearest hardware or sport- ing goods dealer and ask him for a free copy of the Daisy Manual. how to become a crack shot, and how to Ask him to show you the latest Daisy models. them, write us, and we will send anv model on receipt of price. It tells form a drill company. If he does not carry 28 Noel Bloc Nashville, Tenn. DAISY AIR RIFLES When answering advertisements please mention BOYS’ LIFE Southern Representatives: Louis Williams & Company N | last, he spoke. | }red gold; and the gray eyes like sun glancing | been telling me to let you live. The White Leader (Continued from page 11) fortitude of a brave man.- These fiends might glut themselves on his suffering, but they would not see him fear. He could envy rather than pity Ross, who would probably die swiftly under one blow of a tomahawk wielded by Blue Arrow, the traitor, who had guided them to the Creek encamp- nent. At first Lachlan had been in terror that Blue Arrow would emerge from the bushes to betray Ross’ presence to McGillivray. Now, it seemed evident, Blue Arrow had decided to keep the loot—the horse and his pack—for himself. Since to save his father was as im- possible as to save himself, Lachlan determined to try to hasten his own end and escape the fire by so enraging his captors with insults that they would attack him with their hatchets. ailing in that, he could meet the flames, surely, with not less dignity than many a red warrior before him. ‘“‘Halfbreed,” he said insolently to Mc- Gillivray in Creek, “‘why have you and your Creek weasels no war paint? So that if you met three white men, instead of one boy, you | could pretend to be hunters and escape a fight? The Chickasaws say truly ‘There are two cowards in the forest, the weasel and the Creek!’ ” There was a snarl of rage from the Creeks. McGillivray’s eyes flamed, but he answered coolly, in English: “We were on our way to make a peace treaty with John Sevier; therefore we did not paint our faces for war. After the peace treaty and the friendly vows in Watauga we were go- ing to the Cherokee towns to make a war pact. Then we would return with the Cherokees to visit our new white brothers in Watauga. Once inside the fort, we would kill every white man, woman and child. But now we are going home; because we have heard that some men have gone to Sevier to warn him of our purpose. So a Chickamaugan told me yester- day.” Lachlan surmised that a scout from the Chickamaugan camp, which they had sighted | the first night out. must have found their trail | and guessed at the purpose of their journey. | Ile spat on the ground in the Indian fashion of showing contempt. “What is more vile than a halfbreed? Only a | Creek halfbreed!” he sneered, in the Creek tongue. At that an Indian rushed at him with | uplifted tomahawk; but the White Leader | restrained him. “‘That is what he wants, a swift death,” he | said. “You are a fool, Bear Paw. Bind him | to that tree and pile the wood around him, but | only as high as his knees. All Americans shall die; because I will not cease from war while one | lives. But the American who calls me ‘half- | breed’ shall die slowly.” | “By what name should I call you?” Lachlan shouted, struggling desperately in the rough hands of the Creeks, hoping always to rouse their ire, or even McGillivray’s, beyond con- trol. ‘“Halfbreed is the only name your worthless cur of a father gave you!” He was startled into silence by the effect of his words on McGillivray. Indeed, even the Indian hands gripping him slackened their hold from the shock. The White Leader’s tall frame jerked as if from the long thrust of a knife and he emitted a hoarse cry like that of a man bodily wounded. He stared helplessly at the boy, and his eyes seemed the eyes of a wild beast in agony in the steel jaws of a trap. His voice was husky and unsteady when, at “You will light today a memorial fire to the man you have slurred.” He drew close to Lachlan, who was now tightly secured to the tree, and stood in silence a moment, looking down at him somberly. “The red hair, like off the clean steel blade of a knife . . . ever since I looked at you, my secret voices have But, no. I have made a vow. The voices must tell me something more before I dare break my vow. What is your father’s name? I will send him word to tell him the end of his son—a burnt sacrifice in Indian flames.” He stared gloomily into Lachlan’s eyes, then continued, “His lot is happier than my father’s, whose son was given up to a worse sacrifice. And your lot ‘is happier than his son’s; because you will | suffer only a few hours’ torture and then receive the blessing of death.” Lachlan stared back, also silently, at this strange being—fiend or madman, he did not know which—who, even at this dread moment, | (Continued on page 46) | BOYS’ LIFE Willthis be YOU on Christmas morning? Just remind your folks that ATHLETIC GOODS make mighty fine gifts for fellows The D&M Dealer in your town can supply D&M Basket Balls, Hockey Goods, Skates, Boxing Gloves, Striking Bags, Footballs, Etc. How about a good, warm sweater? Get a D&M in snappy colors. You'll need a Base Ball Glove for spring. hy not get it now? You know the kind the Big Leaguers use — “The Lucky Dog Kind’’ Get our catalog showing complete equipment for Winter Sports. If there is no D&M Dealer handy, send direct to us. The DRAPER-MAYNARD CO. Derartment S PLYMOUTH N. H., U.S.A. Send for “HOW TO PLAY BASKET BALL” by Ed. Wachter, Haroard et Ball Coach. IT’S FREE! ike you. December a ad

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FOR ALL BOYS Giving Good Gifts HRISTMAS!—Softly glow- ing lights. . .ropes of tinsel. . glittering globes of gold and silver . music of voices, gay and laugh- ing. . joyous shouts of children. . mounds of snowy packages tied with festive ribbons...the very symbol of Christmas! What a lovely thing it is—the Christmas spirit—that prompts men and women to forget self and open hearts and purses that others may be made happy. But sometimes that very spirit—beauti- ful as it is—sweeps one into gift giving which is embarrassing. In our efforts to spread gladness as far as we can reach we frequently send gifts to those who have much “gold, frankincense and myrrh” and who would appreciate a kind- ly Christmas thought more than an expensive gift. When well and happy we are apt to forget the sick and suffer- ing and needy—men and women and little children to whom Christmas has brought nothing but heartbreak and hopes denied, whose lives, drab at best, are made even more dreary by contrast with the gladness and cheer of the Yuletide season. Try a New Plan this Year This Christmas, give good gifts—not as custom dictates, but as your heart prompts. Give lavishly as your means will permit. Give to those you love and those to whom your gift will bring gladness. Give as far and as widely as you can. But in your giving set apart something—a little or much—for those who are in need of Christmas gifts. At the Wayside In a beautiful Christmas story, we are told of a Fourth Wise Man who = gg from = high a omg my bee mp ——- to o —— ing by a compelling impulse to help the suffering at the wayside ° as : Pe Yet in the end was his honor all the greater. The allegory is plain:— cieties. They are ina position to the worthy desire to give costly gifts to those we love should not investigate needy cases and will keep us from helping the unfriended and the needy. : How wonderful to play Santa * Claus to boys and girls whose | parents, through poverty or sick- ness, are unable to give them the dolls and drums and wooden soldiers they long to have! It is not necessary to have a great deal of money to extend your gift-giving beyond your immediate circle. Perhaps you can spare only a dollar, or a twenty-five-cent piece, or a dime. When your dime or dollar is added to other dimes and dollars the amount is astonishing. A dollar alone is weak, but working with others it is strong. Give Wisely If you do not know any unfortu- nate families who need your help, or if you feel that the amount you can give is too small to be of use, give to one of the many well organized relief and welfare so- use your money to do the greatest amount of good. They supply warm clothing, they furnish “nourishing dinners and distribute toys to eager youngsters who have written confidingly to Santa Claus. It is impos- sible to calculate the good which these charitable agencies do in giving new hope and cheer to those =”. sick in spirit and in body They need ek your help. - hi —This Christmas, give good gifts—the gifts of happiness and cheer and encouragement. When you are making merry around your tree know the joy of feeling that others are having a brighter Christmas because you have given from your heart. You who are well and happy this Christ- mas—who are looking forward to a day of gladness spent with your dear ones—won’t you help spread cheer and comfort among those stricken with Tuberculosis? All over the world today are thousands and thousands of sufferers from Tubercu- losis. In this country alone it is estimated that there are 1,000,000 men, women and children afflicted with this dread disease. Christmas Seals help to support more than 600 hospitals and sanatoria, with nearly 70,000 beds; more than 600 clinics and dispensaries; 3,000 open-air schools, fresh air classes and outdoor camps for children predisposed to Tuberculosis; 10,000 nurses who are giving treatment and health instruction. The cheery little Christmas Seals which are used to fight Tuberculosis offer an instance of useful giving. Whether your income is $50,000, $5,000 or $500 a year —here is a definite way to help others. Won’t you do this simple, gracious thing— buy at least a dollar’s or a dime’s worth of Christmas Seals? They cost only a penny apiece. Others, seeing your Seals may be reminded to join in the noble work of fighting the Great White Plague. HALEY FISKE, President. es eS P ublished by geeks ae Te METROPOLITAN LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY -~ NEW YORK Biggest in the World, More Assets, More Policyholders, More Insurance in force, MorenewInsurance each year 1925 When answering advertisements please mention BOYS’ LIFE

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38 BOYS’ LIFE MECCANO - MADE FIRST ‘[ have been Q [ got my Having a choice of all construction toys, Jackie Coogan selected Meccano, the original and “the Daddy of them all.” A regular fel- low is Jackie all the way through, and when he is not acting in the movies you will find him playing with Meccano. More than once he has been known to dash off between pictures to fnish a Meccano model that he has designed himself. You, too, can share in this Meccano fun. You can build towers, cranes, bridges, steam shovels and endless other models—in fact, anything you can think of—but you must Mi Frank Heneys “a M1 aay with have the real Meccano. My y) me FE a re ° «,, Meccame: 4 for ie ee Why Jackie selected Meccano PALA ait ta ie hosp ae Meccano has such a great variety of parts— more than 200—a part for every purpose. That’s why it will build many more models than any other toy. There are strong steel strips, with holes every half-inch to make building easy; solid brass pulleys and gears; couplings for strips and rods, curved strips, and many others. Other toys have copied some of these parts, but only Meccano has HCC If you own other construction toys E mn 9 1 neer 1 ng Stop in at your dealer’s and examine Meccano. Adding a Meccano set will give you many new and valuable parts, and you will be able to build models that you could not build without Meccano. A S E A ~ Y A my When answering advertisements please mention BOYS’ LIFE December maw. Read this letter that Jackie wrote How the Pulley Block is assembled If you already have Meccano There are always new things coming from Meccano Headquarters and they are announced first in the “Meccano Magazine.” the Meccano boy’s own aper. It is full of news that you'll like —articles on engines, airplanes, bridges; new models, puzzles, contests, etc. hey Meccano boy should get it. Send 5 cents for a sample copy >

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FOR ALL BOYS 39 - MADE BETTER ~ BUILDS MOST Meccano Fan strice Some Exclusive Meccano Features : 99 | —= hla S S 7 (C Only in Meccano can you get these parts a 1 Heavy Perforated Steel Strips

with smooth edges Sturdy Angle Girders 3 Nuts and Bolts brassed to prevent rust 4 Brass Wheels with solid brass hubs

Large Braced Girders WN 6 Solid Brass Gears ex the teeth are cut, not stamped

them all. In fact, there has never been a steel construction toy that did not adopt some Mec- cano parts—that’s how good Meccano is. But don’t be fooled; get the original Meccano every time. A New Toy Every Day With every Meccano outfit is included a big book full of pictures of models. There is nothing further to buy and the fun begins as soon as you open your set. When you’ve built your model, just watch it go—for all Meccano models work like the real thing. And you can build hundreds of models, all with the same Meccano parts. You can actually have a new 7 Curved Strips

8 Patented Cranks and Couplings "G 9 Triple-throw Eccentric

} c '/gn ix

MIAN

ZN F, ane. Ver LALA

toy every day for years without ever making A Meccano Hammerhead ) the same one twice. Crane i Yes, Jackie is enthusiastic about Meccano This Special and you fellows will be, too, when you get $8.50 Outfit your outfit. Ask Dad to give you Meccano and : A splendid-value outfit, con- then—Oh Bo ! Meccano Prices taining a great assortment of ; Mo: 08: Oatht .............<........ ZEB parts and a powerful revers- For sale at all toy and hardware stores. If your No.0 “ ....... ... . 2.00 ing motor. Builds hundreds of dealer cannot supply you, we will on receipt of price. eae models, and the manual in- a 5.00 cluded pictures more than MECCANO COMPANY, INC. No2. * 6.00 150. Division B-12, Elizabeth, N. J. No. 2X “ Has Motor .... 8.50 Price, No. 2X Outfit ......$8.50 In Canada: Meccano Ltd., 45 Colborne St., Toronto No. 3 sie eae cscsiaeie, SD and up to $45.

“The Magic Carpet” that carries you to the wonderland of Meccano joy and model-building. Full of beautiful pictures. “The Jackie Coogan Book”—An interesting story of Jackie’s visit to Meccano Headquarters and what he saw there. Mail the coupon, and we will send you both books absolutely free.

+ AXINI for Boys

Meccano Company, Inc. Div. B-12, Elizabeth, N. J. I am sending you my name and address. Please send me your two free Meccano books.

eich | NY Ay) « BUILDING WITH BLOCKS | ::-

My name

1925 When answering advertisements please mention BOYS’ LIFE

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The crack Shine-All team of St. Joseph, Mo.—one of the fastest basketball teams in America These college stars make a record on Keds Independent basketball champions of Missouri— finishing the National A. A. U. Tournament with but a single defeat — victors over the national independent champions! These are some of the achievements of the famous Shine-All team—composed of former stars on leading college teams. And this team wears Keds! They’ve found they can play a faster game and get longer wear—on Keds. Keds are made of rubber direct from our own plantations in the East Indies—some of the finest ever produced. That’s why Kedssoles haveso much life and spring—why they are so tough and hard to wear out. And for floor-grip Keds hold the record—by actual test! Uppers of strong, durable canvas and a special Feltex innersole to absorb perspiration—make Keds cool and comfortable. Keds are built to stand the hardest wear champion players can give. In many cases they have been found to outwear two and three pairs of ordinary shoes! But remember—shoes that don’t have the name Keds on them are not Keds. Keds are made only by the United States Rubber Company—and the name Keds is put on every one. They come in all the popular styles—at prices from $1.25 to $4.50. Ask for Keds—make sure the name Keds is on the shoe! - Our Keds Hand-book of Sports is full of interesting information on games, sports and dozens of other subjects. Sent free if you address Dept. 840, 1790 Broadway, New York City. United States Rubber Company The special Keds basketball shoe. Its tough springy sole gives a sure grip on the smoothest floor. Built to stand the hardest wear are not Keds unless the name Keds is on the shoe They BOYS’ LIFE The Readers’ Page A Bird That Lives on Popocatepetl By Scout James J. Bulnes OR some time we have been aware of flitting | ~ shapes that dance along the sun-dappled, pine-shaded trail. They bounce along ahead | of us, snatching a morsel of food or pausing to | jerk their tails nervously so that they showed |a flash of white down, the outer edge like the jrim of a card. Chirping incessantly and scrutinizing us with eyes like orange opals they | keep always at a distance. They are not really shy, just undesirous of our company. By | these signs know ye Junco cinereus. Down where the moss covers the floor of the | valleys and the underbrush is rich and pungent | and tangled, the shadows cool; on the sunny, | tree-clad hills; among the tall boles of the pines | or the rich bear-grass is the junco to be seen. |In the Mexican Valley they are abundant | throughout the Sierras del Desierto and Ajusco and as far north as the hills continue. They range from the outskirts of the foothills to as high—there is no limit to their vertical range. With the ravens they hold the altitude record lof the perching birds; having been seen in | August only two hundred feet from the summit |of Popocatepetl making tracks,in the snow. The lower slopes of the mountain swarm with them, especially in the bear grass brakes. On the southern slope of the range and to the east they are in evidence as far as Tochimilco, Morelos. | Strange to say, none were seen between | Savaleta and the summit of Iztaccihuatl while | we were there—November 1st-3rd—although | the country is typical of them. The fact that |a severe wind was blowing down from the peak might account for their absence about the foot of the volcano, but their scarcity in the sheltered valleys near San Rafael is unaccount- able. They are always active and contented, not even the cold mountain rain sends them to shelter. They love to congregate on the warm, sunny slopes covered with chaparral, where they dodge among the roots and stems of the thicket and scratch in the leaves like Towhees. Others, perched on the tops of the bushes, are seen to dart into the swarms of insects girating above them, the snap of the bird’s bill being audible as it closes on its prey. Under a bush or protecting earth bank, the nest is placed; very often within the barrier of the pines that stand as silent, somber guards over their treasures of life. They choose a spot in a thicket, or if the site is an earth-bank, a little above the base but hidden by vegeta- tion and there scratch a shallow depression in the ground where the first materials are laid. More grass stalks are added, they have con- structed a cup-shaped nest, with the interior cavity two inches deep by three across and lining this with horse-hair and fine, dry grass. The eggs are seen about the first part of May | and one family is reared. Some nesters do not begin nesting until the end of the month, or | are these birds who nested early and are raising another family? The clutch is as exquisite as that laid by any bird: three eggs, usually, of delicate green-blue. I once found a thin- | shelied, colorless egg in a nest with two half- | grown young birds. | The birds are very much devoted to each | other and their nest, both parents sharing in the domestic duties. When brooding they will | not flush until nearly trod upon. The babies | grow rapidly and are feathered much like the | female, except for the faint olive streaks on the | under-parts and the small dull spots on the | head and neck; and they lack the gem-like | eyes of the parents. The adult plumage is not attained until the second year. I once found a nest below the over-hanging | edge of a steep bank. It was located in a small grass-grown cavity and could not be seen from above or below. It would have gone un- discovered had I not noticed an adult junco | with a bit of food in its beak, jerking about excitedly on a barbed wire fence just above the bank, accenting each movement with a loud chirp. My hopes high, I began to look for the nest. After investigating all the possible places, I happened to peer down over the edge of the ridge and saw two bright-eyed fledglings cowering in the nest, their little hearts pound- ing with terror. The parents hovered near with ruffled crowns and nervous movements, chirping angrily. I reached down to pick one of the young birds up, when away it fluttered and went half falling half flying down to the stones at the foot of the bank. I hurried down to catch and return him to his nest, but When answering advertisements please mention BOY‘S LIFE he was so well hidden among the rocks and trash in the wash and he kept so quiet, that it was some time before I was able to spy the little thing. It was pressed very still and wide- eyed against a rock. When picked up he ex- pressed himself so frankly that I was left in no doubt of his opinion of me. Without a thought for themselves, the parents flew at me, again and again answering the call of their baby and coming so close that I might have touched them. Fearing that I might influence the parents to desert their nest by my meddling, I replaced the little bird on the ground and withdrew to some distance, hoping to see how the old birds would maneuver the nestling up the steep bank. But although I kept very still, they would not approach their young one while I was in sight, on the contrary, they would hop to a bush and call or peer into a rock pile, endeavoring to distract my attention from their beloved baby. As I had to be on my way, and for fear that some accident might overtake the little fellow, I picked him up to replace him in his cradle, but again his shrill cries brought his doughty parents to the rescue and their brave efforts to make me relinquish their offspring continued until he was once more safe in his nest. Something Happened! By Lone Scout A. J. Woekr, Jr. “W E WIN, we lose, we win,” mumbled Sherry Travis, as he plucked the pedals from a daisy. ‘“‘What’s that for?” asked, Jim Blair, point- ing to the torn daisy. ‘“Why don’t you see I’m finding out whether we're going to win to-morrow or not,’’ replied Sherry, with a grin. ““You’re a nut,” said Jim, disgust written all over his usually jolly face, as he got up to move. Jim told us about that after we had won the game with Overton High. We were seated in Hall 27, Sherry’s room. We all vowed that Sherry was the most superstitious guy in Blackwood Academy, yet he was popular because he was always a jolly good fellow and a dandy center fielder. “Maybe next time the daisy talks different,” said Sherry laughing, “‘then what?” he asked. “Then I'll knock your block off,” replied Bill Shannon picking up a book and slamming it at Sherry, who artfully ducked and the book hit Jim, who wasn’t expecting anything, over the ear. A wild howl arose and soon a free for all fight ensued and ended only after a bottle of ink spilt over the table and started dripping into Sherry’s mouth. We had to break Sherry of his superstitious nature, for he was getting on the team’s nerves, yet all of us suspected Sherry of doing it just to get our goat. The next game was with Boonville Prep. The day of the game was dandy, not too warm, nor too cool, just right for a baseball game. Sherry came running into the dressing-room and in a low voice to Jim said, “‘The daisy says we’re gonna lose.” “What?” yelled Jim, and we gathered around to see the fun, “can that stuff before I lam yuh.” “Oh, I fixed it though,”’ replied Sherry, as he put on his uniform, “I saw some ants on my way over and stamped on a couple, so you see it’ll rain and we won’t play. Just leave—” A laugh went up at that, but not Jim, he chased Sherry all over the gym until the Coach came in and stopped ’em. Sherry said to the Coach, as they walked out on the diamond, “Coach something’s gonna happen to-day. A black cat crossed in front of Jim, Bill dropped his glove and stepped on it, and the daisy says—”’ “Shut up, you nut,” yelled Jim glaring balefully at Sherry. The Coach laughed and made ’em quit fighting or arguing, call it what you want. Well we played a good game, but still we couldn’t get ahead of Boonville. They were still one run ahead of us, when came in for our bat, in the end of the ninth. Bill was the first up and he fanned. Joe Deal, our second sacker and chief walloper, got walked to first, on balls; and next up came Dan Dunn, third sacker, he followed Bill’s act and struck air for the sécond out. The Boonville fans were yelling like crazy and our rooters were doing their darndest to cheer us up. Back on the bench Sherry yelled at Jim, who was just marching up to the plate, ‘“‘I told you somethin’ would happen.” For a minute it looked as if Jim was coming (Concluded on page 48) December

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mes x 2 FOR ALL BOYS 1925 OW’D you like to make an automobile that has its own motor? (a motorcycle engine will do.) You can do it. It’s easy with the directions in the four wonderful books pictured at the bottom of this page. Let the other boys wonder how you can make so many interesting things. Make your own motor sled. Make your own radio. Make your own skiis and snowshoes, boats, pushmobile, magic apparatus, Indian arrow heads, telephone, telegraph, glider, steam-engine, musical instruments, kites, bird houses, and nearly 4,000 other things. You can learn how to make almost anything that any boy could want by follow- ing the pictures and simple directions in The Boy Mechanic Library And just think of it, there are nearly 4,000 separate articles in the four beautiful volumes! Some of the most fascinating subjects are listed below. How to Make Things — How to Do Things 0a Wind wagons Fruit growing Models ic Winter sports Motor sleds- Entertainments Laboratory helps Puzzles Camping Radio Automobile Household helps Bicycle Ice boats Magic House decorations Wood working Flowers Water sports Trapping Drafting Electrical devices Hunting Toboggans Pets China painting Photography Kites Tents Leather work Decorative metal Music Metal working tools Skiis arpentry wor Outdoor games Secret lo¢ks Indian snowshoes Painting Furniture making Stoves Swings Skating ‘oys ‘arming Furnaces Sleds Gymnasium Fishing Poultry Wireless Power-devices Make things to sell to others. ys Can Make Money °°" ss 27m money in your spare time. Get the " eP set, hundreds of the articles shown will sell easily at good profit. Learn how to make things to sell. Learn how to make things to enjoy yourself. Buy the complete library, including Book 1, Book 2, Book 3 and Book 4. There are no other Lie like these. A boy getting these books for Christ- mas will surely be happy the rest of the year. You won’t need to buy any more playthings. With the directions in these ee you can make your own. SEND NO MONEY Simply write ear name and address on the attached coupon and mail it at once, When'the postman de- livers the books to your door, pay him the special bargain price of $7.00 and the few cents postage. That isall. Don’t miss this special offer—Order now! Popular Mechanics Press 4l POPULAR MECHANICS PRESS Room 1149, / Popular Mechanics : Building, bi, CHICAGO, ILL. Please send me at once The Boy Mechanic Library includ- ing Book 1, Book 2, Book 3, and Book 4. I will pay the postman $7 Popular Mechanics Building, and the postage. Money back if not Room 1149 CHICAGO, ILL. YY aes 3,917 Pictures = MM ones 3,849 Ideas. books you want: O11 02 When answering advertisements please mention BOYS’ LIFE Street No. or R. F. D....... Cee e emer err e see eeeeeesereeesesseeseseeee If you want individual books at $2 each, check the numbers of the 03 oO4

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42 Charlie’s voice, coming as from afar off. ‘‘I didn’t think you heard him, so I poked my head out to call you, and just then I saw you dash across the hall. I went back into Stew’s room and told him how I had just seen you get caught visit ing, and when I saw Frank a little while later, I remarked that it was too bad you were going to miss the Navy game Frank said you had made out it was all right for you.” “Yes, yes,” John interrupted. He had stood paralyzed, “‘Yes,” he repeated eagerly, ‘‘I I was just going down to tell now he recovered himself. know. I made a mistake Frank when you stopped me.”’ “You knew it wasn’t all right for you and yet you made me think it was,”” Frank accused him. John looked wildly about him. “I know. I know. I’m telling you now. It wasn’t all right for me. I made a mistake.”’ “I’m afraid you're a little late in admitting your guilt,” Frank told him. “I’ve already reported you.” “Don’t!” pleaded John. “I didn’t know what I was doing. I didn’t mean to lie. I was going to tell you it wasn’t all right for me.” “T wouldn’t advise you to try and back out of your punish ment now,” said Charlie. ‘‘It won’t help matters any and it might make them lots worse.” Charlie went into the room and John followed him. night, Charlie,’ Frank called as he walked slowly down the **Good- stairs. “Good-night,’”’ Charlie answered. APS sounded clear and melancholy in the night. John felt that it was being blown for him. In a few days he would be silenced, his friends and fellow cadets would no longer speak to him, would go out of their way to avoid him. In order to see the Navy game he had taken the chance of becoming a social outcast—and he had lost. He stood before the window and gazed up at the chapel. John tried to think, but the shock of the evening’s events had been too great; he could not concentrate He did not feel angry or resentful, not even toward Charlie and Frank. They had only done their duty. He would have done the same thing had he been in their position—so would have any other cadet; for the Honor System demands that each cadet re port all violations of honor on the part of other cadets. Frank entered the room on his l'aps inspection to see that everyone was in bed. ‘‘ You had better get to bed,” he, told John curtly. John walked slowly to his bed. The habit of obedience was inculcated deep in him. All night he did not sleep, he thought of what he had done and what the consequences would be. He blamed no one—no one but himself. The next day found John still unable to think clearly. He went through the services at chapel, rising and sitting with the rest, but he did not hear a word of the ritual. His eyes and thoughts were on the stained-glass windows, set high in the granite walls around him. Those windows were memorials to the men who had made the traditions of the \cademy. Each class had a window there. It was later in the day that John was called to appear before the Honor Committee. Assembled in the large, high-ceilinged conference room of the North Guard House they waited for him. There were twelve men, all classmates of John, one elected from each company John stood at attention before the chair- man. “You made a deceptive answer to a question of the cadet in charge of quarters.” He was one of John’s best friends and he had to bite his lip to be stern. John nodded. “You made it knowingly and purposely.” “No, no,” John cried out. “‘I- I—"’ he stopped. His judges were looking at him with amazement in their eyes. ‘‘Yes, I knew it was wrong when I entered it.’’ His erect John did his best to keep the truth from them. Silenced (Continued from page 34) figure sagged just a little. The judges looked at one another. There was really nothing else to be done. John had admitted A lie is a lie, and there can be no conceivable excuse for it. The judges passed their votes on slips of paper to the chairman. He counted them. It was merely a matter of form; he knew before pencil was touched to paper what the verdict would be: ‘“‘Silence!’’ One word, a simple word, the outcome of simple proceedings; yet every man who had written that word shuddered when he thought of what he had written was going to mean to a friend and classmate. a lie. HE chairman rose. John tried to pull himself together. He knew what the sentence would be. He knew it would be the last word spoken to him by a cadet. *‘ John Griffith,” the chairman was speaking, “you have been found guilty of making a false statement. Your sentence is that you shall never again be spoken to by any cadet now at the Academy. From this time you are silenced.” The other cadets rose and slowly filed from the room. John was left alone, still standing atattention. It wasallover. The proceedings had been very short, the punishment stern, terrible, lasting; but it was meant to be so. West Point is a school for men and fighters; there is no place for sentiment in its justice, and none is expected by those who do wrong. So John Griflith was silenced. In each company the Honor Committee representative called the men together. He told them what John had done, and he told them the pun- ishment that had been awarded. Only cadets were told; for the silence is a punishment for cadets, by cadets. The outside world is not concerned in, nor entitled to share the punishment for the offense which was not against them or their traditions. John’s first thought when he realized what the silence meant vas to resign from the \cademy and escape it all. The first “They're all busy showing their parents around ” BOYS’ LIFE few days of silence were terrible, and when he saw an endless year of days stretched out before him, all the same, cold and friendless, he felt he could not go through with it. He wanted to quit, but he could not. It would break his father’s heart if he did not graduate, for his father had graduated from the Point way back in ’98 and his greatest ambition in life was to see his son graduate from his old Alma Mater. Ever since John could remember, his father had talked of that graduation day. Then too, the thought of quitting went against the grain. He had only a year to go until he graduated; then he would be able to go out into the world, where the silence would be lost in the noise and bustle of new found friends and interests. John, was used to having friends; he liked to stop in a class- mate’s room to discuss the coming football games; he liked men to nod to him when he met them outside of barracks— it made him feel better. Now he had to do without those things. But even harder than having no friends was the way his former friends treated him. Whenever he went near a group of cadets they stopped talking and looked uneasily at him, as if they were afraid he was going to try to force his company on them. And when he passed his one-time com- rades it hurt him to see them look the other way, or stare right through him. Some regarded him contemptuously as he passed; others watched him shyly, pityingly; and the plebes (Freshmen) stared at him in awestruck wonder, as if he was some monster that should have been penned up in a cage. The weeks dragged by with the dreadful slowness of cen- turies. John was allowed to go to the football games, for his punishment was only the “silence.” The cadets had tried him themselves, as they did all offenders against the honor of the Corps, and they had given him a punishment more terrible than the punishment tours and confinements which the au- thorities were able to mete out. John would gladly have walked the area every day of that year and missed every game, to get back his honor and the respect of his classmates. Cadets often came in the room to exchange the time of the day with Charlie, but they never took even the slightest notice of John. They treated him like a piece of furniture, something that was unnecessary, vet which the regulations required to be there. And when they were alone in the room for a long time at a stretch Charlie became restless and went out to find someone to talk with. John saw all these things and they made him very miserable. “I’m going to resign I can’t stand it any longer,” he cried to himself. He thought how won derful it would be to go away where people would speak to him and treat him as one of them. And he could do it easily; but no—courage and strength returned to him. He had done the easy thing once, now he would take his punishment. He’d see it through even if it killed him. PRING came bringing with it thoughts of graduation and free- dom. Now John found many things to occupy him and take his mind from the silence. Officer’s uniforms, smart and new, were delivered by the tailors of whom he had ordered them. Equipment arrived daily and was shined and re-shined until it shone like a mirror. Boots, leg gings, shoes, field glasses, and a hundred other things, all came; for there remained only a few weeks un til graduation, and every cadet wanted to have all his equipment before he left the Point, so that he could take it home and display it to admiring friends and relatives. Then, too, the homecoming would not be complete unless the embryo general descended from the train decked out in all his newly acquired glory. John was happy for the first time in many months as he stood in officer’s uniform before the mirror. When he donned that uniform for good he would be free to go awa) from the silence and find new friends. Finally, June came, bringing with it the end of academic work, and (Continued on page 54) Decembe: a

Page 43

FOR ALL BOYS 43 THE LATE A. H. SMITH Famous President of the New York Central Lines, under whose direc- tion the gigantic task of electrifying the road from New York City to Harmon, N. Y., was accomplished. * * k The boys who today are learp railroad principles by run Lionel Model Raj ; The Lionel Bell Warn- ing Signal—Asthetrain approaches the grade crossing, bell automati- cally rings—stops ring- ing as soon as train has passed. Steel construc- tion throughout. - Lionel ‘Trains and Real Trains Differ only in Size! apy BEN you wakeupon Christmas morning Take father and mother to your store to see and see yourown Lionel ModelRailroad— these amazing Lionel Model Railroads. Then you’ll know and they’!l know why more Lionel s ‘ : : Railroads were sold last year than any other Lionel engineers are skilled in the art of | make. And remember: Lionel trains are low- developing electrically and mechanically Per- est in price consistent with high quality— fect Model Trains and Railroad Accessories complete outfits from $5.75 up. (Slightly in exact reproduction of the latest big electric higher in the far West.) railroad devices. For sale at all good toy, hardware, sporting- For twenty-five years they have built Lionel goods, electrical and department stores. Model Railroads, Multivolt Transformers and THE LIONEL CORPORATION Model Railroad Acc veeageeeaie sg tha took like real Dept. E 48-52 East 2 1st Street, New York City trains and work like real trains. No miniature railroad is complete without the new Lionel Automatic Crossing Gates. Down goes the gate as the train approaches— up again when the train has passed. It works by itself— just like the real ones. You'll be the happiest boy in town. Lionel Standard Locomotives for 1925 are The new Lionel catalog is f 1 h Th d a wonder book of model more powerful than ever. ey are equippe caliente—0 pean te ae with the wonderful ‘‘Three-point armature tual colors. It shows the shaft bearing Super-Motor”’ and new reduc- pray pee OY tion gearing that greatly increase hauling _ power and reduce current consumption. Be sure to examine the great detail of Lionel Locomotives, Coaches and Accessories — the powerful 8-wheel, twin-motor locomotives for both Standard and ‘‘O”’ Gauge Track — real electric headlights — Lionel automatic couplers —the latest 6-wheel trucks on the largest Pull- man and observation cars—interior car lighting LU) — everything that represents a real railroad. ec rere sa Lionel “Multivolt” Transformers— Ever-reliable power plants. Run all trains best. A type for every size train. “STANDARD OF THE WORLD SINCE 1900” FL ELECRICTR A “MULTIVOLT TRANSFORMERS When answering advertisements please mention BOYS’ LIFE

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BOYS’ LIFE my free book tells hiu steam shovels, aerc different working

—— year I’ve got a real surprise for you. ‘almost I’ve written a new book, “1000 Toysin1,” the mo’ that you want. It tells all about the new Erec- you ha tor. It’s a great book and I want every one of _ jill shc my boy friends to have a copy. It’s free; just You send me the coupon. put t ti I get a lot of fun out of inventing toys for boys. {motor s I wish that every one of you could come to New get. T Haven and go through the factory where your to both wonderful Erector sets are made. When I was motor c a boy, we didn’t have anything like Erector to give us fun every day of the year. If we wanted to build models, we used the best things we could find. When I graduated from Yale, I made up my || mind to make a toy for American Boys that would ||1—Ere give them greater opportunities for fun than I had. So I invented the Erector with its hundreds of marvel- aa ous parts. When you have an Erector set you can make mar- velous working models of the greatest engineering feats. | Just think what fun it will be to make trains, draw- |

! bridges, steam shovels, concrete mixers, diggers, light- houses, engines, motors, dynamos, railroad signals, and the best fun is yet to come because these models actually | - work. The powerful Erector electric motor makes them whiz and spin just like real ones. The powerful Erector <2 electric motor is a wonder '5—Nev YOU'LL get the thrill of your life as these pieces of | (In structural steel grow under your hands into models

Built with the New Super-Erector No. 7

When answering advertisements please mention BOYS’ LIFE December I

Page 45

FOR ALL BOYS 5 aw you can build bridges, woplanes, engines, IOOO Hello Boys! I want you to be sure and get my free book and as ‘ 4 your present; the Gilbertscope. Tear the coupon off right now cea AC : ot o e

President. 3 wR mtn ne marvelous construction Sel

su. ‘llmost as lifelike as the originals. And then—when The Super-Erector No. 7 ft vee J |,’ the motor starts to purr and you see the model which the premier popular-priced set é with this book ec- you have built with your own hands—oh boy! how you of | \will shout. I HAVE been making better and better Erector sets ° ‘ 1st You can take the Erector electric motor apart and for boys ever since I left Yale; but this is my master- the mysterious Gilbertscope put it together easily because it’s built sosimply. The piece set. I know that every boy will go wild over this weet site ‘ ys. motor shaft is the same size as the other shafts in the premier, popular priced Super-Erector No. 7. you send the coupon for this free book, you will also get an amazing present; the mysterious Gil-

be playing with Erector a year from now, too. Tell Dad now ’ that an Erector will make you “Scape paises : vee SEM... eee eee eee ees happier than any other pres- ee ee en eee ee See Paes See a: ans: saaele ent. Show him our book to convince him. ew set. That means you can hitch pulleys and gears direct . ur to both sides of the motor itself. Erector electric She fies book I want to send you tells how the 473 bertscope. It will fool the smartest boy. You’ve ; parts make the 533 models described in our manual of never seen anything lik 8 tor comes in all sets from the No. 4 up : : : . ything like it. Just look through the = a “ ; ‘ instruction. But there is no end to the things you can Gilbertscope! You won’t believe your eyes. Every- x build. The book explains how any boy can easily bod ill . r ; ° ’ 7 exple ; : y will want to look through it too. Send the cou- i. a flow the simple cretion ithe big Gt-page manual pon now and get the book and the Gibertsope abe ir . utely free. my |1—Erector contains more parts, builds more models i“ ad. than any other toy. Your greatest thrill Don’t wait! Send today. Get the book el- ee ol = -an on Christmas morning and the Gilbertscope FREE ure. ar- | OH BOY! There is a lot of fun coming to you when —_—— ee ee ee ts. || = , you get your Erector. Christmas or any other time A. C. GILBERT CO. sn 3—Erector powerful electric mo will be a holiday. The box 103 Blatchley Avenue, New Haven, Conn. nt tor—twelve big special ex- is jammed full of fun. When Pi d me FREE Cthen teeth : < és . ease send me “2 in 1” nd —— —" (In No. 4 you lift the lid and see all the | mysterious Gibateege cattiecinetae prema "ane | lly wonderful parts, your hands es 4—New Erector Boiler—an ex- OO Ma ie UE igen cs so ccccncuncncccsessesotacosannsavessnatonn clusive feature. (In all sets ‘models right away. You'll | | play with Erector first. You'll | Se ii ads None, | Le from the Super-Erector No. 7 up.) 5—New Steam Shovel—an exclusive Erector feature. of | (In the Super-Erector No. 7 and up.) els

|6—New Erector Dredge Bucket—an exclusive Erector feature. (In New No. 8 and up.)

|7—Curved Erector Girder—an exclusive Erector fea- | ture. (In all sets.) ERECTOR SETS |8—Giant Fly Wheel—an exclusive Erector feature. No. 1 contains 104 parts. Builds 278 | (In No. 10 set.) EOE EE SE: $1.00 \9—Perforated strips, 4 holes to the inch—hundreds No. 3 contains 169 parts. Builds 381 } of other genuine perfect me- MERNEE, foaasssckec pews 3.00

| chanical parts for duplicat- ing every engineering feat ever attempted. Possible No. 4 contains 235 parts. Builds 500 models; with pow-

with no other toy than the —“— electric mo- 5.00 re New Erector. Ds sch ceapenadomsare : ; »\(0—The New Erector contains No. 7 contains 473 oo Builds <2 { 533 models; the Super- f the greatest assortment of Ticciun aes ane f | gears—ten in all—from die- —* pits 3s pad ponag ly sg Agen ee rass gears, to the big - ee vhmhCm™t<i<i‘éSm OTOP aN Cretige.... ses ° ij tooth steel gears. No. 10 contains 2469 parts, with motor, os i icecter te mate fem etrac- dredge, and giant fly a es es 1 SO , | tural steel, plated, enameled and electrically baked. In Canada 50% higher \2—Designed by engineers, used by engineers and en- | dorsed by engineers. Th S E S PRE See Se Sete Seats eal e-Super-Erector Set reproducing engineering feats. l4—It is perfectly interchangeable, owing to the mi- | nute detail of standardization. O & THE NEW

THE most popular Erector set. Contains powerful Erector elec- tric motor, new Erector boiler, sand shovel, base plates, curved girders, perforated strips, die-cast gears, bevelled gears, » solid brass gears. 473 parts— builds 533 models, with dandy 64-page manual in _ colors. Packed in hardwood box, sand- ed, stained and varnished, brass finished handle grips, suit-case The world's greatest toy” =< aa 1925 When answering advertisements please mention BOYS’ LIFE

os

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Pirate ad Traveler VERYBODY starts out to travel to some far distant place. You may go by boat and train or even dog sled. Wherever you go there are ad- ventures and treasure. It ends with a pirate fight in which everybody joins. PIRATE and TRAVELER is played with a spinner and markers and a map that shows the land and sea routes all over the world. All Bradley games will give you hours of fun and Price $2.00 entertainment. Other famous Bradley games are: THREE GUARDSMEN — Taken from Dumas’ stirring “The Three Musketeers” and just as full of thrills as the story. Price $1.25 story UNCLE WIGGILY—-From Howard R. entertaining Live over again the adven- Garis’ stories. tures of Uncle Wiggily Longears. Price 85c. LOGOMACHY—The 72 card spell- ing game, which has been the favorite spelling game for generations. Price $1.25 RUMME-— Another great card game with 11 Argentina, Price 85c. others including Reno Goop, Turkette, etc. SPOOF—The Cheer Up game based on a legend or the ancient Inca Price $1.00 Indians of Peru. MILTON BRADLEY CoO. 68 Park Street Springfield, Mass.

When answering advertisements please mention BOYS’ LIFE The White Leader (Continued from page 36)

| exercised so tremendous a fascination over |}him. Then he asked: “Did somethin’ verra terrible happen to yer brother?” BOYS’ LIFE

“T had no brother,” curtly. The man must certainly be insane, Lachlan thought, to say his father had lost a son through a more horrible form of sacrifice than | | fire, and then say he had “‘no brother”! McGillivray gestured toward the | and a Creek began to light them. “What is your name?” he repeated. The | | boy, watching the spurt and running trail of | fire, answered mechanically: ‘‘ Lachlan.” | McGillivray’s hands shot out and gripped | his shoulders. ‘‘ You lie!” he cried hoarsely. | | ‘*Msy name is Lachlan,” the boy repeated | steadily. The flames were running faster now, | responding to the little breeze that ruffled the grasses on the creek bank. “Lachlan! Lachlan!” the man repeated like | one demented. ‘‘And what else? Speak!” Lachlan shook his head. He would not men- tion Ross’ name; because there was always the faint chance that Blue Arrow had not killed him before stealing the horse. If Ross lived, Lachlan did not want him ever to know of his son’s horrible death. ‘The red hair, the gray eyes, and the name! Lachlan! The voices know.” McGillivray’s tone was one of awe. “Lachlan McGillivray

fagots | |< Nothing you could buy would more happily fit into the spirit of Christmas be the man or boy than a practical gift—something that will give him more than the passing pride of possession—a gift which will increase his joy day by day and year by year. MARBLES

is your name. The voices know!” He drew his knife and slashed Lachlan’s bonds, and quickly. lifted him out of the mounting circle of flame. “Put out the fire,”” he ordered, in Creek. ““Muskogees cannot burn their chief’s son.” “The White Leader adopts the young pale- | | face?”’ asked a warrior. “Yes. This is Lachlan McGillivray, my | son. Break camp. We go.” t A few minutes later Lachlan, his body | suddenly gone limp from the terrible strain he | had passed through, was lifted into McGilli- | vray’s arms, and was borne at an easy gallop across the stream and into the forest, south- ward bound for the beautiful Country of the | Creeks. “The same hair and eyes, the same name!” He heard his strange captor murmur the words again, as his head dropped helplessly on Mc- Gillivray’s breast. ““Who had the same hair and eyes and the name of Lachlan?” he queried dully, in a|’ faint voice. He heard a long heavy sigh, like a sob, al- | most tear through the sinewy chest where his cheek rested, and felt the arm that held him-— strong as iron and lithe as a willow—tighten | spasmodically about him in an embrace of anguish and tenderness. “My father, Lachlan McGillivray. ; most foully wronged of men.”’ “Where is he?” Lachlan whispered. Again he felt that profound sigh heave through the man’s breast. The White Leader’s tone was low and mournful as he answered, ““God knows. Only God knows.” (To be Continued in Boys’ Lire for January) The

hammer min The White Leader The hero of this serial actually lived. His name was Alexan- | der McGillivray. With the | aid of the Spanish in Louisian: and Florida and the treacher- ee ous General Wilkinson of the Continental Army, he almost succeeded in driving the Amer- ican settlers out of Tennessee This || known as the infan.ous “pact and Kentucky. was of the three kings.’ *f

| o e ‘| Outing Equipment embracing more than sixty items, || including safety pocket axes, hunting and camping knives, waterproof | ¢ match boxes, compasses, etc., offers the ideal solu- tion of your gift problem for Him. Safety Pocket Axe A practical gift any man or boy would be proud to own. Drop forged metal handle, tool-steel blade, hard rubber side-plates, nickel-plated safety-guard. No.2, i1-in. handle, $3.25; No.3, 1114- in. handle, $3.50. Hickory handle, No. 5,10?4-in. handle, $2.00; No. 6, 1134-in. handle, $2.25. Ideal Knife Forged razor steel, hand tempered and tested. Blade adapted to sticking or skinning; oval ground at back of point for chopping small bones, etc. Keen, heavy and beautifully made. Complete with sheath. Leather handle: Blades 4'4-in. $2.50; 5-in. $2.75;

6-in. $3.00; 7-in. $3.25; 8-in. $3.50. Genuine staghorn handle, 75c additional. Waterproof Match Box Aconvenient, pocket-size match box that will always keep matches absolutely dry. Seamless drawn brass, heavily nickeled Opens and closes instantly. 60c. Ask Your Dealer See them at any of the better stores, or they wiil be mailed direct upon receipt of pric« and dealer’s name. Beautiful Catalog, Free Write for copy of catalog, beauti- fully printedincolors. Mailedfree. 887 Marble Arms & Mfg. Co. 5092 Delta Avenue, Gladstone, Michigan

FOR EVERY HOUR IN THE OPEN

"LEARN GARTOONING | Turn your hobby into a profitable occupation. If you like to draw, | become a CARTOONIST. You can learn cartooning at home, in your spare time. The Landon Picture Chart method of teaching | makes original drawing easy to | learn. By this method the Landon | School has trained many boys who | are now successful cartoonists earn- ing $50 to $200 and more per week. Write for Free Chart | to test your ability, also full information about the | Landon Course and book of cartoons by successful | Landon students. Please state your age. THE LANDON SCHOOL *2etssezcs"

Page 47

FOR ALL BOYS $250,000.00 for College Loans to Boys! W Do You Want to Become A Leader ? HEN you were younger, you probably wanted to be a pirate captain. And now you want to be an inventor, a radio engineer, a business man, a lawyer, or a leader in other work. Your grandfather could become a lawyer or a doctor or an executive by starting as an apprentice. But that plan of teaching boys is out-of-date. Business is too big, and life is too short these days, for you to begin at the bottom and climb to the top without a highly trained mind. You should plan to go to college, if possible. And now it is possible FOR YOU, or any grammar school boy, if you are really anxious to become a leader! For The Curtis Publishing Company stands ready to help you through any college you want to go to—to prepare you for any real position in life. When you qualify under the Curtis College Loan Plan we will help you to get the best educational advantages available today. We will lend you money toward your necessary college expenses — up to $1500.00—if you will do your part, to share in our initial appropriation of $250,000.00 exclusively for college loans to boys. This offer naturally requires some work on your part. But for your work, outside of school hours, you can make good money, and earn prizes and bonuses besides! All you have to do is to act as one of our Boy Salesmen, do good work for us,stand wellin yourschool,and win the respect of your friends, old and young. Thus we'll come to know you; and the security for your loan will be your own character as developed in your home, in your school, and in your work with us. Write us, or ask your father or mother to write us, for all the details of this offer. Upon request, our booklet, “Build- ing a College Career on Character,” will be sent to you, or to anyone in- terested in your future. THE CURTIS PUBLISHING COMPANY 910 Independence Square, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania PRESIOENT | 1925 When answering advertisements please mention BOYS’ LIFE

Page 48

it 4 é This is Guy Campbell the Tom Brown o Hammond, Indiana. Talk about fun! Guy Campbell is having it. Everywhere he goes he’s the life of the party and he is always welcome with his BUESCH Tue Tone Saxophone And Guy Campbell is going to be successful. He is going to be one of the leaders in the business of life, because as a boy he is learning to utilize histime. He is turning play, the best kind of play, into mental, physical, financial, and social profit. is father is encouraging him. And you just can’t keep a boy like that down. Why Don’t YOU Do Something Big You can be a “bell ringer’’ too. You don’t have to be just an * ordinary one-in-a-million boy. Step out. Be somebody. Get some- thing that the rest of the fellows haven't got. Learn to play the Saxophone. Then you too can earn your welcome everywhere, and have the friends you want. Besides, the boys who are learning to play musical instruments are smarter, better in school, healthier, and ane happier than the boys who are always wasting their time. You Can Learn To Play It Any normal boy can learn to play most any band instrument. We suggest starting with the Saxophone because it comes so quickly. 3 free lessons start you. Ina week you have mastered scales and are playing real music. That’s action. And that’s what you want. Six Days Free Trial, Easy Terms Ti B her, any instrument you choose, in your own home for Six Days “REE yo * this is a most liberal offer. You are not obligated to keep it. If you like the instrument and decide to keep it, pay a little Get the details of this wonderful plan. It's your first step toward musical success. FREE. We take the risk. each month. lay as you Pay. the coupon today for free literature. BUESCHER BAND INSTRUMENT Co. Everything in Band and Orchestra Instruments 2s 1069Buescher Block Elkhart, Ind. Clip the Coupon Im glad My Dad gave me a Buescher Cfree! This beautiful book shows how easy it is to learn to play a Buescher. In it you will find the first lesson chart. It shows all the differ- ent models and tells what each is used for. Hundredsof pictures 64 pages. You must have this fine book. NOW ! = St (yp eagles [ suescuer RAND INSTRUMENT CO 1069 Buescher Block, Elkhart, Indiana | | Gentlemen: Without obligation to me, send your beautiful book “The Story of the Saxophone’’. Cheek here (1) | * If you prefer other literature describing other band or orchestra instruments, check below. ; | If Dad or Mother is a little 2 are re wae ome GC | slow ‘to take the hint, just | ask them to read this letter fromGuy Campbell. A Bues- | cher would make you happy, Mention any other ..........-.-+s+5- Write plainly, Name, Address, Town and State | | in Margin Below H The Readers’ Page (Continued from page 4o) back to sock Sherry, but I guess he thought better of it, for he went up to the plate and | got a single on the first ball pitched. Sherry | was next up and he gets everybody excited by | getting two strikes and two balls called on him. | | The fans were yelling like cyclones to hit the | | ball and I guess Sherry got scared, for on the | next ball pitched it looked like a high one, and I groaned as I saw Sherry swing his bat like a | wooden gate. But something happened, for | as the ball neared the plate it shot down, a | bit, and—crack, Sherry’s bat connected solid with the ole apple. Gee it was an awful hit and if it wasn’t for the wall the fielders would still be chasing that ball. The ball sailed over the center fielder’s head and bounced against the wall. We won the game on that homer and as Sherry had predicted, something happened. Back in Hall 27 after the game we asked Sherry why he was so cocksure somethin’ was gonna happen. “Oh, that was easy,”’ replied Sherry, edging away from Jim. “I touched wood and whistled three times, and yuh know that means some- thin’ lucky is gonna happen,” and he made a dive for the door as Jim started after him. Sherry isn’t cured yet of his superstitions, but sh—sh—once at bat I caught myself whistling three times, and I guess some of the rest of ’em do it to, the way we’re winning games. The World Brotherhood of Boys | By Pioneer Scout Glenn W. Naves VERY ONE of the twelve scout laws of the | Boy Scout Organization is worthy of the strictest obedience of—every real, red-blooded boy whether he is a scout or not. | For the boy who is interested in the worth- | while clean things in life, no better code of living can be suggested or invented by anyone. | I am proud of the fact that I am a member of | the largest, and one of the cleanest organiza- | tions for boys in the world, and always am | careful not to break in the least way any of the laws that make the Boy Scouts of America the type of organization it is to-day. I enjoy obeying these laws more than I can express in words, but none of them give me more pleasure and satisfaction than law number IV which reads as follows: “A scout is friendly; he is a friend to all and a brother to every other scout.” | Perhaps the reason of my great interest in | this law is because I have lived all my life in a | somewhat thinly-settled mountainous district | and have almost always been deprived of the pleasure and happiness of associating with boys who were interested in the scout move- ment and the great outdoors. When I joined the Boy Scouts of America, and subscribed to the official magazine, Boys’ Lire, I was made to understand by the senti- ment of the magazine, the scout laws and a personal letter from the chief scout executive, Mr. James E. West, that every member and official of the B. S. A. was my true friend; as a result [ have resolved to stick to the organi- zation and live up to the slogan, “‘Once a scout; always a scout” as long as I live. Owing to the fact that there is no troop in my community, I had to join as a Pioneer scout, which, of course, is not quite as interest- ing as belonging to a troop, but I could not stay out of the organization any longer. The trail has been “hard going” at times, but my greatest handicap has been the lac’: of personal boy friends who were scouts, or at least, interested in the movement and its activities. Many boys who belong to troops, have no idea what it is to work alone and go without the personal friendship and leadership of troop- officials and brother scouts. In reading Boys’ Lire I noticed the “‘ World Brotherhood of Boys” department and became interested at once, so I decided that if I could not have personal boy friends, a few good corresponding pals would be almost as good. I sent for a membership-card which I signed, and when I returned it a few friendly letters to prospective boy correspondents went with it, to be forwarded for me by the secretary of the department. In a short time I received answers to almost all of them and no one except myself knows how glad I was. Replies to all of them were mailed at once and since then I have spent some of the happiest hours of my life in (Concluded on page 73) When answering advertisements please mention BOYS’ LIFE BOYS’ LIFE Go After a Real Hamilton Repeater This Christmas! Every live boy dreams of owning, some day, a real repeating rifle. Most repeating rifles were too high- priced for the average boy to own, until Hamilton finally produced this remarkable repeater. A wonderful rifle, with every feature of a high- priced repeater, for only $12.00. The Hamilton Repeater is a rifle that any boy will be proud to own—with turned walnut stock, take-down hammerless con- struction, adjustable sight, safety trigger guard, and the famous rustless Hamilton bronze-lined barrel. Shoots 15 times with- out reloading. Let your folks know how much you want a Hamilton this Christmas. Explain to them that you are old enough and careful enough to have a gun of your own. Go to your dealer and ask him to show you the various Hamilton models. If you are not ready for the Repeater, examine the famous Hamilton Single Shot models, $3.00 and $3.50. The Hamilton is the lowest priced dependable .22 calibre rifle made today. Write for illustrated circular, sent free. Cc. J. HAMILTON & SON 317 Hamilton Street, Plymouth, Mich. 15-Shot Repeater Hamilton Single Shot Hamilton .22 Calibre Rifles December

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FOR ALL BOYS 49 THE OFFICIAL BOY SCOUT HAT The Product of an Effective ites: Cooperation SS POH E OFFICIAL BOY SCOUT aX? HAT is made of a high grade fur-felt material, very light, durable and shape retaining. 9.95 No hat is official for the Boy Scouts of America Imitations and wool hats may look similar niente st same but are heavy, show wear quickly, become soggy when wet and soon lose shape and snap. The OFFICIAL BOY SCOUT HAT is always the best and the most reasonable in price. Look for the official seal for thrift and economy. Largest Producers of Uniforms in the World SIGMUND EISNER COMPANY, Red Bank, N. J. TQ25 When answering advertisements please mention BOYS’ LIFE

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Come on and laugh! You fellows have been reading and laughing with us a lot lately. Now set yourselves for the gosh- funniest, side-splittingest new serial about Mark Tidd that Clarence Budington Kelland ever wrote. M-Mark T-Tidd on a c-camel! S-start l-laughing in the D-December n-number at | MARK TIDD IN EGYPT—Mr. Tidd, Mark, Binney, Tallow and Plunk begin by losing their money. They try to trade in Egyptian—and boy, what a scream it is! Then Mark stumbles on amummy-mystery, full blown . . . somebody’s walked off with one, and it’s up to Mark to find it. There’s plenty more to it. That’s only the beginning. You’ll want to start this new serial with Chapter I and read it to the end. Look for it in December! THE GHOST OF THE GRAYSTONE, by Rex Lee—A shriek- ing wind and blinding rain . . . tales of men murdered .. . mysterious lights ... slamming doors... and ghosts! Wow! What a thrilling, creepy time the actors in the Ballard High School Minstrel Show had! Your nerves will tingle with hair-raising excitement when you read this mystery story of a haunted theater. SAILORS OF THE SKY, by Thomson Burtis—The super- dirigible America breaks loose from her mooring mast in a howling storm . . . radio and motor on the blink ... a terrified crew threatening mutiny a maniac leering evilly on the narrow keelway! Read how Russ Farrell, the fiery, dauntless young birdman, gets out of another tight place in this thrilling air-story. J. TIERNEY, POULTRYMAN, by John A. Moroso—George, the loudest crowing rooster in New Jersey, gets mixed up in the funniest egg-laying mystery you ever chuckled at. You'll laugh your head off when you read how J. Tierney, the super-detective, solves the mystery with his famous bass horn! NAPOLEON, FIRE DOG, by Karl W. Detzer—From the time Napoleon becomes mascot-extraordinary to Engine Com- pany 32 to the time he helps solve a fire-mystery, you'll get thrills, grins and surprises aplenty out of a dog story which is a barking, howling success. All set for the Decem- ber issue of THE AMERI- CAN Boy! More stories, more action, more thrills, more adventures than you'll meet up with in many a moon! Get your copy at the nearest news- stand today! te American Boy THE SPRAGUE PUBLISHING CO. No. 303 American Bldg., Detroit, Mich. Enclosed find $2.00, for which send THE AMERICAN BOY for one year, beginning with the current issue, to $2.00 a year by mail. 20c a copy at news-stands. Subscribe for a year or leave @ standing order with your news-dealer. BOYS’ LIFE How to Make a Microscope by L. D. Roueche MY MICROSCOPE cost me about fifty cents. I made it myself, lens and all and it is so easy that I am sure any boy witha little patience and skill can make one just as good. With my home-made “‘scope”’ I can see the corpuscles in a drop of blood quite plainly and in a drop of water from a pond, or even a drop of water taken from a vase in which cut flowers have stood for two or three days, I can observe hundreds of living, moving little animals that are entirely too small to be seen with the naked eye or even with a strong magnifying glass. There are literally thou- sands of wonderful things to observe and it would be hard to name a more interesting and instructive pastime than studying the minute forms of animal and plant life that are all around us, under the microscope. The first thing to make is the lens. This is a tiny sphere of clear glass about one-fourth Cover glass = es Hole in stage) , Poll L =f HY Microscope slide Mirror —. Homemade Microscope as big as the head of a pin. The smaller the lens the greater the magnification it will give and it is easier to make a small one than a large one. A piece of broken spectacle glass is the best to make a lens of, but ordinary glass rod such as can be purchased at a che smical supply house will do. The other things needed are a stick of sealing wax, an alcohol lamp and a piece of jeweler’s rouge. A small piece of jeweler’s rouge about the size of a nutmeg is enough to polish a hundred micro- scope lenses and the wholesale jeweler or optician will probably sell you a piece this size for a dime. Hold your piece of glass in the flame of your alcohol lamp until it is melted quite soft, then take it out and stretch it quickly so that it is drawn out into a fine thread. A thread of glass two or three feet long is enough to make several lenses. Now break off a piece of glass thread about four inches long and feed one end of it into the flame of the alcohol lamp. | As the thread meets the flame it will be seen to melt and form a tiny drop at the end. When the drop is big enough take it out and lay it to one side until you have used all your glass thread in making lenses. You may have a dozen or more globules each with a thread attached to it. Pick out one that is real clear | and has no bubbles in it for your lens. Next melt the end of your sealing wax in | the flame and taking up your clear globule, | shallow When answering advertisements please mention BOY’S LIFE holding it by the thread, stick it thread down, into the melted end of your sealing wax. When the wax hardens the globule of glass will be held quite firmly. Break off the thread and grind the rough spot smooth by rubbing it lightly on a whetstone or fine file. Then polish it by rubbing it with a circular motion on a piece of hard steel, the blade of a butcher knife is good, on which you have rubbed jeweler’s rouge. The polishing should be done quite thoroughly. If you have a good magni- fying glass you can see how you are progressing. Do not press down too hard, and add rouge now and again. It will take about fifteen minutes to polish the rough spot of your lens. When it is finished, chip the lens out of the sealing wax with your pocketknife into a dish of denatured alcohol. The alcohol will dissolve off the sealing wax which sticks to the lens. It must all be cleaned off to the last tiny speck. Now if you have been successful you have a tiny polished glass globe. The next thing is to mount it. In order to see through so small a lens, it is necessary to have it mounted in something large enough to take hold of and in such a way that the eye can be brought down real close to the lens. It is too tiny to be held and brought to a focus like a magnify- ing glass. It must be mounted so that when it is placed on a microscope slide over the object you wish to look at, it is just exactly at focus. I have found that the easiest way to mount a lens isin lead. A piece cut from the flat end of a large bullet makes a good mount. It should be about a quarter of an inch thick. Hollow out one end of your slice of lead with your pocketknife and ‘then make a pinhole through the bottom. Drop the lens into the hollowed end and with the point of a tooth- pick force it down into the pinhole until it is almost flush with the bottom of the lead mount. The lens can be fastened in the pin- hole by pushing the point of a needle into the lead around the upper side of the lens thus forcing the lead around it so as to hold it from falling out. knobs made lens set in bullet Bottom view of eyepiece Section of / lead bullet Y hollowed yy Out for eyepiece With your lens made and mounted, the next requisite is a microscope stand. Get a small tin box or tin can, say about three inches high. Cut out one side with a can opener and make the edges smooth by bending them over with a pair of pliers. Make a round hole about the size of a lead pencil in the center of the top of the can. The can should be painted black inside and out so that there will be no reflected light. A coat of black shellac will serve the purpose and it drys very quickly. Now you need a small round mirror about the size of a quarter. My sister’s vanity cass furnished just the size I wanted. The mirror must be adjusted beneath the hole in the upper end of the can so that a ray of light can be reflected up through it. Make a hole through the middle of each side of your box or can about an inch from the bottom large enough to hold a stiff piece of wire. Pass a wire through these two holes and stick the back of the mirror onto the middle of the wire with a few drops of melted sealing wax. Now by turning the wire the mirror can be adjusted to reflect light through the hole above. If the top of your can has a rim fill it up level on top with black sealing wax. Now you are ready for your microscope slide and cover glass. These can be purchased at any surgical supply house, usually by the dozen. A microscope slide is a piece of clear glass about three inches long and one inch wide and a cover glass is a very thin disc of glass, usually about three-fourths of an inch. Place a slide over the hole in the top of your microscope stand. A good thing to examine first is a fly’s wing or a mosquito’s wing, some- thing almost transparent. Place the wing on the slide and put a cover glass over it, pressing it down gently. Now with your cover glass in place over the wing, adjust the mirror so that a good light is thrown up from beneath. If your lens is clean you will be able to see indistinct shadows of the veins of the wing as you move it slightly over the cover glass. Do not be discour- aged if you can see only the shadows, for your microscope has not yet ‘been put in focus. To focus it you must raise or lower the lens about a thousandth of an inch at a time. To raise it push the point of a needle into the base of your lead eye-piece at three or four places and pry up little bumps of lead. When you put it down again over the wing it is raised by the thickness of the bumps and the shadowy veins will have become clearer or less distinct. If they are clearer, by repeating (Concluded on page 65) December

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FOR ALL BOYS $50 This Rexcraft Bugle has been licensed and authorized as official equipment for the use of the Boy Scouts of America.

ae still lives! € “a 2 The blood-stirring cry of Bugles has brought courage and victory to men down through the ages From far down the distant ages comes the wild cry of bugles. Wherever and whenever adventure beckoned, the bugle played its part. It has kindled ambition, created courage, and fired the imagination of all generations. Bugles were there at the siege of Jericho. But the ancient Hebrews called them shofars and fashioned them from the horns of cows or rams. Some were made of silver. It is interesting to note how far the military use of bugles goes back into the days of Bible history In fact, the earliest known code of signals is the directions given for the sound- ing of the beaten silver trumpets described in Numbers x. And the Bible also explains how Gideon used a massed band of 300 shofars to terrify the Midianites. It was successful. Gideon’s foes went down in defeat. And Saul’s call to arms {1 Sam. xiii 3} shows also that the value of shofars for military use was well understood by the Jews. The Roman infantry sounded their calls on the cornu—a form of bugle. The tuba or buccina was used by Roman troops for the same purpose. [The word buccina is undoubt- edly the forefather of our word—bugle. } Then during the Middle Ages, what a glorious part the bugles played. Both knight and huntsman used them. To the thrilling voice of trumpets, the Crusaders were sped on their way to the Holy Lands. Today there are modern Crusaders. Chivalry did not die in the Middle Ages. Romance lives. Adventure calls. And always, from out the bright dreams of youth, imagination will be dived, ideals attained. There will flash again and again deeds chivalric and romantic.

Its a knockouf in tone and acinch to play With this Rexcraft Official Boy Scout Bugle you can quickly win a place at the head of the column when on parade OU do not have to wait till you become a first class scout to win respect and distinc- tion. There is many a tenderfoot who has at- tained an outstanding position in his patrol and troop by learning to blow the bugle. It is not hard. With a‘Rexcraft you can learn quickly just as thousands of other scouts have. Scout headquarters realized the important part good bugles play in scout activities and de- cided to adopt an excellent but reasonably.priced bugle as part of the official scout equipment. They wanted the best and accepted the Rexcraft Bugle as official only on condition that it be sold at a popular price—$5.00. A fine instrument ! The Rexcraft will be found worthy of the distinction given it. Its easy-blowing quality and rich tone are made possible because of the specially selected, highly polished brass from whichitismanufactured. Mouthpiece is heavily nickeled and correctly designed. It conforms absolutely with the general specifications of the U.S. Army Regulation Bugle—key of G, with slide to F—a thorough musical instrument! Look it over! Examine the illustration care- fully. Isn’t it a wonder? Note its sturdy de- All Rexcraft Official Boy Scout Bugles are packed in this individual irade marked car- ton. Look for this carton, when you buy. sign. Wouldn’t you get a real kick out of playing it? Then don’t wait. Begin at once to learn how. Instruction book FREE You do not need a teacher. With each bugle we give you a copy of our booklet, “How to blow the bugle”. This booklet explains simply and thoroughly the technique of the bugle. You do not have to know music. All the official Boy Scout calls, as well as the necessary U. S. Army regulation calls, can be learned quickly. The booklet contains all the music for each call. Note that it sells separately for one dollar, but is free with each Rexcraft Official Bugle. Get your Rexcraft Bugle before Christmas. just go to your own music dealer, or scout out- fitter, or address the Department of Scout Sup- plies at Headquarters. If you wantonly acopy of the booklet, then simply clip the coupon and mail it, attaching a dollar bill. The booklet will arrive promptly!

Scout Masters! This Rexcraft Bugle and instruction booklet makes an ideal Xmas Gift for specially deserving scouts

«Mail this coupon to-day |

REXCRAFT, Inc., 57-59 Jay St., Brooklyn, N.Y. Gentlemen: Attached is $1 for which please send me a copy of booklet, ‘‘How to blow the bugle’’ 5| : xX 4 : | ( ' Ma R RA ’ Inc. =< Rexcratt = kn eds oaks Bas os0senrae bbiiadsdée = se shin XS nats WOR warda eFa'is 57 JAY ST. BROOKLYN, N. Y. ma . os OFFICIAL ae? Bor ScoUTS oF AMERICA Reso Ee ea semenseast cette

America’s largest manufacturer of Bugles

I1Q25 When answering advertisements please mention BOYS’ LIFE

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$6 Soy TRADE MARK am y dy OYS and GAMES REG. . PAT. OFF, “Sandy Andy” Sand Crane; an automatic sand toy; operates like a real crane. 13% in. high; enameled metal. Price $1.25 “OVE and UNDER" LIFT; a wonderful me chanical toy of un usual action. 304 in. long; made en R 2 tirely of enameled metal. Price $2.00 = BOWLER ANDY right.) Here are New Toys and Games MILL (shown at the An automatic marble toy with elevator and windmill action. 21 in. high; enameled metal cluding 8 steel marbles Price $1.50, in- for Your Christmas List Toys every youngster wants. playthings just like them; none so fascinating in their unusual action. Some operate automatically by gravity; using clean, white sand or marbles for motive power; others mechanically by spring motors. shown here, but you can see them all at the nearest toy store. These are unusual games. finished in colors, and can be washed without injury. 161 in. square, with a regulation checker board on reverse side. printed right on each board. HESE are a few of the famous “Sandy Andy”’ Action There are no other Only a few are Write “Sandy Andy” Toys and Games on your Christ- } mas List. Om ; are many different ones to choose from, and you can recognize them by the ‘Sandy Andy” name on each box; our trade mark and your guarantee of the genuine. If you do not find the ones you want, we will send them to you prepaid, upon receipt of price. West of Denver, Colo., and outside the U. S., prices are 25% higher. There You will find them in any toy store. Free to All Boys Write for our pamphlet of colored pictures showing all the wonderful “‘Sandy Andy” Toys and Games. Wolverine Supply & Mfg. Co. 1208 Western Avenue, N. S. Three Fine ‘Sandy Andy” Games Pittsburgh, Pa. The boards are indestructible metal, Full directions are They cost only $1.00 each. “STRATEGY”’—Similar to checkers, but more exciting and interesting; lots of thrills and disappointments and real strategy is needed towin. 24 miniature men included. **The Motor Race’’—An automo- bile race over a regular speedway. Plenty of fun and excitement for little folks. 6 automobiles included. “Round-the-World Flyers’’—played by moving miniature aero planes in a race over the exact course of the U. S. Army Flyers in_ the round - the - world flight. 4 aeroplanes included Andy’ | Kline and Hemming came in off the line for a hurried consultation. | “What’ll it be?” he asked. nothing but straight football. short pass?” “Use your own judgment,” said Mellon. | “We'll make it all right.” “But Reedland’s holding now like a stone “We've used Shall we try a 7] | wall. I don’t want to take a big chance unless. . . . “Play ball!” ordered the referee. “Play ball or take a penalty!” “‘Signals!”’ shouted Pepper. Time was getting short and Reedland’s goal line was only thirteen yards away. RICK somehow knew that Pepper was going to give the ball to him. Another run around end. . . seven yards to go. He’d made the necessary yards before . but not inside Reedland’s forbidden territory. Wow, how it must hurt Reedland to have its last fifteen yards invaded! And this made twice that Milford had done it. But this time Milford would do more than that . Mil- ford would . . . Back came the ball and away went Brick. But the Reedland team, urged on by the mad entreaty of their fans, charged forward like a tornado, smothering Brick’s interference and nabbing him for a four-yard loss! Last down and eleven yards to go! | The Milford stands groaned. Their team | didn’t quite have the necessary punch. Almost . . . but not quite. It was too much to expect. The boys had already far outdone themselves. But there was. still minutes of play left. The Milford team spread out. Out at right end, Jim Hemming strained forward. A great murmur went over the crowd. “They’re going to try a pass!” The ball snapped back to Stuffy. “Hold ’em, line! Hold ’em!” begged. Stuffy held the ball poised ready to throw and took a quick look over the field to see which one of his team-mates might be free. He drew back his arm, about to hurl the ball at Hemming, but—as he did so—a Reedland man loomed up in front. “Stuffy!” screamed Brick. How Stuffy heard his pal’s frantic yell above the roar of the crowd was almost miraculous... but there was Brick, standing on Reedland’s goal line, and not a man within three yards of him! Stuffy side-stepped to dodge a Reedland player who sought to block the throw . then he shot the ball on a straight line to Brick. The din that broke loose would have wrecked any radio set had it been tuned up to receive it. For an instant as the Milford players saw the ball on its way to Brick, they leaped with joy.- It was but a step over Reedland’s goal line and Brick was entirely free. The ball skimmed into Brick’s out-stretched arms, struck his chest . . . and, woe unto Milford! . . bounded out! So certain had Brick been that he would catch the ball that he had already started to step back over the line and plant it down for a touch-down when the fumble occurred. There was a mad scramble for the ball, Reedland recovering. A deathly stillness fell over the Milford stands. Tears of disappointment streamed down the faces of the Milford team. A few of the members were bitter at Brick for the fumble. And one of these was Pepper. “Well of all the boobs that ever lived, you’re it!” he razzed. “Right in your: hands and you muffed it . . . cost us the greatest game we'll ever play!” The referee brought the ball back to where the line of scrimmage had been, on Reedland’s seventeen-yard line, and gave the ball to Reedland. Mockingly, now that the danger was over, Reedland prepared to kick and get the ball away from their end of the field. There was nothing that would take the heart out of Milford more than this . . . if all of the heart had not been taken out already. | Dejectedly the Milford line strained against | Reedland’s as the ball went back. Then |came the sickening thud as the pigskin met the kicker’s toe. Joyously the Reedland ends | followed down under the punt, watching the | ball as it spiralled through the gathering dusk, | striking the ground on Milford’s forty-five- | yard line and rolling five yards more to come to rest in a pool of muddy water. | Stuffy, having failed to get under the punt which had carried farther than he had antici- hope . three Pepper When answering advertisements please mention BOYS’ LIFE “Fight “Em, (Continued from page 31) BOYS’ LIFE Big Three” pated, rushed up to grab the ball. Brick, tearing in from the other side with demon- like fury, threw himself in front of Stuffy, blocking his attempt to recover it. “What’s the matter with you?” gasped Stuffy, struggling to his feet as a wail of protest went up from the sidelines. Pepper, lurching up, was also hurled aside. “Don’t touch it!’’ he screamed, above the din. “Don’t you dare touch it till I say so! I know what I’m doing!” Brick reached over and grabbed Pepper by the arm as the Reed- land ends came charging down on them. “Listen, Pep! When I yell, pick up that ball and run like Sam Hill! Stuffy—you go along for interference!” “You're crazy . . .! Letme . Holding them back, the three clawing for the ball but no one touching it, Brick waited until the Reedland ends arrived. The ends, noting this peculiar jockeying, could only laugh. What sort of a fuss were these rival players making over a ball which had become dead? The game was as good as over. It was doubtful if there was time left to start another play. The ends turned back toward their goal, waving at their scattered team- mates that the hard-fought contest was now practically history. A piercing shriek from some five thousand throats called the attention of the all too- confident ends back to the place where the ball had been. There was no ball there now. But there was a dark streak, accompanied by two other streaks, which were making for the Reedland goal with all the speed they could command. The ends started after the Milford players, then stopped—laughing. What did those numskulls think they were pulling off? Didn’t they know that the ball was dead . and out of play? On the sidelines the Reedland coach tore his hair and tried to make himself heard above the riotous sound. The usually quiet and unemotional Coach Dolan tossed his hat into the air and jumped up and down like a schoolboy. Arrick and Conway and the other Milford substitutes jumped with him. So did the Milford rooters. “Fight ’em, Big Three, fight ’em!” they yelled as they saw Stuffy, Pepper and Brick running together . . . with Stuffy and Brick prepared to ward off any Reedland players. Many folks didn’t know what it was all about, but they cheered anyway. Some of the Reedland team at least knew there must be something wrong, for they gave chase to the Milford man with the ball. But every one of the eleven Milford players had somehow managed to form in front of the flying Pepper, and to serve as his interference. Beef Mellon took great pleasure in dumping two Reedland tacklers out of Pepper’s way. Brick fell head- long in front of another, just as it seemed that Pepper must be stopped. Stuffy stuck by Pepper all the way to Reedland’s goal line, staving off one last effort to tackle him as he went over for a touchdown. Immediately, while a tremendous thundering of noise was taking place, the Reedland team crowded about the referee to enter protest. “Touchdown’s allowed,” said the referee. “The ball was still in play. Milford did not signal for a fair catch and the ball was not dead unless touched by a Reedland man. Milford was perfectly within her rights in grabbing up the ball and running with it.” The try for point after touchdown failed, but Milford was so deliriously happy that no one cared when Stuffy’s place kick went wild. As the whistle screeched for the end of the game, Stuffy, Pepper and Brick were pounced upon and lifted to the shoulders of their team- mates . . . Brick being accorded special attention. The mighty Reedland team, crestfallen and dazed, its members not yet able to comprehend that they had actually been defeated, 6 to 3, gathered in a little knot on the field. But first, Reedland—true sportsmen that they were, gave Milford a hearty cheer as the gamest bunch of fellows they had ever encountered. As the members of the Big Three were borne to the sidelines, Brick called across to Pepper. “Well, Pep, did I make up for missing that ass?” “You sure did!” answered Pepper, happily, and from the look in his eyes Brick knew the feud was over. “T said once and I say again, so that all can hear,”’ exclaimed the overjoyed Coach Dolan, “‘that fellow Brick uses his head!” (Continued on page 65) ”? December

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a 8 err nen oneeene ae FOR ALL BOYS 53 “OVER ji Pewvares earn Fike F a EXCLUSIVE FEATURES | | all ~ F IVE MILLI ON of the‘ALL AMERICAN” —the new Wide Gauge MINIATURE TRANSPORTATION SYSTEMS The majority of these features are patented Automatic Reverse—It really reverses. Automatic Headlights—Reverse as the train reverses, Heavy underframe with unbreakable cow-catcher. Real Automatic Couplers. Two electric lights in each car. Dome light on observation car platform, All cars lithographed on heavy steel, not painted.’ Automatic Mail Bag Catcher with bags, Car roofs of one piece and easily removable. Vestibule Spring doors—four sliding doors on baggage car, - Lowest voltage motors made—economical to operate, . Universal Terminal for either No. “0’’ or wide gauge —allows use of any accessories with pad equipment. Electric Train of the “American Flyer” Line HAPPY OWNERS” 4 . f E - PLEPNPSYLSY PS oa — al i ‘i Ao Ferreeeer tt | ifesonananenen a (oo Saban: a. ~ ini) Ll c © SSS a. No. 1434—Complete Train Outfit as illustrated with all accessories $ 5 9, 00. and transformer. Price, charges prepaid No. 1433—As illustrated above, consists of 15-inch locomotive, 16-inch combination mail and baggage car with mail bag catcher and bags, 16-inch Pullman and 16-inch Observation Car. Eight pieces curved and six pieces straight 24-inch wide gauge track. Train ee _ eaten: track $ 212 inches. Weight 25 pounds. Price, prepaid ectest ark ee ce ae 33.50 No. eget gr as above, without Observation Car. Locomotive has one headlight. Length of train 4634 inches, eight pieces curved and four pieces straight 214-inch wide gauge track. —_—" of track = 184 inches. Weight 21 pounds. Price, prepaid ......... - $26, OO The Boys of America Designed This Train HEN we started to design this new, Big, Wide Gauge, Electric Train, I told our Chief Engineer that we must build a train that would be “the first choice” of every boy in America. First of allwe found out from hundreds of smart, keen boys JUST WHAT THEY WOULD LIKE TO HAVE IN A WIDE GAUGE ELECTRIC TRAIN. It has taken us a long time to perfect this Feature Train because we wanted to put into it every practical idea that any boy could suggest. That is why we say ‘“The Boys of America designed this Train.”’ While we were planning this Wide Gauge Train we also in- cluded some of its ‘‘features’’ in other “AMERICAN FLYER” models. Read the list of “EXCLUSIVE Train No. 2—Mec alae mal me 61% inches. Tender 4 inches. Cars 514 inches. Baggage car has sliding doors. Eight pieces curved, two piecesstraight track. Length of track 103 ¢§ *2. > inches. Train 24% inches. Weight 4+ pounds. ae ( ————— Train No. 13—Mechanical Engine 7 inches, with piston rods and brake. Cars 514 inches. Baggage car has sliding doors. Ten pieces curved, two pieces straight track, two switches. Length of track 160 inches. Train 25 inches. $ 25 Weight 5 pounds. Price, prepaid 4. FEATURES”’— note the big, powerful locomotive (New 20th Century Model)—the long, electric lighted cars— the general effect of a ‘‘Real Train,’’ and I believe you will agree with me that we have produced just such a Train as any boy would naturally preter above all others. I have in my personal files hundreds of letters from boys all over the United States and Canada, so I am writing this advertisement to express my thanks for the many valuable suggestions which have led to the production of this ‘‘ALL American” Wide Gauge Train. The experience gained in making over five million trains is your guarantee be- hind this“ AMERICAN ‘Fiyer” Wide Gauge Electric Train. President There’s an American Flyer’ To Fit Every Purse HERE is a hope in the heart of the average boy that some day he will possess a miniature railroad. To gratify this wish, we have included in our line, trains to meet the needs of every age and every pocketbook. Your toy dealer can show you a wide assortment of ““AMERICAN Train No. 1221 — (No. 0 Gauge Track). mail bag catcher. have interior electric lights. 142 inches. Electric engine with headlight, 8 in. Cars with disappearing couplers, 6% inches. Price, prepaid Weight 1034 pounds. Complete as shown, including automatic Baggage car has sliding doors. Eight pieces curved, six pieces straight track. Length of train 31 inches. Track iS ee 6¢ @€ 82 6 ee 6 S28. SS 6 bk OOH SE A SC Fryer’ Trains. There’s an Electric Train with Head- Rs light as low as $5.75. Regardless of price each NA, train embodies the same careful workmanship that has made the name “‘AMERICAN FLyer’’ nationally famous for miniature train construction. Our mechanical trains are strong, sturdy and at- tractive. The heavy-duty ““AMERICAN FLYER’ clockwork motor will last for years. They make an ideal gift for the younger kids. Complete out- fits from $2.00 up. At the left we show a few representative ‘‘AMERICAN Passenger and observation cars ees $12.25 No. 1250— New “‘American Flyer’’ air-cooled, FLYer”’ Trains. Your dealer will be glad to show you many OUR NEW CATALOG SENT FREE = mecican Figer' This beautiful, big, new Cata- i ne, = » 18-speed Transformer. 110-volt A.C.—60 cycle —75 watt. Price... ..$4.00. me No. 1261 —Transformer, 24- speeds. ® For use with Wide Gauge Trains when several electric lighted acces- sories are operated. 110-volt A.C. — 60 cycle —100 watt. Price......................-.-.---- $5.75. “‘ American Flyer’’ Transformers will operate any Electric Trains. hey have half-volt control steps which give any speed desired, iminating the need for a rbeostat. others. Prices are slightly higher west of the Rockies. If your dealer does not stock the exact model you want, he will order it for you, or we will send it direct, charges prepaid, on receipt of price. American Flyer Mfg. Co. 2239 S. Halsted Street =: Chicago, Illinois log, just off the Press, illustrat- 4 ing in full colors our complete line of ‘* AMERICAN FLYER’’ and * StrucTo Toys will be sent to you upon receipt of 4c in stamps fem to cover mailing cost. 025 When answering advertisements please mention BOYS’ LIFE

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The prizes go to sure-footed boys ":"= T’S speedy sure-footedness that makes the champions in any game or sport. Grip-Sure Shoes with the wonderful suction cup soles are the greatest aid to sure- footedness at all times and under all conditions. No game or sport is too fast for these famous shoes with the patented suction cup soles that grip the surface the instant your feet touch it. You can be off like a shot, stop, dodge or turn with never a fear of slipping. In basketball, boxing, bowling, wrestling, gym work— any sport indoors or out—Grip Sures are almost always the shoes that the winners wear. The wonderful suction cup soles insure speedy sure-footedness and the comfortable uppers (plus those springy soles) insure foot freedom. They are easier on your feet than stiff leather shoes. $500 in cash prizes $500 in cash prizes for boys who write us the most inter- esting letters about how sure-footedness helped them at some critical moment in basketball, boxing, baseball, tennis, running, etc., or while e climbing, hiking, etc. Ist prize, $100; 2nd prize, $50; 3rd, 4th, Sth, and 6th prizes, $25 each; ten prizes of $10 each; thirty prizes of $5 each. Contest open to everybody. Ends Feb. Ist, 1926. Write for free folder which gives complete details. And no sports shoe can equal them in long wear. Your shoe dealer or sporting goods dealer probably has Grip Sures in stock; if not, he will get them for you if you insist. Send for free folder about $500 Prize Offer SEND coupon for free folder giving full particulars about the big $500 Sure- Footedness Prize Offer. You may win the $100 first prize, and have 46 chances to win something. Clip and mail the coupon now. THE BEACON FALLS RUBBER SHOE COMPANY Makers of Top Notch Rubber and Canvas Rubber Soled Footwear Dept. C9 Beacon Falls, Conn. The Top Notch Cross on any canvas shoe guar- antees long, satisfactory wear. Always look for it. Dept. C9, Beacon Falls, Conn. | ! : | Footedness Prize Contest. | | Address eer ; emenes THE BEACON FALLS RUBBER SHOE CO., Please send me free folder, giving complete information about how to enter your $500 Sure- June Week, that last week, in which the gradu- ates to be have nothing to do save escort their visitors around the grounds and take them to | the numerous exhibition drills, parades, hops, | and social functions. ARENTS, friends, sweethearts, began to arrive from all over the country. When | John’s parents told him they were coming to the graduation exercises he tried to change their plans. ‘Don’t come,” he wrote, “West Point is too far from Mississippi. Stay at home and wait for me. You won’t find the trip | pleasant,” he added as an afterthought, and | when he had written it he realized how true it | was. They were certain to notice how the | other cadets treated him, and they would | ask questions, want explanations; he couldn't | tell his proud father the truth, it would break his heart. “What! stay away from my son’s gradua tion? I'd rather lose my right leg,’ his father answered. This pleasantry, so full of pride, only added to John’s misery. When John showed his parents around the grounds he } went to great pains to avoid passing other cadets, but he could not avoid every one. He watched his parents out of the corner of his | eye to see if they é | noticed the cold- f ness of the other toward were too | busy watching | him and com- |} menting on_ his change in ap- pearance, even to look at anyone else, but gradu- ally the realiza- tion of their son’s they isolation was forced upon them. “Where are all your friends?” his father asked. “T want to find out what they think of you,” he added jokingly. “And I'd like very much to meet the boy you live with,” his mother told him. John did his best to keep the truth from them. “They’re all busy showing their parents around.” was not a lie. Then arrived the day before graduation with all the accompanying excitement. Parade came late in the afternoon and for the last time in his life John stood stiffly at parade rest while the band trooped the line, playing the “Dashing White Sergeant” and ‘Home, Sweet Home.” Then he marched front and center with the other men who were to gradu- ate on the morrow and watched the Corps sweep by in review. White-clad legs swung back and forth in perfect time with the music, brasses glittered, sabers flashed—gray, white, gold; all silhouetted against the green of the grass and trees; all brilliant in the last rays of the setting sun. Despite the suffering he had gone through in that last year John could not help feeling a pang of regret at the thought of leaving West Point. He heard the man on his right stifle a sob, and he was surprised to feel a drop of moisture rolling down his cheek. At the graduation hop that evening he re- mained with his parents. “I'd rather be with you, mother,” he told her when she asked him why he did not dance. | The next morning when John received his diploma he felt that he was receiving his par- don from misery and isolation. It was over; his heart was singing; he had seen it through | and won. Back in Mississippi John began to live again. Once more he had friends and people did not | go out of their way to avoid him. He had three months of leave before it would be necessary for him to report for duty, and he made the most of that time. At least that When answering advertisements please mention BOYS’ LIFE BOYS’ LIFE Silenced (Continued from page 42) A few weeks before the end of leave he re ceived his assignment orders. He was to re port to Fort Wright for duty with the Coasi Artillery Corps. He was sorry to leave th little city and all his friends there, but also hx was eager to start in his chosen career. Ther would be new friends to be made; for only those men who had been cadets at th Academy at the same time as he knew of the silence and observed it. Ther were only a few graduates and man) posts, so it was not likely that ther would be more than two or, at the most three of -his classmates at the fort. TH: wondered if Charlie would be ther Before the silence Charlie and he ha agreed to go into the Coast Artillery and be stationed together at Fort Wright. He did not know if Charli had changed his plans since that tim: but he hoped that he had not even if he could not talk to his ok room-mate he wanted to be nea: him. John’s first few days were s full of reporting, unpacking, an getting settled,that he had no tiny for anything else, but when h had everything put comfortabl to rights he made ready topay anc receive the many calls which Arm) etiquette requires. He secured ; list of oflicers on the post and e: amined it—Harold Larsen and George Rawlings, both class mates, were stationed with him, but he had never had much to do with them at the Point so he would not miss their friendship very much now. He read on down the list. He felt a thrill of joy when he saw Charlie’s name, good, old Charlie with whom he had roomed ever since they entered the Academy as plebes. “If I could only speak to Charlie I wouldn’t mind the rest,”’ he sighed. During the first week John came in contact with Charlie only at drill, and there they spoke to each other only to give and relay orders when absolutely neces sary. One evening an old colonel, himself a graduate of West Point, called John and Charlie to him at the club. “Listen,” he said, “it doesn’t look right for two graduates of the Point to go around avoiding each other like Why don’t you make up a a you two boys do. whatever grudge you had at the Point and be friends?”’ Neither John nor Charlie answered him and he did not guess the truth. ‘‘ Well, if you want to be pig-headed, I can’t stop you.” He shrugged his shoulders and left them. They stood staring at each other for a few moments and then went to opposite corners. HE first half of August found the batteries busy preparing for target practice. Ammuni tion and guns were gotten ready and assign ments were made. John and Charlie, being new officers, were given work with the targets instead of on the guns. John was to have charge of the boat that towed the targets, while Charlie was to patrol the Race in a motor-boat to see that no boats came into the area where the shells were falling. John had a dangerous task, for the targets are nothing more than pyramids of red cloth which are towed only a few hundred yards in rear of the hoat; let the gunners be the least bit careless in setting the data on the guns and the shells are apt to go crashing through the tow boat, for an error of a fraction of a degree on shore will send the shell yards wide of its mark before it has traveled many miles. It was clear and brisk when John, with a sergeant to navigate the boat, went straight out, nearly to the sand bar that ran parallel to the shore and four miles from it; then they turned and ran along in the shelter of the bar. It would be easy going for a few miles as the bar sheltered them from the waves that came rolling in, but when they reached the Rac (Concluded on page 60) Decembe r

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FOR ALL BOYS 55 eG > Ge aa “, . Lee A ’ Crsstype * 1 eee —_ a el COUTS of yesterday—the Cavalrymen of 1868. Advance 4. guards of civilization into the territory of the West, they were uni- versally famed for their marked individuality and splendid self-reliance. To-day the Boy Scouts of America, clothed in THE OFFICIAL BOY SCOUT UNIFORM are equally renowned for their self-reliance and courageous, manly deeds. Symbolic of marked individuality, The Official Boy Scout Uniform reflects the nobleness of purpose of the Boy Scout Movement and characterizes the real Boy Scout. Largest Producers of Uniforms in the World When answering advertisements please mention BOYS’ LIFE

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Of Course you electric train for Christmas. the engine by a touch of the finger IVES Push Button Control ~stops and reverses BOYS’ LIFE want an Bul be sure you get a real one with all the 1925’improvements ON’T take any chances of being disappointed Christmas morning when your eyes light on your electric train. Find out now why you must have an Ives in order to get all the 1925 features, the latest, up-to-date improvements. These many new features in the Ives Railway Lines will bring you hours and days and weeks of wonderful fun. Probably the biggest one of all is the electric reversing locomotive that made such a hit last year. This year the noted Westinghouse engineers and skilled Ives workmen have so perfected the control switch that now you need not even move the lever. You set this control switch for the speed you want. Then just a pressure of your - finger on the button—the engine stops! Another touch—it backs! Exactly like the modern equipment of famous railroads It’s a great sensation to see your locomotive re verse itself electrically at any position on the track without touching it by hand. Remember. boys, no other trains but Ives have electric reversing locomotives with the automatic push button con- trol. It isn’t a crude mechanical device on the locomotive or track, but a real electric automatic control operated from the switch. And this year you can have an Ives Electric Reversing Locomotive THE IVES MANUFACTURING CORPORATION Dept. B3, 198 Holland Ave., Bridgeport, Conn. (Series R) on either O-gauge or 2'%4-gauge track. Both in action and appearance Ives Trains are exactly like the modern equipment of famous railroads. Cars are electrically lighted and at- tractively finished in every detail. Every loco- motive has worlds of power and a strong chassis so it can pull long trains at express speed. The small motors in the lower-priced locomotives are as carefully made as the big ones and are as powerful in proportion to their size. There is an almost endless variety of passenger and freight cars, electric target signals and sema- phore signals with electrically-operated arms, bridges, tunnels, stations, and the efficient Ives Transformers. From the $1.50 mechanical trains to the big, complete $50 electric outfit, we build into every train the quality that has made Ives the foremost maker of model railway systems for nearly 50 years. 32-page book in colors tells all about the new features SEND for the 32-page book of Ives Trains and Ac- cessories. It contains illustrations in colors of the full line and tells all about the new 1925 features exclusive with Ives. Mail the coupon today with ro cents Toy, department, electrical, hardware and sport- ing goods stores sell Ives Trains. Switch off the diner and pick up the observation car! You can make your Ives Electric Revers- ing Locomotive switch cars, shunt them onto sidings, then speed around the track and couple automatically to the front of the train. It’s the greatest fun you ever had! to are me on my way ri you t W ~ITIl bri Ped noe Name.... Address THE IVES MANUFACTURING CORPORATION, Dept. B3, 198 Holland Avenue, Bridgeport, Conn. Please mail me your new 32-pagerailroad book illustrated in colors. showing the complete 1925 line of Ives Trains, Locomotives. Singals and Accessories. I enclose 10 cents (U.S. stamps or coin “Fast Mail Coupon’’ When answering advertisements please mention BOYS’ LIFE Q 5 —_-~ LB atl eK 4 TPA a) December

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FOR ALL BOYS danced to the brink of a precipice and then drawn back. He strode home, his wrath mounting. He found Bulton sitting on the lowest step to the Harris porch. Bulton was the kind of boy who never rang another boy’s doorbell; he seemed to have a natural aversion of this mild kind of boldness; he lacked self-possession with grown-up folks. So having all but ex- hausted his voice powers in simulating the squeak of the chipmunk in front of the hero’s abode, he had settled down to watchiul waiting. As luck would have it he was moved to give a final despairing squeak just as Pee-Wee came along. The scout seized upon this as a sort of text. “You needn’t imitate a chipmunk!” Pee-Wee roared. “Anyway, you don’t do it right, that isn’t the way they squeak, but anyway, you’re not a Chipmunk anyway!” ‘‘Where were you?” the astonished Bulton asked. ‘“‘That’s all right where I was,” Pee-Wee shouted, releasing a diminished golf ball from his mouth to secure a freer play of his vocal artillery. ‘“‘You thought you could get into the scouts just so you could get a bicycle and then you’d get out again and have the laugh on us but now you can’t get in any- way (Pee-Wee extended his authority to include the whole scout organization) because I won’t let you because you’re not going to make a fool out of me or out of the scouts either— geeee whiz! What do you think of that?” ‘“Who’s been telling you that?” Bulton asked. “Do you think I’m a- scared to tell you? It was Ben Maxwell and I'd sooner believe him than you, that’s one sure thing.” Bulton gave a fine and menacing display of in- jured innocence, projecting his face close to Pee-Wee’s and demanding incredu- lously, ‘‘He told you that? That sap! Maxwell? He told you that? Wait till I see him, just wait till I see him! Where is he?” Pee-Wee’s Patrol (Continued from page 24) “Vou call me a liar?” Bulton roared. ‘‘T’ve heard you tell some pretty good ones.” Bulton paused and there was a touch of anti-climax in his calm acceptance of this declaration. ‘“‘When did I tell you that?” he demanded. . He spoke as if his premeditated assault hung upon every next answer. “When—just say when I told you that, that’s all.” “Yesterday afternoon,” said Ben quietly; “right in front of the High School.” “In front of the High School?’’ Bulton demanded, killing time. ern PHOTOGRAPHIC CONTEST The prize this month goes to William Robison of Washington, Pa., whose pic- ture, “A Real Scout,” appears below. Honorable mention is made to J. Meek Wolfe, Jr., of Yellowstone Park, Wyoming, whose picture, “Ready to Go,” appears at the left. Raymond W. Greene of Bellington, Wash., also is deserving of special mention for his photo at the right entitled “ Peek-at-You” Bulton rather over-— played his part with this last question and presently found that he must continue his bluff. With outward calm, but inward trembling, he faced the excited Pee-Wee. “You come with me,” said Pee-Wee excitedly; ‘I'll show you where he is all right; you can hear him say it yourself. And you needn’t think you’re going to get into the Chipmunks, because you’re not and besides Bruno and Tasca are going to stay in it. Gee whiz, Ben Maxwell has got your number.” “You just take me to him,” said Bulton, accompanying Pee-Wee. ‘“‘Isn’t it what I’m doing?” Pee-Wee said. ‘And besides he says you’re a windmill, you’re always blowing and you never hit anything. ”’ ‘You just take me to him,” said Bulton ominously. “Anyway, you bet if I was a tattle-tale I’d go and tell your father,” Pee-Wee said, “how you tried to cheat him and all. Maybe I would, anyway, only you say you can prove you didn’t say that to Ben Maxwell.” Thus Pee-Wee all unwittingly created a predicament for Bulton. + That worthy, having carried his bluff and bluster for two whole blocks was on the point of declaring Maxwell to be beneath his notice and their errand not worth while. When suddenly the shadow of his father was cast across the affair. Charlie could not afford to have Pee-Wee going to his father with the truth about the bicycle. For Charlie’s father also had Charlie’s number, and Charlie knew it. He was deferred by these considerations from nonchalantly withdrawing from their mission and could only say, with not quite as much spirit as before, “‘ You just take me to him, that’s all.” “Tsn’t that what I’m doing?” said Pee-Wee. ROSSING Main Street they entered Hollis Place where the big, white, old-fashioned mansion of the Maxwells stood. They did not have to cross the spacious grounds for Ben was sitting quite alone on the old stone carriage step out at the curb. This had MAXWELL cut in it like an inscrip- tion on a gravestone. Notwithstanding the universality of the automobile the Maxwells still kept their horses and their fine turnout was a familiar sight on Main Street. Ben was the kind of boy who is to be found lingering alone here and there. It was not that he was unpopular for as Roy Blakeley said, “The fellows like him better than vacation.” Perhaps it was because he was sufficiently good company for himself. He seemed to be a kind of looker on. Bulton carried his theatrical indignation straight into the arena, but Ben Maxwell did not even stand up. ‘“‘Hey Maxwell,” said he with blustering menace, “‘did you tell this kid I wanted to join his scouts just to get a bicycle out of my old man—did you say that? Just tell me if that’s true.” “‘T don’t know whether it’s true or not,” said Ben; “‘but it’s what you told me. Sometimes you don’t tell the truth.” 1925 “Well, maybe it was just beyond the High School,” said Ben. “Vaaaah, who’s a liar now triumphantly at Pee-Wee. Ben Maxwell arose leisurely and faced Bulton. And as he did so Pee-Wee felt a certain tremor and was constrained to silence as if the matter were quite out of his hands. “Do you apologize for that?” Ben asked. “For what?” “For calling me a liar.” “T’ll leave it to the kid; you said it was in front of the High School, now you admit ” *“Do you apologize?” Ben interrupted. ““No, because——” And there was the end of Charlie Bulton’s wretched show. He went down amid his bluster and his silly technicalities. The blow was vigorous enough to deprive him of his balance and he was down on his knees before he knew it. “Do you apologize?” said Ben coldly. “You admit—” the poor fool began, still clinging to his technical claim of truth. “‘ Apologize?”’ said Ben. “All right, I apologize, but just the same I’m right,”’ Bulton cried, as he got up on his feet. ‘‘It wasn’t in front of the High School,” he added, pulling out his handkerchief and pressing it to his eye. ‘‘You’ll get in trouble all right,” he wept. ‘I—I—wouldn’t—I wouldn’t—wouldn’t want to be in your place when I—I when—TI tell my father.” He did not linger upon the scene of his ignominy. He felt wounded, not only in his eye, but in his soul. He had not intended that the encounter should be so precipitate and 3) Bulton sneered, looking 57 definite. Fora boy to mean what he said, even to the extent of ignoring sacred technicalities, seemed unfair. His fine, blustering, menacing spirit was hurt. But most of all his left eye was hurt. And he departed ingloriously holding his handkerchief to it. “‘He’ll tell his father the biggest string of lies!” said Ben. “‘Let’s follow along and see the old gent and tell him just what’s what, hey?” “Are you afraid what might happen?” Pee-Wee asked, somewhat aghast at the turn of affairs. “‘Do I seem to be shaking?” Ben laughed. “Do you think we ought to tell his father about the bicycle? We wouldn’t be tattle-tales?”’ the sturdy little scout asked. “Kid, you’re all right,” Ben laughed. ‘“‘You’ve got scout honor —-what d’you call it—kidnapped. Everything about you is big except your size; you’re a pocket edition of a giant. Bull’s got a black eye, I’m afraid, and I have a hunch I ought to tell his poor, old dad why I did it. What do you say?” “Oh boy, I bet it’s good and black,” said Pee-Wee fearfully. “Or maybe he was just making believe,” said Ben. ‘‘He ought to be in the movies.” “No, I bet it’s black,”’ said Pee- a Wee. “Anyway you know what’s best; come ahead, I’ll go. Maybe we’d only be tattle-tales kind of techn—like a teckinality, hey?” ‘“‘Something like that,” laughed Ben, lifting Pee-Wee’s hat and ruffling his hair for him. ‘‘Come ahead, then.”’ EE-WEE was right, Bully Bulton’s eye was ‘good and black,” relieved by touches of rich purple. Bully Bulton (in a way of speaking) had his scout badge and wore it on his left eye, though he did not think of it in that way. He was not a heroic picture as he sat on the couch in the living-room as Pee-Wee and Ben were shown in by an apprehensive maid, who seemed more concerned for Ben than he was for himself. Fortunately, for the welfare of Charles, his fond mother had gone to the movies with her two daughters, and Mr. Bulton (contrary to custom) was able to deal with his son in his own way. There was no one present to call Ben a coward and a loafer. The father was sitting in his big chair con- templating his son. ‘Mr. Bulton,” said Ben, with a self-possession that lacked any taint of assertiveness, ‘‘as long as I was the one that hit Charlie, I thought I’d come straight to you and tell you about it; I don’t want you to think I’m a scrapper.” “‘T guess you can hold your own,” said Mr. Bulton. ‘And if you want to call up my father and tell him——” Mr. Bulton shook his head. ‘‘No, I don’t,” said he. “Well, why did you do it?” ‘He called me a liar; I wouldn’t let anybody say that about me.” “No,” said Mr. Bulton. “Did you tell him he was a— did you call him a bad name?” “Do you believe I did?” Ben asked. “No, I don’t,” said Mr. Bulton. At this juncture, Pee-Wee took a double-header into the talk. “‘And anyway,” he vociferated, ‘‘gee whiz, a black eye isn’t so bad; if you’re a scout you might fall out of a tree and get one, while you’re stalking you might, gee whiz. Even you might get your arm broken if you’re a scout, but anyway, I know first aid, because we have to study that, and he ought to put cold water on it. But, gee, anyway you got to admit Ben was right, because (he was addressing Mr. Bulton) would you let me call you a liar?” Mr. Bulton smiled in an amused but rather disheartened way and glanced inquiringly at Ben. ““He—” Charlie began. “Keep still,” said his father peremptorily. “Tt was just this, Mr. Bulton,” said Ben; “you might as well know the truth. Charlie told me he was trying to get into the scouts just to get a bicycle out of you. Then he said he was going to get out of the scouts again. He said they were a lot of kids and he had no use for them, but that he just wanted to get a bicycle. I guess that’s about the truest thing he ever said, that he hasn’t much use for the scouts. I’m not in the scouts, but I wouldn’t stand to see this kid used like that. I believe if a fellow is a scout he ought to be one and stick. This little chap isn’t working to get people bicycles.” Mr. Bulton silenced his son who seemed about to launch forth and said to Ben, “‘How does it happen you’re not in the scouts?”’ “Now you got him!” shouted Pee-Wee. ‘Gee whiz, make him answer that—just you make him! Every scout in this town asked him that—so that proves it. He’d be assistant scoutmaster if he did, that’s what he’d be. Because, look, you

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The tremendous brak- ing grip of the New Departure is obtained by a gentle back pedal pressure, without strain upon rider, wheel or brake hub. “No kidding, Joe! This bike is the best present I ever got!” “Take a tip from me and tell your folks to give you a bike for this Christ- mas. Ever since I got mine last year, I’ve been using it all the time. “But make sure it has a New De- parture Coaster Brake on it. That’s what makes a bike worth while. “I know, because I’ve tried both kinds of wheels, and now I wouldn’t want a bike without a New Departure.” NEW DEPARTURE MEG. CoO., Bristol, Conn. NEW DEPARTURE sé ; . | he Brahe with the mi $a’? lin on your merits or off you go to military eo ‘ & | school. There you have your offer. Now what come. Le: ow easy it is. rings information and phonograph record. 158 Stimson, The Lewis Institute, Detroit A! Master s) bh. Make friends - Learn bh i Dime \n061 Mark otc., No. E, now ready, FRE BANNER PLAY BUREAU Minstrels, Vaudeville Acts, Comic Songs, Mock Trials, Monologues, & Dialogues, Musical Comedies, Scout Plays, Drills, Initiations, J etc. Descriptive Catalogue } San Francisco, Calif. et St. Pictures Name Address National Sportsman Magazine, 310 Newbury St., Boston, Mass. Enclosed find $1.00 for National Sportsman and the set of 8 Fish ALL FOR $1.00 This set of 8 beautiful true-to-life FISH and GAME pictures, repro- duced in colors from original oil paintings by William Harnden Foster, On heavy art paper, size 9 x 12 inches, pronounced by lead- ing authorities the best they have ever seen, and NATIONAL SPORTSMAN MAGAZINE for a whole year, 12 big €8-page issues, crammed full of hunting, fishing, camping and_ trapping stories and pictures, valuable in- formation about guns, rifles, fish- ing tackle, game laws, best places to get fish and game, etc All for Only $1.00 Your money back if you are not more than satisfied Mail your order right now ORDER BLANK a year's subscription to the ; and Game can see yourself what he does, I don’t mean black eyes, but how he has a sense of honor you see for yourself and that’s rule one, he | thinks he’s so smart that he doesn’t join be- | cause he stays at home and reads a lot and | helps take care of the horses, but anyway you got a big store and you’re grown-up and you can see if that’s a reason; he obeys all the laws and he doesn’t know it and he can swim across the river so I'll leave it to you if he ought to join and it just serves him right, you make him answer.”’ Pee-Wee paused for air. “All right, Kid,” laughed Ben. “T'll join; you win.” “Tf you, if you go back on your word now you’re as bad as he is,” said Pee-Wee, referring to Charlie. Pee-Wee was not famous for his tact. Mr. Bulton arose to show the boys out, he seemed disinclined to prolong the affair. But he laid his hand on Ben Maxwell’s shoulder and patted it. “T’m sorry, Mr. Bulton,” said Ben as they reached the front door, “I guess maybe I wouldn’t do it if the same thing happened again. I’ve got no use for scrapping. Fellows say liar and maybe they don’t always mean what they say—it’s just hot air.” Mr. Bulton only patted him on the shoulder. “Tt’s best not to scrap,” said he, as if stating a general proposition. “It’s all right, my boy. You go ahead and be a scout and I'll call it quits.” “Do you make him promise it?” Pee-Wee demanded. “T make him promise it,” said Mr. Bulton. “T’m game—I give in,” laughed Ben. Then Mr. Bulton returned to the living- room where his son sat waiting. “Well, sir,’ said he, bringing his hands together as if to clinch a decision, “I’m going to give you a choice of two things, and a bicycle doesn’t go with either one of them. You’d better put some cold water on that and get to bed before your mother sees it. Cold water, isn’t that what he said? Wait a minute —sit down. Now, sir, you’re going to have a choice of two things. You’re either going to join the scouts and make good with them, or else you’re going to military school. Now, Charlie, your mother can’t help you and your sisters can’t help you; you’ve got to help your- self. You’re going to get into that scout game (don’t ask me how you'll do it) or else you’re going up to North Woodbine to military school.” “T can’t—they won’t—” Charlie pled. “That little codger says scouts are resource- ful,” his father shot at him. “ Now which will you do? Assure as I sit here I’m going to write up to North Woodbine to-night if you say the word. Now which will it be?” “Do you give a hundred dollars?” Charlie asked fearfully. For the threat of military school had haunted him for months past. “Never you mind about that, sir,” Mr. Bulton snapped, “you and I have no under- standings at all—no presents or money involved. You get in on your merits and stay do you want to do? You’ve had your way, Charlie, now I’m going to have mine. You signed your own school report, you played hooky, you teased little what’s-her-name so her mother was in here about it, you played craps and the captain was here about it, you drove a car without a license, you swore at your sister, the boys call you Bully, and now you’ve tried to play a trick on me. Now either the scouts are going to make you, or military school’s going to make you. Which do you say? Don’t argue—I don’t want to hear your voice. Scduts isit? Allright then. J’// give you until a week from Saturday to get in.’ That’s the first of the month. I won’t mention the subject until then. If you haven’t got your credentials by that time you'll march in line with those youngsters up at the Academy. gThat’s all I’ve got to say to you. Now you'd better go up and get to bed before your mother comes home.” Bully Bulton crept upstairs, a pitiable figure. But he did not sleep. For indeed he had much to worry him. How could he get into the scouts now? He might go outside of Bridge- boro, but they would only tell him to join in his home town. And who would he ask in his home | town? The troop, and its satellite the Chip- | munks, were full to the brim. The other troop | had gone to pieces. Then he began wondering | how Ben Maxwell was going to get in. Then | he fell to thinking of North Woodbine Military Academy and of how they marched the boys | here and there together, and ruled them with a discipline that he feared and dreaded. He would rather die than go to that horrible place. | The thought of it haunted him as he fell asleep. To be continued in Boys’ Lire for January When answering advertisements please mention BOYS’ LIFE BOYS’ LIFE ¥ Drawn from actual photograph of student doing spare time electrical work - = + - t Electricity Male Bis Moncy How would you like to earn two or three dollars every evening after school and pre- pare yourself for a fine big ee at the same time? ere’s the opportunity of a lifetime for you fellows who like Electricity. Begin right now to prepare yourself for a regular man’s size job in this fascinat- ing field. Your chances for a big success are simply wonderful—the pay is big ($70 to $200 a week) and advancement comes swift and sure, I will Train You at Home With my easily learned, sparetime Electrical Course I will train you at home like I havetrained hundreds of cies Seve ‘eo are Sew big successful men. It will not inter- Look Wha fere with your school work and ik t you canearnmorethanthesmall | This Boy cost of the coursedoingoddelec- | Jg Doing trical jobs in yoursparetime.The es Course paysforitself. I willshow | scnearonteotte youhowtoget this workand how | !=¢ to a close, and I todoit. Some of my boystudents | Mo orstty busy with make $10 to $15 a week this way, | manage to keep up Pei eat tozer: mfor Send me the coupon below andI | 72% eebind will tell you all about the big out- | have seserad wae fit of tools, apparatus and instru- ery f and a read Radio Course ae ED. at Iam giving to my students F nt foralimitedtime. Iwillsend you | sosretime work” my big interesting Electrical and a sample lesson, too— | school, on which I all Free. You will betickled with e $3 and brought the things I willsend you Free, | which Imsdeses0 Mail the coupon right now. . for 4 hours’ work and nomaterial L. L. COOKE, Chief Engineer | fished by mo.” Chicago Engineering Works TS Chester ai Dept. 339 CHICAGO Greenville. N.C” Use This FREE BOOK "Coupon L. L. COOKE, Chief Engineer, Chicago Engineering Works, Dept. 0-339, 2150 Lawrence Ave., Chicago Send me your Free Outfit Offer, your big Etectrical Book, Sample Lesson and particulars of your Electrical Course and Free Radio Course. This will not obligate me inany way. Name. AE POBB oxcreercrerccrcecccceccssvscoccccosnsscess c00eee miss the fun! OYS who know about Smith Brothers Cough Drops don’t miss many good times. Smith Brothers Cough Drops taste just like candy but they keep away colds and coughs, and sore throats, too, Feller, you ought to THE CANDY COUGH DROP December

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FOR ALL BOYS a Eee Sa TEE ce dae eae ae CE Se, Cnr Be Sure to Get a ‘KINGS’? C(Q HEN you ask Dad for that saxophone, trumpet or trombone for Christmas tell him to be sure to get a “King.” Our catalog will show you just why a “King” plays more easily—is better in tune and has a better tone than any other make. Send in today for a catalog of the instru- ment you ate most interested in; it will tell you exactly how band instruments are made, what each one is used for and its history. Get this catalog and show it to your folks— then they will see why a “King” is the finest in- strument that can be obtained. ' King Bugles are licensed as official by the Boy Scouts. The following extract is taken from a report following the Boy Scout tests of several KINGS Boy Scout Bugle This is the King Official Boy Scout Bugle, which won highest honors in tests conducted by the Scout headquarters. On sale at the local “King” dealer—or send direct to us. Price $6.00 bugles: “It will be apparent from the foregoing that I found instrument No. 4 (the King Bugle) far and away the best instrument of those tested. It is absolutely true international pitch, and its tone quality is such that it blends perfectly with professional band instruments.” —Signed, Band- master R. E. McGeary. All King Band Instruments ate built to the same high standards as the bugle. == King Band Instruments are sent on 10 days free trial if there is no dealer near you. You can easily earn the money to make the payments which are extended over a period of 10 months. Clip the coupon today and get our latest free catalog — state what instrument you like and we'll sénd you com- plete information. ety ee THE H. N. WHITE CO., 5220-70 Superior Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio seo Manufacturers of KINGS Band Instruments 59 THE H. N. WHITE CO., 5220-70 Superior Ave. Cleveland, Ohio Send me without obligation the following: [] Prices and Description of King Official Boy Scout Bugle. CJ Catélogs:and literature cegarding. >) oie ee ns ee emecnn (State which instrument, 1p t , etc.) When answering advertisements please mention BOYS’ LIFE

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Beech-Nut Jams Beech-Nut Jellies Beech-Nut Bacon stand or appreciate. Just peanuts, roasted brown, a little salt—crushed And stopa moment and think how Beech-Nut Peanut But- ter would taste—can taste— with other things that into a wonder-bite for hungry boys. you like to eat. Beech-Nut Peanut Butter has just the flavor of peanuts—but more so, Spread it freely on one piece of bread and some sliced bananas or Beech- Nut Jam on the other. Putthem together for your sandwich, You bet you’ll like that, too. Just remind your mother that it is Beech- Nut Peanut Butter, if you wish her to get you a jar or two. She knows Beech-Nut by experience or by reputation. BEECH-NUT PACKING COMPANY Canajoharie, N. Y. You bet youll likeit HE only way to find out how much you’lllike Beech-Nut Peanut Butter is to eat it once. That’s enough. You certainly will like it a lot, spread thick and luscious on your bread with an appetite-kick that nobody but a boy can under- Beech-Nut Peanut Butter Other Beech-Nut good things that are popular with boys and girls Beech-Nut Gum Beech-Nut Mints Beech-Nut Fruit Drops Beech-Nut Prepared Spaghetti Beech-Nut Pork and Beans Beech-Nut Catsup Boycraft Booklets! FREE ha uae for free me of special, ind supplies for bey scouts. BOYCRAFT CO., Bos = Morris Ht, New York City 466_Connecticut St. INDIAN Goops Seneca Indian 40-in, triple ome, deer killing bow $2 Stee! pointed arrows ich he. wie claw, pet: trified Fossil forein 000 Indian article a. eo. iNDIANCRAFT B. L. CO. Buffalo, N.Y. A Real Christmas Gift The skate that wins is the skate you want. New 10926 model “CHICAGO” Rubber Tired Skates are extra strong. Speedy, smooth and silent, they make their owners the envy of the neighborhood. 4450 W. Lake St. For Boys and Girls. CHICAGO ROLLER SKATE CO. ene / ON RUBBER! CNew CHode] Order yours to-day. Chicago, Illinois You are sure to be satisfied. When answering advertisements please mention BOYS’ LIFE Silenced | (Concluded from page 54) their troubles would begin, for at that point there was a break in the bar and the water rushed through with unabated fury. It would be hard to keep a steady course there and the men in the plotting room would have difficulty determining just where the target would be at the end of the projectile’s long flight. That made it dangerous for anyone near the target; but John didn’t care; the nearness of danger made him feel awake, tingling with life. The boat tugged steadily along. On the shore the two observation posts a mile apart sighted on the target and at the ringing of a bell, every thirty seconds, telephoned their readings to the plotting room; there the target’s position on a map of the bay was located, corrections for wind, tide, and barometer reading, made; and, at the ringing of the next bell, azimuth and elevation telephoned to the gun pit. It was the work of seconds and it fascinated John to see the accuracy of those guns which were never once in sight of the target. Four gigantic, foaming geysers shot like gleaming wraiths straight into the air! The dull boom of the guns on shore and the sharp impact of steel on water sounded simultane- ously. “All short,” cried John, watching the swirling waters through his glasses. A wait—then four more towers of angry water sprang up. ‘Closer. They’re creeping up by brackets,” he told the sergeant, who was busy with the engine. Slowly the shots crept up on the target; went over; came back, and fell all around the target, making it rock and leap madly. Smash! Up went the water where the target had been, hovered, spread out, and fell slowly back to the surface of the sea. The red splotch of target was no longer visible. “A hit!” shouted the sergeant. ‘We'll be gittin’ some close ones now when they shift to the near target, and we’re almost right opposite the Race now.” “Well,” laughed John, “IT hope we don’t have to swim; the water looks too cold.” There was a pause while the observers ad- justed on the new target. They had been shooting at the target which was at the farthest end of the tow line, now that it was destroyed they had to change to the auxiliary target, which was only half as far from the boat. The first salvo came. “All over!” shouted the sergeant. “Yes,” agreed John, “the tide is coming fast through the Raceand pushing us toward shore.” The second salvo whistled through the air and fell far over the target. “Way off; one nearly in the Race,” the sergeant exclaimed disgustedly. John looked up the Race. “What’s that?” Something had ridden the crest of a foaming wave and slid down into the trough. Up it came on the crest of the next wave. ‘‘Tt’s a motor-boat. It mustn’t have been warned by the patrol boat,”’ said the sergeant. John focused his glasses on the boat. A salvo of shells fell between him and the boat, sending up a screen of water. He waited, straining his eyes to penetrate the watery mist “Tt’s drifting; it’s the patrol boat, Charlie!” ‘Motor must have gone dead while patrolin’ the Race,” said the sergeant. ““We’ve got to get the target out of here before he’s swept any nearer,” John cried. ‘But we can’t, sir. He’s comin’ perpendicu- lar to us. It won’t do any good for us to turn the same way he is, and we can’t get this tub out of here before he’s a lot nearer.” “We've got to stop those guns.” A salvo screeched through the air and dropped a few hundred yards short of the motor-boat. John clenched his fists in agony. He couldn’t stop those guns. The observers had their instru- ments fixed on the target and the mortars were at the bottom of a concrete pit, squatting like four immense toads, spitting their half-ton projectiles up to the clear, blue sky. Men are running back and forth wildly in the pit, wheeling the thousand-pound projectiles on trays, ramming them home in the gaping breeches of the guns, jamming in the powder. Every thirty seconds a bell rings. At the first ring the observers, far away from the gun, set their readings to the plotting room; thirty seconds later, at the strident call of the second bell, the azimuth and elevation are telephoned to the pit and run out of a slit in the side of a sound-proof dugout on a blackboard. The guns are spun to the new azimuth, the elevation setters raise the black muzzles to the sky. “Ready!” shouts the pit commander. “Set!” BOYS’ LIFE 200 Years Ago ¥, the little of Shoeneck lived = hom urlitzer, Master Violin Maker. ing place for Wit li His shop was gatherin , Y, A. Why’ Wi any Warlitzer Instrument in your Own Home OU may now have}] = | any Wurlitzer in-]}] @ strument for a week’s free trial in your own home. Examine the instrument, show it to your friends, play it as much as you wish. No obligation to buy — no expense for the trial. We make this liberal offer |; because we want you to try for yourself theseg wonderful instruments, the result of 200 years’ experience in musical 4 instrument building. Easy payments are ar- ranged to suit your cone venience. This is your opportunity totrya famous Wurlitzer instrument in your own home. Send for NewCatalog The greatest musical cata- log ever published! Over 3,000 articles—every known instrument described and illustrated ; many of them shown in full colors. Gives you lowest prices od: = Jetails of we Trial, Ea: Payment plan. Ali se FREE—no obliga om Send this il THE RUDOLPH WURLITZER CO., Dept. 1149 120 W. 42ndSt.,NewYork 117 E. 4th St., Cincinnafi oe Ave., Chicago 250 Stockton St., San Francisco Bend me, ne. sbpolatel free, your ilinstrated catalog, with fcbreetie Pee ce sar escent Demons Eamon as thly sums. No obligation. or it in small m Name Address -——~~-—-—-—-—-————~——— — ——-— —--— -—- -- =: City-————— State-__———. snctrwriate Instrument in which you are interested) o Copzright, 1924, The Rudolph Warlitser Co. SCHOOL SETS OWN NAME Six-Inch Ruler, Pencil Sharpener aad Clip with Every Set Uzotut Xmso, Gigs, tor, Gove, ond Git ‘cite ui Rame RUTH DAVIS the gunners cry simultaneously. He grasps December

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FOR ALL BOYS the electric switch. The third bell breaks the | tense silence one minute from the first. Down goes his hand. Four blinding flashes! One deafening roar! Four thousand pounds of steel go screaming through the air. The crews | stagger drunkenly and rush to their guns. Open come the breech blocks. Out pour dense volumes of white smoke; the projectiles are wheeled up. “Home ram!” The projectiles are rammed into the ever voracious guns; the powder follows; the breech swings closed; the men turn expectantly, waiting for new data. Again the |bell—the flash!—the blast! Up, | up, climb the shells, screeching and screaming as they go; then they hover, tip forward, and slide whirring to their goal. Smack! the water is torn straight up from the pitching surface of the sea. “Only a couple of hundred yards from the boat,” the sergeant cried in horror. “ Lieuten- ant, if they’d only bust that last target they’d quit shootin’.” “‘Destroy it!” John leaped up. His eyes were fixed on the half empty oil can in the bottom of the boat. He grabbed it up. “Keep going,”’ he shouted and leaped over- board with the can. Back along the rope to the target he slid. A few seconds and he was at the float. He heard the impact of a salvo on the water. He felt the spray of falling water, but he did not stop to look. He climbed onto the float, tore the top from the can and threw the oi! over the cloth target. His matches. He wondered if they had re- mained dry in the metal case. He opened the box with trembling fingers. He rubbed a match. It did not even crackle. He rubbed it again and again. It broke, leaving only a stub in his hand. He cast it away and took another. It sputtered as he rubbed it. Again he ran it over the abraded surface of the box. It flickered and he thrust it against the target, guarding the precious flame with his hands. It seemed to die down; then it flamed brightly, spread like wild over the oil-covered surface of the target. John’s face burned from the heat of the fire. He leaped from the float and grasped the tow rope. The target was going up in a mad blaze. Just as the flames ran up to the apex of the pyramid and leaped off into space a salvo came screeching, and dropped right in front of the motor-boat, it seemed to John. The flames died down and all that re- mained above the float were charred particles, floating dizzily in the wind. John waited to hear the screech of another salvo, but none came. The firing stopped. The tow rope jerked; he lost hold of it, grabbed at it, only to find it gone. The target float hit him a sharp blow on the back of the head and passed over him, forcing him beneath the surface of the water. The salt water rushed into his lungs and forced him back to consciousness. He worked his hands and feet to keep afloat. He wondered if the sergeant would get back in time to save him. He choked as the water filled his mouth and nostrils. He felt weak and dizzy. He heard strange, singing noises in his eardrums. He saw black. He heard a droning, throbbing sound. Slowly John seemed to wake up from a deep sleep. He heard a droning noise like he re- membered hearing before he had gone to sleep; only this noise was quieter, more pleasing. Some one was talking in subdued whispers. He opened his eyes. Charlie was talking to a nurse beside his bed. ‘“‘Cha—” he started to say and then stopped himself. Charlie came over to him. ‘“‘Y-you want anything, John?” he asked. John felt a thrill of joy at the sound of his room-mate’s voice. The silence had been broken. He smiled happily. ‘Nothing, Charlie.” Coming! The Mounted Troop By Joseph B. Ames This is a corking story of the West and the ad- venturers are, of course, a Scout Troop. cdl ME GA, AI — — woe Ps “Tuerr’s nothing better to give or to get than a sturdy, reliable Ingersoll. Every boy has an Inger- soll coming to him; and Christ- mas is a good time to get it. ies) ited Yankee Radiolite The Yankee with luminous figures and hands. Tells time in the dark. | fae | New Model Yankee Dependable, as always, but with many | new features of grace and beauty. id be } JUNIOR New Model Junior / New Model Midget Handsome, new and im- Wri . hs For women, girls and , rist Radioli > 8 proved model. Thin; 1 2- — é = small boys. Nickel case; $72.50 fs")! size. Nickel case. A service able watch os 4 50 guaranteed movement, women, boys, girls, sports- men, motorists, etc. | Maes fr Ery Member ofthe Fai When answering advertisements please mention BOYS’ LIFE 61 i

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Christmas Skating—are you ready for it? Don’t miss the wonderful days on the ice; the match races and hockey games; and the mellow, moonlight nights w ith your best girl at your side. Get your skates and be ready! _ Get these ARCO “Nickel Flash” SKATES—the fastest and finest on the ice! Specially designed and balanced for fast, comfortable skating; their keen, true runners skim over the ice with hardly any “leg power.” ‘These tempered steel runners, made of high-carbon, electric-crucible steel, are both welded and riveted into the tubes for greater strength. You can make sudden starts and stops, turn sharp corners, jump and do the other “stunts” that make skating such great sport. They’re beautiful too, heavily nickel-plated all over-—— ; **Like a Flash of Nickel on the Ice’’ The shoes are finest quality calf leather with genuine Good- year Welt Soles; strong, comfortable, fine looking and riveted right on the skates. Get ARCO “Nickel Flash” SKATES for Christmas; then you can skate rings around the other fellows. They ‘offer the utmost value obtainable in nickel-plated tubular skates.

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When answering advertisements please mention BOYS’ LIFE

Hi Grumpus’ | Christmas Tree (Continued te Page | I 5)

| er

were able to draw out of sight of the dog before his master was free. They reached the top of the hill and could look down the long slope to town and then they heard a loud baying that indicated that the hound was over the fence and after them. ‘Golly!” exclaimed Joe, as he struggled ahead with his share of the still heavy load, “‘we’ll never make it. Let’s set up this tree, make it look like it was growing and then beat it. We’ll come back to-morrow and get it.” “That old geezer will get it before we come back and probably hack it up just to spoil it for us,”’ said Ed. ‘Look,” said Joe. ‘“Here’s a place where we could drop it over this ledge of rocks. Maybe it would stick up in the snow down there and look just as if it grew there, and they wouldn’t be down there either.” The boys looked over the ledge. There was a snowdrift below. They let the tree over the ledge, butt first. They dropped it carefully and for their good fortune it struck end on in the deepest snow and remained standing, fe: all the world like a tree that had grown there. “What you going to do with that branch you cut off and kept?” Ed asked Joe. “Going to take that home for a sample to show the fellers we saw a tree?” “Watch,” said Joe. Then he dropped behind the others as they hurried down the hill to- ward town, running from the coming hound. He dragged a branch and whipped the snow with it to fool the man, if he followed them, into thinking they were still carrying the tree. They were only too glad to get rid of the weight that was breaking their backs, and they made a safe escape, the hound evidently finally taking the trail of some rabbit or fox where it crossed their own, his master being too far behind to keep him after his own quarry. [It WAS the day before Christmas and the boys had their tree set up and decorated still working at it when Ezra Pick sent word that he wanted the four who got the tree to come to his office. They went at once, a little shaky in spite of their assurance. “What about this squabble out at my wood lot?” the attorney asked. “‘My farmer out there, Hi \Grumpus, says you boys nearly killed him.” After they had all tried to speak at once and Ed had been told to tell the story, the inci- dents were given to Mr. Pick. In spite of his effort to look serious, he could not help chuck- ling as Ed related how they had hobbled their prisoner, and how they had left the tree “planted” in the snow and had gone back the next day and brought it safely home. “Well, you boys were certainly within your rights. It is too bad Hi couldn’t have given you a chance to explain, but I guess he was too angry. But, boys, Hi has a little girl he thinks the world of. She’s here in town in the hospital, an incurable invalid. He had that tree picked out to cut and bring down for the hospital folks. He had promised it to his little girl and the nurses and all were going to have a great time with it. It was the only good evergreen Hi knew of, and you know evergreens are about as plentiful around here as hen’s teeth. Then you boys took the tree, and you see how it must have riled him up, and he isn’t the hardest man to rile that ever was, either. Of course I didn’t know about his plans and the tree was on my land. So there you are, boys. Hi came in to-day feeling pretty mad about the tree and he’s mad yet and threatens all sorts of things he can’t do. As I say, you boys were and are perfectly within your rights and I made you welcome to the tree, but what about the hospital celebration they were going to have to-night, and haven’t any tree?” H! GRUMPUS was sitting at the side of the bed of his little daughter in the hos- pital ward. He looked only a little less rough than when seen out in the woods. “We'll have just as nice a Christmas here without the tree,” said the little girl. “There'll be everything else we were going to have and the nurses are going to have oranges and candy and presents for everybody and there'll be singing and it will be all right. Don’t worry daddy.” “Yes, Mr. Grumpus,” said a nurse. , ‘We'd like to kill those boys who stole that tree, but we can’t do anything about that now and you

(Concluded on page 73) BOYS’ LIFE

Yoo Hoo, SKinnay! Ace Muffler Cap. For skating, skiing, bob-riding and hiking they’re as popular as the night before Christmas! ULL in your ears and duck inside an Equipped with one man top which may be worn up when the sun smiles and turned down when the wind whines. This woolly blanket for your head, neck and throat costs only $1.00 in regular weight. Heavy weight $1.50. If your merchant cannot supply you, mail the coupon for Illustrated Folder and order blank. ACE Knitted Caps Pee Aug i _ Staten"

New catal 35 up. ~~. aa Cc. K. GROUSE co. 46 Bruce Avenue

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Boys, Learn Taxidermy wes, it your hobby. Great spor? ‘and lots of fun. Intensely in ting. Earn mo time to yey traps, fishing tackle. @ } may Landy TS mony toe Se "Do the regu: aa ioung men have learned to e oftboye. end youn 3 cur lessons. You ity yi — cae book — ™ = Game”’, cor- ne. ensly and quickly, a ag ete. Just send the coupon.

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December

how

Page 63

FOR ALL BOYS 63

oyy. Gok Gf MP cm of “The 1926 Diary...

$ now reaching — Entertemin ng * ty my F ef

Thrillin Useful 15

/) a ew if/ Soh A . EN Wh Hot or Cold The True. Scout needs his Diary Everytime Everywhere its Funny sporty, comey, jokey, hokey, pokey } <a \ | \ WF |

604 Mission St. 200 Fifth Avenue 37 S. Wabash Ave. SAN FRANCISCO New York CHICAGO

| Boy Scouts of America

1925 When answering advertisements please mention BOYS’ LIF

Page 64

= Arrow A Folding Boat that has stood the test of time , Since 1890 Acme Folding Boats and Canoes have been manufactured by a firm trained to build only the No busines: ha ytor Ducking Days When the ducks are flying, simply strap your peeeue folding boat to the running board of your “flivve get your gun, boots and coat and you're off. A very ' Sow minutes after you reach the river or duck pond, your boat is ready for the water Ask Dad—He Knows Show this to Dad and ask him if he remembers the time 30 or 35 years ago when he was a boy himself and yearned for an Acme Folding boat. Chances are he'll remember it and maybe he'll give you what perhaps he didn’t get himsel best. all—and this or outboard m« alway When Camping Comes— Even though it’s cold December now, here’s the boat you'll want when canoe time comes again. We're pub- lishing this message now because we believe you can get one of these boats easier at Christmas time than any other time. So use the coupon nou ACME FOLDING BOAT COMPANY 122 Boat St. Miamisburg, Ohio ss can endure for thirty-five years unless it is based on been the watchword of our business. a policy that means faiz dealing for Our boats may be propelled by paddle, oars, Fine for Fishing Think of the times you’ve wanted to go fishing but didn’t because you had no way to lug around a heavy, clumsy boat to where you needed it. With an Acme Boat or Canoe, all this is changed. You strap it on your running board, get where you want to go quickly, to where the * Big Fellows” are biting out under the lily ‘pads Christmas Suggestion See if Dad or Mother, Grand Dad, or maybe Uncle or Aunt won't give you one of these boats for Christmas | Ave., | he }

They can't possibly give you anything that will furnish | more enjoyment boat—so tell them about it 1 1 ACME FOLDING BOAT CO. ! Miamisburg, Ohio (BL) ! Please send me immediately, without any obligation | full deseriptive literature of Acme Folding Boats and | | Canoes. I ! ! Name Address

* book at Christmas time. Get busy. The Iver Johnson Juvenile Models adults. and all nickel plating over copper. best guaranteed equipment. and describes the various Iver Johnson a postcard.

ow’s the time...... to put in your bid for an Iver Johnson Bicycle. You know how parents loosen up the good old pocket- embody exactly the same features of superior con- struction as the famous Iver Johnson Bicycles for High carbon seamless steel tubing; drop-forged parts, two-piece crank set; two-point ball bearings, reducing friction; five coats of enamel, hand rubbed, Colors: Iver Johnson Blue, Maroon and Black; Interesting Bicycle Booklet “B”— Full of information. Get a copy and show it to dad. It'll help you “sell” him. The booklet illustrates boys and girls, as well as for men and women—also Velocipedes for little children. Mail the coupon or IVER JOHNSON BICYCLES (drop bar) FREE models for

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Probably they haven't thought about a | | BOYS’ LIFE

“Puzzlecraf 2

The Christmas number of Boys’ Lire is so |crowded with good things that there is no | room for a big Cross-word Puzzle. But brand- | new ideas for small puzzles are just as likely |to win prizes as big ones. Get them in by | December roth. Address all letters to PuzzLECRAFT, care Boys’ Lire, 200 Fifth Ave., New York City. For Original Puzzles Robert Cullen, 120 East 5th St., Maysville, Ky., $2. Mitchell Lightfoot, Jr., 635 Arsenal Fayetteville, N. C., $1 For Puzzle Answers ‘en E. Thorp, 36 Messenger St., St. Albans, ge hod Bard; Newton Hamilton, Pa., $2. Paul Munkasy, 304 Pine St., Bridgeport, }Conn. $1. Howard Lindgren, 516 Devon St., Arlington, J., $1. A Flock of Birds (Prize Puzzle)

ay z|/O@ 1 w = O- 9 10 1 12 13 D BE K Oo 7 | 18 | 19 | 21 | | T R Ww nN Ds Ove 3 T | me\ wo Szu\ms Bel deze) as| 33 | | 35 | 36 | 37 R/E|A'B/D | 4 | 3 4) 45 | 46 | | N/H\/L Pit E|R. 50 w we w w + Joa] 2D a ~= 58 | o J) wWrioxrce — | | 6t | | | | Pe 59 Y | |

a certain letter and follow- By beginning at (which is one ing the king’s move in chess | square at a time in any direction) the names | | | Small hollows. of at least forty-three birds may be spelled out. The path from one name to another is not continuous.—ROBERT CULLEN. Double Acrostic (Prise Puzzle) My primals and my finals each name a degree in a famous organization. READING Across: 1. One A feeling of weariness. At no time. 4. 5. To choose by ballot. 6. A memorial. An instrument for threshing grain. 8. A Greek letter. 9. Uncloses. to. who steals. 2.

Assesses.— MITCHELL LIGHTFOOT, JR. Charade My first may be your sister’s name; My Jast may be your own; Ii I should meet my whole at night I’d pale and quake and groan. Novel Double Acrostic All the words described contain the same number of letters. When rightly guessed and written one below another, the initials will | name a quality demanded of every scout; the | final letters may all be found in the word ‘character. ”’ READING ACROSS: | bolt. 3. A =, | head of an abbey. 1. To color. A metal A vegetable. The To cook in a close oven. —e * To intimidate. 9g. A- time | oF darkness. . To choose by vote. 11. A godly onc 12. One who laughs when he loses.—JOSEPH HURLEY. Numerical Enigma I am composed of thirty-seven letters and | form a quotation from Benjamin Franklin. | 29-4-26-22 is a wading bird. My 2-18—23~-34 is manner of walking. My My 9-15-12-35 My 1-6-32-5 is tart. My 10- is to appear. My 17-30-27-13 is to 20-7-24 is a raccoon. When answering advertisements please mention BOYS’ LIFE avoid. My 14-25-31-37 are worthless dogs. My 19-3-11~21 is handy to have in the pocket. My 28-36-33-16-8 is the antelope of India.— GrorceE G. BAsseTr. Lamp Puzzle I x x x xX x xX x x x x x READING Across: 1. In electricity. An exclamation. 3. Gleamed. 4. To give a A white, translucent mineral. 6. To request. A black mineral. 8. Con- fusion. 9g. Apronoun. to. A poisonous snake. 11. Dimness. 12. Effulgent. When these words have been rightly guessed, the central letters, indicated by stars, will spell the name of a man who has done much to lighten and brighten the world.—Jack LESLIE. feeble light. 5. Word-square 1. Vessels. 2. Should. To assent. 4. In that place. 5. A hard substance.—HILary J. FISHER. ° Endless Chain To solve this puzzle, take the last two letters of the first word described to make the first two letters of the second word, and so on. The last two letters of the tenth word will be the first two letters of the first word. The words are of equal length. 1. Defensive arms for the body. 2. To command. 3. To expunge. 4. A number. 5. To penetrate. 6. To eat into or away. A Greek letter. 8. A piece of household furniture. 9. Legitimate. 10. A sacred struc- ture —LAWRENCE MANGAN. Answers to November Puzzles NuMBERED Acrostic. Initials, Longfellow; fourth row, Evangeline. From 1 to 14, Song of Hiawatha; 15 to 20, Irving; 21 to 25, Riley; 26 to 31, Lowell; 32 to 38, Emerson. Reading across: 1. Lively. 2. Oliver. 3. Newark. 4. Gained. 5. Forged. 6. Enmesh. 7. Lolled. 8. Ladies. 9. O. Henry. 10. Wisest. ANAGRAM Worp-Square. Pace, aged, cede, Eden. NUMERICAL ENIGMA. who knows all about you, but likes you. “A friend is a fellow A Letter Puzzie. Ad. DousLeE BEHEADINGS. 1. Stable. 2. Frail. 3. Women. 4. Chair. 5. Brant. 6. Snail. 7. Strain. 8. Strip. 9. Charm. to. Stare. Ascent. 12. Stray. CHARADE. Oct-o-ber. A Puzzle to “Con.” 1. Conduct. 2. Consequence. 3. Consort. 4. Confuse. 5. Condense. 6. Confer. 7. Contour. 8. Con- 1. Contract. 14. Concord. 18. vex. 2. Conserve. 15. Consign. Conform. g. Concave. 10. Congo. 13. Consent. 16. Console. 17. Confine. Answer to November Puzzle

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Page 65

“= FOR ALL BOYS | «Fight ’Em, Big Three” | (Concluded from page 52) Then the mist which had hung over the town of Reedland since the rain had ceased that morning, turned again into drops of extremely wet moisture . but a cloudburst could not have dampened the souring spirits of the Milfordites. While the Reedland crowd broke for cover, the fifteen-hundred-odd Milford fans swarmed about the dressing-room, waiting for their gridiron heroes to come forth. Inside the dressing-room, mud-coated youths danced wearily but happily under showers. As they were crawling into street clothes, the janitor of the building came in with a white calling card, asking after the whereabouts of Stuffy Owen. “Here! ” answered Stuffy. He took the card, read something which was written in pen and ink on the back, then turned to his team-mates. “Here, bunch! Get this!” he called. “Elmer Sanderson invites the Milford Team to | a Chicken Dinner at Whatever Date and Time the Team shall Specify, in Honor of Their | Great Victory and in Appreciation of the Most | Thrilling Afternoon He Ever Had.” | A hum of surprise went about the room. “‘Shall we accept the invitation, gang?” “Shall we? Some one crown that guy!” ““Well—say when!” “One hour from now suits me.” “ Aw, tell him we'll let him know later. We got to have plenty of time to eat chicken!” ‘Just as you say,” obliged Stuffy, winking at Brick and scribbling “‘We accept. Arrange date later,” on the card, handing it back to the janitor so that he could return it to the sender. | Half an hour later, the Milfordites, waiting | to greet their team, broke into a wilder yell— | if that was possible—than they had been guilty | of during the hairraising game. The yell | was occasioned by the sight of Stuffy, Pepper | and Brick leaving the dressing-room together. | And Reedland citizens, hearing the yell, won- | dered if those rabid Milford fans would never get through cheering. THe END | How to Make a Microscope (Concluded from page 50) ¥ the operation, making the bumps a little | higher each time, you will arrive at a place where your lens is just in focus and the veins of the wing are clear and distinct. Or if it happens that your lens needs lowering to bring it to a focus, shave a little lead from the bottom of your lead eyepiece with a knife thus lower- ing the lens a little at a time until it is at focus. To examine some blood, place a clean slide | on your stand and have a clean cover glass | ready. Wind a string around your little | finger several times tightly, then with a clean | needle prick the end of your finger slightly. It will not hurt and a drop of blood will come from the prick. Touch the slide with the drop of blood and place the cover glass over it, pressing it down well with the end of a tooth- pick so as to spread the blood out very thin. If your lens is small enough to give a magnifi- cation of two hundred and fifty diameters you will be able to see the blood corpuscles, and if you watch them closely for fifteen or twenty minutes you will see them move about and finally turn edgeways and get in rows which is the way they act when blood coagulates. Keep your lens clean by wiping it with a soft cloth on the end of a toothpick. Sometimes I put a small drop of clear glycerine on the bottom of my lens before placing it on the cover glass and this often makes the field much clearer and brighter, but it soon gets dusty and puts me to the trouble of thoroughly washing my eyepiece.. Hairs, threads of cotton and silk, cheese, | butter, milk, the legs and wings of insects, the claws of daddy longlegs and a thousand other | things prove to be a source of wonder and | surprise when seen under a microscope. Any | boy can make a home-made “scope” that will | enable him to see all these things, and I | imagine he will find the making of microscopes a very interesting pastime, to say nothing of | the pride he can rightfully take in being scientist enough to make his own “scope.” | 1925 THEY were boys that every mother would be proud of. Round-cheeked youngsters who romped together in the toddling, fall- ing and crawling days; who shared each other’s dark secrets during boyhood. And like all boys they dreamed and boasted of the great things they would some day do, of the money they would make, of the fame that would be theirs. They both were endowed with health and intelligence to a rare degree. So the years went on, until they reached the time when they saw each other less often. While one was popular at school, the other was unknown except to few. And these few ridiculed him. They taunted him. And while his chum made friends he avoided people. He suffered the keen disappointments of the boy who knows he is not wanted, who must remain a silent spectator while others are playing. Those dreams of youth that they had shared. What would happen to them? Quite by chance the answer came from a man, a friend of this boy’s father, who had suffered the same moments of humiliation. After watching the boy closely he said, ‘““That boy will fail in life —unless he stops stammering. Remem- ber, this affliction cannot be outgrown. Instead, it seems to become more aggra- vated as one grows older. But... it can be cured.” +A 5 The parents of this boy followed their friend’s suggestion. They sent their son out to Indianapolis. And it was a difficult six weeks for his mother as she read his boyish letters that showed his enthusiasm. Her doubt did not disappear completely until she met him upon his return and listened to his breathless story of his ‘adventure in Indianapolis” as a student in the Bogue Institute. “One of these boys will fail in life —unless he stops stammering” The stammering had disappeared. He talked smoothly and without hesitation. But what amazed his mother was the change in him. He even searched out his old friends. He laughed instead of brooded. He came home hungry and tired and happy after an afternoon of play. He has his chance in the world. The dreams he dreamed in his boyhood may now come true. ‘ If you have a child who stammers or stutters, or if you know of one who does, see that he hears of Benjamin N. Bogue and the wonderful work he is doing in Indianapolis. Since the founding of Bogue Institute in 1901, Mr. Bogue, who cured himself of stammering, has cured hundreds of boys and girls of all ages. The Bogue Institute is a thoroughly tried institution run exactly like any other boarding school or college. And the results under the Bogue method are guaranteed. Remember that stammering is never outgrown. The child who stammers will stammer as a man or woman — unless cured. So find out what the Bogue Institute can do. Without obligating yourself, fill out the coupon below. You will receive complete information regarding this sure, scientific cure for stammerers and Stutterers. BENJAMIN N. BOGUE, 3442 Bogue Building 1147 N. Illinois Street, Indianapolis, Indiana | | | Without obligating me, please send me full | | information regarding the Bogue Institute and | the new scientific cure for stammerers and | stutterers. | | | | | | ie sncesscecinbovbcstausoediciceseapikuiciengeodr taints the anaes | | pa” Sie ee ee MOR PAE, nt IS ee ! i sa i: lg ii A sg cg en atlas sal When answering advertisements please mention BOYS’ LIFE 65

Page 66

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DOD nn Nn nnn nn is i nD on Po Do On GFF

—

6 EF, Se)

WE HAVE BEEN REQUESTED BY TO SEND YOU FOR THE NEXT YEAR. BoYs LIFE AMERICAS GREATEST MAGAZINE FOR BoyYS GOOD READING MEANS HAPPY HouRS OF ROMANCE AND ADVENTURE- KNOWLEDGE OF NEW THINGS IN SCIENCE AND MECHANICS-HELPFUL HINTS FOR YOUR HOBBIES- ACQUAINTANCE WITH GREATAND NOBLE MEN ALL OF WHICH MEANS FORYOU GREATER SUCCESS AND HAPPINESS.

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UST as important as the giving of a gift is the way of announc- ing it. The above is a reproduction of the handsome Christ- mas gift card, inscribed with the name of the giver, BOYS’ LIFE will mail to reach the favored boy on Christmas morning. It portrays the immortal Abe Lincoln in one of his hours of reading by the light of the fireside and It is a picture well worth For 200 Fifth Ave. is beautifully illustrated in three striking colors. keeping and is a constant reminder of the giver. Gift Subscriptions remit to BOYS’ LIFE New York City

When

| are tu, ca hin tire ker?

Joe Murray’s Luck | (Concluded from page 27)

by noises more subdued but if anything more horrible. Joe could hear grunting and sniffings and in his mind’s eye could see the bear’s saliva dripping chops and the snarling mouth drawn back uncovering the monster’s long cruel teeth. He sat as though petrified, his hair on end and icy chills running up and down his spine. Would the bear change its mind and leave the yard? No, horrors! The frightful beast was coming nearer to the barrel! Joe, now driven to the last point of despair, was about to push the barrel over and hoped that in the ensuing excitement he might be able to make a break for the alleyway. He gathered all his strength for a mighty heave when his last shred of hope was dashed to the ground. A heavy thud and an oppressive weight conveyed to Joe’s semiparalyzed brain the fact that the bear was on top of the barrel! But no, the bear was still on the ground shuffling around the turret; there was some- thing else on the barrel! Were there two bears? Did the bear which he had seen in the mirror bring its mate along? A clammy sweat came all over Joe as he realized that he was doomed. Again came a faint ray of hope and Joe clung to it as a drowning man is suppose to cling to a straw. Perhaps the bears would go before long or perhaps they would go in the early morning. Anyhow perhaps they would go. Joe dared not bat an eyelash even when he knew that the bear on the ground had discovered the bung- hole and that it had pushed its nose in and that he was being smelt! What was that! A rumble from the bear on the top of the barrel? No, that wasn’t a bear sound! Another rumble that changed into a deep growl which in turn changed into a gut- teral sound as though something was clearing its throat. A third rumble and suddenly Joe’s heart almost stopped when he heard this sound change into a deep bass human voice! 4 Joe could have died for joy but yet he dared not make a move. The man might be a robber. What was this man doing in this yard? What was the bear doing here? Where did they come from? What did it all mean? Joe could only wait possible events which might give him an answer. HE man commenced to speak. At first the words were indistinct but gradually the voice grew louder and Joe detected a note of sadness in it. And what was that? The man was speaking English mixed with a strange foreign language that for Joe had a strange familiarity. ‘Miro chabo, miro chabo, where Mi have traveled baribu berjar tu; baraca te canriano, baraca te canriano for many berji. Here mi hom bestique nasavalle, bestan te puro with cayque but bouchey chamuliar te. Aromali mi hon charabaro. Per bian berji mi have looked per miro chinoro bedore. Bus, bus, may mi have him sarmanda again? Mi have bestipan in | miro quisi but miro calochin is bardadi. Where

are tu miro chinoro Josilito Marino?” Many more words were spoken but the man’s tones were getting lower until Joe could hear nothing more than a mere rumble. He, how- ever, had managed to translate the words he had heard for did not his father use such words once in awhile, at least he used to sometime ago. This was Joe’s translation: ‘*My son, my son, where are you, where is your house? I have traveled much to find you; winter and summer, winter and summer for many years. Here I am seated sick, weak and old with nobody but a bear to speak to. Truly I am sad. For twenty years I have looked for my little boy. When, when may I have him with me again? I have riches in my purse but my heart is empty. Where are you my little Josilito Marino?” ‘Poor old man,” reflected Joe, “he’s just a hobo looking for his kid that he lost years ago. That kid must be some kid by now. I wonder what lingo he was talking; funny that I never asked dad what it was. I know it’s not Italian for that’s not the kind of stuff the iceman talks; it ain’t Dutch and it ain’t the talk the Chink laundryman uses.”’ His reflections were interrupted by the sound of the man’s voice again. ““Come Pedro, the dron.” “That means the ‘road’,”’ said Joe to himself, “fand I guess Pedro is the bear’s name.” It was with enormous relief that Joe heard and felt the man getting off the barrel. A moment later he heard the pad-pad and the scratch-scratch sounds retreating across the yard. “I guess the old fellow must have ts please mention BOYS’ LIFE

ing adverti

BOYS’ LIFE

Reach Official Basketball *22) = Now on Sale in Your City OUR local Reachdealer is ready to supply you with the new 1925-26 Reach Official Basketball as furnished to the leading teams of America. This ball is made in conformity with the latest official rulings and the name Reach, known to Sportdom these sixty years, is sufficient guarantee of its quality. Give your local Reach dealer a call. Ask for the new Reach Official Basketball Guide. On sale everywhere 35 cents. Remember“Reach”when you buy golf goods, A. J. REACH COMPANY World’s Foremost Makers of Quality Athletic Goods Tulip and Palmer Streets PHILADELPHIA Brantford, Ont., Canada Pacific Coast Representative Phil B. Bekeart Co., San Francisco

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Your Official Plumb Axe OU see the official Scout Emblem or every Plumb Scout Axe, with the red handle and the black head. The Plumb Scout Axe is forged from Plumb solid steel, The edge stays sharp. Plumb Patent Take-up Wedge keeps handle tight. At hardware stores. With leather sheath, $1.80; with infantry canvas sheath, $1.65 (exceptin FarWest and Canada). FAYETTE R. PLUMB, Inc. Philadelphia ;

- DOUBLE. LIFE fammers

December

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FOR ALL BOYS . Brings new pleasures to home, farm, camp, travel, sport. moon an stars as never before. New Ferry ow onder” telescope has fone measures 12 Taeies ¢ : strong and lish it. —— ¥. powerful yet » easy to carry. and draw: a with inarled ge Wig with black leatherette, ty to lide ie and nae a § away out. iy cape ai end to "keep out out du &. Pow lenses matic Ecropean eo steal glase, _ ys 5, ABSOLUTELY FREE? leatherette Case — pad “Casesia Zin. 72 fa. fone diameter, Frotects from dust and. ¢ a a for ‘arm e! Bul a and es off the 3 “4 Philip Brush. “I Can see alker. can tell time on the church clock 5 miles away. Foster. ‘ and Ferry Wonder with free L yi cents action guaranteed or your moni i back. md coupon jay! wee FERRY & CO., Chicago, LA — —— Ve TE Ferr Co., Dept.1149 ; 5220 'Ne batvted St., | Chicago, tll. Send most ft. Ferry weeter re I yt — arte oe Carving Coss — | ) arial if 1 T ‘am not Biumapotage will I refund my money. | State. ¥* Probably Wore “Russells” ESE FAMOUS, hand-made Moccasin Shoes are made to 3 the same sort of nature shape as the Indian’s scouting moccasin. But no Indian squaw ever had the wonderful leather, or the years of training that go into Russell’s famous hand-made footwear! Outdoor folk for years have worn these e tough boots and shoes. One chap “ trekked ig 1800 miles through trackless British Columbia in a pair of Russell Moccasin ts. C. RUSSELL MOCCASIN CO. Berlin, Wisconsin ussells **Seneca”’ Write for our latest cata- log and name of your nearest dealer. THE W. 97 Capron Street The Seneca ROUGH, CHAPPED SKIN healed almost overnight by massaging freely with soothing, antiseptic ‘Mentholatum Write for free sample MentholatumCo.,Buffalo,N.Y.,Wichita,Kans. 1925 sneakers on or mebbe he’s in bare feet,” said Joe, “for I sure can’t hear him walking.” He cautiously peered through the bunghole and was just in time to see the strange pair making their exit. He gave them plenty of time to get off the premises and then as though a torpedo had hit his barrel turret he banged it over and in a jiffy was in the apartment house | in the presence of his parents. “Where have you been?” angrily demanded his mother, who still felt sore over the breaking of the mirror. “T—I—” he commenced, gasping for breath. “What’s the matter with you?” asked his father, “you look as if you ’d seen fifty ghosts.” “The man, the bear,” gulped Joe. “What man, what bear?” impatiently asked his father. “Why—why—,” and then Joe in gasps managed to get his story told. At first his parents were rather curious but when Joe used the words of the old man and mentioned the name “Josilito Marino” they were more than tremendously excited. * Miro bato, miro bato,” yelled Joe’s father, much to Joe’s astonishment, for his father was exclaiming in the same strange language, ““My father, my father!” “What way did he go?” demanded Joe’s father. Joe could only gaze vacantly and answer, “he just went out.” ‘Your bispaparo,” said Joe’s mother. “My grandfather?” said the amazed Joe, as his father dashed out of the apartment. “Yes,” said his mother, “ your grandfather.” “You didn’t know that your father was a gypsy. Well he had an argument with your grandfather one day many years ago and ran away from his people. It was on my account too. I was rescued by your father from a fire in which my uncle and aunt, my only relatives perished. I was but a ‘ittle girl and your father was a boy but a littie older than you at the time. I was adopted by the gypsies and lived with your grandmother for a number of years. A short time after she died your father told me my history and [ at once felt a longing to go back to my own kind of people. Your grandfather was against my going while your father thought it was my right to return if I wanted to. That is what the row was about and one dark night I ran away, helped by your father. Life after that was made unbearable for him and he too ran away, later finding me and marrying me.” As she finished her narration a noise was heard outside in the passage way and then in through the door came Joe’s father laughing and talking and bubbling over with pleasure. He was leading a happy looking old man by one hand who with his other hand was leading a bear! Joe ducked under the table when he saw the latter but his father called him forth and presented him to his grandfather as the one who had caused the reunion. The harmless old bear sat up in the corner blinking, not being used to the inside of a house, and Joe right away asked, “can we keep him?” “No, Josilito,” said his father,“ we'll present him to the Zoo where he can have an easy time for the rest of his days and maybe we can get you a job as his keeper.” “Oh boy!” said Joe, “but say dad, whatcha call me Josilito for?” “Because,” said his father, ‘‘ Josilito Marino is the gypsy name that I changed to ‘Joe Murray.’” ~ Jim Morse in | Australia | | (Continued from page 26) They waited somewhat impatiently for Gongola to appear and finally Tufa went over to where the korroboree had been held, recon- noitering. “Too much they all sleep,” he reported. “Too much kai-kai, too much sing-sing. Sup- pose somebody come, no like them, can kill, all same you kilum ant. Gongola I wake. Bimeby hecome. I speak we give him kai-kai. He come quick. All éime hungry these people, I think.” Jim was committing his vocabulary to mem- ory, the Admiral on his shoulder apparently listening intently with an idea to rivaling them allasa linguist. Tufa brought hima fat grass- hopper which he grasped in his claw, inspected, killed with his beak and then dropped. The grub’s rotten, he called. Kill the cook! The Admiral was not fond of travel. He liked a regular abiding place with all the com- forts of home about him, including a cat whose | life he could make miserable, a dog which he | | ‘67 For radio economy Evereapy Radio Batteries are made in dif- ferent sizes and types so that every radio user can enjoy the economy and conve- nience to be had by fitting exactly the right Eveready to his receiver. Five of the dry-cell types of Eveready Radio Batteries are here illustrated and described. A dealer near you sells Evereadys. No. 486. The Eveready Heavy-duty “B” Battery for four or more tubes. The new Layerbilt construction which gives much greater service. Same size as No. 770. No. 779. The Eveready “B” Battery for one to three tube sets. Especially adapted EVEREADY HOUR — TUESDAY Eastern Standard Time For real radio enjoy- ment, tune in the ‘‘Ever- eady Group,” broadcast through stations— WEAF New York WJAR_ Providence Boston Worcester a ama Buffalo WCAE Pittsburgh WSAI Cincinnati > A WWJ _ Detroit for Radiola 25, DeForest D-17 and Operadio weoco { Sinpespelis receivers. Same capacity as No. 766, and WoC Davenport suitable wherever variable taps are not KSD_8t. Louis required, No. 764. The Eveready “B” Battery for portable sets where medium weight and size are permissible, Eveready Columbia Ignitor Dry Cell Radio “A” Battery for all dry-cell tubes. The dry battery used by vacuum-tube engineers in developing the dry-cell tube. No. 771. The Eveready “C” Battery. Saves “B” Batteries, improves tone. Price 60 cents. Manufactured and guaranteed by NATIONAL CARBON COMPANY, Inc. New York San Francisco Canadian National Carbon Co., Limited Toronto, Ontario AND ALL GENERAL puRPOSES ‘Inspected TESTED , RELIABLE at, CARBON CO) ot: as renee omer? Radio Batteries ~they last longer Eveready Columbia Ignitor a? gd ar eines a cell ot dry-cell tubes 1% volts No. 764 Portable 22%4-volt Vertical Price $1.75 Battery Price 60 cents When answering advertisements please mention BOYS’ LIFE

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The thrill of a Flexible Flyer Nothing tame about this. Next to flying, there’s hardly a sport you'll get a greater “kick” from. Airplane speed, down the long hill. Perfect control around the sharpest curves. Flexible Flyer wins every race. Get one this Christmas. Ask your dealer, or write us, for Free card- board model showing how Flexible Flyer steers and how to get an “‘Expert Coaster’’ button. S. L. Allen & Co., Inc. Dept. 37 Philadelphia

f

Look for this P trademark on A , 7 a the sled you A : . buy Z 7 74

Ne The sled that i LZ _really steers!

a

Hew would you like to wake up on Christmas morning and find that Dad had bought you this Co rona? It’s regular old he-typewriter, with standard keyboard, two-color ribbon, automatic reverse, stencil- cutter, and everything—just like the regular office machines, but not so big or heavy—you can carry it, easily. Drop in at the Corona store and see it, or write Corona Typewriter Co., Inc., 115 Main Street, Groton, N. Y.

Sis ia _—- - — \ os i» < ~« ~. © Corona Typewriter Co., Inc., 1925.

| the tree, breaking its fall in the crown of a could torment by imitating its master’s or mistress’ voice, make foolish with laughter | when it came tearing up to obey the fond | |command. It must be confessed that the | | Admiral’s sense of humor was a trifle perverted | | and that he was often a spoiled bird. On board | | the schooner his main delight was to give gruff | orders to the sleepy watch and see them jump | to their feet only to scratch their heads and grin sheepishly at the devil-devil bird. Never- | theless he was great company, and he had often played no small part in getting the skipper and Jim out of difficulties. Jim gave him part of a captain’s biscuit to | make up for the grasshopper and he was about |to eat it when suddenly he began to scold and chatter and then to screech. There was, apparently, only one thing the Admiral was really actually afraid of and that was a snake. Jim was sitting under a tall tree with a straight | and slender stem about which ferns had | grown in a Clustering circle high from the | | ground, in a manner that made them look at | |a distance not unlike the topsail of a ship. | Such growths were frequent and, in many | | cases, the fern wreaths were easily fifty feet | | above the ground. This particular one was | perhaps thirty and from it, pendent, extending | |for several feet, was something that seemed | | like a broken bough until Jim noticed that it | | was sluggishly in motion. It was an Austral- | ian python that had been basking in the ferns. | Johnny get a gun, get a gun, get a gunl shrilled the excited Admiral and Jim considered | it good advice. The python might be harm- | less but whether it was or not, it was good food. | It would be an acceptable present for Gongola |

| and the bride he had apparently won at rad borboby. He sent a rifle bullet through its head and the serpent lost its grip and fell off tree fern and, though its head was shattered, coiling itself tightly about the trunk like a corkscrew, its muscular constrictions main- taining it there for two or three minutes when it relaxed and dropped to the ground, still tena- cious of life, still wriggling when Gongola arrived within the hour, bringing with him Olanga. Gongola exclaimed at sight of the big | serpent and when he learned it was his, his thanks were exuberant. “Tamin! Toongu!” he repeated with smack- ing lips. ‘Fat! Good!” Immediately the girl set to work with her digging stick to prepare a pit in which to cook the snake, Gongola looking on. Foreseeing delay the skipper ordered Tufa and the men to help her and they dug the oven, got the wood and the stones while she coiled the snake and bound it with withes before she gathered | the leaves in which to steam it. | “‘Let’s see how he makes fire, Jim,” sug- | gested the skipper. “If he comes from the western tribes I’ve a notion he may not have seen a match. Our fire’s out so he can’t use that.” Olanga spoke the word for fire or flame— koyilla. She had brought no fire-stick, such as the women commonly carried to obviate making heat by friction. Since they were coming to the white man’s camp they had expected, after their own fashion, to find a fire that was never allowed to go out. But Tufa, expecting them to break camp, had, according to his instructions, carefully covered the | charcoal and ashes of their cooking fire with dirt. No one made any movement to provide flame. It*was up to Gongola and he was not embarrassed. He produced from his hair two pieces of light wood about eight inches long, one the half of a split branch, which he laid on the ground flat side up, the other a round, straight stick about as thick as his middle fin- ger. Later, Jim found them to come from: the cork-tree and the black native fig, with the latter, which was softer, generally, but not always, used for the lower piece. Gongola rolled the round stick in a rapid, twirling motion between his hands, reversing the direction constantly, giving the stick the full benefit of the space from the heel of his palm to his finger tips. Olanga placed dry leaves about the hole he soon began to bore into the soft wood and, well under fifteen seconds, red hot, fat sparks began to fall out of the smoking borehold to the leaves where Olanga, squatting, blew gently at them, coaxing the sparks to a tiny flame, to a swift tongue of it that licked at the dry but oily leaves she had selected. Then she added twigs and then

ing adverti sements please mention BOYS’ LIFE branches, breaking the latter across her skull |instead of her knee, making the crew boys grin at each other. Small hardwood boughs between two and three inches in diameter, snapped over Olanga’s cranium swiftly, easily, and without any apparent discomfort to her. Fire was transferred to the pit, the oven was

completed, the snake steaming under its mound | (Continued on page 71)

When

BOYS’ LIFE

HERE'S LEE FRIEDMAN A REAL BOYS’ LIFE “LIVE WIRE” He’s Getting His Share While The Getting Is Good! His share of what? of the cash BOYS’ LIFE pays out to fellows who sell subscriptions. Lee only recently joined our Selling Staff and now he’s banking lots of spare money. He’s in on the big commission and bonus payments. A Novel Idea! Here’s how he does it—he hit upon the novel idea of putting BOYS’ LIFE on the tables in the waiting-rooms of doctors and dentisis in his home town. Are You Getting Your Share? You can gather in lots of spare money between now and Christ-

Address: mas, too. You can sell BOYS’ | LIFE to doctors, dentists and merchants. You can get parents of boys to pay you $2 for their son’s subscription. Especially at this time when Christmas is so near. BOYS’ LIFE makes a dandy present. | BOYS’ LIFE puts you on the right road to easy earnings through its Golden Opportunity Outfit. Write right away for this outfit and mighty soon you'll be banking spare money, too—you'll be feeling the joy that goes with the jingle of your commissions. J. B. Gardner

“/o BOYS’ LIFE 200 Fifth Ave. New York, N. Y.

December

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ra FOR ALL BOYS 69 GIVE AND RECEIVE SCOUT BOOKS FOR CHRISTMAS 60c Per Copy Postage Prepaid The Roy Blakeley Stories The Westy Martin Books The Tom Slade Book for Boys By Percy Keese Fitzhugh By Percy Keese Fitzhugh By Percy Keese Fitzhugh No. 3627. Roy Blakeley. No. 3672. Westy Martin. No. 3582. Tom Slade, Boy Scout. No. 3628. Roy Blakeley’s Adventures in No. 3673. Westy Martin in the Yellow- No. 3583. Tom Slade at Temple Camp. Camp. stone. No. 3216. Tom Slade on the River. . 3629. Roy Blakeley, Pathfinder. No. 3215. Tom Slade with the Colors. io. 3630. Roy Blakeley’s Camp on Wheels P : No. 3217. Tom Slade on a Transport. " 3631. Roy Blakeley’s Silver Fox Patrol. The Pee-Wee Harris Stories No. 3218. Tom Slade with the Boys Over - 2 There. . 3632. Roy Blakeley’s Motor Caravan. By Percy Keese Fitzhugh No. 3219. Tom Slade, Motor-Cycle Dis- . 3633. Roy Blakeley, Lost, Strayed or No. 3665. Pee-Wee Harris patch Bearer. Stolen. Ring q . No. 3220. Tom Slade with the Flyin . 3661. Roy Blakeley’s Bee-Line Hike. No. 3666. Pee-Wee Harris on the Trail. Corps. ~— . 3662. Roy Blakeley st the Haunted _ N0- 3667. Pee-Wee Harris in Camp. No. 3625. Tom Slade at Black Lake. _ Camp. No. 3668. Pee-Wee Harris in Luck. No. 3626. Tom Slade on Mystery Trail. Jo. 3663. Roy Blakeley’s Funny-Bone No. 3669. Pee-Wee Harris Adrift. No. 3658. Tom Slade’s Double Dare. Hike. No. 3670. Pee-Wee Harris F.O.B. Bridge- No. 3659. Tom Slade on Over-look Moun- Jo. 3664. Roy Blakeley’s Tangled Trails boro. tain. (New). Ne. 3671. Pee-Wee Harris, Fixer (New). No. 3660. Tom Slade Picks a Winner (New). THE MERIT BADGE LIBRARY The Pamphlets illustrated below are intended only for Scouts with ambition. No others will be interested. It takes an ambitious boy to get to be a First Class Scout and that is who these Merit Badge Pamphlets are for—and for Scouts striving for First Class and Eagle Scout rank. . Agriculture. - Conservation. . Foundry Practice. 3382. Pioneering. Angling. ‘ooking. 40. Gardening. : poambang, - Archery. On Craftwork . Handicraft. 3331. Poultry Keeping. - Architecture. . In Basketry. . Hiking. q - Printing. - Art. . Public Health. Radio . In Bookbinding. mansh: nterpreting. ° Safety First. . Astronomy. - Athletics. - Automobilin~. - Aviation. - Beekeeping. . Bird ea A Blacksmithing, Botany. . eaenees. . Camping. 308. Carpentry.} 3238. Firs - Chemistry. +3279. First Aid. - Civics. 3318. First Aid to Animals. 3302. Forestry. I ip. nsect Life (a book). eatherworking. . Seamanship. . Life Saving. a . Scholarship. . Machinery. 322. Sculpture. Marksmanship. . Signaling. asonry . ; s aling Vood. - In Wood Carving. . Mining. . Music and Bugling. - Painting. . Pathfinding. : . Personal Health. 34. paotoeraeey - 25. Physical Development. Price of Single Copies 2c Except No. 3741, INSECT LIFE (a book), $1.50 RRARnRHAW WW WWW WWW WWW Boy Scouts of America 604 Mission St. 200 Fifth Avenue 37 So. Wabash Ave. San Francisco, Calif. New York Chicago, IIl. T9025 When answering advertisements please mention BOYS’ LIFE

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Te —ryz Y Vi ny / cme } 4 I STATION G.I. F. T. sroapcastinc Listen in on this, Boys: One of the best and most acceptable presents that any fellow could give another fellow is a pocket knife. The best kind of pocket knife is, of course, THE OFFICIAL ULSTER KNIFE Approved and licensed by the Boy Scouts of America. If you have such a knife you know all this, but if you haven't, just show this advertisement to dad. Maybe he'll help to get an ‘‘Ulster” for you and perhaps for a chum of yours as well. DWIGHT, DIVINE & SONS ELLENVILLE NEW YORK You Can Build Your Own ELECTRIC ENGINE! Just think of having a real electric locomo tive that you can take apart and then re- build as perfectly as when it was made by the factory experts. See for your- self what makes it run; how the armatureand brushesare mounted and the wiring connected. Learn all about electricity and have lots of fun doing it. Be sure to get the genuine Loco-Builder. Its the only one with the exclusive pat- ented Dorfanconstruction feature. If you want more real fun, hook up the Loco-Builder to the Western Special (No. 230). Thisis the new Dorfan Train with handsome illus minated cars carrying passengers and all necessary track and equipment. You’ll say its the best value on the market at $9.75. Write today for copy of latest Toy Train Bulletin and Catalog. Ask for Bulletin D. DEALERS: If you want tl.e live wire line that all the boys enthuse over, write for details. THE DORFAN COMPANY 135Jackson St. Newark, N.J. Twice As Much Fun! When answering advertisements please mention BOYS’ LIFE BOYS’ LIFE Think and Grin Edited by Francis J. Rigney IF THIS TREE WERE ERRY CHRISTMAS, fellows. Yes, it’s a bit early to be wishing it but we have got to go some to keep a couple of jumps ahead of Old Idle Five Minutes, even if he is the laziest old scout on this or any other planet. He is barking up the wrong Christmas tree if he thinks we are going to let him have more than 4m. SO ee meee secs. of this busy season. Below are what he considers to be the choicest of Christmas gifts. Read them and then it’s up to your own sense of humor whether you will smile or weep. Fellows, let’s get busier than busy and see if we can’t snowball Old I. F. M. right off this 8 | page into the middle of next January. Pack your best jokes and make them as hard ¥8 | and snappy as you can. For every shot scored we will give a new 1026 Boy Scout Diary. Shoot! and a Merry Christmas. And the Brake Broke “Was it a bad accident?” “Well, I was knocked speechless and my wheel was knocked spokeless.” Relatively Speaking “Uncle Mose, what do you do for a living?” “Well, sah, I’se connected with laundry work.” “How do you mean, ‘connected’?”’ “Connected by marriage. My ole woman takes in washin’.” Bright Pat: Which candle will burn longer—a wax or a tallow candle? Mike: I suppose the wax candle. Pat: Neither of them, they both burn shorter. Loud Speaker Fat: Say did you ever notice that an igno- rant person is quite often a loud talker? Stat: Yes, but you don’t have to shout it at me Information CHARLIE: What are you looking for, Joe? Joe: I’m looking for what I lost. CxHarute: And what did you lose? Joe: I lost what I’m looking for. z z A Question of Length Scout: My camp cot is too short. ScouTMASTER: That’s because you sleep so long in it. Sounded Bad Nervous Woman: If I give you a piece of pudding you'll never return, will you? Tramp: Well, lady, you know your pudding better than I do. DOGWOOD You MIGHT 7 | | HE NEEDS A LOT OF LIGHT ON THAT TREE Bawled Out “Hay, boss, kin I go to the ball game?” shouted the office boy, rushing in with his hat on one side of his head. “Billy, that’s no way to ask,” replied his employer. “Here, you sit on this chair and I'll show you.” Removing his hat, he walked up to Billy, making a deep bow. “Mr. Smith,” he asked, “may I go to the ball game?” “Sure, Billy,” answered Billy. “Here’s fifty cents for a ticket.” In Order TEACHER: Give a sentence containing de- fence, defeat and detail. BricgHt Boy: When a dog goes over de fence, de feat goes over before de tail. That Boarding-House Reach IRATE Moruer (at dinner): Johnny, I wish you’d stop reaching for things. Haven’t you a tongue? Jounny: Yes, mother, but my arm’s longer. Licked TENDERFOOT (to scoutmaster): Captain, there hasn’t been any soap in my tent in two weeks. ScoUTMASTER: But you’ve a tongue in your head, can’t you use it? TENDERFOOT: Yes, sir, but I’m not a cat. Postponed Work “The trouble with makin’ a garden,” said Uncle Ike, “‘is that you don’t get far with your spading before you dig up a mass of angle worms, and then you just naturally have to go fishing.” A Guaranteed Auto ANGRY Man: My brother bought an auto here last week and he says you told him if anything broke you’d supply a new part. “Certainly,” said the salesman, ‘“‘ what does he want?” ANGRY Man: He wants two deltoid muscles, a couple of knee pads, one elbow, and a half a yard of cuticle, and he wants them right away. Quite Plane Britt: You are just like an airplane. Putt: Why, ’cause I fly so high? Britt: No, you’re no use on earth. A Holiday Poser What is it we take and never give back? A day off. Names of winners appeared in pervious issues of BOYS’ LIFE. December

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FOR ALL BOYS 7| Mi Te TAK F . Jim Morse in | OYM KE Australia (Continued from page 68) Builds YAK of earth. Then the skipper proffered tobacco and a pipe, filling. up his own. When Gongola reached for a flame the captain took out his metal match-box and struck a light, handing it to Gongola, who stared at the burning splinter with surprise and a little fear. But he accepted it and used it, examining the burned end with a chimpanzee like curiosity. Obvi- ously the white man had gone up in his estimation. Magic, to appeal to a savage, must come within the scope of his comprehension or he cannot appreciate it. A myall taken to the | city and shown a motor-car or a train, taken for | a ride in one, exhibits less surprise or conster- | nation than a dog. Make Dandy Wooden Toys and Novelties! NY boy can have his own toy- A making workshop and make many wonderful toys and novelties; with this tine “Boy Toy-maker” out- fit; aeroplanes, sailboats, automobiles, bird houses, picture frames, furniture It’s fine fun and It’s easy too, be matters of sickness or death, appeal mostly. Until the white man establishes the fact of superior magic, the savage invariably looks down upon him as an ignorant person, de- to eat. ‘Give ’em a sample of your kobi, Jim,” the skipper. ‘“‘ More we impress this chap the readier he’ll go erlong, an’ the more he’ll do.” Jim was prepared from the night before with and lots of others. | the tricks he had not then used. He went very instructive. . : cause “The Boy Toy-maker” outfits | about it all very simply. contain everything needed; smooth. First of all he showed Gongola a trick-box soft wood, coloring, tracing and other materials, pattern-designs, complete manuai of instruction and a fine set of toy-making tools. Get yourset now—start right in! There are five wonderful outfits to choose from- No. 1-$1 300; No. 2-$2.00; No. 3-$3.50; No. 4—$5.00 Yo. 5- $10.00 (West of Denver, Colo., and in a, 10°% more.) Each outfit is complete and contains liberal quantities of all materials. apparently empty. Then he placed in it some small bits of grit and replaced the lid. Over it he made mysterious passes and, taking off the lid again, showed half a dozen pellets of white, oval pills, which had, of course, been concealed in the other end of the box. He put these in his palm and breathed upon them, Gongola and the girl watching every move intently. Next he set them on a flat stone and got his burning glass, which he | focused on the “‘Eggs of Pharaoh’s Serpents’ that every box of parlor magic contains. Under the overhead sun it was but a moment before the “eggs” swelled, broke, and coils of | flaky brown came hissing out, to the lively astonishment of Gongola and the girl. swiftly crushed them to powder, boxed them, | took off the lid and showed them vanished. | He put one of the dry leaves under the glass }and set it afire. And he placed the magic glass in Gongola’s hand, watchful that it did |not get hurt. Knowing nothing of focusing, |Gongola’s efforts were fruitless. Now he gazed on Jim with a reverence that was greater than that given to the skipper. These were mighty wizards. And when, one after the other, Tufa and his fellows produced matches and nonchalantly lit their pipes, he exchanged looks with Olanga that_told oi his admiration. With a few words, more gestures, some dirt drawings, Gongola told them that he came from an outlying tribe whose borders were at the foot of the range they had to cross, close to spinifex deserts beyond which lay a land that was ruled by devils. He had fought with the bearded man for | the possession of Olanga, who seemed to have been the most coveted and beautiful woman Sold in all Good Toy Stores Everywhere | or sent direct from our gee 4 prepaid, upon receipt of pric Our Big Toy-Making Book Free! Tells more about these dandy outfits, and how boys can make these wonderful toys. Write for it at once! M. CARLTON DANK & CO. Dept. 2 B-L 2734 Atlantic Avenue Brooklyn, N. Y. Here’s Your Pal Boys, you ought to have a Collie—the best pal on earth. Ask Dad or Mother —and write us for sales sheet on Collies of all colors. JEFFERSON-WHITE COLLIE KENNELS t x WAUSEON, OHIO Football for Everybody Every fan, old or young, likes The Gregg Football Game. A scientific representation of college football for use indoors. Not a toy using spinners, cards or dice, but a new game of wits and strategy played on a table with a small football field and two teams. Each player is his own Quarterback and directs his team as in rea football. At your dealer or postpaid for $1.00. ALBERT A. GREGG CO. Dept.L, West Jefferson, O. ney in the country. Many men wanted her but 7 Prices, Me 80% a a the rest had given way to Gongola and Yokkai penance eat eariasa first deposit. —the bearded man. The matter had been Tires Thgole, lamps. horn Seid Nerney: settled by agreement at the borboby, to the Write for our marvelous prices and terms.” complete satisfaction of Gongola and Olanga. | _ Olanga, it turned out later, was particularly | elated, since a woman too attractive and the cause of controv ersy, was often killed by her people and eaten to save trouble. Though they had never heard of Helen of Troy they | knew that the rib taken from the side of Adam too often proved a bone of contention under primitive conditions. Gongola claimed to have known the red- | bearded white man and insisted that he would later show them proof of this. Discounting | | the love of the native to be agreeable, and the | fact that to have these white wizards traveling | with him would greatly redound to his im- portance, returning with Olanga and the fact that he had killed and eaten the heart of his rival to his credit; the skipper was inclined to believe Gongola really knew something. In any event he would be valuable as interpreter and mediator. He boasted that he could show them a way | across the gorge of the Herbert River that was | otherwise impassable, without following it far i north to its head. If it had not been for the exhibition of kobi he had witnessed it was clear that Gongola was an easily puffed-up person, though he had some basis for pride in | his success in love and war. “We'll show him a trick or two now and | A CHRISTMAS PRESENT ANY REAL BOY IS PROUD TO GET.—A boat he can sail. ‘or $6.00 we will send prepaid a Metal Sail Boat 19 '4 inches long, Rasceobens rig, — yz exact model of latest — design Circulars on Sail and Power Boats up to ot inches Steam Engine and Boiler outfit for r boats up to 32 i RICE MANUFACTURING COMPANY, East S Boothbay, Maine BUILD SHIP MODELS! Easy to bane Lond sell. Plans and instructions: inte Shi, Santa Maria, $1.02; Clipper — yy ate : Ehio, Tic; Hudson’s;’ ‘Half Moo 92c, = all for For Gifts > mIewTER be STROESSER 405D Eleventh Ave Milwaukee, Wis. MUTT & JEFF Can you get them apart? An easy problem in a wire oot. A real task for a Scout. Send 10c to BEYERLAND COMPANY Room 412, 136 Liberty Street New York City Make Money Quickly raising guinea pigs, squabs, etc., at home in spare time. Highest prices paid to raisers. Market guaranteed. No experi- ence necessary. Free illustrated booklet. Mutual Food Products Co., Dept.D, 1457 Broadway, New York Print Cards, Stationery, Circulars, Paper. ete. Save 2 money. Print for others, big profit. Seectae outfits $8.85. Job press $12, $35. Rotary $150. All easy, rulessent. Write for catalog presses type etc, THE PRESS CO., Y-71, Meriden, Conn. | Wizardry connected with the elements, with ficient in knowledge of how to live, to dress, | said | ; | light. Jim | “Merry Christmas to all and to all a good LIGHT!” Evereapy throws considerable light on the great annual problem. Because everybody, from six to sixty, wants an Eveready Flash- As a gift, the Eveready Flashlight has no superior. Its cost is small, its service big. Evereadys are more handsome today than ever. They have features found only on Eveready. Give Eveready Flashlights to everyone on your list. Save wandering and wondering. Improved models meet every need for light—indoors and out. There’s an Eveready Flashlight for every purpose and purse, and an Eveready dealer nearby. For Christmas . . . and forever .. . Eveready Flashlights! Manufactured and guaranteed by NATIONAL CARBON ComMPANY, Inc. New York San Francisco Canadian National Carbon Co., Limited, Toronto, Ontario EVEREADY HOUREVERY TUESDAY at9 P.M. Eastern Standard Time For real radio enjoyment, tune in the “Eveready Group.” Broadcast through stations— WEAF New York WFI Piiiatctphts WWJ Detroit WJAR Providence WGR_ Buffal w er WEEL Boston WEAEPittsburgh | WCCO{ At Daal WTAG Worcester WSAI Cincinnati WOC Davenport KSD St. Louis Eveready in Christmas clothes! A special Christmas package for -Eveready Flashlights, holly-decorated, and providing a place for the name of the recipient and the giver. Attractive. Time-saving. (No further wrapping needed.) Ask for the Eveready Christmas package. “ “ “ Now! Ring-hanger in the end-cap of Eveready Flashlights! A hinged metal ring for hanging up the flashlight when not in use. Ring snaps out of way when not hanging up. Only Eveready has this big convenience-feature. FLASH LIGHTS cy BATTERIES they last longer When answering advertisements please mention BOYS’ LIFE

Page 72

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then, Jim,” said the captain, “‘and keep him in hand. I’ve a hunch he’s goin’ ter be mighty useful, one way and ernother.”’ Gongola wanted to sleep after gorging him- self with snake but they persuaded him to rest of the flesh and assume it as a wifely burden, he led the way by a route that was well used but which might not have been easily found without him. With the light fading he brought them out of the forest to the brink of the gorge. It was was not wide—Jim estimated it at something over thirty feet—but it was very deep, with sheer walls, at the bottom of which they could see a ribbon of water rushing with a muffled roar. They were out on a stony plain, a few gums, their white bark stripped or hanging in long shreds, standing here and there, fire- blasted. One of these stood close to the edge of the precipice. The great fissure extended nowhere apparently narrower than where they stood and, to all seeming, impassable. Gongola stood before them, pointing across the gorge, tapping his chest. “‘ Kakavago wainta?”’ he asked them. “Which way you go?” (To be continued in Boys’ Lire for January) start and after he had made Olanga pack the |

|The Resourceful- | mess of Chuck (Concluded from page 21)

ridge and looked down. Here was a waterhole hidden away from the world. Chuck consulted the map and a strange sensation passed through him. It certainly paid to proceedjwith caution. The hole was marked poison. A crash of brush startled him; his weapon came into his hand almost mechanically. The Outlaw was lurch- ing, a ragged, dirty wretch-lurching toward the Spring. With the memory of his own suffering fresh in his mind, Chuck’s face hardened. “Drink it!” he said, ““Go ahead and drink. There’s terrible agony in that spring and death at the end, but not so much agony and a less painful death than you left for us! Drink deep!” His own words gripped him with sudden terror and for the first time in his life he struggled with the desire for revenge. It was a fierce struggle, but brief. “I’m putting myself in his class!” he cried with sudden self- disgust. He plunged through the brush and fought the madman away from the spring with his bare fists and the skill that comes from frequent boxing. The outlaw dropped ab- ruptly, beaten and helpless. Chuck secured him, then poured water between his swollen lips and awaited the return of strength and reason. It was long in coming, but it came, and with it the cunning of the hunted. It was afternoon before the exhausted pair reached the sidecar. “Get in!” snapped Chuck, “this time I'll drive!” <A_ swirling cloud of dust was coming toward them from behind. ‘Guess we'll see what it is,” mused Chuck, “if I have this precious bird on my hands much longer I won’t be able to finish my vacation trip.” He counted three cars and the last one looked a lot like his father’s. ‘Dollars to doughnuts,” guessed the boy, “‘he’s read about this outlaw and is tearing out to bring me back. Well, Dad, you’re too late!” The cars were loaded with armed, de- termined men, but his father was the first to reach the ground. “Thank God, William, you’re safe! The papers said . . .” “Looks to me,” said a deputy sheriff, ‘‘as if he had something worth about five hundred dollars. That’s the reward for this cuss!” Chuck briefly explained what had happened. The sheriff himself lent an interested ear. “T’ll say this for you, young fellow, it was a big piece of luck he went over the grade.” “Tt wasn’t so much luck,” said the resource- ful Chuck, “‘as it was the bolt I removed from the brake and nothing in the world could have made that turn at the speed he must have been making when he reached it. Well, Dad, if it’s all right with you I'll pick up my stuff and continue the trip—Sam’s waiting for me up the line a bit. Doesn’t the old motor run sweetly after all it’s been through?” “Well, take care of yourself, William!” was all Mr. Terry had to say just then. But he did say a lot with pardonable pride on his way back to Randsburg. And he said it again to the storekeeper when he handed over Old Joe Smith’s poke of gold.

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December

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FOR ALL BOYS Build and Fly a 3-foot Model Aeroplane It’s the most interesting fun you ever had. Shows you ‘how big machines are built, because these are true models of real planes. You can fly your model too, right from the ground under its own power. Any bright boy can build one. Ideal Scale Drawings and Building-Flying Instructions show exactly how to do it; and Ideal Model Aeroplane Construction Outfits contain everything needed. Get your Outfit now and build a Model Acroplane before Christmas! This is the Well Known ry ° ee JN4D-2 Curtiss Training Plane A perfect 3-ft. Model of this popular machine with parts and fittings just like the big one. Guaranteed to fly when correctly con- structed. Complete Con- struction Outfit containing yt tow ~ needed to build the model wit directions $7.00 This is the Famous DE HAVILLAND “Round-the-World Flyer” An exact 3-ft. model of one of the planes which completed the world- circling flight. Will rise from the ground under its own power and fly in } the air when correctly oe ] ith full model, wit directions. .. "97-50 (West of Denver, Colo., and in Canada, add=50e to these prices.) Ask Your Dealer for These ideal Model Aeroplane Construction Outfits or order direct from this advertisement. Send 5c for 48 pp. Catalog Contains pictures and descriptions of many more Model Aeroplanes, Construction Outfits and Fly- ing Toys, including the popular Everyboy’s Air- plane. Also lists hundreds of parts and supplies for Model Aeroplane builders. Send for a copy now Ideal Aeroplane & Supply Co. 40814 West Broadway New York Brother Scots (Concluded from page i 4) “T saw you, you traitor!” he snarled, and drew his pistol. The dog felt a sharp pain, and groaned. Again that hand on his ruff, again that quiet voice. “Steady, old chap.” He could not stop to wonder about it now. He must find his master before this pain and weariness grew too great. He faintly re- membered reaching the trench. They had taken him in and given him water and, he thought, toddy. They had washed his wound, and held something sweet to his nose, and he had fallen asleep. But he had not found his master. He gave a low whine. The kind hand soothed him again, and again the voice commanded, “Quiet, lad.” His eyes opened— This time there really was a hand on his mane. A big Highlander was bending over him. There was certainty in his touch. The disturbing vagueness and perplexity rolled away. “Better, old boy?” The man pored a draught down Don’s throat, and turned to a solider passing. “Say, Scott, I heard them asking about the strange dog who found Lieutenant McLean. I rather think this is him. Let them know, will you?” “Lieutenant McLean would like to see the dog, sir.” Don knew where they were taking him, and stiffening legs and tail, he followed down the trench. They halted. That shadow of a _ well- known voice whispered: “* DON, as I’ma living man!” The dog laid his big head on Allan McLean’s chest, and fainted for pure joy. G | | The Readers’ Page (Concluded from page 48) Stamp out Tuberculosis | with these Christmas 4 Seals The National, State, and Local Tuberculosis Associations of the United States 1925 correspondence and have become acquainted with many boys in my own and foreign coun- tries. I find that my corresponding pals are true scouts and they always seem glad to help me in my scout work and a warm friendship is in existence between all of us. In fact no other feeling is in evidence in all the letters I receive. Boys’ Lire is the best real boys’ magazine published and its many fine, clean stories, articles, departments and other features can- not'be beat, but somehow the “ World Brother- hood of Boys” department has been just a little closer to me than any other feature of the magazine. Hi Grumpus’ | Christmas Tree | | (Concluded from page 62) | stay and see our Christmas. It will almost be as nice as if we had the tree.” Hi got up and walked nervously around the bed. He stood and twisted his coonskin cap and looked out of the window. “Look!” he exclaimed hoarsely. “Look!” The nurse stepped to the window and there, coming through the gate into the hospital yard, she saw something that caused her to cry out with delight. There was the Christmas tree, borne on its standard by a group of boy scouts in uniform. Four boys carried the supports of the tree. Other boys held the ends of ropes holding the top in position. They were led by a bugler. It was the very tree Hi had lost, only now it gleamed with all its Christmas decorations, just as the scouts had prepared it for their celebration. The bugle sounded and the hospital rushed to the entrance and there they met the boys. Ed Wagner acted as spokesman saying, “This tree is the Boy Scouts’ present to hos- pital for their Christmas entertainment.” That night after the boys had held a great Christmas Eve celebration without any tree, the best celebration they ever had, Joe re- marked, “Golly, only thing I wish was we’d known that tree had to have three feet more cut off the heavy end after we got it home.” “T told you it would look smaller when we got it inside,” said Poky. against wind and waves. Ask Dad to consider this 26-pound Johnson for you. Picture to him all the health-building sport you can have going fishing, going to distant picnic spots, piloting him and mother around the lake. He too, can enjoy it—for trolling. It’s the greatest fisherman’s motor made. There’s still time before Christmas, to get posted on the Johnson. Write today for our catalog. We’ll give you the name of our dealer nearest you. There you can see the Johnson single and the Johnson Twin — ¢he world’s lightest weight portable boat motors. JOHNSON MOTOR COMPANY South Bend, Indiana 910 Sample Street —the greatest gift you could wish for a Johnson Outboard Motor ND there’s a particular Johnson boat motor for boys. Weighs just 26 pounds, so you yourself can carry it. Has all the finer features of the popular Johnson T win, universal steering . . shock absorberdrive . . quick action magneto for easy starting . . and automatic tilting. Drives a boat or canoe 6 to 9 miles per hour. power — say, your Johnson is full of it— eager to go 73 Johnson Single Cylinder Weighs 26 pounds. 1% horse power. Same speed and mechancial supe- riorities of the famous Johnson Twin. Price $115.00 ohnson Outboard When answering advertisements please mention BOYS’ LIFE

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of which librarians. ; ee catenins ote al The Beacon Hill Bookshelf Classic Stories for Boys Some of the best of our books for boys ten years old or more, all are established favorites These books are published in the possible form—printed from new type, beautifully illustrated in and endorsed by children’s most attractive full color by famous artists, handsomely bound and reasonably priced. this series. THE OREGON TRAIL. By Francis Parkman Describes Parkman's actual wanderings in 1846, with a company of Sioux Indians, across the regions of the Platte River, buffalo hunting in the Black Hills and return through the Rocky Mountains. With five illustrations in color by N. C. Wyeth. $2.00 GOLD-SEEKING ON THE DALTON TRAIL. By Arthur Thompson Full of genuine adventure and information regarding the manners and customs, flora and fauna of Alaska. A capital book for boys. With five illustrations in color by George Avison 2.00 THE BOY WHALEMAN. By George F. Tucker The experiences of a New Bedford lad of sixteen who took a three-years’ cruise on a whaler, sixty years ago, in search of oil and whalebone. His voyage took him from the Horn to the Arctic Zone. The book is based on actual The volumes are: facts. It will have a strong appeal for boys, and for their fathers as well. With five illustra- tions in color by George Avison. $2.00 THE STORY OF ROLF AND THE VIKING’S BOW. By Allen French The old Icelandic sagas have been drawn upon for the incidents of this stirring tale, in which the hero, a sturdy young lad named Rolf, avenges his father’s murder and earns the vik- ing’s bow. Courage, self-control, patriotism Let us send you our beautifully illustrated circular about LITTLE WOMEN: or Meg, Jo, Beth and Amy. By Louisa M. Alcott Millions of American children have been enter- tained and gladdened by this classic, and it is still the most popular of all books for young people. With eight illustrations in color by Jessie Willcox Smith. $2.00 LITTLE MEN: Life at Plumfield with Jo’s Boys. By Louisa M. Alcott A delightful story about the boys in Aunt Jo's and Professor Bhaer’s school at old Plumfield, brimful of activity, merriment, health and hap- piness. One of the best books for boys. With eight illustrations in color by Reginald Birch. 2.00 JO’S BOYS, and How They Turned Out. By Louisa M. Alcott What happened to Daisy and Demi, Nat and Dan, eal the rest of Aunt Jo’s little men and women. Sequel to “Little Men.” With eight illustrations in color by C. M. Burd. $2.00 MARTIN HYDE, THE DUKE’S MESSENGER. By John Masefield The spirited story, by a famous English poet, of a lad who served the Duke of Monmouth in his attempt to usurp the throne of James II and shared in the stirring events of the rebellion of 1685—one of the very best of adventure and perseverance are the qualities developed in the young hero. With five illustrations in color’by Henry C. Pitz. $2.00 Our catalogue of “Books for Boys and Girls of All Ages” will be sent free on request. stories for boys. With eight illustrations in black and tint by T. C. Dugdale. $2.00 These books are for sale at all Booksellers Boston LITTLE, BROWN & COMPANY Publishers “A Rich Haul’’ in Adventure That will delight the buccaneer spirit in any fellow who would like to fly the Black Flag and hold the deck with pirates. PIRATES OF THE DELAWARE By RUPERT SARGENT HOLLAND DeLawar a | g ( A stirring tale of Philadelphia a hundred years ago—when highwaymen rode out of the shadows on the way to the Green Anchor Inn and mysterious craft lay in hiding off the - Delaware capes. Jared Lee’s chivalrous Y = yrotection of a pretty French girl and her a me 4 ’ alee leads es into all the most exciting Rupert Saroent olland adventures of his times. Full of narrow es- capes and danger on land and sea. Colored frontispiece, three drawings in black and white. $2.00 DAN BEARD’S WOODCRAFT SERIES Scouts, if you want to know about the woods, here are your books. You don’t have to have a wilderness trail—start right in with the nearest fields and groves. The New Volume This Year DO IT YOURSELF A book of the big outdoors. It will help make any boy an independent woodsman. 306 Illustrations. $2.50 Other Volumes in the Series BIRDS AND BROWNIES OF THE WOODS. 67 Illustrations. WILD ANIMALS, 72 Illustrations SIGNS, SIGNALS AND SYMBOLS. 362 Illustrations HANDY BOOK OF CAMP-LORE AND WOODCRAFT. 377 Illustrations BUGS, BUTTERFLIES AND BEETLES. 280 Illustrations J. B. LIPPINCOTT COMPANY, 227 South Sixth Street, Philadelphia, Pa. B. Please send me illustrated circulars of PIRATES OF THE DELAWARE. DO {T YOURSELF. Price $2.50 PAR ARAB AR J s! $8888 ag we by Price $2.00 Name and Address |the business of salvaging wrecks | off the coast of France. ‘S| The high point of uy the story , E | | | | | ajc ( ¢ \v ats —) FA) Wome) =>) )) )) » Lh me either opinion. January 15, 1926. to five deserving honorable mention, $1.00 each. LIFE, 200 Fifth Ave., New York City. Books of the Sea the book which won the Charles Boardman Hawes prize of $2,000, The Scarlet Cockerel, and a close rival for that prize, The Clutch of the Corsican. Another"rival fog the honor was Old Brig’s Cargo,'by Henry A. Pulsford. This story tells of akidnapping and a search for treasure This hero is the | fifteen-year-old |son of a Quaker | ship builder. With a sailor friend he is aboard a new shir just completed in | his father’s yards, when ship, boy and man are captured | by a band of sailors | determined to find and possess a treas- | ure known to them. is that; where the hero and his friend are marooned on a desolate rock from which their erstwhile shipmates vainly en- deavor to dislodge them. The story is one to hold a reader’s interest from one exciting page to the next. Another story of a sea quest for treasure is Sunken Gold, by André Savignon. The story is related by the boy hero himself. He is apprenticed to a relative who is engaged in How the | boy, intimidated by his employers, dares not } When answering advertisements please mention BOYS’ LIFE reveal his suspicions of the crew, that gradually become certainties, and how he slowly learns of the attempt that is to be made to salvage a big treasure wrecked in @n inaccessible spot, is told in a way to arouse a feeling of mystery and apprehension that is justified in the conclusion. For the boy who wishes to learn something about ships, their development, their parts and the strange names that sailors give them, and how these names developed, The Boys’ Book of Ships, by Charles E. Cartwright, jis the very thing since it is packed with infor- mation, sea history and ship history, and very 1IS contest is open to any reader of BOYS’ LIFE. Write a letter containing not less than 100 words, nor more than 500, to the Book Review Editor giving your opinion of any book, old or new, that is reviewed or advertised in the November or December issue of BOYS’ LIFE: it may be a book you like or one you do not; give your reasons for The letters must reach this office on or before Prizes will be awarded as follows by the Editors of BOYS’ LIFE: first for the best letter, $5.00; second and third $3.00 and $2.00; and Address letters to Book Review Editor, BOYS’ LAST month we mentioned in this department BOYS’ LIFE Fifteen $ For You Read These Books and Find It S iff J yj = ae a > 4 S Deri wpe. Zz fully illustrated with draw- ings by the author. Here may be found description of the earliest ships, knowl edge of which has been pieced together out of fragments from literature and art and from con- jecture, down to the most up-to-date facts concerning the vessels of today—the passenger ships, the cargo carriers and the warships, together with points about the services that go with them. Stories of some of the great battles in which our Navy has engaged, are told by George Gibbs in Hero Tales_of Our Navy, and in Daring Deeds of Great Buccaneers, by N. J. Davidson we have not only a chapter on the origin and mode of living of the buccaneers, but others telling of Drake, Hawkins, Morgan, and of some of the lesser, more viJlainous, buccaneers like Lolonnois, Montbars, and others. Here in the pages of a thick volume are numberless adventures and excitements to be had for the reading. And Pirates wat boy does not love a pirate—in a book? For that unnatural youth who does not The Book of Pirates by Henry Gilbert is not the thing. For this is all about pirates, real pirates, pirates who had a hand in history, and so in a way this book is history, but history presented like fiction, and the historical ad- ventures are such that only a very brave novelist would dare to present them as fic- tion. Let the boy who is struggling with Cesar’s Commentaries in school read the story of Cesar’s adventure with pirates and what came of it; he will undoubtedly de- velop an interest, perhaps a little friendli- ness, mayhap a bit of admiration, for that troublesome author. Speaking of pirates and treasure-hunting, there is a new edition of that prince of all treasure tales, Treasure Island, and an- other new edition of four Stevenson stories that any boy will rejoice to own, Treasure Island, Kidnapped, The Master of Ballantrae and Black Arrow. Another book which presents true incidents of sea lore, somewhat fictionized, is True Sea Tales from American History, by James Otis, offered in a new edition. A true story of the sea that presents vividly the picture of a man of wonderful vision and high courage is Magellan, written by Arthur Hillebrandt, in which the tale of Portuguese exploration, the work of Prince Henry, known as the Navigator, Magellan’s early training and final splendid effort are recounted in colorful fashion. More about exploration and discovery is told in The Young Folks’ Book of Discovery, by T. C. Bridges, which re-tells some of the December ea@ 2. oe eo o aaa _

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—- i | FOR ALL BOYS NEW BOOKS for BOYS Silent Scot Frontier Scout by Constance Lindsay Skinner Pictures by Reisenberg The full story of Andy MacPhail, some chapters of which appeared in Boys’ Life. A new hero, already popular, and a new piece of Ameri- can history. $1.75 The Shaman’s Revenge by Stefansson and Irwin A great adventure, with Kak, the Copper Eskimo, a Boys’ Life hero. For older boys. es $2.00 Tuning In | at Lincoln High by Joseph Gollomb A story whirling with action, plot, fun and athletics, the trials and triumphs of life at a big public school in New York City. $1.75 The Measure of a Boy by Walter H. Nichols Here are the four boys and the famous Sheriff Apple who solved | the mystery in “Trust a Boy.” Up against a harder problem this time, they solve it with the help of a boat which they build themselves. $2.00 Prices subject to change on publication | The Macmillan Company ? WHAT DO YOU WANT? MONEY ? See page 68 of this issue. GOOD READING? See the announcements on pages 6 and 7. DON’T MISS A COPY OF BOYS’ LIFE Powerful Telescopes moon, stars, people, ships, See mountains on and objects not visible to naked eye. jis big telescope is the only all metal glass sold up: ral dollars. Lar, in nist * BRAS? n telescopes saving half size METAS H lenses selling for similar price. b whee ae from Guarantee! satisfactory or money back. Du Maurier Co., Dept. 1712, Elmira, N. Y. ry before you Tr ‘bef colors and sizesin the famoug Ranger line. Marvelous prices and terms. ealbped on approval and 30 DAYS’ FREE TRI ~ our liberal Monthi 1, aay Payment Lowy ‘ Tires = Reif’ the bousl prices: SEND NG but write for our wonderful offer. Write for free rin! of | U. S. ARMY SUPPLIES), Just the things every live boy tc., at very lowest prices. Army & Navy Supply Co. 2il. Box 183, Richmond, Virginia SEND YOUR Name and address plainly written and 40 cents for plans and specifications. Every scout builds his own. U-BUILD-EM CO., Pottstown, Pa. 1925 ever-fascinating deeds of the men who have penetrated into unknown lands. In Hunters of the Ocean Depths, Dr. Rolt-Wheeler shows a group of scientists on an expedition to study deep-sea life. The method of getting specimens, the manner of obtaining data, the study involved, are revealed in the course of a story that shows a youthful hero enjoying sev- eral thrilling adventures. . The life of a boy on the U. S. Schoolship Newport is Bob Graham at Sea, by Capt. Felix Riesenberg, former commander of the Newport. Here a boy’s whole course, from his first day to his graduation, is recounted; the studies, the work about the ship, the mas- tery of sailing lore, the visits to foreign lands, for the Newport takes its pupils to all parts of the world. Two volumes of short stories are Salt Water Stories, reprinted from St. Nicholas Magazine, and Shen of the Sea, by Arthur Bowie Chris- man, in which only the tale that gives title to the book is a sea story. These are Chinese stories told in the Chinese manner and are for that boy only who has a keen sense of humor. Boys’ Life Serials NDY MacPHAIL and those with whom he played and fought and lived during the thrilling days of Revolutionary fighting on the Border, Runner-on-the-Wind, Old One-Eye, Rob Roy, Jack Sevier, and Ferguson, the “Wolf of the Border,” all of whom have ad- ventured through the pages of Boys’ Lire during this year, may now be found in a book entitled Silent Scot, Frontier Scout, by Constance Lindsay Skinner. Doubtless the book would be a treasure to any reader of the magazine who enjoyed the stories as they appeared and we hope many boys will discover Andy in this new form, for they will find him a wonderful acquaintance. The Og stories by J. Irving Crump, which | have created so much interest during the year | past in Boys’ Lire, have been incorporated | with other stories into a book entitled Og— | Boy of Battle. Books of Verse | A SELECTION of Rudyard Kipling’s poems entitled Songs for Youth is one of the new books of the year, and it contains some | of the favorite poems, many that have the suggestion of adventure of his stories,{ many that are inspiring. Another volume of poetry is an American anthology of Poems for Youth, compiled by William Rose Bénet which, while it con- tains many of the favorites by older American poets, is particularly rich in representative verses from contemporary poets. It is a book that added now to a boy’s library will probably be treasured there for years to come. Books About the Arctic TORIES voi heroism al- most incredible form the material for Alfred Judd’s fascinating book, The Con- quest of The Poles. The author does not consider earlier efforts but begins with the work of Nansen and follows with the story of Peary’s expeditions and final dash to the North Pole. Turning then to the efforts to reach the South Pole he tells the story of the Norwegian Borchgrenvik’s expedition, financed by an Englishman; of Scott’s first trip and discoveries, with its incidents of peril and heroism; of Shackleton’s exploration after he had been obliged to leave Scott’s party because of a physical collapse, in which accidents and hardships were overcome and a new record established; of Scott’s second expedition with its tragic disappointment and more tragic conclusion, a tale of sacrifice and courage wherein the fates seemed arrayed against the party; Amundsen’s successful effort; and the | like a whirlwind!” = I. is the greatest race ever seen in Kentucky,” they said, when young Halsey Eaton and his wonderful thor- oughbred won the Great Sweepstake and enough money to save his uncle’s home. Later in the great Civil War, Palo’mine carries a Union General to victory on a famous 20-mile ride and saves the life of his young master on a bloody battlefield. PALO’MINE King of the Turf Written by Clarence Hawkes Illustrated by Charles Livingston Bull PRICE $1.50 Whether they deal with faithful animals or brave and famous men, no more appealing stories are written than are to be found in hould have these oaseene SILVERSHEEN King of Sled Dogs By Clarence Hawkes Illustrated by Charles Livingston Bull PRICE $1.50 & LIGHTS OFF SHORE By Charles Pendexter Durell i Illustrated PRICE $1.75 ® THE TRAIL BLAZERS Written by Lawton B. Evans Illustrated by Oliver Kemp PRICE $1.75 68 Park Street When answering advertisements please mention BOYS’ LIFE MILTON BRADLEY COMPANY Bradley Quality Books They are all absorbing stories with excellent type and pictures —books you will want to own and keep. Many of the books are based on actual historical events and char- acters, others on the legends and folk tales of earlier times. All ages, and all tastes in reading covered by wide range of titles of Bradley Quality Books. Ask your dealer to show you the new Bradley Books or write for the complete list to Springfield, Mass.

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He fell off a liner on the Grand Banks... He had the most amazing adventure a boy ever had. He was swept over- board from a liner and picked up by a fishing fleet. Aboard the liner he had been a little snob, but life among the Grand Banks fishermen made a man out of him. CAPTAINS COURAGEOUS by RUDYARD KIPLING THE LIVING FOREST éy ARTHUR HEMING Two boys and an old guide tackle the Canadian wilderness with nothing but a knife—and win out. $2.00 TALES FROM SILVER- LANDS #4 CHARLES J. FINGER Stories told by South American In- dians around their jungle campfires. oe 2.50 YEA, SHERITON! ° by GEORGE F, PIERROT Mr. Pierrot is editor of the American Boy. He has written the story of a wide- awake boy at college, with something doing on every page. $1.75 RUSS FARRELL, AIRMAN ®& THOMPSON BURTIS Adventures in the air along the Mexi- can border. $1.75 $1.90 Doubleday, Page & Co., TRAIL and PACKHORSE by JAMES HOWARD HULL Mr. Hull used to be a Forest Ranger. He’s written a great yarn of excite- ment in the Western woods. $1.75 SID TURNER, FIRE GUARD wy JAMES HOWARD HULL Another fine forest story. $1.75 STALKY & CO. éy RUDYARD KIPLING You'll roar over this about three Eng- lish schoolboys who really ran their school without the teachers knowing it. $1.90 KIM éy RUDYARD KIPLING The adventures of an Irish soldier’s son in India while he was being trained for the Secret Service. $1.90 Garden City, N. Y. i ri e, “My Freed, Daa Beard.” by Chartes Dana Gibsou + j ‘a , ; é Answer These Questions 1. How did the Indians make their arrow-heads? 2. How do you remove hair from hides? 3. How can! preserve in- sects from the Buffalo Bug? 4. How is a blow-gun made? 5. What were the Indian words for Bear? Eagle? 6. How do you make a rope ladder? 7. How can I make a surf-board? EVERY MONTH IN BOYS’ LIFE Every month in his famous “Dan Beard’s Scouting Sec- tion” of BOYS’ LIFE, National Commissioner Daniel Carter Beard, whose picture was repro- duced on our February Cover (left), answers questions like the list given, and on hundreds of other points that are of interest to all boys. Many readers tell us that Dan Beard’s pages alone are more than worth the subscription price! Do a good turn by showing the Sec- tion to boys who have not learned about it. BIG CASH REWARDS BOYS’ LIFE pays well for new subscriptions sent by its boy readers. Address; Circulation Department, once for details. BOYS’ Write at LIFE New York City 1 200 Fifth Avenue more recent Antarctic explorations of Mawson | | and Shackleton. The Boys’ Book of Arctic Exploration, by Irving Crump, covers the field of Arctic exploration from earlier times through the most begins his story with the search by Hudson for the Northwest Passage, tells of recent efforts. He | the work of men | who have left their names in the lands and bays of the Far North; pictures the horrors endured by the Franklin and Greely expedi- tions; recounts the vain and heroic efforts of other explorers to reach the Pole, Anthony Fiala, friend of the author to whom he gives grateful acknowledgment for advice in pre- paring the book, Andrée, the Duke of the Abruzzi, Amundsen; Peary’s earlier attempts and final success, with an account of the Cook-Peary controversy; and later explora- tions and experiments in living in the Arctic, | such as those of Stefansson and MacMillan. A third book which belongs in the group on | Arctic exploration is Fridtjof Nansen’s Hunt- ing and Adventure in the Arctic, which tells the story of his first expedition in 1882. Stories of the North AN OLD favorite, Gold Seeking on the Dalton Trail, by Arthur R. Thompson is published in a new edition. It is a story of the Klondike gold rush and presents the experi- | ences of two brothers who, accompanied by the two sons of one of them, make an effort to | locate claims and work them. The book gives an excellent picture of the hardships and experiences of the gold trail in the nineties. A new book by Edison Marshall, entitled Ocean Gold, is the story of a group of four boys who are allowed to go with an old guide to try to locate a treasure concerning which they have some information. The way is beset with dangers, but eventually they win to the treasure which in itself offers a surprise. A sequel to Kak, the Copper Eskimo, by Vilhjalmur Stefansson and Violet Irwin, pub- lished serially in Boys’ Lire, is The Sha- man’s Revenge, which is a story of Eskimo adventure, romance and vengeance with Kak | and his idolized “‘Omialik” playing important roles. Other Good Stories AN ACCOUNT of the Clark expedition to Kaskaskia and Vincennes will be found in The Trail Blazers, by Lawton B. Evans. In The Flume in the Mountains, Lewis E. Theiss continues the story of one member of the Camp Brady Wireless Club who takes part in the construction of a great electric power project. The book gives a good picture of the construction work and also presents the hero in several adventurous episodes. A book of chapters on real heroes whose stories are little known to young readers of this country is Jacob A. Riis’s Hero Tales of the Far North, just brought out in a new edition. Here we may read of some of the Scandinavians who have served their countries | ; as warriors or scientists, who like the great men of all lands have won through courage, ability and determination. In Escott Lynn’s book, Robin Hood and | | His Merry Men several of the familiar Robin | Hood stories have been used, but the whole forms a story of the contest between King John and his retainers and foreign mercenaries against the English barons and English people in which Robin Hood and his men take a brave part. It is a story full of excitement and fighting but withal gives a good picture of the | conditions in the period just before and just | after the granting of Magna Charta. A book of somewhat unusual type which will appeal to boys and girls equally is In When answering advertisements please mention BOYS’ LIFE BOYS’ LIFE Every scout needs this book. It gives more real information in interesting form about animals, birds, and insects than a whole library of natural history Thrilling, enter- taining, and in- formative. Three hundred TRUE stories about 60 different kinds of Animals, Birds, and Insects, de- lightfully told. Sixteen original full-page illustra- tions; 22 feature pages. Bound in red cloth,'stamigfied in colors, with jacket in colors. 12mo. 462 pages $1.75 net 1701-1703 Chestnut Street PHILADELPHIA, PA. A New F-dition For Every Boy’s Christmas DAN BEARD’S Greatest Work The American Boy’s Handy Book The invaluable handbook for every scout and every scoutmaster today—just as it has been the most treasured possession of generations of American boyhood. For all kinds of sport and outdoor adventure this is a gift to supremely delight any boy. This edition, commemorating the 45th printing, has a new cover and a new wrap, and Dan Beard has written a new preface. $3.00 at all bookstores CHARLES SCRIBNER’S SONS 597 Fifth Avenue New York | : BOYS { Get Genuine Specimens—Rocks and Min * erals—each tagged. Cost little. Guaran- Write for interesting information and price list how “Know the Earth.” You Can! | teed. to start collection. Books, too. __P. ZODAC, 157 Wells St., Peekskill, N. Y. | MARATHON DousLe| THE FASTEST RUNNING SLED IN THE WORLD If this sled is new to you, write for free illustrated circular to MARATHON WORKS 1939 Spring Garden Street, PHILADELPHIA, PA., U.S.A. December

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FOR ALL BOYS HRISTMAS Cron ZF \e J

“That Musical Pal of Mine” If you want to make this Christ- mas a Merry Christmas, ask old Santa to bring along a Hohner Harmonica — and “tune in” on happiness. No other gift, regardless of price, offers greater possibilities for clean, wholesome fun, entertainment and musical training. With the aid of the New Instruction Book, containing charts, pictures and favorite musical selections, anyone can * quickly learn to play a Hohner Harmonica. Order a Hohner for every member of the family this Christmas and make the “‘joy- ful season” last the whole year ’round. If your dealer cannot supply you with the Free Instruction Book write .M. Hohner, Inc., Dept. 150, 114 East 16th Street, New York.

Northland Skis fora Christmas present. The choice of world’s champions and begin- ners, as the speediest, sturdiest and easiest handling skis. _Madce by the world’s largest ski manufacturers. Look for the deer- head trade mark. Write now for the free booklet on “How to Ski.”

NORTHLAND SKI MFG. CO. 1 Merriam Park St. Paul, Minn,

. Possession and use at once on our liberal Monthly payment plan. Bicycles $21.50 an lamps, whi i es. Write for marvelous new 130day trial offerand terms, > Writeus : ual pric: prices, wonderfu

GENUINE SIOUX INDIAN COSTUMES AND BEADWORK. Buying direct from the Indian, our prices are reasonable. Hard wood Bows and 2 steel point arrows $1.75; Moccasins $1.25; War Clubs $1.25. Write for Price List. LYON CURIO STORE, Clinton, Nebr.

. Watchmaking, Jewelry, En- ° ° graving and Optics Say, boys, have you made up your mind what you are go- ing to be? Shall it be a trade, a profession, or something in the mercantile line? How would you like to become a Watchmaker and also take up Jewelry Work and Engrav- ing? It is a nice, clean business and a trade that pays good salaries. Address HOROLOGICAL, Department 101, Bradley Polytechnic Institute, Peoria, Ill.,. asking for full particulars. One of our latest art catalogues will interest you, it is free for the asking. 100 DRAWING LESSONS $1.00 Learn with ROSEBUD RAPID DRAWING TEACHER at your home. Get the complete kit containing 6 books with tools, from your stationer or send one dollar by mail—Money returned if not satisfied. ROSEBUD ART CO. 259 William St., N. Y. City PLAY AT ONCE 3.9% SEND IT BACK! Pc

pins few pennies Guaranteed or d Dostage. in posit money returned .B : ~ ear: cs Te Dept. $949 Chicago :

the Shadows of the Skyscrapers, by Mabel Cleland Widdemer, which shows an Italian immigrant family and an American family in reduced circumstances living side by side in a squalid tenement come to sympathetic under- standings and real friendship: but this is by no means all there is to the story—it contains also a bond theft, a secret passage and some detective work by the boys of the two families. Life among sophomores at Stanford Uni- versity is pictured in A. May Holaday’s On the Side Lines in which a likable group of students ~vork for their university in other fields than the athletic. Ralph Henry Barbour adds to his series of Football Eleven books Right Half Hollins. <A story of hidden treasure finally discovered by three boy campers forms the plot of Bunny Plays the Game, by Alden Arthur Knipe. A new story by a favorite author of boys’ books is Quinby and. Son, by William Heyliger. Tiger Trails in Burma carries into further adventures the characters that have already appeared in sev- eral books of a series by Warren H. Miller. Finally, attention should be called to new editions of three famous old books that are favorites with every generation of young readers, namely, Cooper’s The Deerslayer and The Pilot, which are published in a special edition with illustrations by N. C. Wyeth, and A Tale of Two Cities, by Dickens, newly printed with sixteen color illus- trations by Rowland Wheelwright. Another book, a famous one and a favorite, which appears in a new edition is Mark Twain’s A Connecticut Yankee at King Arthur's Court, which all readers who know only his The Adventure of Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn should hasten to read. Books About Animals O THE boy who loves dogs what is more delightful than one of Albert Payson Ter- hune’s Collie stories? This year Mr. Terhune publishes Wolf, stories of that wonderful dog that gave his own life under the wheels of a train to save that of a mongrel tramp dog because he had been taught to guard the puppies on the Place from automo- iles. A book by Dr. William T. Hornaday is sure to be of value and interest and his Tales from Nature’s Wonderlands is no exception to this rule. Herein Dr. Hornaday discourses familiarly of those strange creatures, huge and hideous, that inhabited the world in ages gone by, and whose remains are strangely found to-day: here the reader may learn of dinosaurs, mastodons, and mammoths from one who knows all the romantic story of science’s discoveries about them. A volume of simple tales of animal and bird life is Old Ruddy, by Lee Willenborg, which takes its name from the opening story about a fox. Books of Information For the boy who is considering engineering of some sort as a career, a book by Ellison Hawks entitled Engineering for Boys, will offer much that is valuable. There is some- thing on the history of engineering followed by chapters on various phases of it like rail- ways, harbors, irrigation, roadmaking, bridge building. Also there are detailed descriptions of particular pieces of engineering work like the Quebec Bridge. Interesting scientific infor- mation will be found in Why the Weather? by Charles Franklin Brooks, which not only gives explanation of weather conditions but quotes many familiar weather proverbs and indicates which ones are correct, which false, and why. In an English book called Three Hundred Things a Bright Boy Can Do, will be found instructions for the boy ambitious to become an athlete, for the budding fisher- man or artist, or carpenter or camp cook or— or any one of a number of other things. A New Periodical for Young People Copies of the first issue of a new musical publication for young people called Music and Youth, have come to Boys’ Lirr. It is gen- erously illustrated and contains articles on the development of music and on its practice, as well as a number of pieces of music arranged for the youthful player.

‘77

‘and grips that will just suit you.

HE new models are wonders—handsome to look at and ? fine to ride—enameled in the distinctive Berkshire 5 Blue and Columbia Carmine colors, Fisk Cord or Federal Rugged tires, the famous Columbia Rustproof pedals, Troxel Motorbike saddle, Rustproof spokes, the new Wood Steel Armored Nickel Plated rims and handle bar You see all this on the bicycle, but it is well to know what is under the enamel and nickel and if you will tell us where to send it we will gladly mail you one of our new catalogs describing how Columbias are made. The first Columbia bicycle was built forty-eight years ago. We now make twelve standard models and the Junior Roadster shown above is only $38.75 at Factory. You will be proud to ride a Columbia and now is a good time to get one. After Dad says “yes” see the local dealer and choose the one you like best.

COLUMBIA ONE-PIECE ALUMINUM PEDAL Cannot Rust. No parts to work loose. Double threaded axles. Among our many products may be found one exactly suited to the needs of any person, young or old. Of these, the Columbia Bicyclet is the greatest little machine ever made for little folks. Berkshire Blue enamel with red wheels and nickel trimmings. Easy tomountanddismount. Equipped with pat- ented Rub-Wood Wheels with Non-Skid Bal- loon-Type Treads and ball-bearings—a won- —— derful sidewalk vehicle for the younger children. + BOOK REVIEW CONTEST ‘ * 2 Hive dollape £2 Westfield, Mass. : : Boys'Ly

When answering advertisements please mention BOYS’ LIFE

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errr temeeien tS Nothing so Good for Growing Bodies Youth makes heavy demands on energy—a demand which Shredded Wheat supplies in concentrated, appetizing, pal- atable form.

Enjoy all three essential properties of the perfect food—nourishment, assimi- lation and digestibility. Get all the bran, all the salts, all roughage needed to build bone and brawn. Play hard, work hard, eat well with Shredded Wheat Easy for Mother to Serve The Healthy Whole Wheat Food

Greater Gift —than the Joy of Perfect Skating! When you feel the brisk kiss of win- ter winds on glowing cheeks— when you tingle in every sinew with buoyant exercise— when you glide with a rythm like glorious music, and your feet skim the ice, firm and sure, with the — and lightness of the wind— then you know why the “king of winter sports” is to skate on Nestor Johnsons! You can see for yourself the quality NESTOR JOHNSON MEG. CO., 1904 N. Springfield Ave., Chicago, Ill. “Flyers” NESTOR JOHNSON 7p TUBULAR SKATES ****!

built in every detail of that braced and tempered steel runner. You see the bell-shaped, one-piece cups at the heel and sole, and the reinforced foot-supporting shoe attached to Nestor Johnsons. But better than this—you can take the judgment of champions, for more championships have been won on Nestor Johnsom’s than on all other skates combined. Nestor Johnson NestorJohnson “North Star” for those that want the best

World Brotherhood of Boys Edited by E. O’Connor E HAVE on hand here three copies of a troop paper published in New Jersey. The Assistant Scoutmaster asks us to put these in the hands of publishers of other scout papers. We should be glad to send them out to any scout editors who will write to us. We have also a request from the editor of a new troop paper who wishes to get in touch with troops which publish papers of this type. Another member wants to correspond with boys who are interested in amateur publish- ing. A NUMBER of requests have come from members, new and old, who wish to correspond on special subjects. For instance, an Oklahoma member nineteen years of age wishes to correspond with a young man of about the same age who is interested in chemistry and a sixteen-year-old member living in the same State wishes a number of correspondents in different parts of the coun- try who are interested in camping, athletics and literary or journalistic work. A fourteen year old scout wishes a correspondent in Washington, D. C., who is interested in stamp collecting and insect study. A seventeen year old member in Nebraska would like to corre- spond with boys who are interested in photog- raphy and the exchange of photographs. A Kentucky boy sixteen years of age wishes to write to boys in other States who are interested in United States stamps, and a fourteen year old stamp collector wishes to correspond with a boy of his own age in Panama or the Canal Zone. <A North Carolina scout wishes to get in touch with a scout in Maine with the idea of corresponding on scouting topics. A twelve year old Texas boy is particularly interested in horses and in learning something of the Royal Northwest Mounted Police, therefore he wants to correspond with a boy in Canada. A California member wishes to get in touch with a second class scout living in or near Caribou, Maine, preferably one who is in- terested in photography. Another request for letters from someone interested in pho- tography comes from a Georgia Eagle Scout; he is interested also in swimming and life saving. An Illinois scout wishes to correspond with a Hawaii scout sixteen or seventeen years old, and also with some scout who collects shells. A Hawaiian member asks for letters from boys living in Salt Lake City, Baton Rouge, Olympia, Wash., and _ Lewiston, Maine. A Philadelphia boy seven years of age who is interested in drawing and animals wants to correspond with some boys in the United States. A Massachusetts boy asks to be put in touch with some scouts who are in- terested in American history. A fifteen year old scout whose particular hobby is reptiles wants three or four correspondents, preferably in the South and other countries, who have the same hobby. A seventeen year old California scout is interested in collecting butterflies and moths and would like to be put in touch with a collector in an eastern or southern city. A Forest Ranger who has been Assistant Scoutmaster, Scoutmaster and Deputy Commissioner, wishes to exchange snapshots of forest subjects and scouting with scouts and scout officials in any part of this country or in other countries. A Wisconsin member wishes more correspondents who are interested in curio collecting. A Wyoming member eleven years of age wishes his letter to go to an Oregon boy of the same age. A sixteen year old member, collector of curios and stamps, wishes to write to collectors in Mexico, Cuba or our island possessions. ROM foreign countries we have the follow- ing requests for letters. From Scout troops in Denmark, who wish to correspond, as troops or patrols, with American scouts, as troops or patrols. Three French scouts, ages eighteen and fifteen, wish to correspond in French with American scouts. A Belgian student of commercial science wishes to be in touch with an American of the same interests. A German member, twenty years of age, wants to correspond in the English or “American” language. A sixteen year old member in Australia wishes a correspondent in Gales- burg, Kansas. We have a number of requests for correspondents in Cuba, Hawaii, Alaska and the Philippines, where we have few mem- bers or none. When answering advertisements please mention BOYS’ LIFE BOYS’ LIFE Complete Address for Mail The Post Office Department has for some time past been conducting an intensive and nation-wide campaign with the view to having mail plainly, completely and correctly addressed. The coopera- tion of merchants and other business organizations is earnestly solicited. Merchants and others in business can aid materially by including in their letter and bill heads, and other stationery, partic- ularly order blanks, envelopes, etc., and also in all advertisements, in magazines and in newspapers their complete street address. In effecting delivery of mail in large cities, it must be first distributed to station districts and then to the carrier routes. It is obvious that mail is more expeditiously distributed by street and number as when only the name of a firm or building is used, the location must be known to the postal clerk.. Names of buildings are frequently changed and in many cases similar. The number of office buildings is increasing so rapidly that the use of names exclusively in addressing mail makes it difficult for post office clerks and railway mail clerks to memorize their names and locations; where, if the street number is used, correct distribu- tion may be made quickly without regard to the name of the firm or office building. To expedite the handling and distribution of mail, there are employed large forces of clerks at night and in the early morning hours, and a con- siderable quantity of mail is distributed on trains by railway mail clerks, in order that it may be ready for delivery immediately upon reaching the post office of address, and the cooperation of patrons in using building numbers instead of, or in addition to, buildingnames will enable this great force of men to make more effective distribution. The practice of addressing mail to an avenue or street corner tends to confuse the distributor and promotes delays in delivery. Many of the inter- secting corners of streets and avenues are located within the territory of two or more postal station delivery districts. Without definite street number the mail may be missent and subsequently further delayed by being assorted to the wrong carrier route, several different carrier routes serving the mail for the various corners. The proper way is to address mail to house number and street. The inclusion of the number of the room, as well as the building number and name of street, enables the carrier promptlv to route such mail for proper delivery, and that is especially true when an in- experienced substitute carrier is working in place of the regular carrier, or when a new carrier is assigned to the route, which might result in the mail being sent to the directory section for proper address, necessitating further delay in delivery. Merchants, firms or other patrons, who receive mail through post office boxes, should print the number of their post office box and postal station district on their stationery as their mail address. The foregoing suggestions, relative to addresses on mail intended for delivery at business places, applies to matter directed to apartment houses. Your Postmaster will be glad to furnish further information if desired. The help and cooperation of the public will be greatly appreciated.

BOYS’ LIFE STATEMENT TO POST OFFICE Statement of the ownership, management, circulation, ete., required by the Act of Congress of August 24, 1912, of BOYS’ LIFE, the Boy Scouts’ Magazine, pub- lished monthly at New York, N. Y., for October 1, 1925. State of New York, County of New York. Before me, a notary public, in and for the state and county afore- said, personally appeared Paul Willson, who, having been duly sworn according to law, deposes and says that he is the acting business manager of THE BOYS’ LIFE—the Boy Scouts’ Magazine, and that the following is, to the best of his knowledge and belief, a true statement of the ownership, management, etc., of the aforesaid publication for the date shown in the above caption, required by the Act of August 24th, 1912, embodied in section 411, Postal Laws and Reg- ulations, printed on the reverse of this form, to wit; 1. That the names and addresses of the publisher, editor, managing editor and business managers are: Publisher, Boy Scouts of America (Inc.), 200 Fifth Ave., New York City; Editors, James E. West, F. K. Mathiews, Daniel Carter Beard, 200 Fifth Ave., New York City; Managing Editor, None; Business Manager, Frederic L. Colver, 200 Fifth Ave., New York City. 2. That the owners are The Boy Scouts of America, incorporated February 8, 1910, under the laws of the District of Columbia, governing “Institutions of Learning."" Federal charter granted by Congress June 15, 1916. There are no individual stockholders. The present officers are: Honora’ President, Hon. Calvin Coolidge, Washington, D. C.; Honorary Vice- President, Hon. William H. Taft, eke ms, ©. Honorary Vice-President, Colin H. ivingstone, Washington, D. C.; Honorary Vice-President, Daniel Carter Beard, Flushing, N. Y.; Honorary Vice-Presi- Hon. William G. McAdoo, Los Angeles, Cal.; James J. Storrow, Boston, Mass.; Vice- Mortimer L. Schiff, Oyster Bay, N. Y.; Milton A.» McRae, Detroit, Mich.; Walter W. Head, Omaha, Neb.; Bolton Smith, Memphis, Tenn.; Chas. C. Moore, San Francisco, Cal.; Commissioner, Daniel Carter Beard, . Y.; Treasurer, George D. tt, New York City; Scout Executive, James E. West, New York City. 3. That the known bondholders, mortgagees, and other security holders owning or holding 1 per cent. or more of total amount of bonds, mortgages, or other securities are: None. 4. That the two paragraphs next above giving the names of the owners, stockholders and security holders, if any, contain not only the list of stockholders and security holders as they appear upon the books of the company, but also, in cases where the stockholder or security holder appears upon the books of the company as trustee or in any other fi- duciary relation, the name of the person or corporation for whom such trustee is acting, is given; also that the said two paragraphs contain statements embracing affiant’s full knowledge and belief as to the circum- stances and conditions under which stockholders and security holders who do not appear upon the books of the company as trustees, hold stock and securities in a capacity other than that of a bona fide owner; and this afflant has no reason to believe that any other person, association, or corporation has any interest direct or indirect in the said stock, bonds, on

securities than as so stated by him. P. W. Acting Business Manager. Sworn to and Pas 3e0) before me this 5th day of October, 1925. 0 . Weeks, Notary Public, Kings County, N. Y., No. 111, with certificate filed in New York County, No. 244; New York Register, No. 6223. My commission ex- pires March 30, 1926. Seal. = December

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tin: ie eal is. es“. ec, Se, _

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FOR ALL BOYS DAN BEARD famous of all outdoor men, is the chief at the himself, most Dan Beard Woodcraft Camp The Most Famous of all Camps Officially Rated A-1 Located in a natural for- est, on banks of beautiful Lake Teedyuskung, 1700 feet above the sea level. INTENSIVE SCOUTING course, merit badges awarded by local Court of Honor. We learn what to do, how to do it; to trail like an In- dian, to hike like George Washington, to explore like Daniel Boone, to live like Robinson Crusoe, to canoe like the voyageurs, to swim like South Sea Is- landers, to live like Princes. DAN BEARD OUTDOOR SCHOOL I 87 Bowne Avenue, Flushing, L. I. | - Outdoor School and Camp to I | | s : ; Please send full information about your 1 | (Parent’s Signature) 1 I i } = T1025 _— —————EE—————=_———— —— Cured by Christ- | Mas | (Continues fr om page 1 12) | came to his mind it made him feel sort of dis- gusted with himself and his own carelessness. He felt he was quite a cad. “T suppose if it had been my own I’d have hot-footed over there long before this,” he told himself. Doggone it he’d get it next Saturday if it was the only thing he did that day. He must get it back before Chuck got home. STAN, with a resolution of purpose that was his when he chose to exercise it, got up at seven o’clock and at eight started on the slow and tedious trolley ride to Newark. Then by way of several transfers, long intervals of waiting in a raw and bitterly cold December day, he managed to reach East Orange. On his way over to the High School he reflected that it was going to be an unpleasant ride back. It was the coldest day they had had so far. He wished to goodness he had got that wheel a long time ago instead of facing that ride to Hackensack. weather like this would bring thick ice and the old ice-boat was nearly finished. If he hustled he could get back by two o’clock and help Eddie and Lank the rest of the afternoon. The janitor was working in the basement when Stan entered the High School. “A bike? Left here when? October? Great guns, who'd expect to leave a bike stand around in a place like that for two months without its disappearing? Come to think of it, there was a wheel in the bike rack for nearly two weeks. But someone must have taken it away. It’s been gone for a long time,” the janitor told him. Stan’s worst fear; the fear that had haunted him off and on for weeks past, was realized. He had almost half expected it, and yet when he knew the truth it was like a blow in the face. The ride back on the trolley was a very unhappy one. How was he going to explain things to Chuck? The poor kid! And him so sick. What was he to do? He had certainly been a mucker. There was only one way out of it. That was to confess the negligence and —it was like a dash of cold water in the small of his back—get a new wheel for the kid. Neither Chuck nor his parents could afford such a loss. Chuck was liable to have to go without a bike unless he—Stan—replaced the one that had been stolen through his careless- ness. He’d have to doit somehow. It would mean that his little hoard of Christmas money would be all shot to pieces. But worst of all, was the fact that little Chuck (he was small, just a kid Stan remembered with qualms of conscience) had thought a heap of him; always thought he was just right; had the respect for him that a small boy has for a big boy. What was Chuck going to think of him after this? Even the pleasure of putting the finishing touches on the ice-boat the following week, and bending the sail to the mast and boom on Thursday afternoon did not fully banish the unhappiness Stan felt over the loss of Chuck’s wheel. And then on Thursday evening he met Lafe Edwards again and learned that Chuck was to come home from the hospital the following Monday. (Continued on page 84) 250 Miles a an Hour| by henncsroand | Most boys begin riding a tricycle and later graduate to a regular bicycle. The next step may be the use of a unicycle capable of making enormous speed. A number of such vehicles have been invented, but none have so far proved practical. The newest inv ention of the kind is that of Prof. E. J. Christie. In this unique vehicle the rider sits near the center of the main wheel, which may be fifteen feet or more in diameter. The power is supplied by a small plant suspended below the axle. The great structure is held in a vertical position by means of two gyroscopes on either side, which prevent it from toppling over. The model which is now being constructed will weigh over 700 pounds. An engine developing 250 horsepower will be required to drive it. The inventor expects to develop a speed of 250 miles an hour. The wheel is steered by turning the gyroscopes. It is not generally known that But there was one consolation: | ee Safeguarding the lanes of speech The New York-Chicago telephone cable has been completed and is now in service. A triumph of American telephone engineer- ing, the new cable is the result of years of research and cost $25,000,000 to construct. Its first reach extended along the Atlantic seaboard, then steadily westward until this last long section to Chicago was put into service. To the public, this cable means dependable service irrespective of weather conditions. It is now not likely that sleet storms, which at times interfere with the open wire type of construction with 40 to 50 wires on a pole, will again cut off the rest of the nation from New York or from the nation’s capital as did the heavy sleet storm on the day of President Taft’s inauguration. The new cable means speedier service, as it provides numerous additional telephone circuits and will carry a multitude of telephone and telegraph messages. It would take ten lines of poles, each heavily loaded with wires, to carry the circuits contained in this most modern artery of speech. This cable, important as it is, is only one of the Bell System projects that make up its national program for better telephone service to the subscriber. It is another illustration of the System’s intention to provide the public with speedier and even more dependable service. AMERICAN TELEPHONE AND TELEGRAPH COMPANY a unicycle was invented by an ingenious Italian | nearly 300 years ago. AND ASSOCIATED COMPANIES BELL SYSTEM One Policy, One System, Universal Service WHAT OTHER MAGAZINE DO YOU WANT? See page 82 for additional savings What is the favorite magazine of your Father or Mother? Do you like baseball, science, popular inventions? Pick out the other magazine you want in addition to BOYS’ LIFE. BOYS’ LIFE, The Boy Scouts’ Magazine— Regular Special You with / American Magazine and Woman’s Home Com- Price Price Save panion (Both toone ae $6.00 $5.00 $1.00 with American Magazine... ............20e000: 4. 50 4.25 a with American Needlewoman.................-- 2.25 1.90 .35 with Baseball —- Ne ide ae 4.00 3.50 50 with Century. . we 7.00 5.19 1.25 with Christian Herald. aoe 4.00 3.50 50 with Christian Herald and Today’ s s Housewife. eR, 4.50 3.80 .70 with Collier’s. ie 4.00 3.50 50 with Delineator. . 4.00 3.50 50 with Etude Music Magazine. . 4.00 3.50 50 with Etude and Pictorial Review . 5.50 5.00 .50 with Good ere 5.00 4.75 .25 with Golden Book. 5.00 4.75 .25 with Harper’s Bazar... 6.00 5.75 25 with Little Folks.... jee ee 4.00 3.50 50 with Little Folks and Pictorial Review. . . 5.50 5.00 50 with McCall's and Little Folks. 5.00 4.50 50 with McCall’s and Pictorial Review. . 4.50 3.85 65 Send your order and remitiz:re to Box A BOYS’ LIFE, The Boy Scouts’ Magazine 200 Fifth Avenue, New York City When answering advertisements please mention BOYS’ LIFE

Page 80

Catalogue is Now Ready Are you interested in seeing what is new in Radio—What is best and what has been approved? And do you wish to know the lowest prices on tested sets, prices made without the usual “‘ Radio profits?” This Catalogue is a Complete Guide to Radio Ward’s is headquarters for Radio, with probably the largest retail radio de- partment in the whole world. This new 52 page Radio Catalogue shows everything in parts, batteries, cabinets, contains a list of stations, a radio log for recording stations. It Write to & house nearest you for shows the best of the new sets. One tube sets that give amazing results. Five tube sets with a single dial to turn. Think of tuning in one station after another by turning a single dial! Every price quoted means a big saving to you. Everything offered is tested by our own Radio Experts. In fact, the best experts compiled this Catalogue for you. Write for this 52 Page Book. It is yours free. Our 53 year old Policy For 53 years we have sold only quality merchandise under a Golden Rule Policy. You can rely absolutely upon the quality of everything shown in this Radio Catalogue. our free copy of Ward’s ew Radio Catalogue. Address Dept. 8-R Montg¢g omety Ward &Co. The Oldest Mail Order House is Today the Most Progressive Baltimore Chicago Kansas City St. Paul Portland, Ore. Oakland, Calif. Fe. Worth

Three games winner. You mi htcall this Ten Pins Plus Tee aheepe ‘fun youneverhad before, Three totally different exciting games— full directions in box. Set includes 2 standard, 3 hard rubber balls, 11 finely balanced, sturdy red, cream, and blue pins, 6 inches —_ ese “ss — jotion ee ee refunded penkraaye b STROMBECK-SECHER MFG. Dept. p12 Moline. tit.

nm one and every one & -'B RADIO CRYSTAL SETS Radio Crystal Sets, boys, that are capable of receiving a radius of over 100 miles under good conditions. Just the thing for the home or camp. For only $3.25. WESTON LABORATORY, 178 Orchard St., New York City. e aRanger built, Ae finest potty ever ityles, colors, sizes; made in our new — iteeeul teen Cash or ge men ive: free on ppereve ’ for 30 ree Trial. No Tire Beet aus i $ it duality at factory cl eile rite Foday for i

The Biggest 5 Tube Value on the Market tow-soee condensers, coils and sockets onl iy, Transportation charges extra, shipping a 25 Ibs is set with all pocseassiet: includ: adjustable unit, 2-45 v: batter. a batteries, 0 one guarante , cable for cater connection, 5-201A tubes, aerial and Fosttively, A 4 wertd's srasest D TUBE SET 5-tube radio bargain $75.00 value, fully built and wired in beautiful mahogany Cabinet of latest desi Bakelite panel, Satin finish, pandeomely ate eeened ae engraved. , sloping Conesueees oO fe a . $29.50 for se e een American Bell foud speaker with Ampere Hour, storage **A”’ peers pam and groun: equipment, and eve everything complete $8.75. to set up and operate. else to buy. Price portation charges extra. Shipping weight 1 Send For This Contains thousands sets, semi- + styles, sizes an d'approved ct ——_ models vi. intent Cosine and le mode! conse tn cabinets ot Wgenuine All sets

| ——— = a New Ideasi in vane (Continued ant page 32

De Forest speaker over there is a thing of beauty, not merely in design, but in output. A cone type, of course. A really new loud- speaker is this Rice Kellogg, manufactured by the Radio Corporation, and it is said to be the best loudspeaker obtainable. It is rather ex- pensive (over $100.00), but worth it, so I hear. Speaking of the Radio Corporation, how do you like their new one-control super-hetero- dyne? I always said we’d get down to one control some day. A beautiful job, electrically and otherwise. They have a batteryless set, too—the large receiver in the console. Plug it into your lamp socket and that is all there is to it. No batteries today or tomorrow. Another no-battery set—let’s take a look at it—is the “Batteryless,’ put out by the Miessner Radio Corporation. It is less expen- sive than the R. C. A. super. The operating cost has been estimated at one-tenth cent an hour, which amounts practically to nothing.

Chat with the Department Editor I have been asked many times of late what I think of “Super Power.” Now ‘the answer to this question is so obvious, if you credit one with reasonable thought on the subject, that I feel almost insulted when the query is put to me. Of course, I think super power is a fine thing—it is the logical next step in radio. Super-power stations must be—there is no alternative—the successors to our compara- tively low-power stations of today, just the same as our giant locomotives have superseded the puny chuggers of DeWitt Clinton’s time, and the Leviathan - taken the place of Robert Fulton’s first steam- boat. Aside from the logic of the thing, great benefits will result from it. Benefits result from all forms of progress. Of course, some people will be discom- moded. (The fact is no progress has ever been made without stepping on someone’s toes.) While an oc- casional listener within a mile or so of a super-power station will experience unusual difficulty in tuning it out, thousands of fans, many miles away, will be able to tune it in with consistently loud and enjoyable signals. The majority who will be pleased must be considered, not the minority who will be incon- venienced. Hail to super power! BZ oust — Note how many manufacturers are talking about their “straight-line frequency tuning.” You don’t quite get that? Why, it merely means that every degree on your tuning con- trols, generally a condenser, will change your frequency the same amount. Though you often speak of the wave-lengths of the various stations, they are grouped more scientifically by frequency, and this is the measurement cor- sidered by the Government in allocating wave- lengths. In practical operation a straight-line frequency condenser separates your stations equally all over the tuning dial. That is, there will be no crowding on the shorter wave-lengths which makes tuning critical and logging difficult. Straight-line frequency condensers and sets employing them are a step in the right direction. Notice the new tubes? Back there at the Daven booth you might have observed their high mu tubes, designed expressly for resis- tance coupled amplification. High mu tubes increase the amplification of the resistance coupled amplifier until it is about equal to the per stage amplification of the impedence coupled amplifier, and only a little below that of transformer coupling. There are several high mu tubes on the market. What do you think of the new R. C. A. tubes? It is time manufacturers woke up an

ant haa

Many of these dials are not dials at all. They When answering advertisements please mention BOYS’ LIFE rer Know 1 iad ye gonna jor Lt 1a oly departmi for tery [ , 2 Yr. i 4 lieve nr + liev : The ry f t 4 + ~ — ~ 4 was VU SO IVE , warehouse and ins} 2duiDmMmery +her ‘ equipmen they s a aa 4 z= © \ A —)

BOYS’ LIEE a Was +h ™ Une Up — 4 ne win- and be- eor i ~ 1OV.6. a y | +i, = Ae he whe

born days, noth } juLiver the thi _ a + _ nx Ppcouts aont need ter go any > J an wo% a «r+ In place else fer anything. just they give em the mos the le

ast m Ney. T W t Y T me a fae WT Y en y } ¥v ? ? ty ‘ h f 4 +e 2 ‘ a LeL T 3 | dU. thing they want ter know a nth Pf 4 - _ “J adou L >renr nas I equipmery materi an ‘Tr + 4 . 4 Five Vice Y i 1S DEST & » 29% r i er buy for every > f Sa nis 4 4 4 : 1 i ’ 7 lh T a w what I w you ter ¢ iz i } 4 : +t, 17 +h + p+ 4 M synem to ri ne. Wy - lress * J rr } ‘ AL GSO ? y -; J ? T 2 i oe, Room 856, y scout Head— juarters 200 Fiftl ver 1 ? ? Near VY i] 4 New Yor % Believe r . _ = n +a] 4 : * sii er nl é Yours 7 i tre at [one 30 Ss, omits i, ! T 7 ~1> + r} P. . L hope you scouts who , A +] + 17 | dad this letter will drot read hi + me a line jest ter get ac- + . juainted,. December

Page 81

FOR ALL BOYS 81

are attractiv ig arranged windows, behind * . cneramiiaiaaieres |e poms retty on to al the world 5 (CFSE ) SEZ XE lengths, move ‘up and down. CRIMEA SS Yr; Fytss (— oan s something unusual—the he ate model : ; PTL 4 of the Operadio. This is a portable set, con- T T mm INA taining batteries and loudspeaker which can il un HH) i" Hi MH | ea Popu lar be ree into a beautiful and hp eo 4 7 T mt Ry : 1 uses parlor set in half a minute. You see the port- i ih l i i a able set is merely slipped into the console | = bl ny i 3 mm ‘o i i include. ager. Simple, but attractive and efficient. WA I ij ily OLLU 1, Wil radio “A” ruly an all-purpose receiver. Hi , ia Let us take a look at Fada here as we go out. Hi a Ba t te a 1A i gas engine ignition Say, that’s a clever exhibit—a perfect imita- ‘ it tractor ignition tion of a store’s show windows. y "oli | starting Fords Fada is one of the radio world’s old stand- firing blasts bys and stil! makes one of the best sets on the heat regulators market. lvote the different models—the con- doorbells soles, uprights and table sets. Radio has certainly come up in life. singing tunsier alarms THE RADIO WORK SHOP — bank vai How to Solder Steel calling Pullman It is often desirable, even necessary, to | 6 ass | solder steel and iron in various radio construc- ere boat Burgess Batteries oper, Lm ——=ereed | tion jobs. As a rule, following the usual pro- — ease the reonseima nate nee SPIE) | cedure, this is a diflicult task, and the joint telephone and

| rarely holds. The following process, however, simplifies the matter, and insures a perfect weld. An every-night Clean thoroughly the parts to be soldered, —, ig telegraph ‘ lighting tents and ‘ outbuildings : YN) electric clocks scraping with a knife, file or sandpaper. Dis- running toys solve a teaspoonful of copper sulphate (buy a nickle’s worth from any drug-store) in an ounce adventure of. Burgess of water. Wash the cleancd parts in this solu- tion. They will immediately become plated R d; ° B m4 witha film of copper sufficiently thick to provide da 10 atteries a good hold for the solder, which is applied in the usual way with paste and a hot iron. NE of the reasons Separate Windings on Spiderweb Coils In making radio-frequency transformers and why you should al- similar coils on spiderweb forms, instructions c occasionally direct the winding of both primary ways buy Burgess Radio and secondary on a single form. Generally, the primary is wound first, followed by the Batteries is that the bat- secondary, without any spacing between the respective coils. When enameled wire is used, a H ‘ : d b : Al an accidental scrape will often make an elec- WHEN P you tadio - batteried with Eveready teries use y air-mal trical connection between the close windings, Columbia Ignitors, America is your playground. P rendering the set inoperative, and occasion- P pilots — battleships =— CX’ ally blowing tubes. A wise precuation is to Pick your programs from far or near—use Ever- re ee separate all windings on a single form with eady Columbias to light the filaments of dry cell spring clip — iori several turns of string, wound as if it were binding plorers and the majority wire. If it is desired to loosen coupling (to tubes, and my—how they last! These are the bat- aeseeie of recognized radio engi- Keep the coils farther apart) it is merely @) teries the engineers used when they designed the [columbia matter of winding still more string. Ten turns a cern i of wire wound in this manner between a] first dry cell tube—the standard dry cell radio “A” neers—are evolved m the primary and secondary, will often sharpen an y y saat tiaes b p d otherwies heead tuner. Battery is the Eveready Columbia Ignitor. Makes Burgess Laboratories an , fer engehg Ss ede Mh ve: your set reach out further and your pocket-money manufactured in the Bur- and a secondary. The secondary has been ‘go further. Eveready Columbias last longer. There started first, and wound to half its total num- ° ° ess facto ber of turns. Then four turns of twine have iS an Eveready Columbia dealer nearby. g Ty. been wound, followed by the primary, and : again four turns of twine. The secondary Manufactured and guaranteed by These batteries are | winding has then been completed over this) NATIONAL CARBON COMPANY, INC. last layer of cord, leaving the primary in the ° identical with the batter- center of the complete coil. New York San Francisco | Canadian National Carbon Co., Limited, Toronto, Ontario ies sold by your dealer i ae and thousands of other Copy the Sunday Comics good dealers everywhere. a PETER PAN

Eveready Columbia Hot Shot Batteries contain 4, 5 or 6cellsinaneat, water-proof steel case.

COPYING INK For boys, girls and grown-ups 3 5 Sent prepaid with brush... Cc Anybody can copy or reprint with

Burcess BATTERY COMPANY

CRYSTAL VARIOMETER RECEIVER fy be — = eae tn | . . 7 7) F ottle—easily one—months 0 GENERAL SALES Orrice: Cuicaco < eg pepo » a, ont N™ you can have this genuine variometer tuned crystal receiver for pet and pastime. Comic scrap- Coratinn Sectenenh Cities QUEST will be answered personally, only 34.95 ready to hook up to any electric light socket. We guarace books are the rage. Send for your Ni Falls and Winni but only those of sufficient general interest will be Sohy eng henemnnnans youcan han inon aations TER PAN today. — a published. This department is maintained for 2 ap eae Poy mig tk ea = sea Pan Copying Ink Co. the benefit of all our readers, and they are invited phones. Senp No Money. Just pay postman small C.O D. Charges after 180 S. River St. Aurora, Ill. ; ; ; io di ; this amazing Radio, Take no chances but mail der for to submit to it all their radio difficulties.) rem ee ge ne 9

} THE LIFELONG RADIO COMPANY UU A Reliable Mail Order House 1732 Cow Avenue E. Cleveland, Ohio T E L E G R A - H Y 7 Foe BURGESS | se and Wireless) and RAILWAY ACCOUNTING taught thor. | iy fs QUESTIONS: I am unable to get the bag pin Rig salaries; great wae. Oldest, lacwect school. | BATTERY P . P . Endorsed by Telegraph, Se Railwa lio, and Government officials- parts I need to build a receiver. Can you You will lot of good things if ah & A, BO," = ul E | ‘ recommend a reliable house which sells parts you do not renew your subscription bdbat"s INsTiTOTE. oni Rik Servet, Vaiparaise, ind! by mail? ey a c 2. Is the Ultra Audion circuit a good one dul for broadcast reception? H. J., Thatchia, WA N ] E. D Arizona. ANSWERS: t. Write to Montgomery Ward Lit x & Company, New York City, and ask them for RAILWAY MAIL CLERKS rie F5 Oh( 95) their very complete radio catalog. They $158 to $225 Month handle almost every radio part you will ever need. Their prices are most reasonable and 4 rt tee their products guaranteed. Franklin Institute, Dept. K172, Rochester, N. Y. 2. The Ultra Audion circuit is not to be Boys 17 or Over. Mail Coupon centieet ra Faas Send me without charge, (1) Specimen | recommended for broadcast reception. It was| Steady Work No Layoffs Paid Vacations Railway Mail Clerk Examination questions; (2) iI list of Government jobs now obtainable. (3) SSS Caos invented by Lee DeForest many years ago, | TRAVEL-SEE YOUR COUNTRY ON GOVERNMENT TIME ¢®” Send free sample coaching. LEY Joy) and is primarily an oscillating circuit designed Contarion Baiensston Stic o” Name. RY Cat Uae SO EB Adored S for long-wave continuous wave reception. Mail Coupon Today—SURE Fay SS 6 VEST ARNT So

1925 When answering advertisements please mention BOYS’ LIFE

Page 82

California Clipper Ship, “Flying Cloud,” 1855 From Chapter on Sea History SEASCOUT MANUAL Readable, Reliable and Inexpensive 505 Pages BOY SCOUTS SAN FRANCISCO 604 Mission Street Handbook Boats, Ships and Sea Lore Boy Scouts Naval Reservists Amateur Seamen All Lovers of the Sea Yachtsmen of Information About A Wonderful Book for Nautical Students Boating Enthusiasts and Ships A complete, authoritative textbook on Seamanship at moderate cost Price $1.00 postpaid 300 Illustrations OF AMERICA 200 Fifth Avenue, New York CHICAGO 37 S. Wabash Avenue ~ BOYS’ LIFE AT A SAVING. For Additional Savings see page 79 with McClure’s..... with Modern, Priscilla. with Modern Priscilla and ’ Today's $s 3 Housewife. sae with National Sportsman with Pictorial Review. with Pictorial Review and Today’: s Housew ife.. ape with People’s Home Journal. . with Popular Science.... . with Radio News........ with Review of Reviews with St. Nicholas es with Today’s Housewife. with Woman’s Home C ompanion. with Youth’s C ompanion. with Youth’s Companion ‘and Pictorial Review... . Regular Price Our Price You Save 5.00 4.25 2 4.00 3.50 .50 4.50 3.85 .65 3.00 2.60 40 3.50 3.2 25 25 4.00 3.50 .50 3.00 2.65 BL 4.50 4. 25 25 4.50 4.25 -20 6.00 4.75 1.25 6.00 5.25 75 2.50 2.25 -29 3.50 3.25 Be ..' 4.00 3.75 .29 5.50 4.60 -90 Send your order and remittance to Bor A BOYS’ LIFE, The Boy Scouts’ Magazine 200 Fifth Avenue, New York City | COMPLETE COLLECTOR’S OUTFIT | An ihustrated. Album; 10 choice U.S. ships, trains, statues, | etc. ask for a. > Big = pe sets Free. Catalog, amma f Modern, Junior or other albums and fine premiums for a few moments work. GEORGE 8B. LINN COMPANY, b Ohio You will Miss a Lot if you don’t renew your subscription See pages 6 and 7 fds Oa ANIMALS! SURPRISE PACKET PICTURE szpreraie ccnaiine many, anil STAMPS mm: god picture a Gemoe we we ri ge F | 106 v tangle including Mail S ain fo meas binges, fe x, fe SUNFL. ‘ower Dept. BL, Zambesia, Zanzibar, Abyssina, Herzegovina, Travancore Stamps, Menagerie collection, and Album, - 10 cents. 4 diff. Albania, 12c. 3 diff. Armenia, 12c. runel, 3c. 1 Cook Is., 3c. 2 Horto. 8c. 3 ae. 7c. 2 Nauru, oc. 10 Nyassa, 12c. 1 Tahiti, 8c. 1 Tanganyixa, Sc. LIBERTY STAMP COMPANY 3974 Arsenal St., St. Louis, Mo. Premium of 50 different, stunning stamps, fine stamp wallet, ——- gauge, mm. tamp from Kenya & land!), Gold Coast, cents to applicants for wc ® 2 = Ss Tip-Top Approvals. TIP-TOP STAMP CO. Colorado Springs, Col. ROYAL SURPRISE PACKET 10 French Col., 10 Britigh Col., 10 Port. Col.; small aibum, 250 Hi ~Perforation Gauge and Millimetre Scale. re Youpon, d a packet of 50 Diff. Stamps, ali for 10c. to new approval applicants. Royal Stamp Co., 6020 Broadway, San Antonio, Tex. 100 NEW (02a thee, popdas stamps, EUROPE cataloguing several dollars free por als, send 2 cents posta to — for our Net Ap- ADGER STAMP CO., Box 64, Milwaukee, Wis. | FREE—FINE ZOOLOGICAL PACKET Containing game with pictures = Tigers, Oxen, —d , Eagle. tyre Bird, Com, ‘gain approval sheets. 50‘, disceunt, po ys net. ana ditioual fre free s stamps oy he to purchasers. Please Talis S e in unused gismpe; F eee refused. OSBORNE R SOUTHSEA, ENGLAND 410 different choice selected foreign stamps. Dozens of unused and hard to get. Catalogs very highly. Keep the ones you want at Onl one Cent Each References please. EARL M. HUGHES, 518 Homestead a PEORIA, ILL. 300 DIFFERENT STAMPS 10c (Cataloging $6.00) and price list to oo ask to see our classy 50% discount approval sheets. inges, 10c. per 1000 postpaid. Scott's 1926 Catalog, $2.00, postage extra. K. C. Stamp Co., Dept. 2, Lee Bidg., Kansas City, Mo. 100 "Shines FREE eo eppiicante, ‘.-# ba ular Net Approvals, postage 2c. NSEN STAMP CO. Milwaukee, Wis. Sycamore Bide 100 Used Foreign Stamps Stamps Free all different, free to all send- ing for our bar y sheets. Postage 2c. e album, 15c. List of 1500 stamps at ic each. If ble, send names 2 collectors. We buy stam |B. L. QUAKER STAMP CO., Toledo, Ohio | brilliancy on the fresh-fallen snow. | Harry were on their way | Stamp Club where they had invited Phil | from their friend, Mr. Birwood. | interest. | method | Changes i a wil er HE sun of a happy Christmas Day shone from a clear, blue sky with dazzling Bob and to the Franklin Mitchell to meet them. The morning had been given up to the giving and receiving of presents, among which were copies of the new 1926 Stamp Catalogue for each of the boys They found Phil at the club rooms awaiting them, and the new catalogue was gone over with keen The new plates, showing water- marks by direct reproduction, were much admired—a great improvement over the old of illustration by pen drawings. in price, up and down, brought expressions of joy or disappointment if copies were in the boys’ collections. New issues came | in for their share of comment. | on stamps. Mr. Birwood had entered the room while the three lads were so busily occupied. Phil was introduced and Bob and Dick thanked Mr. Birwood for his very welcome gifts. Mr. Birwood picked up one of the catalogues and turned to Russia. “A story has been printed in a newspaper about the late Czar’s stamp collection. There were three volumes to the collection in which were mounted one thou- sand two hundred and seventy-one items—es- says in different colors, proofs, and so on. The collection was greatly treasured by the Czar and when he was compelled to leave the Imperial Palace he had it removed to Tobolsk, but had to leave it behind when he was carried by force to Ekaterinburg where the unfortunate man had far more serious things to think about. The member of a famous Russian family who was a Count and also an army officer obtained the collection and brought it to Riga where it came into the possession of Dr. Jaeger, a well- known philatelist. Acting for the Count, the doctor will place this rare collection on sale. No one knows who is to be the beneficiary from the sale. Now Phil, I feel sure you will be interested in our little biographies. Bob, Harry and I like to know about the portraits This set has an especial appeal. Heads of the great, historic ancestors of unfortunate Nicholas IT, the last of the Czars, | have been beautifully engraved for the issue, 1915 Romanoff issue, the first to bear portraits | among Russian stamps and my list gives very | brief facts about them When answering advertisements please mention BOYS’ LIFE Mr. Birwood laid a typewritten sheet on the table which read as follows: Romanoff Centenary Issue, 1913. Peter I, better known as Peter the Great, whose portrait is on the 1 kopek, brown orange, was born at Moscow in 1672. His life work was the reforming and education of his people and the reconstruction of the government. On one occasion he disguised himself to visit other nations of Europe, among other things to learn the secrets of ship-building to which end he worked as a common shipwright in Holland. He brought the best talent he could find back to Russia. He also studied astron- omy, natural history, geography, and even anatomy and surgery. Finding his son and other noblemen engaged in a revolutionary plot he ordered them all executed. His death occurred in 1725. The 4 kopeks, dull red, also carries his portrait. 2 kopeks, yellow green, Alexander II, born in 1818. Too much military training injured his health. Ascended to the throne in 1855. Allowed Polish exiles to return home. Freed the serfs, 23,000,000 souls, by a ukase in 1861. Assassinated, 1881. Alexander III, shown on the 3 kopeks rose, red, was born in 1845, and crowned in Moscow in 1883. He died in 1894. 7 kopeks, brown; 10 kopeks, deep blue, and 5 rubles, black brown, all have portraits of the late Czar, Nicholas II, born in 1868, who came to the throne in 1894. You all know the story of his assassination at the end of the -World War. 14 kopeks, blue green, with Catharine IT, born in 1729. Because of the unpopularity of Peter III, he was dethroned, and Catharine became Empress. She began a war with Persia and hoped to overthrow the English in | j || Although thousands more were one than in any | No advertisements for this classification are accepted unless they meet the approval of an expert. Kindly report any unsatisfactory service. Later May Be Too Late Order Your 1926 Scott Catalogue Now |{ previous year, unpreceden Scott's Post- age Stamp Catalogue. 1926 Edition, will soon make copies very hard to . This edition contains more than 1500 phe 4 lists, describes, illustrates type, gives color, watermark and perforation of every stamp ever issued by any Se ae in the world to date of going to Iso prices at which they may be bought, or unused, from the Scott Stamp & Coin Co. Order from your Dealer—$2.00 cloth, $2.50 cloth with thumb index, or we will supply you at this a plus forwarding (wt. 2 Ibs.) if dealer is out of stock. NEW 50 PER CENT APPROVALS. We now offer a greatly enlarged line of 50 — cent. approvals— medium priced stamps for the medium collector Our world wide connections enable us to offer ap- provals which are in a class by themselves for quality, value and desirability. State countries you p efer, ‘references required. SCOTT STAMP & COIN CO. 33 West 44th Street New York, N. Y. Philatelic Headquarters since 1860 HEAD-HUNTERS!!! Benadir (elephant); ue): Belgium (showing ye BANDITS!! Egypt hinx); Malay (tiger); Tun Diem “Hea urkey (sacred mo; battle between angel and “‘old varieties (to approval ———, only) tor eight cents. j othing like it, order at ! PaciFic — co., ‘on 615, Helena, Montana | Extra! Send us, order for the Phe atom _ Packet at 8c, the you, free of aoe @ scarce cataloguing over $1.50. Supply limited, write immediately COYTE’S UNUSED HUNDRED 100 A splendid packet of beautiful unused stamps: —over one hundred different kinds, including Mint Eritrea (elephant), — Latvia, Venezuela, Bosnia-Herzegovina, etc. | for A special delivery and triangle stamp and a complete airmail set will be included free, if 5c you act atonce! ALL FOR FIVE CENTS to approval applicants! | COYTE STAMP CO., 211-135. 7th St., LOUISVILLE, KY. N. B. Illustrated price-lists free with every order. The Fenway 0-0-0-H, BOYS! WIAT A THRILL}! "Ss ungie | Packet!—-Contains scarce ~~ from jungle and cannibal-land! Included are: Abyssinia, -Congo head hunters, Kenya & Uganda, Nyassa camels, Mozambique, Ivory Coast, Upper Valta, Togo, Ubangui, Tanganyika, Fiji Islands (cannibals!) and other savage lands. This wonderful packet from far-away countries to new approva' sppicante for only ten cents! FENWAY STAMP Co., 161 Massachusetts Ave., on, Mass Important! Send names and addresses of three collector friends and we'll include, free, a package of hinges and fine packet of 100 dif. Germany, all unused, with (pre- war) value of millions of dollars! 12c $6.00 ion | Fine packet 101 all different guano png from Panama, Guatemala, Chile, Argentine, etc., cat. value over 7 =a 5 unused French Colonies (large, beautiful stamps) ; foration gauge, ruler, Ee scale; big price list; vont Venezuela, cat. value (1923) $2.79. All for 12c to appli- cants for our famous approval sheets! DAVIES STAMP CO., | P. O. Box 108 Toledo, Ohio | ANCHER’S $$$ Outfit—only 12c! Fine pee e stamp; set German with (pre-war) value forty million dollars (interesting), eae gauge, mme. scale; small album; 2 approval sheets; airmail set; scarce stamp from smallest republic on earth; newspaper set: packet good stamps from Travancore, Johore, Dutch Indies, etc. Entire outfit for 12c to approval applicants! (Nice pocket stock: book, value 25c, with every order!) ANCHER STAMP CO. 150 Clerk St. Jersey City, N. J. RADIO STAMP ALBUM Now you can save your radio stamps. An ctenty page book with handsome em cover for Proof of Recep- tion stamps issued be radio stations. Makes a permi- nent record of stations you have heard. Has list of ee length—operators—location. Also hand; radio log. Places for stamps esto by oun and includes foreign countries. rice $1 Sent C. O. D., Parcel Post, subject to your approval.' DES MOINES PUBLISHING COMPANY, Mubbell Bidg., Bes Moines, lowe $2.75 in fine packets—Only 10c! 25 Bavaria, 10 Bu igaria, 10 Czecho-Slovakia, 10 . Dany 50 German Repub “4 (pee value millions of dollars!), 25 Hungary, 5 Irelan Total cat. value over $2.75! Al! stamps different. Tis entire bi “Sou to approva! applicants for only 10ec. ORDER NOW! UTHWEST STAMP COMPANY MIXED STAMPS from 40 different Countries, Australia, North, Central, and South America, so 1201 West 36th St., Oklahoma City, Okla. 500 oiriee. China, Japan, British, French Colonies, ar issues, Russia, etc., stamp hinges. amp for pocket oS book, ik perforation sauge, and 5 ued from 1861 to 88 25c ain ever P onered to approval ad HUSSMAN STAMP CO., Dept.B.L., ST. LOUIS, MO. Biggest cants. Satisfaction guaranteed or money back. NYASSA GIRAFFES 4 diff; 50 diff. Europe; 3 U. 8S. Revenues; 6 Uz. . ae ae Snip’ stamp: ete. to All Only 9c. ~ y- ~ a 7% FENNELL STAMP CO., | SN APS 2% 200 different Foreign 10c. 60 different U. S., including $1 and $2 revenues, for 12c. With each order we give our phiet which tells ‘(How to Make a Collection Properly.’”?” Queen City Stamp & | Coin Co., Room 35, 604 Race St., Cincinnati, O. Dept. L, St. Leuis, Mo. December BOYS’ LIFE oo ee,

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~—ee f e VW al

FOR ALL BOYS No advertisements for this classification are accepted unless they meet the approval of an expert. Kindly report any unsatisfactory service. FANTASTIC SCENERY PACKET Gecfai"Sneiling scence., Tacluder arer ‘Belgium: (Sate with pitek- 1 scenes. feckst Barbedses Guatiet end fying horses}; ‘hile (battle scene): Revot (sr (sobine pas and pyremiies . J jugcelavia (node sla we be Spain); ew ger, (Goddece of — A tay Hints (Rating Are Bi and 0 thers. ae — packet PiKEs. EAR “STAM ~£0.; ox 215, Colorado Springs, Colo. onan Sana — yt FT) gauge, and phat Bees ee itéen.° from lands cloaked in mystery hidden at earth’s farthest ——.

scarce, high values. th ES All for 16c to approval! a plicants only ging references, seoutnumberOK). arce ayti stamp catalogued $1 Free with orders sent now. REIMERS, 409 Flatiron Bidg., Fort Worth, Texas WORLD WAR PACKET To approval applicants sending 8c and references, we will cond our famous World ¥ War packet. consisting of 110 stamps from the warring nations such as: Turkey, gium, (trench helmet), Bulgaria, Montenegro, Czecho- Slovakia, Jugo-Slavia, (slave breaking chain), Lye | (Soldier firing rifle), etc. Supply limited. Write at on VETERAN STAMP COMPANY 47 Renal Avenue Malden, Mass.

Six Mozambi jue a Pictorials Le eae to collectors i 8 our ‘bwin Spec:al prem jum. given | n f» collectors tor or selling Tat of our sheets. Dandy 6' ictures, Ai , etc. Give references. EBEN H. TARR Gloucester, Mass.

The “‘Magnicarocius’’ 10c Packet Cue 107 Stamps from Iceland, African Congo, Cape Good Ho) Hindustan, New South Wales, Cochin, Rajah with bumber shoot watermark. Darts oft pic- also Perforation Gauge and Scale, also proval Cg Imperial Album 90¢ tions Bought. Payn Stamp Co., 945 Angeles, Calif. py lists paid. Collee- sta Drive, Los

BOYS! fi Bet ee haven't got a single stamp from he Irish Republic! We offer this month only to pet applicants: Packet of 100 different from Cape of Good Hope, San Marino, Fiume (triangle), Travancore, Malay (tiger), Guatemala, Congo (savage), etc., etc.; also a fine set of 6 diff. Ireland, perforation gauze & mme. scale, and 250 peelable hinges—ail for eight cents! Supply limited, order at once. PAUL REVERE STAMP CO. WATERTOWN, MASS.

B 1 Have’ you ever owned a nice, shiny, new Oy: $s: pair of steel stamp tongs? Lakeview offers: Famcun Me greg ei set yd "Bulgaria (the stamps that nearly started a war); set o w Germany with (prewar) face value over forty Fy ‘Collars; Perforation gauge; gmall album; nice packet 100 different from_Arrentine, British Guiana, Newfoundland, Africa, Dutch Indies, etc., etc.—and last but not rm a dandy pair of stamp tongs! The entire big outfit o 1&¢ to Zeprocel oppecants® LAKEVIEW STAMP CO” Station F, Box 1€6, Toledo, Chio. “Oh, Boys!”’ Mystic’s “Mysterious” Packet! by ge stamps from the lands of cannibals, heathens, and wild savages!! _~ —_i are

Keays. and Uganda, Persia, Africa, Dutch Indies, Gold ederated Malay States, Eritrea, Nyassa, Travan- core, § , ete. This wonderful eaket containing roval applicants! ro h YSTIC STAMP CO., yey 5, CAMDEN, New York Five Different Airmail Stamps Given to everyone sending for our Big Bargain Lists who encloses 4c postage. 20 UNUSED STAMPS FREE. 1000 different 98c, 500 us 38e, both $1.25. Free hinges with each $1.2: Buckey Stamp be 528 E. Alameda PI., Dayton, Ohio Stamp Collecting “Liberty” packet *. approval a) oe sending 2 ct. stam: ) Peerless 15 cts. 25 veceupes F ench Colonies 15 ote. e500 varieties N. Europe 8 cts: Leader Pkt. 5 cts. B. Earl Stamp Co., 1811-26th Ave., Neth, Minneapolis, Minn. BOYS! A SUNNY CALIFORNIA SPECIAL 105 different from such countries as Abpetaie. Bulgaria, White Russia and ing:

rforation & e, millimeter scale and stamp holder ¢ only EIGHT - TS toa ce a for our Hy-grade ag . MYERS & CO., Dept. A, 2931 Acton St., Berkeley, Calif. 0) ‘Abi, DIFF. STAMPS 'S ERFE 1000 Abu. t “hold 1152 metas, approval sh with each ote. 8. « jami ng nll Toledo, Ohio

Abyssinia and Nyassa. ©hiti'sos'heren't century Abyssi is ain gad a aset Bet of to beantifelt Iyeses Pe ae 3 RICHARD | “reB RE eHy: 81 Napoleon St., Valparaiso, Ind. xtra ! Figo sacks et, §0 different absolutely free with each ol Coupons, 2c. Stamp Alb with dates, names of countries, etc rr Soc. $1.35, 3. 45. A. BULLARD & CO., lus. world catalog of stam; 446 Tremont St., Dept. A9 200, Sty. Guide 0c. 10. Direct fn: andy , P 2c. 1000 Peerless Hinges 15c. 1 O O * Wate fo iS FRONT, E10

BS SURE to save all the chips off the Jubjub Bird for your —- They're good Ivory Soap shavings and will be fine for washing dishes OF COURSE, corves the Jubjub Bird (who probably roosted in the Tumtum Tree) is not the only use for Ivory Soap. Washing faces and hands and giving fo9 ood lathery baths is Ivory'’s real business. d one of the finest uses of ali is shampooing. Wash your hair Steen with Ivory—you'll like the way it looks and feels—nice, clean, Ivory- washed hair. And take that Ivory bath eve day. It’s good fun and it makes you feel good. PROCTER & GAMBLE IVORY SOAP 99 4/100% Pure It Floats Copyright, 1925, by The Procter & Gamble Co., Cincinnati'

UNUSUAL BARGAIN OFFER 25 BOSNIA, 50 DANZIG, 20 FIUME, 25 MEMAL, 25 MONTENEGRO (145 ‘diff. unusual’ stamps nly $1.00, or take your choice Of 3 any one country for "ane. Free Premium price-list, perforation gauge, etc., with each order. To introduce approvals. FENNELL STAMP CO., Dept. L2, St. Louis, Mo. 100 VARIETIES fates, Ceylon, wees Oa, KS on etc., - atta ae00600% SS mixed 40e. 50 diff. U: 8. 25e. "1000 FC snd 10c. Fine album for 3500 stamps 75e. List “thy T buy collections. C. STEGMAN, 5951 Cote Brilliante Ave., ST. LOUIS, MO,

FRENCH COLONIES Vy Exe! African jungles, native chief, yxy free for 2c. 60 U.S., 15c.; 50 Br. te 15c.; 45 Asia, ; 30 Africa, i4c.; 200'F oreign, ite Russia, ayes 50° ‘Scandinavian, ibe.; 500 S) yy bm ine. 1000 Hinges, 14c.; 30 Canada, 14c.; 25 vig = ; 30 Belgium, 10c.; ; 25 ; 10 0 Gzecho, 17¢c EMPIRE STAMP co., T 6 Bosnia, 6c.; ; 30 Egypt, 126; 2 Borneo, 5e.; 5 Togo, 5c. RONTO, CANADA

you can make a splendid boot scraper from an old broom. Cut the bristles in the way shown in the picture. The central portion should be much shorter than the outer parts. Now saw off the handle to within about six inches. Open up the ground and then insert the broom handle. Press the soil well in so that the scraper is very firmly held in position. You will find that this scraper will last for a long while and is a fine thing for cleaning muddy boots.

CLASSY STAMP OUTFIT Contains 12 diff. unused French Colonial picture stamps— Beautiful Brussels Exhibition set—Triangle ——- Perforation gauge, ruler and M.M. scale and packet of 35 good Fr uality stamps. This classy outfit, ioe to appli- cants for — iy approvals. D STAMP CO., LIMA, OHIO TRIANGLES AD iff. {= tria § Special Delivery. Tee with pattlessio, Fiume 2c brown. \ for 5c triangular ates om AND 8 DIFF. UNU ANGOLA, ST. THOMAS & FG oe INCLUDED 7. GOOD MEASURE. HOW'S TH. FOR A NICKE CROWDER ‘! STAMP co., Waverty, Baltimore, Md.

HIGH GRADE STAMPS ONL’ on our 1, 2, 3 and 4c. Approval Sheets; 10,000 ee Our enormous stock has stamps for everyone at all prices. Write now for a selection, giving your scoutmaster as reference. Yes, we give’ free premiums, and you'll wonder how we do it, ACME STAMP Co., P. O. Box 1067, Portland, Ore. all different postage stamps includin; 1 ] 3 Zanzibar, Iceland, Ful Islands, Hejaz, Abye a eee, yp Th Congo, ‘North

Guinea, Persia, Gibraltar, and man other ee. z and far-away places for only 12¢. to approval applican LAKE STAMP co. 27 S. Taylor Ave., St. Louis, Mo.

STAMP ALBUM FREE bs) for 1200 stamps with purchase of 50 stamps from di fterent countries for 25 cents. Confederate States 7s bill free wi erent un panes for 10 cents 000 mixed foreign mission stamps, 35 cents C. NAGLE, 1101 Marion, Reading, Pa.

COLONIALS ALL! Tchad, Kenya, Togo, Montserrat, Syria, St. Vincent, Ivo: Coast,’ Congo, Dahomey, Iraq, Nyassaland, Niger, mali, Palestine, Cameroun: all these and 67’ other w nderfulj Brit., ‘French, Por- tuguese colonials in our ALL COLONIAL PACKET. Remem- oe, nothing else but. COLORIALS. All for 25c.to approval applicants only. PENNA STAMP CO., Manor, Pa.

$10.00 for 25c A Choice assortment of 500 all different stamps guaranteed to catalogue over $10.00 offered to approval applicants for only 25c. EDGEWOOD STAMP CO., Milford, Conn.

500 STAMPS 17c including Finland, Fiume Triangle, Ceylon, Guatemala, Australia, (Swan), Dominican Republic, New Zealand. ‘etc.,to approval applicants. Plenty U.S. 1cup. B. ELMER, 15 School St., Boston, Mass. When answering advertisements please mention BOYS’ LIFE UNIVERSAL GALA PACKET 99 different 7) ice 180. From Japan, India, Spain, Cuba, Chile, C Newfoundland, 12 pictorials of Azerbaijan. a, Hinges pT ‘Gauge to all asking for our pos approvals uba No. 4 cat. 60c. enn ree when hhases from our approvals amount to $2.00. Let's go. WELLER STAMP CO. 246E.H. Bivd., Elyria, Ohi»

1000 Foreign stamps, fine lot of varieties and countries 30c 500 All different foreign postage stamps, many unused 55c Imperial album holds 4,000 stamps 60c, Modern Album holds 10,000 $2.00, Hinges per 1000 10c. Scott’s 1926 Catalog $2.00

DISCOUNT 2.4 tions of de

FOREST A. BLACK’ Box 176, Leominster, Mass. 709 O sirable stamps on approval at 70 per cent. discount from standard catalogue prices. pees required—Boy Scout membership sufficient. ! J. EMORY RENOLL, Dept. K, Hanover, Penna.

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WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE? Every boy in the Western Union messenger service has a real future before him. We try to develop him, put him in the path of opportunity, give him every chance to learn and earn. Western Union service brings him in contact with business men. business that appeals tohim. He develops poise and determination, and gains experience that money could not buy. Then when some patron, boy’s evident ability, asks for him, we cheer- fully recommend him—glad to give him a “‘boost”’ up the ladder of success. The thing to do is to ask the Western Union man at the nearest office about it—to-day! Western Union Messenger service means _ interesting work, vacations with pay, bicycles at cost, free lessons in telegraphy, and day-after-day op- portunity to ad- vance. Boys can work part-time, too! He can select the kind of impressed by this WESTERN UNION NM essonger $ Service THE WESTERN UNION TELEGRAPH COMPANY eee 7m ee Bors/ Make a Touchdown / ROSS the goal line and win money and prizes in the greatest game of your life. Make it snappy and buck the line hard! It will be fun—easy work—and you need no experience to start. The Crowell Publishing Company offers you the chance to score a touchdown for money and prizes. Every week thou- sands of fellows, like yourself, are earning This ——— will bring to you the Big Book of Prizes showing over 200 articles that any ambitious fellow can easily win. It tells how thousands of boys are being made happy with cash profits as well as organiza- prizes. Membership in a great tion is open to you. Join now! a she thought of the weeks of labor and all the | When answering advertisements please mention BOYS’ LIFE their own spending oney and winning splendid prizes. These fellows are Crowell Junior Salesmen. They give a few minutes of their spare time each week to delivering the three best-known magazines in America to reg- ular customers. MR. J. THAYER The Crowell Publishing Co. Springfield, Ohio I want to make a touchdown. Please tell me ow. My Name Address Town State | Cured by Christ- BOYS’ LIFE mas (Continued from page 79 He would spend the following three days in bed, Lafe said, and they hoped to have him up and walking around on Christmas Day so that he could have Christmas dinner with his family. This announcement caused a sensa tion akin to panic in Stan, who had not yet made up his mind just how he was going to replace the wheel, for already he had used some of his Christmas money for presents and equip- | up his little saving for fear he would find that he did not have enough money to buy Chuck a new wheel if he had to. Stan went through Friday, the last day of | school before the Christmas vacation, in a semi- dazed condition. Thoughts of Chuck, the} wheel, the vacation and the ice-boat filled his mind in a curious jumbled maze. And with it all was an oppressing worry, akin to | fear. Why in thunder had he been foolish enough | to borrow the bike in the first place? Or why, | having borrowed it, hadn’t he had his brains | about him and brought it safely back? When | he stopped to consider all the trouble his care- lessness had got him into he was thoroughly dis- gusted with himself. He certainly envied Lafe and Eddie, who with not a thing on their | conscience to trouble them, were full of en- thusiasm for the first trial of the ice-boat scheduled for Saturday morning. The ice on the lake was a foot thick, and like a mirror. Only a snowstorm could upset their plans. Friday afternoon they hurried home with Stan. The ice-boat had long since outgrown the garage and stood in Stan’s back yard, fully rigged and ready. Their job now was to dismantle it, cart it down to the lake and reassemble it on the shore so that it would be ready for a trial on Saturday morning. Stan partly forgot his trouble in the hustle of taking the boat apart and carrying spars and sail, backbone, runners and cross bracings down to the lake shore, and they worked there by lantern light until well after eleven o’clock that night. “Hang it, if I wasn’t so tired and it wasn’t so late I’d try the old thing for a spin right now,” said Lank. “Aw, tomorrow will be time enough,” protested Eddie, his teeth chattering with the cold. | Stan was dog-tired too, and so they left their accomplishment of many weeks of hard labor and went slowly home and to bed. Somehow or another Stan did not sleep well that night. Each time he dozed off his sub conscious mind ran riot with dreams of ice- boats as big as the Leviathan, and bikes as big as railroad locomotives ridden by Chuck Mc- Masters in a dozen Cifferent disguises, who in- sisted on chasing him all over creation. He awoke a lot earlier than he usually did on Saturday mornings and after a breakfast of steaming buckwheat cakes and sausages, he slipped into his mackinaw and sweater, found his skates, and started for the lake, leaving ment for the ice-boat. He was afraid to count | | word with his mother to tell Eddie and Lank | that he would meet them there. It was a fine snappy December day without a cloud in the sky and no sign of snow. On the lake shore chickadees and junkos were doing acrobatic stunts in the cold-shriveled scrub willows as they looked for dormant insects hidden under the bark. A blue-jay screamed at him vindictively as he pushed his way through a grove of scrub oak and found the path that led down to the cove where they had assembled the ice-boat. But as he reached the top of the overhanging | bank and looked down onto the ice he received | the shock of his life. The ice-boat was not | there! This was ridiculous, of course. It must be there. They had left it late last night and no one could have come along the lake shore since then to take it. Besides, who would take a fellow’s ice-boat? Perhaps it had just sort of drifted away around the point with the wind. But that was foolish, too. Stan realized it even as the thought entered his mind. Someone had taken it—just “taken a lend of it,” perhaps— the thought brought back an unpleasant recol- lection of all that had happened when last he had “taken a lend” of something without permission of or knowledge of the owner. And suddenly he realized how Chuck must have felt, or how he would feel, when he knew of the loss of his bike. That ice-boat had meant a lot to him but he realized Chuck’s bike meant as much to him. Stan was heavy-hearted as " JRUM2>= SpEL[OYS .. TION MACHINERY MODELS They Don’t Pretend They Perform! ELECTRIC HOISTING ENGINE BUILD DAMS, HOUSES, EXCAVATIONS JUST LIKE A CONTRACTOR CABLEWAYS 60 FT. SPANS Send for Illustrated Catalog of “America’s Finest Playthings” NOBLE MFG. CO., Hartford, Conn. oKoMo SKATES with the self-contained ball-bearing wheels, the truss frame construction and the “rocking-chair" movement are— “Young America's First Choice.” STEEL TREAD OR RUBBER TIRES Sa “RIFLERY” Wiecsizm 4\lhousands of Scouts ¥ compete annually in the sport of riflery in the J.R.C. Let this big organization teach you how to handle a rifle safely and accurately. Enjoy the thrill of competition with distant troops. To enroll send this slip with 10- | cent neg fee to: NCHESTER JUNIOR RIFLE CORPS be Winchester Ave., New Haven, Conn. = THE AMERICAN SCROLL SAW Represents the last word in Jig Saw design. You will be delighted with its perfect square smooth cut. Cuts wood, bakelite, fibre 1” and metal 1%” thick. A regular tool to make your radio sets, bird-houses, experi- mental work, and hun- dreds of other things. Can be motor driven. Give your boy one for Christ- mas; develop his con- structive abilities. Write to Delta Specialty Co Dept. A-103, 858 Third St., Milwaukee, Wis. gare s! Ti = of ny or Guitar, tr wah fies tyoernl . ‘ 2 iniazing New Inv a) of music Bh. y~ ys - c- December

Page 85

FOR ALL BOYS

Most exhi/aratii all out-door =i. 60 SIZES,WOODS and STYLES The STRAND SKI was the pioneer of America’s winter ski-sport. Recognized Leader for 28 Years STRAND SKIS FOR EXPERT JUMPERS USED ALL OVER THE WORLD //, Special Models for U. S. Army Service m National Parks and elsewhere Sent to Sports Club: Martin A. SV 118 STRAND 8T., REW RICH iTRAND ADULT AND ‘‘KID’’

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you can draw like ar pen ints, bottle of water- Pproot Sowing ink, es of pen paper and pencil , eraser, thumb ands wonderful water color’ box ‘of eight colors, md muy order by Pout Ciice eney Grdce oF io r by ice Mon ler, or if cash have ‘* registered. Adress - wae ART SERVICE Room 5612-C 1113-15th St. AWS Washington, D.C. 1925

money they had tied up in it. And then to have it disappear without even having a chance to try it—that was too much. Stan hurried down the bank to the ice. It had been taken by someone, there could be no doubting that. There were the marks of heavy shoes with rough-shod nails in them on th« mirror-like surface of the ice. And there were the three hair-like tracks of the ice-boat run- ners heading straight north up the eighteen- mile stretch of lake toward Harrington. The ice-boat was gone for sure, and their chances of ever finding it again were slim indeed. Stan’s heart was heavy. He realized that he felt so disappointed that if he were a few years younger—Chuck’s age for instance—he would have blubbered right out loud. Then suddenly that dormant resolution that was his when he cared to call upon it, stirred in him an angry determination to follow that ice-boat—follow it clear to the end of the lake if he had to—and get it back even though he had to beat up the sneaking pups who had stolen it. Sitting on the bank, he put on his skate- shoes. He lingered just a moment, half hopeful that Eddie or Lank would come along He’d have a heap more courage if he were not alone in this venture. But not even a snapping in the brush indicated that anyone was coming, and, realizing that the longer he waited the farther up the lake thestolenice-boat would be, he set out in long swinging strokes, following the tell-tale hair-line tracks on the smooth ice. On and on he skated. The ice-boat had followed the shore line northward, sweep- ing around first one point and then another. At each point Stan looked for signs of the white-winged thing, but nothing save the hair- line tracks on the ice rewarded him. Had the thieves gone the ‘engih of the lake with it or had they hidden the <.aft somewhere up along the shore? Stan was growing tired. He had come five miles or more. He wondered whether he would have to go clear to Harrington before he found the ice-boat, or He swept around a point; Granger’s point, and a view of Granger’s Cove opened before

|him. A cold, swift-running creek entered the lake there, making the cove the last place in the lake to freeze over solidly. And as Stan’s eyes swept the cove he saw the long arm-like lane of black open water reaching far out from the mouth of the stream. He saw something else. On the edge of the ice and partly sub- merged in the black expanse of water was the ice-boat—wrecked. The mast had gone by the board and the big sail flapped stiffly on the ice. One of the runners on the cross-bar stuck awkwardly up in the air as if in mute appeal to Stan to come and haul it out of the water before it disappeared under the ice entirely. For a moment Stan stood there heartsick and unhappy. Then suddenly he noticed something else. There was a man in the wreckage. Was he struggling to free himself from the tangle of ropes and sail or was he—no, there were two of them. One lay sprawled on the ice, half of his body still in the cockpit. He was pinned down by the wreckage. And the other man was trying to drag his body out from under the heavy boom that lay across his chest. Suddenly terrible anger seethed within Stan Walker. There were the thieves who had stolen the ice-boat, and wrecked it. One of them had been hurt. It served him right. The other one was going to be pretty well mussed up himself in a few minutes. Stan’s lips compressed and his eyes narrowed.. His fists clenched and he felt the blood pulse in his temples as he leaped into his skating stride again and started toward the wrecked ice-boat. When he was within a hundred yards of the edge of the open lane and the wrecked ice-boat, the man who was trying to pull his companion from the wreckage heard the grating of his skates on theice. Hestraight- ened up and stood staring at Stan for a moment and in that moment Stan saw that he was a pretty hard-looking individual. But Stan’s anger had reached such a point that he did not care. Evidently the man realized this, for presently he turned and started to run across the ice toward shore. Stan saw then that the man’s clothes were frozen stiff. He had evidently fallen into the lane and somehow dragged himself out. Stan yelled at him and started in pursuit. He could not help grinning as he saw the man’s futile effort to run on the smooth ice. His feet slipped and slid and skidded under him, and he had a hard time trying to keep his balance. Stan realized that he could skate him down in a dozen strokes. Putting all his strength into his effort he hurled himself forward like a charging bull and came tearing down on the struggling man. When Stan was a dozen feet away the thief

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.. The man who invented this remarkable new kind of fountain pen—the Postal Reservoir Pen—consented uv; Traneparent to let us sell it only under one'condition—that we nbreakable work out a plan whereby the price would be within Biggest Capacity reach of every boy who wants the best. Of course it would be impossible to offer this pen for $2.50 if we sold it through the stores. Their profit alone on a penof this quality is more than what you actually pay for the Postal Reservoir Pen. And so we decided to let Uncle Sam do the selling for us—through the United States mails. Only Pen of its Kind in the World Just read these remarkable features of the new Postal Pen: It is Transparent—you can — see how much ink you’ve got. It is Unbreakable—every ted-blooded Scout needs such a pen! It is Self-Filling— holds 4 times more ink than other pens. Many Scoutmasters and Executives are now using and re- commending the Price Only $2.2° Maybe it won't Cost YOU a Cent. Send no money—Here’s an unusual offer you'll like! Sign and mail the coupon below right away. Don’t pay for your Postal Pen till the postman delivers it. And then—with the pen you will receive five special coupon postal cards, each worth 50c on the purchase of a new pen. Dispose of these to your friends or relatives—if you col- lect soc each for these coupon cards the money is yours to keep and your big beautiful smooth-writing Postal Reservoir Pen costs you nothing! You'll find the Postal Pen, at $2.50, the most sensa- tional fountain pen value you ever heard of. To prove it— we'll agree to buy it back at fall price if you don’t

Postal Pen. want to keep it after 5 a = ; ‘ ve plent ime for Christmas gifts— ra pope a Bont delay! oti congue nano s died ad sort of , Fr may Fe 4 Postal’Pen Company, Inc., Dept. B3 = made in 25 West 43rd St., New York City edies’ model) Please send me one Postal Reservoir Pen, and five soc coupon cards which I may give away or dispose of at : f i 1 1 ' oc each. I will pay tman $2.50 upon receipt of pen. ' it after 5 days’ use Pdesire to return the Postal Pen t you to refund purchase price without question. . H iCheek which size you want ... Men’s . . .Ladies’) t PRD 0 0.0 660.0.54.0. 06.0 0:0. 60-6 6.0:60:06:06'4:0 600 8448 RESERVOIR PEN) ft prss The Postman delivers : ay it to You Ot QO ics ct. ater OTARW 5.55 606 5% When answering advertisements please mention BOYS’ LIFE

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caenenennetnmieieet subsequently appeared, FUNDAMENTALS For Government 138 years ago there was given to the world a document which has been responsible for the liberated thought and unprecedented growth and prosperity of our country. analysis of its preamble indicates that it will be an adequate foundation for government ages adoption the world has witnessed more progress than in all previous history— “We, the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect Union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquillity, provide for the common defence, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.” For Boyhood Another document fraught with liberation for youth has whereby spare time and surplus energy are harnessed and directed in a practical way to do useful work in training a boy at a critical time in his life. Scout Oath is applied specifically to youth and is likewise applicable to all mankind: “On my honor I will do my best— To do my duty to God and my country and to obey the scout law; . To help other people at all times; To keep myself physically strong, men- awake, and morally straight.” For Industry It has been our earnest endeavor to adapt the foregoing fundamentals in industry, as evidenced by our COMMONWEALTH PLAN (Equal Opportunity for All) FOUNDATION : FELLOWSHIP Fellowship is a comprehensive, vital power. It broadens our views, increases our abilities, enriches and purifies character. Its chief foundation-stone is cooperation, which brings the Golden Rule in practical application to all human relations and needs. Fellowship is the Golden Rule in action, the motive power of Human Engineering, the life-blood of Service, insuring equal oppor- tunity for all. The Commonwealth Plan recognizes all problems as mutual, wherein and whereby absolute confidence exists in the honesty of purpose and truth of character of each other; thus blending brotherly love in all activities and enabling each to develop his several talents. . Human engineering governs this Plan, and demands our being willing and able to treat men as men—not as machines. The welfare of ‘the man is more important than tools and machinery, for man thinks, and acts as he thinks. Therefore, we must practice Human- ics as well as Mechanics. The Commonwealth Plan provides an excellent and practical basis for putting all (from the Office Boy to the President) upon the same Plane. Then as a unit we can work out the problems of the day in such a way that each one feels he or she is a co-worker in the great purpose of the Commonwealth Steel Company, which is to express Safety, Eff- ciency and Economy through its fundamental cast steel devices for locomotives and pas- senger cars—-in other words, rendering SERVICE and building character. COMMONWEALTH STEEL COMPANY St. Louis, U. S. A. hence, and already since its | turned. He was fumbling at his pocket. There was a fiendish snarl on his ugly face and Stan knew that he was facing a vicious customer. | But Stan was coming with such terrific speed |that the man had little chance. Almost | before he could plant his feet firmly on the ice Stan ploughed into him. And as they collided Stan started a snappy upper cut that caught | the thief on the side of the jaw. Fora moment | the air seemed full of arms and legs, then Stain and the thief crashed to the ice together and rolled over and over across the slippery surface. But the momentum that Stan had attained, flung him further in the spill than it did the thief, pitching him completely over the struggling form and causing him to slide thirty feet further along the ice. Frantically digging his skates into the ice, Stan got to his feet and started to close in on the man again. The thief had struggled to his knees. Still he was fumbling at his hip-pocket. Suddenly as Stan straightened up a revolver flashed in the man’s hand, wavered a moment, then its ugly little muzzle centered full on Stan’s chest. Stan had never thought of finding himself in such a desperate situation. It was the first time he had ever had a gun pointed at him. For the fraction of a second he became panicstricken. What should he do in a case like this? What could he do? The man would shoot him down if he tried to flee. He would kill him if he closed in. Then the idea flashed into Stan’s mind that possibly the revolver had gotten wet when the man fell overboard, perhaps even the cold water might have frozen the mechanism. With this thought Stan almost leaped through the air at the thief. The manstruggled with the weapon, but it jammed. Then he threw it full at Stan’s head, but Stan ducked and heard it go whistling over his shoulder to fall with a metallic clank on the ice behind him. And the next instant he and the thief were locked in a mad struggle there on the ice. Over and over they rolled, striking, clutch- ing, kicking and doing everything but biting each other in the desperation of their fight. Then suddenly Stan worked an arm free and hooked a lucky blow to the thief’s jaw. The jolt snapped the man’s head back and cracked it with a resounding thump on the ice, and Stan felt a strange convulsive shudder run through his body as he went unconscious. Dazed and trembling with excitement and anger, Stan got to his feet. The staccato throb of a motor came to his ears and, looking shore- ward where the county road skirted the edge of the lake for a mile or more, he saw a motor- cycle shoot around a bend and come to a sudden stop. Stan could not suppress a yell as BOYS’ LIFE he recognized McKeever, one of the county highway police patrol. McKeever climbed down the bank and came out onto the ice, his big service revolver in his hand. *“What’s this, Walker?” he demanded. ““These—these dirty thieves stole my—our ice-boat and—wrecked it. McKeever grinned, then looked serious. ‘That’s the pair that escaped from the Snake Island Penitentiary last night. Blackie Ruan and Monk Decker. They are bad ones. Probably grabbed your ice- boat to get up to Harrington where ‘they could catch a west- bound freight on the Central. You’re lucky, Walker; lucky they didn’t kill you, an’ lucky because there’s a standing reward of $100 for the capture of an escaped convict. There’s two hundred in this case. Half goes to the man who finds them, and half goes to the officer who brings them in. Meet me at City Hall this afternoon and I'll have a hundred berries for you.” “*A hundred dollars!” Stan grinned foolish- ly at first and stared at the officer. He thought McKeever was kidding him. But the officer assured Stan as he shapped the handcuffs on the still unconscious pair that the only joke about it was on the convicts. “Jiminy. Is that straight? If it is that'll give me the price of a new wheel for Chuck McMasters and—and—well the rest will go into repairs for the ice-boat.” TAN was ashamed to face Chuck Mce- Masters on Christmas morning. Ashamed because it was the first time he had visited him in his whole two months of illness, and ashamed of what he had to confess to the boy even though a new wheel had been delivered to Chuck’s house on Christmas Eve. But Chuck was mighty nice about it. He had missed the wheel. He wanted to use it that Saturday night, and when he found it was gone he was heartbroken. He had tramped all over town with a throbbing ear-ache trying to find trace of it, but he had never thought that Stan might have taken it. ‘*Blamed shame. The loss of it probably didn’t help you get better any quicker either. I’m doggone sorry, Chuck, old chap.” “Never mind,” grinned Chuck. ‘They take the bandages off today. I’m cured by Christ- mas. That’s enough for me.” “So am I,” said Stan. “I’m cured by Christmas, too. If I ever borrow anything without permission, or if I’m ever careless about anything I do borrow, I want you or someone else to kick me all the way around the block and back again.” Ss ii oh en aah . .Leslie Crump The White Leader. Serial Constance Lindsay Skinner 9 Illustrated by Remington Schuyler Christmastime. Poem..Edmund Leamy 10 Cured by Christmas. Story J. Irving Crump 12 Illustrated by Leslie Crump Brother Scots. Story Euphemia MacLeod 13 Illustrated by Harold Anderson Cherokee Charlie Says... .. ic caer ee Hi Grumpus’ Christmas Tree. Story. Frank Farrington 15 The Long Winter Trail, Poem The Cave Scout 15 “Fight "Em, Big Three.” Part III. Harold M. Sherman 16 Illustrated by Richard A. Holberg Make Scout Christmas Presents Dan Beard 19 Illustrated by the Author The Resourcefulness of Chuck. Story BoyssLiFE For All Boys—Published by the Boy Scouts of America Table of Contents — December, 1925 Pee-Wee’s Patrol. Serial Percy K. Fitzhugh 22 Illustrated by A. Conway Peyton Jim Morse in Australia. Serial J. Allan Dunn 25 Illustrated by Douglas Duer Joe Murray’s Luck. Story Francis J. Rigney 27 Illustrated by the Author Editorial Page.......... James E. West 28 The Scout World. .James E. West 29 ee Rai ok. 6 dan eecbeskicenss 30 Dan Beard’s Scouting Section.......... 32 New Ideas in Radio......... Zeh Bouck 32 Silenced. Story . .Frank L. Lazarus 34 Illustrated by Eugene M. Frandzen How to Make a Microscope L. D. Roueche 50 PUI. 5. 00 ct 6660sese Think and Grin Edited by Francis J. Rigney 70 selling BOYS’ LIFE —— ————e = Frank Richardson Pierce 20 Fifteen Dollars for You......... 74 Illustrated by William P. McNulty RE Re A ee Oo. W. Sinan 82 RENEWALS RENEWALS.— If your magazine comes with a renewal order blank enclosed it means your subscription has expired. Tear off the address on the renewal wrapper and send it with $2.00, the price of a renewal subscription, to Boys’ Life, 200 Fifth Avenue, New York, so you will not have to miss a copy. Postage is prepaid to all parts of the United States and possessions, and also Mexico and Cuba. Canadian postage is 25c. and foreign postage 50c. a year. When writing about your subscription, please always mention the order number which appears on the wrapper, and the date your subscription expires. This will help us to serve you promptly. How to Buy BOYS’ LIFE Most Conveniently This magazine is now on sale regularly by all Important Book Sellers and Newsdealers throughout the United States. The publication date is the 22nd of the month. The price is We. acopy. Dealers also accept yearly subscriptions at $2.00 each. Friends of the Boy Scouts of America will confer a favor by reporting to the Business Manager any reliable dealer not When answering advertisements please mention BOYS’ LIFE December.

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:me his our ing CSS or he FOR ALL BOYS American Industry in Miniature Bench Drills Sensitive Drills Punch Presses Rocker Screens Mixing Kettles Lathes Hack Saws Emery and Buffing heels eo KNAPP TRANSMISSION ACCESSORIES 3 pulley Countershaft 5 pulley Countershaft 7 pulley Countershaft 9 pulley Countershaft eon ES, SIR, it’s a factory you can own this Christmas—electrically operated, complete—or any part of one. Sure, they’re only miniature —these machines—but they work like big ones;—motors humming, overhead transmission whirring, drills, punch presses, lathes, saws, buffing wheels and all the rest hard at it—American Industry in Miniature—thats what it is— that’s what you ask for. What wouldn’t you give to own such a wonderful set of toys. And you can start owning Knapp Toys for as little as a dollar. Knapp Electric Toys will give you a Christ- mas such as you never enjoyed before, and the longer you own them the more fascinating they get, and the more you learn about electricity which may be of real importance when you grow up and earn your own living. Knapp Electric Toys are sold at Toy, Department, Electrical and Hardware stores everywhere. Your dealer has the Knapp Catalogue, or we will send it to you for six cents (stamps) to cover postage. Learn more about Knapp Electric Toys now, for Christmas will soon be here. =i KNAPP MOTORS AND MOTOR ACCESSORIES Miniature motors, bat- tery, or A.C., D.C. from $1.50 to $5.50, many models Knapp Bild-Own Parts Electric Questioner Transformer (the only 1-volt step transformer) Rheostats Motor Generators Hand Generators Motor Gear boxes Hand drive gear boxes Electric Thriller Accessories fy NAPP ELE CTRIC C2ERPORATION Dept. 105 Port Chester, New York — ' = * " & a \G & i

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“See, [ got it, Bill—it's a Brownie’ Brownie cameras (they’re Eastman made) cost from $2 up Eastman Kodak Company, Rochester, N. Y., Zhe Kodak City

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