" It pointed out how
much good a few boys in outlying districts could accomplish when
properly organised and trained. It told also of the visit of Anna
Royanna to this patrol, and how she had sung at their entertainment.
All this was very pleasant reading to the people of Hillcrest, and the
ones who had looked with disfavour upon the movement were now anxious
to assist. A number of parents who had formerly refused to allow their
boys to join came to the captain, and asked him to undertake the
training of their sons.
"Not jist now," the captain told them. "I have all that I kin handle
at present. I must git the ones I have licked into shape before tryin'
my hand upon any more."
These requests were most gratifying to Captain Josh, and he smiled
grimly at the thought of the change which had come over the people. It
was sweet revenge, as well, to be able to refuse the very ones who had
talked most against the scouts when they were first organised. But
this had nothing to do with his not taking the boys, for the captain
was too big a man for that. He really desired first of all to train
the few scouts he had to the best of his ability. It was not quantity
he wanted, but quality, and he was determined that his one patrol
should be looked upon with pride by all in Hillcrest, and to belong to
it would be considered a great honour by any boy.
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