Page:Bedford-Jones--Boy Scouts of the Air at Cape Peril.djvu/249

 that. Mo'n one man, lads, starts a-skyrocketin' and ends a coal-chutin'. It's the way a man ends—not speakin' o' bow-legs—that counts. Always have a good end in mind and you won't never go wrong. That's what you scouts is fer, ain't it?"

"That's our oath," declared Legs solemnly.

Cap'n Buffum paused long enough to re-light his pipe and take a few puffs. The operation seemed to change the trend of his thoughts and he proceeded with the utmost good-humor, "A lively time, lads, you've had fer a picnic. I b'lieve it beats, so fer as quickness of action is consarned, any sea tale I got in my locker. I never knowed so much to happen in twenty-four hours befo' in peace times on a picnic, but, fer all the dangers me and you have been through, they ain't no thin' to what I'm facin' this hyuh minute." The old man's face suddenly became solemn.

"Not afraid Bill Perkins will break loose, are you?" asked Cat.

"I ain't afraid er nothin dead er alive," he returned promptly, and then added, "exceptin' one. I kin face everything that give me a fair