Page:Bedford-Jones--Boy Scouts of the Air at Cape Peril.djvu/251

 word in the whole English language, or the Chinese either, I reckon. It's the bes' motto to live by, and, when yon casts yo' las rope, ain't nothin' like it fer to give you a smooth passage.

"You're them things they calls scouts, and you hev proved you kin hol' yo' own with any man that ever shaved a whisker er let 'em grow either. Keep a scoutin' straight, and thar ain't nothin' goin' to down you nowhar. Take Bill Buffum's word fer it."

After a few more words and repeated promises to return before long, the lads were off on their way back to Seagulls' Nest.

"When I get old and all my children get married," remarked Jimmy prospectively as they trudged along, "blessed if I don't keep a lighthouse. He's the happiest old geezer I ever saw."

"Da-da-da-da-da!" hummed Cat, with a gibe in his eyes.

"What'll your wife be doing?" asked Legs.

"She can keep one, too, and we can talk by wireless. No telling what women will be doing by the time I get old and greybearded."