Page:Boy scouts in the White Mountains; the story of a long hike (IA boyscoutsinwhite00eato).pdf/20

 *kling flour on them, dashed into the room, breathless, and panted, "War has begun! We have fought the British at Lexington and Concord! Every man to arms! The enemy must be driven out of Boston!"

There was nothing stiff about Peanut, and nobody laughed when he came on covered with flour. He was really panting. He gasped out his first sentence, and ended with a thrilling shout. Then he dashed forth again, and his horse was heard galloping rapidly away.

"Peanut has the artistic temperament," one of the teachers whispered to another, who nodded.

No sooner had Peanut gone than the men on the stage piled after him, and while the women huddled whispering in excited groups, they grabbed guns and came back on the stage, when there were good-*byes and pretended tears, and Lou Merritt, dressed up like a Revolutionary minister, gave the departing soldiers his blessing.

"Just the same, it's silly," Art cried, as the rehearsal was over. "Nobody ever marched off to war in silk pants and pumps. Why can't we put on our own old clothes, with high boots, when we go for the guns? Even if we don't have Continental uniforms, the old clothes will look more sensible than these things."

"Sure!" cried Peanut, to the teacher. "Look