Page:Boy scouts in the White Mountains; the story of a long hike (IA boyscoutsinwhite00eato).pdf/58

 off our hats and salute it, here on top of this mountain!"

Lou spoke seriously. Peanut, who was always quick to take a suggestion, instantly acquiesced. "Sure," he said. "Lou's right. Hats off to the flag on the Fourth of July!"

The five Scouts and Mr. Rogers stood on the rock by the improvised flagstaff, and saluted in silence. Then the Scout Master said quietly, "We can see from here a good deal of the United States, can't we? We can see the granite hills of New Hampshire, all right. We can realize the job it was for our ancestors to conquer this country from the wilderness and the Indians, to put roads and railways through these hills. I guess we ought to be pretty proud of the old flag."

The boys put on their hats again, and Frank took a picture of them, gathered around the flag. Then Peanut let out a pent-up whoop. "Never celebrated the Fourth like this before!" he cried. "Golly, but Moosilauke looks big from here!"

It certainly did look big. It seemed to tower over them. The western sun was throwing the shadows of its own summit down the eastern slopes, and the whole great mountain was hazy, mysterious.

"Are we going to climb that?" asked Frank.

"Sure," said Art.

"Whew!" said Frank. "Makes my legs ache already!"