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 to-day. I got business, but I’ll not forget that it’s my treat and I’ll make it a double header! I'll tell the world I'll make it a humdinger. A dollar won’t touch it. And don’t a one of you forget a word of what you’ve heard or what you’ve seen. There’s a slim chance that this may be the real thing. There’s just a chance that you go to court and tell it to the probate judge like I said, but just for this minute, I’m through with you and I want you to disband and speed. I’ll settle your score to-morrow and you can all step mighty high, ‘cause this day there ain’t been no make-believe. You been Scouts, and you been real Scouts what’s done a real job, and done it up brown! They’s just one thing. Remember your sakerd oaths. Remember your vitals and all that. Remember if you tell, you'll be cut an’ cast. Take my blessing and disband, And, Scout Three, if you would run down and turn off the hydrant before you go, I’d be glad, ‘cause I don’t care if I tell you fellows, that this has been some skirmish, and I’m all in! Now furnish your own music an’ march to it.”

The Scout Master stood straight, watching the gate and down the road until Scout Three and Scout Two, and Fat Ole Bill bringing up the rear, all gesticulating, all talking at once, disappeared. Then, headlong, the little Scout fell face down in the dirt and began to cry right out loud, sobbing, shuddering, shrill little screaming terrified cries that broke Jamie’s heart, and he tore through the honeysuckles and gathered the little Scout up in his arms and sat down on the bench under the jacqueranda and held