be found if wanted later, Tom saw the Scout Master and four boys
making their way over to the side of the platform, where a bus was
waiting to take them to the hotel. He was just in time to join
them, and soon he was telling his story to Denmead.

"That's a good idea of yours, Tom," said the Chief, when Tom had
finished. "I'll find out how many of the boys know anything about
surveying, and then I'll go and see Mr. Brett, one of the railroad
officials, and learn what can be done. I'd like to help your
friend Ralph Kenyon. I was sorry to hear that he met with an
accident lately. It's a shame he killed those splendid eagles!
Professor Whalen showed them to me. Why, I'd have been only too
glad to pay the lad well for the privilege of studying the birds
in their wild state. He ought to have protected them, as a Scout
would do, not killed them! But Dr. Kane told me it was his
suggestion to Ralph."

"Yes, sir; so I understand," Tom answered. "Ralph isn't a scout,
you know, sir; and he needed the reward the professor offered---needed
it in a hurry---so he earned it honestly, even though he'd have
chosen not to shoot the birds. He said he was mighty sorry afterward."

"I'm glad to know that. I thought he'd regret it. Well, we won't
cry over spilled blood now; it's much too late. By the way, how's
he getting along?"

"Great, sir; he was able to walk around a little, without his cane,
when Arthur and I left him this morning."

"Are you going back to the farmhouse until we start for camp?"