were to be divulged until afternoon and that the boys were free to
continue their baseball practice.

Soon by twos and three and fours, with balls, bats, and gloves, the
scouts drifted over to the diamond.

"I'm mighty glad that you are in for all this study course that's
coming, Ralph," said Torn Sherwood as they sauntered along.

"So am I," responded Ralph promptly. "It is more than kind of
Lieutenant Denmead to ask me to remain for it. I shan't feel so
green when I go to the School of Mines, you know, either, for this
Mr. Thayer is a graduate and I can learn a lot from him. Then it
means so much to be with you fellows! It has been a lonely place
on the farm sometimes!"

"I can believe that," agreed Arthur Cameron, who had joined the boys
and overheard their conversation. "Just the few days I was out
there showed me what it might be."

"Come on, fellows!" urged Dick Bellamy, swinging two bats in large
circles as though they were Indian clubs. "We're going to beat
our best records to-day, you know!"

All this interested Ralph Kenyon immensely and for a few weeks
his concern for his own personal affairs was merged with the pleasures
and the novelty of the life in camp. Often he wished that he
had more time to spend with these boys, who welcomed him to their
fellowship, although he was not even a tenderfoot, with hearty
good will and friendliness. Whatever Ralph did, work or play,