He would have room enough to spend the balance of his life resting
after his arduous and memorable journey. And there he still abides, by
last accounts, monarch of the mud and water, and suns himself for hours
at a time on a favorite rock. He is ranked as a scout of the
first-class, as indeed he should be, but he is frightfully lazy. He is a
one stunt scout, as they say, but immensely popular. One hundred dollars
in cash was offered for him and refused, so you can tell by that.
After supper Tom sought out Hervey. "Herve," he said, "I don't suppose
you ever tried your hand at keeping a secret, did you? Where's your
Eagle badge?"
"My patrol has got it."
"Well, if you can't keep a badge do you think you can keep a secret? You
were telling me you wouldn't let a girl wear an honor badge of
yours----"
"That was three days ago I told you that. Girls are different from what
they were then. Can you balance a scout staff on your nose?"
"I never tried that. Listen, Hervey, and promise you won't tell anybody.
I'm telling you because I know I can trust you and because I like you
and I think you can help me. I want you to do something for me, will
you?"
"Suppose while I'm doing it I should decide I'd rather do something
else? You know how I am."
"Well, in that case," said Tom soberly, "you get a large rock tied to
your neck by a double sailor's knot, and are gently lowered into Black
Lake."
"I can undo a double sailor's knot under water," said Hervey.
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