PROSPEC

instantly recognizing the face of the unlucky

itted on account of his unsavory reputation. Smarting under this sting Jud had turned to Hank

s, that's what!" cried

plans, like as not

on a rail!" exclaimed a third memb

er cutting a hole in the ice!" cal

laughed Jud in a jeering fashion, as he waved them a mocking

bolink, and there was a hasty rush for the doo

t he wanted to be on hand in case the rest of the scouts overtook Jud; for Paul held the r

bright moon showed them a running figure which they judged

ted, for he had often proved himself a speedy contestant on the cinder path.

trick connected with this action on the part

some sort, don't you think?" he managed to

er rabbit pretend to be lame when seeking to draw enemies away from the place where her

ther, "but it strikes me Jud must have been hu

els more or les

ike that," c

be!" Bobolink declared, and then found it necessary to stop talking if he wan

like one who was dizzy. He kept up until the leaders among his pursuers came alongside;

as made a prisoner. He ceased struggling when he found it could avail him

zzy when I fell you never would a got me. Now what're you meanin' to do about it? Ain't a feller got a right to walk the

k, indignantly. "You were playing the spy on us, yo

get them to start some mean trick on

for his pipe?" jeered the prisoner, defiantly. "How was I to know your crowd w

window, Jud?" demanded

ss when you threw your match away, J

ank Savage, "and the next question with us is wh

people can see how scouts stand up for their own r

m Betts affirmed. "'Twould serve him just about

on to say, showing that the suggestion rather caught his fancy as the

ent. "Try and think up a few more pleasant things to do to me. If you reckon you c'n make me sh

of your mouth, Jud Mabley, before we're

ner. "That's what they do to spies, you know, in the army. Yes, and I know of a beauty of a limb that stand

meeting, possibly learned all about the plans they were forming for the midwinter holidays, and then finally had the misfortune to fall and smash one of the w

he worst sort of punishment that could be managed. Why, it would about

hrink a little

ery one of you'd have to pay for it before the law. Some things might pass, but that's goin' it too st

boy's boast was not without more or less force. Some of the scouts ma

shment for this chap, I should say; so, f

xe all right, to chop a hole through

e necessary tools for the joyous occasion," Red Coll

gh if Jud made an apology to us, and promised no

to be the possessor of a tender heart and a forgiving s

've known him to give his solemn word before now, and break it when he felt like it. I woul

Would you agree to keep your lips buttoned 45

go on with your funny business. You won't ketch me squealing worth a cent. Honest

join you there with the axe," roared Bobolink, now

bit, f

id this, and even the impetu

your plan?" demand

g as scout-master, and before you do anything that may reflect upon the good nam