Wall had announced no contest for this month was because he was going to
uncover a surprise. Don could not help feeling that the Wolves would
stand very little chance. Tim, at odds with his patrol leader, would
surely lack the zest and the spirit necessary to cope with unexpected
orders.
Over Friday night's meeting hung the promise of something to happen.
Roll-call and inspection brought to light no derelicts. The score board
read:
PATROL POINTS
Eagle 170 1/2
Fox 177 1/2
Wolf 175 1/2
The ranks broke. Usually there was play for a few minutes. Mr. Wall
rapped for order at once.
"Next week," he said, "the contest for the Scoutmaster's Cup comes to an
end. The final ordeal will start Friday. It will be a two-day test of
your mettle. It will take place at Lonesome Woods. A treasure has been
hidden there, and blazed trails will lead to the hiding place."
The room was still--startlingly still.
"This time," Mr. Wall went on, "we will have a real test of scouting. For
that reason, I have decided to award ten points to the winning patrol.
There will be no second or third points."
The troop stirred. Ten points! That gave every patrol a chance. Even the
Eagles, if they won, would be tied with the Foxes for winning honors.
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