Chapter 5

HOW TO FLY BRITAIN'S FLAG: Right way up.HOW TO FLY BRITAIN'S FLAG: Right way up.

HOW TO FLY BRITAIN'S FLAG: Right way up.

HOW NOT TO FLY BRITAIN'S FLAG: Upside down.HOW NOT TO FLY BRITAIN'S FLAG: Upside down.

HOW NOT TO FLY BRITAIN'S FLAG: Upside down.

[Note: The following story, which in the main is true, is a sample of a story that should be given by the Instructor illustrating generally the duties of a Boy Scout.]

A brutal murder took place many years ago in the North of England; and the murderer was caught, convicted, and hanged chiefly through the scoutcraft of a shepherd boy.

Woodcraft.—The boy, Robert Hindmarsh, had been up on the moor tending his sheep, and was finding his way home over a wild, out-of-the-way part of the hills, when he passed a tramp sitting on the ground with his legs stretched out in front of him eating some food.

Observation.—The boy in passing noticed his appearance, and especially the peculiar nails in the soles of his boots.

Concealment.—He did not stop and stare, but just took these things in at a glance as he went by without attracting much attention from the man, who merely regarded him as an ordinary boy not worth his notice.

Observing the murderer's boots.Observing the murderer's boots.

Observing the murderer's boots.

Deduction.—When he got near home, some five or six miles away, he came to a crowd round a cottage, where they had found the old woman (Margaret Crozier)who inhabited it lying murdered. All sorts of guesses were being hazarded as to who had done the deed, and suspicion seemed to centre on a small gang of three or four gipsies who were going about the country robbing and threatening death to anyone who made any report of their misdeeds.

The boy heard all these things, but presently he saw some peculiar footprints in the little garden of the cottage; the nailmarks agreed with those he had seen in the boots of the man on the moor, and he naturally deduced from these that the man might have something to do with the murder.

Chivalry.—The fact that it was a helpless old woman who had been murdered made the boy's chivalrous feelings rise against the murderer, whoever it might be.

Pluck and Self-discipline, Alacrity.—So, although he knew that the friends of the murderer might kill him for giving information, he cast his fears on one side and went at once and told the constable of the footmarks in the garden, and where he could find the man who had made them—if he went immediately.

Health and Strength.—The man up on the moor had got so far from the scene of the murder, unseen (except by this one small boy), that he thought himself safe, and never thought of the boy being able to walk all the way to the scene of the murder and then to come back, as he did, with the police. So he took no precautions.

But the boy was a strong, healthy hill-boy, and did the journey rapidly and well, so that they found the man and captured him without difficulty.

The man was Willie Winter, a gipsy.

He was tried, found guilty, and hanged at Newcastle. His body was then brought and hung on a gibbet near the scene of the murder, as was the custom in those days, and the gibbet still stands to this day. Two of the gipsies who were his accomplices were caught with some of the stolen property, and were also executed at Newcastle.

Kind-heartedness.—But when the boy saw the murderer's body hanging there on the gibbet he was overcome with misery at having caused the death of a fellow-creature.

The gibbet at Stang's Cross.The gibbet at Stang's Cross.

The gibbet at Stang's Cross.

Saving Life.—However, the magistrate sent for him and complimented him on the great good he had done to his fellow-countrymen—probably saving some of their lives—by ridding the world of such a dangerous criminal.

Duty.—He said: "You have done your duty although it caused you personally some danger and much distress. Still you must not mind that—it was your duty to theKing to help the police in getting justice done, and duty must always be carried out regardless of how much it costs you, even if you had to give up your life."

Example.—Thus the boy did every part of the duty of a boy scout without ever having been taught.

He exercised—

Woodcraft.Observation without being noticed.Deduction.Chivalry.Sense of duty.Endurance.Kind-heartedness.

Woodcraft.

Observation without being noticed.

Deduction.

Chivalry.

Sense of duty.

Endurance.

Kind-heartedness.

He little thought that the act which he did entirely of his own accord would years afterwards be held up as an example to you other boys in teaching you to do your duty. In the same way you should remember your acts may be watched by others after you, and taken as an example too. So try to do your duty the right way on all occasions.

Since writing down the above story I have visited the place, Stang's Cross, where the gibbet, with a wooden head hanging from it, still stands as a warning to evildoers. Some foolish people used to believe that toothache could be cured by rubbing the teeth with chips of wood cut from this gibbet, and used to come from miles round to get them. Mrs. Haldane, the mother of our present Secretary of State for War, remembers seeing the effigy of Winter hanging on the gibbet, and recalls with horror the doleful rattling of the chains on which it swung in the night wind on the lonely moor. The gibbet is known as "Winter's Stob."

Winter belonged to a notable family. He was not the only one who distinguished himself, for his father and his brother were also hanged for different offences. Another brother, feeling the disgrace of belonging to such a family, changed his name from Winter to Spring, and became—a prize-fighter.

CAMP FIRE YARN.—No. 3.BOY SCOUTS' ORGANISATION.

It is not intended that boy scouts should necessarily form a new corps separate from all others, but the boys who belong to any kind of existing organisation, such as schools, football clubs, Boys' or Church Lads' Brigades, factories, district messengers, Telegraph Service, Cadet Corps, etc., etc., canalsotake up scouting in addition to their other work or play—especially on Saturdays and Sundays.

But where there are any boys who do not belong to any kind of organisation—and there is a very large number of such boys about the United Kingdom—they can form themselves into Patrols and become Boy Scouts.

For this purpose officers are necessary.

Officers: The head officer of all the boy scouts in the world is called theChief Scout.

A Scout Masteris an officer who has charge of a troop. A troop consists of not less than three patrols. Scouts address the scout master as "Sir."

A Patrol Leaderis a scout appointed to command a patrol. A patrol consists of six scouts. Any lad or young man who learns scouting from this book can make himself a patrol leader and collect and train five or seven boys to be scouts.

A Corporalis a scout selected by the patrol leader to be his assistant, and to take command of the patrol when he himself is away.

A Scoutis of two kinds—first-class and second-class.

First-class scout is one who has passed certain tests to show that he is able to scout.

Second-class scout is one who has passed certain easy tests in scouting.

A Tenderfootis a boy who is not yet a scout.

A Court of Honouris formed of the scout master and two patrol leaders, or in the case of a single patrol by the patrol leader and the corporal. It decides rewards, punishments, and other questions.

Tests: To become a second-class scout and gain the motto badge, a boy must satisfy his scout master in the following details:

1. Tie four of the following knots in less than thirty seconds each knot: Bowline, fisherman's bend, reef knot, clove hitch, sheet bend.

2. Track a deer's "spoor" (made with tracking irons) or a horse's track for a quarter of a mile in not more than fifteen minutes; or, in a town, to describe satisfactorily the contents of one shop window out of four observed for one minute each.

3. Go at scout's pace for one mile in not more than thirteen minutes.

4. Know the scout's laws and signs.

5. Know the composition of the Union Jack, and the right way to fly it.

To become a first-class scout and gain the whole scout's badge, a boy must pass the following test—in addition to those for second-class scout (above)—before a Court of Honour. (N.B.—In the case of a new troop the Scout Master can act as the Court of Honour.)

6. Point out the direction of different points of the compass where he stands.

7. Make a journey alone of not less than fifteen miles from point to point by walking, riding, boat, or bicycle.

8. Describe or show the proper means for saving life in case of one (selected by the Court) of the following accidents: fire, drowning, runaway carriage, sewer gas, ice-breaking; or bandage an injured patient, or revive apparently drowned persons.

9. Be able to read and write.

10. Have at least sixpence in the savings bank.

11. Show that he has brought a recruit to the Boy Scouts, and has taught him to tie the six principal knots.

12. To lay and light a fire, using not more than two matches, and cook a quarter of a pound of flour and two potatoes without cooking utensils.

Badges and Medals: The scout's badge is this:

Scout Badge.Scout Badge.

Scout Badge.

The scout's badge is the arrow head, which shows the north on a map or on the compass. It is the badge of the scout in the Army, because he shows the way: so, too, a peace scout shows the way in doing his duty and helping others.

The motto on it is the scout's motto of

BE PREPARED.

(B. P., my initials), which means that a scout must always be prepared at any moment to do his duty, andto face danger in order to help his fellow-men. Its scroll is turned up at the ends like a scout's mouth, because he does his duty with a smile and willingly.

The knot is to remind the scout to do a good turn to some one daily.

A scout's badge represents and is called his "life." It is given him when he passes the tests in scout-craft necessary to make him a scout.

He will be called on at some time or the other to risk his life, that is to perform some difficult task, and if he fails in it he loses his life—that is his badge. In such case a Court of Honour may allow him to remain in the patrol, but he cannot have his badge again, unless he performs some very specially good work.

If he breaks his word of honour, or otherwise disgraces himself, his life is taken (that is his badge), and he is expelled from the patrol.

The badge is worn by scout masters on the left side of the hat or cap.

The badge is worn by patrol leaders on front of the hat or cap.

The badge is worn by corporal on the left arm above elbow with a strip of white braid below it.

The badge is worn by scouts on the left arm above the elbow.

The badge worn by first-class scouts is the whole badge.

Only the motto part of the badge is worn by second-class scouts.

Badges of Honourare also given for certain tests. These are worn on the right arm below the elbow.

Signalling: ability to read and send Morse or semaphore message, twenty letters a minute.

First Aid: for passing the St. John Ambulance tests in First Aid.

Stalking: series of twelve photos of wild animals taken from life by the scout and developed and printed by himself.

Merit: for twenty good marks for various good deeds.

Medalsare worn on the right breast, and are as follows:

Bronze medal with red ribbon: For gallantry in saving life, or attempting to save life at risk of own life.

Silver medal with red ribbon: For saving and helping to save life without risk of own life, but where life might have been lost.

Silver medal with blue ribbon: Meritorious service, or assisting police at personal risk.

These are only granted by the chief scout on special recommendation from the patrol leader or scout master, who should send in a full account of the case when applying.

Marksare awarded by scout masters, from their own knowledge or on recommendation of patrol leaders, or as marks for competition.

Two marks are given to any scout who brings a recruit whom he has already taught to tie the regulation knots. Such recruit must be in addition to the one who enabled him to qualify for his scout's badge.

"The Wolf."—The Red Indians of North America call their best scout "Grey Wolf," because the grey wolf is a beast that sees everything and yet is never seen.

And the fighting tribes in South Africa in the same way speak of a scout as a wolf.

In the Matabele War, 1896-1897, the enemy called me "The Wolf" for that reason.

Mr. Thompson Seton, the head of the "Red Indian" Boy Scouts in America, is called "Grey Wolf."

So in the Boy Scouts a special badge and title of "Wolf" will be given as a reward for very special distinction in scouting; not more than one will be granted in a year.

All medals and badges are only worn as above when scouts are on duty or in camp. At other times they should be worn on the right breast of the waistcoat, underneath the jacket.

A small arrow-head badge may be worn at all times in the button-hole.

THE SCOUT'S OATH.

Before he becomes a scout a boy must take the scout's oath, thus:

"On my honour I promise that—

1. I will do my duty to God and the King.

2. I will do my best to help others, whatever it costs me.

3. I know the scout law, and will obey it."

(For Scout Law, see page40.)

While taking this oath the scout will stand, holding his right hand raised level with his shoulder, palm to the front, thumb resting on the nail of the little finger, and the other three fingers upright, pointing upwards:—

Scout's Salute and Secret Sign.Scout's Salute and Secret Sign.

Scout's Salute and Secret Sign.

This is the scout's salute and secret sign.

When the hand is raised shoulder high it is called the "Half Salute."

When raised to the forehead it is the "Full Salute."

The three fingers held up (like the three points of the scout's badge) remind him of his three promises in the scout's oath.

1. Honour God and the King.2. Help others.3. Obey the Scout Law.

1. Honour God and the King.

2. Help others.

3. Obey the Scout Law.

When a scout meets another for the first time in the day, whether he is a comrade or a stranger, he salutes with the secret sign in the half salute.

He always salutes an officer—that is, a patrol leader, or a scout master, or any officer of His Majesty's forces, army, navy, or police in uniform—with the full salute.

Also the hoisting of the Union Jack, the colours of a regiment, the playing of "God Save the King," and any funeral.

A scout who has the "Wolf" honour is entitled to make the sign with the first finger and thumb opened out, the remaining fingers clenched, thumb upwards.

A man told me the other day that "he was an Englishman, and just as good as anybody else, and he was blowed if ever he would raise a finger to salute his so-called 'betters': he wasn't going to be a slave and kow-tow to them, not he!" and so on. That is a churlish spirit, which is very common among fellows who have not been brought up as scouts.

I didn't argue with him, but I might have told him that he had got hold of the wrong idea about saluting.

A salute is merely a sign between men of standing. It is a privilege to be able to salute anyone.

In the old days the free men of England all were allowed to carry weapons, and when they met each other each would hold up his right hand to show that he had no weapon in it, and that they met as friends. So also when an armed man met a defenceless person or a lady.

Slaves or serfs were not allowed to carry weapons, and so had to slink past the freemen without making any sign.

Nowadays people do not carry weapons; but those who would have been entitled to do so, such as knights, esquires, and men-at-arms, that is anyone living on their own property or earning their own living, still go through the form of saluting each other by holding up their hand to their cap, or even taking it off.

"Wasters" are not entitled to salute, and so should slink by, as they generally do, without taking notice of the free men or wage-earners.

To salute merely shows that you are a right sort of fellow and mean well to the other; there is nothing slavish about it.

If a stranger makes the scout's sign to you, you should acknowledge it at once by making the sign back to him, and then shake hands with the LEFT HAND. If he then shows his scout's badge, or proves that he is a scout, you must treat him as a brother-scout, and help him in any way you can.

SCOUT'S UNIFORM. Patrol Leader with Scout.SCOUT'S UNIFORM. Patrol Leader with Scout.

SCOUT'S UNIFORM. Patrol Leader with Scout.

If you already belong to a corps which has a uniform, you dress in that uniform; but on passing the tests for a scout given here you wear the scout badge, if yourcommanding officer allows it, in addition to any of your corps' badges that you may have won.

A scout does not use a showy uniform, because it would attract attention; but scouts in a patrol should, as far as possible, dress alike, especially as regards hats, or caps, and neckerchief.

If your patrol does not belong to any uniformed corps, it should dress as nearly as possible thus:

Flat brimmed hat if possible, or wide-awake hat.

Coloured handkerchief tied loosely round neck.

Shirt: Flannel.

Colours: A bunch of ribbons of patrol colour on left shoulder.

Belt, with coat rolled tight and strapped or tied on it behind.

Haversack: To carry food, etc., slung on back across the shoulders.

Shorts: Trousers cut short at knee. A kilt if you are a Scotsman.

Stockings, with garters made of green braid, with one end hanging down one inch.

Boots or shoes.

Staff as high as scout's shoulder. Not shod, as it is for feeling the way at night quietly.

Badge on left arm above elbow.

Whistle, with cord round neck for patrol leader.

N.B.—The colour of the neckerchief, or necktie and shoulder knot should be the colour of the patrol.

Corporal has a white stripe of braid three inches long stitched across his sleeve below the badge.

1.The Scout's Chorus.

To be shouted on the march, or as applause at games, meetings, etc. Must be sung exactly in time.

Leader: Een gonyama—gonyama.Chorus: Invooboo.Yah bobo! Yah bo!Invooboo.

Leader: Een gonyama—gonyama.

Chorus: Invooboo.Yah bobo! Yah bo!Invooboo.

Chorus: Invooboo.

Yah bobo! Yah bo!

Invooboo.

The meaning is—

Leader: "He is a lion!"Chorus: "Yes! he is better than that; he is ahippopotamus!"

Leader: "He is a lion!"

Chorus: "Yes! he is better than that; he is ahippopotamus!"

Chorus: "Yes! he is better than that; he is a

hippopotamus!"

THE SCOUTS' CHORUS.THE SCOUTS' CHORUS.

THE SCOUTS' CHORUS.

2.The Scout's Rally.

To be shouted as a salute, or in a game, or at anytime.Leader: Be Prepared!Chorus: Zing-a-Zing!Bom! Bom!

To be shouted as a salute, or in a game, or at anytime.

To be shouted as a salute, or in a game, or at any

time.

Leader: Be Prepared!

Chorus: Zing-a-Zing!Bom! Bom!

Chorus: Zing-a-Zing!

Bom! Bom!

(Stamp or bang something at the "Bom! Bom!")

THE SCOUTS' RALLY.THE SCOUTS' RALLY.

THE SCOUTS' RALLY.

THE SCOUTS' CALL.THE SCOUTS' CALL.

THE SCOUTS' CALL.

For scout master to call together his troop by bugle; or for scout to whistle to attract attention of another scout.

PATROL SIGNS.

Each troop is named after the place to which it belongs. Each patrol in that troop is named after an animal or bird. Thus the 33rd London Troop may have five patrols which are respectively the Wolves, the Ravens, the Curlews, the Bulls, the Owls.

Each scout in a patrol has his regular number, the patrol leader being No. 1, the corporal No. 2, and the scouts have the consecutive numbers after these. Scouts usually work in pairs as comrades, Nos. 3 and 4 together, Nos. 5 and 6 together, and Nos. 7 and 8.

(For each patrol, the sign, name, call, and colours are given.)

Curlew.Curlew.

Curlew.

Curlew.Whistle—Green."Curley."

Owl.Owl.

Owl.

Owl.Whistle—Blue."Koot-koot-kooo."

Wolf.Wolf.

Wolf.

Wolf.Howl—Yellow."How-oooo."

Bull.Bull.

Bull.

Bull.Lowing—Red."Um-maouw."

Raven.Raven.

Raven.

Raven.Cry—Black."Kar-kaw."

Hound.Hound.

Hound.

Hound.Bark—Orange."Ba-wow-wow."

Ram.Ram.

Ram.

Ram.Bleat—Brown."Ba-a-a."

A white shoulder knot is worn by Officers and Umpires at games.

Each scout in the patrol has to be able to make the call of his patrol-animal—thus every scout in the "Ravens" must be able to imitate the croak of the raven. This is the sign by which scouts of a patrol can communicate with each other when hiding or at night. No scout is allowed to imitate the call of any patrol except his own. The patrol leader calls up the patrol at any time by sounding his whistle and uttering the call of the patrol.

Also when a scout makes signs on the ground for others to read he also draws the head of the patrol animal. Thus if he wants to show that a certain road should not be followed he draws the sign across it "Not to be followed," and adds the head of his patrol animal to show which patrol discovered that the road was no good, and his own number to the left of the head to show which scout discovered it, thus:

Sign.Sign.

Sign.

Patrol Leader's Flag.Patrol Leader's Flag of "The Wolves Patrol" of the 1st London Troop.

Patrol Leader's Flag of "The Wolves Patrol" of the 1st London Troop.

Each patrol leader has a small white flag on his staff with the head of his patrol animal shown in greencloth stitched on to it on both sides. Thus the "Wolves" of the 1st London Troop would have the flag shown on the opposite page.

[Patrol flags can be got on payment of fourpenceeach by applying toThe Manager,Boy Scouts,Goschen Buildings,Henrietta Street,London, W. C.]

[Patrol flags can be got on payment of fourpenceeach by applying to

[Patrol flags can be got on payment of fourpence

each by applying to

The Manager,

Boy Scouts,

Goschen Buildings,

Henrietta Street,

London, W. C.]

All these signs scouts must be able to draw according to the patrol to which they belong.

[Practise with chalk on floor or walls, or with a stick on the sand or mud.]

Scout signs on the ground or wall, etc.:

Road to be followed.Road to be followed.

Road to be followed.

Letter hidden three paces from here in the direction of the arrow.Letter hidden three paces from here in the direction of the arrow.

Letter hidden three paces from here in the direction of the arrow.

This path not to be followed.This path not to be followed.

This path not to be followed.

I have gone home.I have gone home.

I have gone home.

(Signed) Patrol Leader of the Ravens Fifteenth London Troop.(Signed) Patrol Leader of the Ravens Fifteenth London Troop.

(Signed) Patrol Leader of the Ravens Fifteenth London Troop.

At night sticks with a wisp of grass round them should be laid on the road in similar forms so that they can be felt with the hand.

[Practise this.]

CAMP FIRE YARN.—No. 4.SCOUT LAW.

Scouts, all the world over, have unwritten laws which bind them just as much as if they had been printed in black and white.

They come down to us from old times.

The Japanese have their Bushido, or laws of the old Samurai warriors, just as we have chivalry or rules of the knights of the Middle Ages. The Red Indians in America have their laws of honour, the Zulus, the natives of India, the European nations—all have their ancient codes.

The following are the rules which apply to Boy Scouts, and which you swear to obey when you take your oath as a scout, so it is as well that you should know all about them.

The scouts' motto is founded on my initials, it is:

Be Prepared,

which means, you are always to be in a state of readiness in mind and body to do yourDUTY;

Be Prepared in Mindby having disciplined yourself to be obedient to every order, and also by having thought out beforehand any accident or situation that might occur, so that youknowthe right thing to do at the right moment, and are willing to do it.

Be Prepared in Bodyby making yourself strong and active andableto do the right thing at the right moment, and do it.

THE SCOUT LAW.

1.A Scout's Honour is to be Trusted.

If a scout says "On my honour it is so," that means that itisso, just as if he had taken a most solemn oath.

Similarly, if a scout officer says to a scout, "I trust you on your honour to do this," the scout is bound to carry out the order to the very best of his ability, and to let nothing interfere with his doing so.

If a scout were to break his honour by telling a lie, or by not carrying out an order exactly when trusted on his honour to do so, he would cease to be a scout, and must hand over his scout badge, and never be allowed to wear it again—he loses his life.

2.A Scout is Loyalto the King, and to his officers, and to his country, and to his employers. He must stick to them through thick and thin against anyone who is their enemy, or who even talks badly of them.

3.A Scout's Duty is to be Useful and to Help Others.

And he is to do his duty before anything else, even though he gives up his own pleasure, or comfort, or safety to do it. When in difficulty to know which of two things to do, he must ask himself, "Which is my duty?" that is, "Which is best for other people?"—and do that one. He must Be Prepared at any time to save life, or to help injured persons. Andhe must do a good turnto somebody every day.

4.A Scout is a Friend to All, and a Brother to Every Other Scout, no matter to what Social Class the Other belongs.

Thus if a scout meets another scout, even though a stranger to him, he must speak to him, and help him in any way that he can, either to carry out the duty he is then doing, or by giving him food, or, as far as possible, anything that he may be in want of. A scout must never be aSNOB. A snob is one who looks down upon another because he is poorer, or who is poor and resents another because he is rich. A scout accepts the other man as he finds him, and makes the best of him.

"Kim," the boy scout, was called by the Indians "Little friend of all the world," and that is the name that every scout should earn for himself.

5.A Scout is Courteous: That is, he is polite to all—but especially to women and children and old people and invalids, cripples, etc. And he must not take any reward for being helpful or courteous.

6.A Scout is a Friend to Animals. He should save them as far as possible from pain, and should not kill any animal unnecessarily, even if it is only a fly—for it is one of God's creatures.

7.A Scout Obeys Ordersof his patrol leader or scout master without question.

Even if he gets an order he does not like he must do as soldiers and sailors do, he must carry it out all the samebecause it is his duty; and after he has done it he can come and state any reasons against it: but he must must carry out the order at once. That is discipline.

8.A Scout Smiles and Whistlesunder all circumstances. When he gets an order he should obey it cheerily and readily, not in a slow, hang-dog sort of way.

Scouts never grouse at hardships, nor whine at each other, nor swear when put out.

When you just miss a train, or some one treads on your favourite corn—not that a scout ought to have such things as corns—or under any annoying circumstances, you should force yourself to smile at once, and then whistle a tune, and you will be all right.

A scout goes about with a smile on and whistling. It cheers him and cheers other people, especially in time of danger, for he keeps it up then all the same.

The punishment for swearing or using bad language is for each offence a mug of cold water to be poured down the offender's sleeve by the other scouts.

9.A Scout is Thrifty, that is, he saves every penny he can, and puts it into the bank, so that he may have money to keep himself when out of work, and thus not make himself a burden to others; or that he may have money to give away to others when they need it.

SCOUTING GAMES.

Each patrol makes a bob sleigh with ropes, harness, for two of their number to pull (or for dogs if they have them, and can train them to the work). Two scouts go a mile or so ahead, the remainder with the sleigh follow, finding the way by means of the spoor, and by such signs as the leading scouts may draw in the snow. All other drawings seen on the way are to be examined, noted, and their meaning read. The sleigh carries rations and cooking-pots, etc.

Build snow huts. These must be made narrow, according to the length of sticks available for forming the roof, which can be made with brushwood, and covered with snow.

The snow fort may be built by one patrol according to their own ideas of fortification, with loop holes, etc., for looking out. When finished it will be attacked by hostile patrols, using snowballs as ammunition. Every scout struck by a snowball is counted dead. The attackers should, as a rule, number at least twice the strength of the defenders.

One scout as fugitive runs away across the snow in any direction he may please until he finds a good hiding place, and there conceals himself. The remainder, aftergiving him twenty minutes' start or more, proceed to follow him by his tracks. As they approach his hiding-place, he shoots at them with snowballs, and everyone that is struck must fall out dead. The fugitive must be struck three times before he is counted dead.

Scouts can be very useful in snowy weather by working as a patrol under their leader in clearing away the snow from pavements, houses, etc. This they may either do as a "good turn," or accept money to be devoted to their funds.

Single scouts, or complete patrols or pairs of scouts, to be taken out about two miles apart, and made to work towards each other, either alongside a road, or by giving each side a landmark to work to, such as a steep hill or big tree, which is directly behind the other party, and will thus insure their coming together. The patrol which first sees the other wins. This is signified by the patrol leader holding up his patrol flag for the umpire to see, and sounding his whistle. A patrol need not keep together, but that patrol wins which first holds out its flag, so it is well for the scouts to be in touch with their patrol leaders by signal, voice, or message.

Scouts may employ any ruse they like, such as climbing into trees, hiding in carts, etc., but they must not dress up in disguise.

This may also be practised at night.

A scout is sent out to take note of some well-known spot, say, the post office in a neighbouring town or district. He will there get the note stamped with the postmark of the office and return. The rest of the scouts are posted by their leader to prevent him getting there by watching all the roads and likely paths by which he can come, but none may be nearer to the post office than two hundred yards. The despatch runner is allowed to use any disguise and any method of travelling that he can hit upon.

In the country the game may similarly be played, the scout being directed to go to a certain house or other specified spot.

Place about twenty or thirty small articles on a tray, or on the table or floor, such as two or three different kinds of buttons, pencils, corks, rags, nuts, stones, knives, string, photos—anything you can find—and cover them over with a cloth or coat.

Make a list of these, and make a column opposite the list for each boy's replies. Like this:

Then uncover the articles for one minute by your watch, or while you count sixty at the rate of "quick march." Then cover them over again.

Take each boy separately and let him whisper to you each of the articles that he can remember, and mark it off on your scoring sheet.

The boy who remembers the greatest numbers wins the game.

(Played by the 21st Dublin Co. Boys' Brigade.)

Scouts are ordered to run to a certain hoarding where an umpire is already posted to time them. They are each allowed to look at this for one minute, and then to run back to headquarters and report to the instructor all that was on the hoarding in the way of advertisements.

A good exercise for a winter's evening in the clubroom is to hold a debate on any subject of topical interest, the Instructor acting as chairman. He will see that there is a speaker on one side prepared beforehand to introduce and support one view of the subject, and that there is another speaker prepared to expound another view. After hearing them, he will call on the others present in turn to express their views. And in the end he takes the votes for and against the motion.

At first boys will be very shy of speaking unless the subject selected by the Instructor is one which really interests them and takes them out of themselves.

After a debate or two they get greater confidence, and are able to express themselves coherently; and also pick up the proper procedure for public meetings, such as seconding the motion, moving amendments, obeying chairman's ruling, voting, according votes of thanks to chair—etc., etc.

In place of a debate a mock trial may be of interest as a change.

For instance, the story of the murder given inPart I. might form the subject of trial.

The Instructor would appoint himself to act the judge, and detail boys to the following parts:

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