E-text prepared by Al Haines
ROD OF THE LONE PATROL
by
H. A. CODY
Author of "If Any Man Sin," "The Chief of the Ranges,"
"The Long Patrol," "The Frontiersman," Etc., Etc.
"A boy's will is the wind's will,
And the thoughts of youth are long, long thoughts."
—LONGFELLOW.
McClelland and Stewart
Publishers ——— Toronto
Copyright, 1916,
George H. Doran Company
Made in U. S. A.
To My
Three Little Boys
DOUGLAS, KENNETH AND NORMAN,
Who are anxious to become Boy Scouts,
This Book is
Affectionately Dedicated
CONTENTS
CHAPTER
I. A WAIF OF THE NIGHT II. GIVING AND RECEIVING III. THE WIDOW'S VISIT IV. RODNEY DEVELOPS V. CAPTAIN JOSH TAKES A HAND VI. A NEW FRIEND VII. CHUMS VIII. THE CHUMS TO THE RESCUE IX. WHYN X. HIS FIRST "GOOD TURN" XI. MISS ARABELLA'S "AFFAIR" XII. SCOUT WORK XIII. THE VISIT XIV. UNEXPECTED ASSISTANCE XV. IN THE CITY XVI. WHYN DECIDES XVII. ANNA ROYANNA XVIII. THE WAY OF THE HEART XIX. THE SURPRISE XX. THE ISLAND ADVENTURE XXI. THE ROUNDING UP XXII. A NEW ADVENTURE XXIII. FIRST AID XXIV. THE PRODIGAL SON XXV. DRIFT-LOGS XXVI. THE BEST "GOOD-TURN" XXVII. JIMMY XXVIII. EXCITEMENT AT THE ANCHORAGE XXIX. THE TROOPS DECIDE XXX. THE NIGHT RUN XXXI. BETTER THAN A FAIRY TALE
ROD OF THE LONE PATROL
CHAPTER I
A WAIF OF THE NIGHT
Parson Dan chuckled several times as he sipped his hot cocoa before thefire. It was an open fire, and the flames licked around an old dryroot which had been brought with other driftwood up from the shore.This brightly-lighted room was a pleasing contrast to the roughness ofthe night outside, for a strong late October wind was careening overthe land. It swirled about the snug Hillcrest rectory, rattling anywindow which happened to be a little loose, and drawing theforked-tongued flames writhing up the large commodious chimney.
When the third chuckle had been emitted, Mrs. Royal laid aside thepaper she had been reading and looked somewhat curiously at her husband.
"The missionary meeting must have been very amusing to-night, Daniel,"she remarked. "It is too bad that I didn't go."
"Oh, no, it wasn't the meeting which was amusing," was the reply. "ButI must say it was the best one I ever attended. That missionary had agreat story to tell and he told it well. There was a good attendance,too, especially for such a cold night. But you can't guess, my dear,who was there."
"The Bishop?"
"No, no," and the parson rubbed his hands in glee and gave anotherboyish chuckle. "Give it up, eh?" and his eyes sparkled as he turnedthem upon his wife's puzzled face.
"Yes."
"I thought so. You could never guess, for you would never think of
Captain Josh."
"No, surely not, Daniel!" and Mrs. Royal, now all attention, drew herchair a little closer to the fire. "What in the world took him thereto-night? I never knew him to go to church, let alone to a missionarymeeting."
"Oh, that is easily