Banner Boy Scouts on a Tour,

  THE BANNER BOY SCOUTS ON A TOUR

  Or

  The Mystery of Rattlesnake Mountain

  by

  GEORGE A. WARREN

  Author of "The Banner Boy Scouts," "The Musket Boys of Old Boston," "TheMusket Boys under Washington," Etc.

  Illustrated

  "COME ON, FELLOWS; US TO THE ATTACK!"CALLED BOBOLINK.

  _Banner Boy Scouts on a Tour_ _Page 217_]

  The Saalfield Publishing Co.Akron, Ohio New YorkMade in U. S. A.

  Copyright, 1912, byCupples & Leon Company

  CONTENTS

  CHAPTER PAGE

  I THE OPEN DOOR 1II THE MYSTERY OF THE TIN BOX 11III BREAKING UP THE SCOUTS' MEETING 22IV CATCHING A TARTAR 35V GETTING READY FOR THE GREAT "HIKE" 46VI ON GUARD 55VII "BE PREPARED!" 66VIII REPULSING THE ENEMY 76IX RETURNING GOOD FOR EVIL 87X OFF ON THE LONG TOUR 98XI THE COMING OF THE CIRCUS CARAVAN 107XII A CAMP BY THE ROADSIDE 118XIII WHEN THE MOON WENT DOWN 127XIV THE CHASE 138XV LEFT IN THE LURCH 147XVI AT THE FOOT OF RATTLESNAKE MOUNTAIN 155XVII JOE DECLINES TO TELL 164XVIII A CLOSE CALL 173XIX INDIAN PICTURE WRITING 184XX CAMP SURPRISE 193XXI THE LIGHT OF THE MOUNTAIN 202XXII THE NIGHT ALARM 211XXIII WHAT THE EYES OF A SCOUT MAY SEE 219XXIV THE STRANGEST FISHING EVER KNOWN 230XXV PAUL LAYS DOWN HIS BURDEN 239XXVI THE SUCKER-HOLE 247XXVII GATHERING CLOUDS 256XXVIII THE GREAT STORM 264XXIX A PANIC-STRICKEN CROWD 272XXX THE UNDERGROUND REFUGE 280XXXI THE BOY SCOUTS AS EXPLORERS 286XXXII THE TIN BOX AGAIN 293XXXIII WHAT PAUL FOUND--CONCLUSION 302

  PREFACE

  DEAR BOYS:

  While this volume is complete in itself, it forms a second link in thechain of books issued under the general title, "The Banner Boy ScoutsSeries." You will, no doubt, be glad to find most of the old favoriteson parade once more; and perhaps make the acquaintance of several newcharacters who figure in these pages.

  In the preceding volume, "The Banner Boy Scouts; or, The Struggle forLeadership," I endeavored to interest my readers in an account of thenumerous trials and adventures that befell Paul and his chums whenforming the first Red Fox Patrol. You will remember how the mystery ofthe disappearing coins continued to puzzle Paul and Jack almost up tothe very conclusion of the story. And doubtless you were also ready toadmit that, hard pressed by jealous rivals at home, as well as forced tocompete with two neighboring troops who longed to possess the prizebanner, the Stanhope scouts certainly did have a warm time of it, rightup to the close of the tournament.

  The wonderful way in which they carried off first honors at that samecompetition certainly ought to inspire all Boy Scouts to emulate theirexample, and never be satisfied with half-hearted efforts. I sincerelyhope and trust the stirring happenings that fall to the lot of Paul andhis chums, as related between the covers of the present volume, may giveevery reader the same amount of pleasure that I have experienced inwriting them.

  Cordially yours,

  GEORGE A. WARREN.