Chapter I: Scoutcraft (2)

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 page 40.)

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:--

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."

SCOUT'S SALUTE AND SECRET SIGN.

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.

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.

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 your commanding 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.

SCOUT'S WAR SONGS.

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.

The meaning is--

Leader: "He is a lion!"

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

THE SCOUTS' CHORUS.

2. _The Scout's Rally._

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

Leader: Be Prepared!

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

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

THE SCOUTS' RALLY.

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.

SIGNS AND CALLS OF DIFFERENT PATROLS.

(For each patrol, the sign, name, call, and colours are given.) CURLEW. _Whistle_-- GREEN. "_Curley_."

OWL. _Whistle_-- BLUE. "_Koot-koot-kooo_."

_Wolf._ _Howl_-- YELLOW. "_How-oooo_."

BULL. _Lowing_-- RED. "_Um-maouw_."

RAVEN. _Cry_-- BLACK. "_Kar-kaw_."

HOUND. _Bark_-- ORANGE. "_Ba-wow-wow_."

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:

Each patrol leader has a small white flag on his staff with the head of his patrol animal shown in green cloth 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 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.:

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 your DUTY;

_Be Prepared in Mind_ by 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 you _know_ the right thing to do at the right moment, and are willing to do it.

_Be Prepared in Body_ by making yourself strong and active and _able_ to 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 it _is_ so,
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 LOYAL to 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. And _he must do a good turn_ to 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 a SNOB. 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 ORDERS of 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 same _because 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 WHISTLES under 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.

FOR WINTER IN THE COUNTRY.

ARCTIC EXPEDITION.

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.

SNOW FORT.

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.

SIBERIAN MAN HUNT.

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, after giving 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.

IN TOWNS.

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.

SCOUT MEETS SCOUT.

IN TOWN OR COUNTRY.

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.

DESPATCH RUNNERS.

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 post mark 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.

KIM'S GAME.

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:

List Adams Smith Long. Atkins Jones
Walnut
Button
Black button
Red rag
Yellow rag
Black rag
Knife
Red pencil
Cork
String knot
Plain string
Blue bead

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.

MORGAN'S GAME.

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

IN TOWN.

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.

DEBATES, TRIALS, ETC.

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 in Part I. might form the subject of trial.

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

Prisoner William Winter.
Witness Boy, Robert Hindmarsh.
" Police Constable.
" Villager.
" Old woman (friend of the murdered woman).
Counsel for prisoner.
" " prosecution.
Foreman and jury (if there are enough scouts).

Follow as nearly as possible the procedure of a court of law. Let each make up his own evidence, speeches, or cross-examination according to his own notions and imagination, the evidence to be made up on the lines of the story, but in greater detail. Do not necessarily find the prisoner guilty unless the prosecution prove their case to the jury.

In your summing up bring out the fact of the boy (Hindmarsh) having carried out each part of the duty of a scout, in order to bring home its lesson to the boys.

SCOUTS' WAR DANCE.

Scouts form up in one line with leader in front, each holding his staff in the right hand, and his left on the next man's shoulder.

Leader sings the Ingonyama song. Scouts sing chorus, and advance to their front a few steps at a time, stamping in unison on the long notes.

At the second time of singing they step backwards.

At the third, they turn to the left, still holding each other's shoulders, and move round in a large circle, repeating the chorus until they have completed the circle.

They then form into a wide circle, into the centre of which one steps forward and carries out a war dance, representing how he tracked and fought with one of his enemies. He goes through the whole fight in dumb show, until he finally kills his foe. The scouts meantime still singing the Ingonyama chorus, and dancing on their own ground. So soon as he finishes the fight, the leader starts the "Be Prepared" chorus, which they repeat three times in honour of the scout who has just danced.

Then they recommence the Ingonyama chorus, and another scout steps into the ring, and describes in dumb show how he stalked and killed a wild buffalo. While he does the creeping up and stalking the animal, the scouts all crouch and sing their chorus very softly, and as he gets more into the fight with the beast, they similarly spring up and dance and shout the chorus loudly. When he has slain the beast, the leader again gives the "Be Prepared" chorus in his honour, which is repeated three times, the scouts banging their staffs on the ground at the same time as they stamp "Bom! bom!"

At the end of the third repetition, "Bom! bom!" is repeated the second time.

The circle then close together, turn to their left again, grasping shoulders with the left hand, and move off, singing the Ingonyama chorus, or, if it is not desired to move away, they break up after the final "Bom! bom!"

SCOUTS' PLAY.
POCAHONTAS; or, THE CAPTURE OF CAPTAIN JOHN SMITH.

SCENE:

_In the jungle, Virginia, in 1607._

ENTER:

_A band of Red Indians,_ R., _scouting. The leading scout suddenly
signals to the others to halt and hide, and remains himself keenly
looking ahead. The_ PATROL LEADER _creeps nearer to him, and they
speak in a loud whisper_.

PATROL LEADER (Eagle's Wing). Ho! Silver Fox! What dost thou see?

SILVER FOX (the leading scout). My leader, I saw but just now a
strange figure ahead--but for the moment I see it not. There was an
Indian, one of the hated Assock tribe, and close by him was a being
who looked like a man yet not a man. He wore no feathers, no war
paint. But his body was all hidden in skins or cloths, and his head
was covered with a huge kind of protector. He had, it is true, two
arms and legs, but his face was of a horrible colour--not bronze
like ours, but an awful white, like that of a dead man, and half
covered with a bush of hair.

EAGLE'S WING. It must be either a medicine man or devil.

SILVER FOX (_still gazing ahead_). Look there, he moves! (PATROL
LEADER _springs forward and crouches near_ SILVER FOX.) Close to
yonder birch tree. What is it he carries? A heavy shining staff of
iron. See he is pointing at those ducks with it. Ah!

(_Report of gun in the distance._)

PATROL LEADER. Scouts! There is the devil before us. He spits fire
and smoke from an iron staff.

SILVER FOX. Aye, and see how the birds fall dead before him.

PATROL LEADER. Yes, he is a very devil. What a prize for us if we
can kill him and take his scalp.

SCOUTS. Nay, nay. He is a devil. He will kill us!

SILVER FOX. Yes, that is true. There is a saying, "Let dogs that
sleep lie sleeping, then they harm you not." Let us leave this devil
so he harm us not.

SCOUTS. Aye, aye.

EAGLE'S WING. Scouts! What woman's talk is this? Are ye no longer
scouts and warriors when ye see a foe? The worse the foe the greater
the glory of defeating him. Are four Sioux scouts afraid of one,
even though he be the devil himself? Begone to your lodges, but
never call yourselves warriors more. Ye be dogs! Curs but to harbour
such thoughts. For me I am going to have that scalp--devil or no
devil, I am going to have that scalp!

SILVER FOX. Pardon, my leader! I am no cur. Any man I will fight,
but a witch or the devil is more than I had thought on. But if you
mean to face him, why, then, so do I.

SCOUTS. Ay, and so do all of us.

EAGLE'S WING. 'Tis well, my scouts. But soft, he is coming this way.
What luck! Better than scalping him, we will catch him alive, and
present him living to our King. Hide. Hide yourselves. Lie close
around his path, and, when I give the call, then rush upon him and
secure him. (_All hide_, R.)

(_Enter_ CAPT. JOHN SMITH, L., _accompanied by Indian guide, who is
tied to_ SMITH'S _left arm by his wrist by means of a
garter--coloured tape_).

SMITH. How now, my untruthful friend? You have just told me that
there are no Indians in this part of the country, and here are
footmarks of several quite fresh, and see where the grass quite
newly trod down is still giving out juice. They must be quite close
by. Lucky that I have thee tied to me, else could you run away and
leave me guideless; but whatever befalls us now we share the risks
together. How like you that, my red cocksparrow? (_An arrow whizzes
past._) Ha! They're not far off. Behold, they come, but they'll find
one Briton is stouter stuff than the foes that they're accustomed
to.

(_The Red Indians are heard shouting their war cries without. Arrows
fly past._ JOHN SMITH _fires, loads, and fires again, talking all
the time, while his native guide crouches back alarmed_.)

SMITH (_laughing_). Ha! ha! They like not my rifle-fire. They run,
the dogs! Another bites the dust. (_Patting his rifle._) Well done,
thou trusty Bess--thou art a good lass! There! Have at them again.
(_Fires._) Good; another falls! But now they rally and come on
again--their leader gives them heart. Well, and we will give them
lead. (_Fires again. To his guide, who is very frightened._) Cheer
up. Gadzooks, but I like their leader--that last ball struck him,
still he fainteth not. He leads them on again. By my head! but we
shall yet have a decent fight of it. Aid me, St. George, and let me
show what stuff an Englishman is made of. (_As he presses forward
the guide in his fear slips down and accidentally drags_ SMITH _down
with him_.) How now--fool? You have undone me.

(_Indians rush in from all sides and spring on to_ SMITH, _and after
a severe struggle capture and bind his arms behind his back. He
stands panting and smiling. The Indians stand back to either side
while_ EAGLE'S WING--_with one arm bleeding--addresses him_.)

EAGLE'S WING. So, devil, we have thee caught at last. Four good
warriors hast thou sent to their happy hunting grounds, but our turn
has come and we have thee fast--a prize for kings--and for our King.

SMITH. Well, 'twas a good fight, and you deserve to win for facing
rifle-fire, which you had never seen before. I should like to shake
you by the hand had I a hand free to do it with. But by St. George,
had it not been for this white-livered knave who dragged me down,
there would have been more of you to join your hunting-party down
below. But who is this who comes?

(_Scouts chorus heard without "Ingonyama," etc. Scouts all raise
their hands and join in the chorus, looking off to the_ R.)

(_Enter_ KING POWHATTAN, R., _w'th his chiefs and warriors_.)

KING. How now! Eagle's Wing, what have you here?

EAGLE'S WING. My lord, we have just fought and foiled a very devil.
We killed him not in order that you, our liege, might have him to
see and question and to kill yourself. (_Brings gun._) He used the
lightning and the thunder of Heaven with this engine, so that he
killeth those he hateth. Four of us lie yonder stricken dead
therewith. He is a very devil.

KING to SMITH. So! What be you? Devil or witch or Indian painted
white? What do you here?

SMITH. Hail, King! I am no witch nor devil--nothing but a man--an
Englishman, which is something more than a mere man. I came across
the seas. Five moons it took me; so far away my country is. But here
I am, and where I am there follow others. And we come to tell you of
a greater King than thou. _Our_ King who is now to be your king
also.

KING (_very angry_). What! a greater King than I? Knave, how dare
you, whether devil or no--how dare thou speak like this?

KING. Aye, I have heard of these white folk. Art not afraid?

SMITH. Nay. I have faced the seas and storms, the anger of the
elements, beside which the rage of men is very small. (_Laughing._)
Forget not--I am an Englishman--an Englishman knows not fear.

KING. Ho! Say you so? We'll soon put that beyond all question by a
proof. (_Draws dagger, rushes on_ SMITH _with a yell, as if to stab
him, and stops the knife only as it touches_ SMITH'S _breast_. SMITH
_does not flinch_.) Ah!

SMITH. A joke was it. (_Laughs._) By St. George, I thought you meant
to kill me.

(_Enter_ PRINCESS POCAHONTAS (_the_ KING'S DAUGHTER.) R. _Aside._)

What is this strange being? A man, yet not a red man. He has a noble
look. Alas! that he should fall into my father's power, for he will
surely slay him.

KING to SMITH. And thou wert not afraid?

SMITH. Nay. Why should I be? I have long ago thought out how to meet
my fate. Death and I have looked at each other face to face before
now, and death has a kindly smile for anyone who has never wilfully
done ill to a fellow creature; to such an one he is no longer a
dreaded demon, but a kindly host.

KING. Well! he'll have a guest before long now; for since you say he
is a friend of yours it proves that you are, as my people first told
me, some kind of witch or devil yourself. Therefore, it will be well
for the land that we do slay thee. Besides, I have not seen a man's
red blood for many days, and I am tired of the blood of the Assocks.
(POCAHONTAS _shrinks down, holding her ears_.) I shall dearly like
to see how looks the blood of a white half-man, half-devil. But
first I want to see him cower, and squeal for mercy; for therein
lies the joy of killing. (_Calls to his_ WARRIORS.) Ho! there!
Stretch out this devil on the ground, and let him learn that death
is not the joy he thinks it is. (_They drag_ SMITH _down, and lay
him on his back on the ground_, C. _One holds his feet, but the
rest, finding that he does not struggle, stand back; two prepare to
use their battle-axes on him, while the rest dance weird dances,
singing Ingonyama chorus round him. The executioners make false
blows at his head--but he never flinches._)

POCAHONTAS (_kneeling beside the_ KING. R.). Oh! King--I have not
often asked for gifts from you--and now I pray you, on my bended
knee, to grant me this request. I have no slave to guard me when I
walk abroad. It is not seemly that I take a young brave of our
tribe, and the old ones are so very old and slow. Now here; a slave
of whom one may be proud--one strange to see, yet strong and great
and brave. Ah! give him to thy child instead of unto death.

KING. Nay! nay! my child. If you don't like the scene, withdraw, for
he shall die. 'Tis sport for me to see how long he lasts before he
cries for mercy. And when he does he dies. (_To_ WARRIORS.) Now
stand him up, and try some new device to make him quail.

(POCAHONTAS _shrinks back. They raise_ SMITH, _and he stands boldly
facing them_.)

KING. Death now comes to thee, and thou hast no chance of escaping
him. Art thou not now afraid of him?

JOHN SMITH. Nay. Why should I be? We men are born not for ourselves
but as a help to others; and if we act thus loyally we know our God
will have us in his care both now and after death.

KING. But _after_ death you're dead!

JOHN SMITH. Not so. A Christian lives again.

KING to SMITH. Well now your hour has come. I know not what has
brought you to this land, but you shall know that witch or no, your
spells can have no power on me; and you will die, and I shall smile
to see you die.

SMITH. What brought me here was duty to my King and God and
countrymen; to spread his powerful sway over all the earth, that you
and yours may know of God, that trade may spread to carry peace and
wealth throughout the world. If you accept these views all will be
well; if you accept them not then do your worst, but use your haste;
our mission is to _clean_ the world! Kill me, but that will not
avail, for where I fall a thousand more will come. Know this, O
Savage King, a Briton's word is trusted over all the world; his
first care is for others--not himself; he sticks to friend through
thick and thin; he's loyal to his King. And though you threat with
death or pains, he'll do his duty to the end.

KING (_springs angrily forward_). I'll hear no more. You offer terms
to ME, the King! Down, dog, upon your knees, and meet the death you
feign to smile at. (_To_ WARRIORS.) Strike, strike, and smash this
vermin from my path.

(PRINCESS POCAHONTAS, _who has been cowering in the background, runs
forward and places herself close in front of_ Capt. JOHN SMITH, _so
as to protect him from the_ WARRIORS, _who are preparing_, R. and
BACK, _to rush at him with their spears and axes_).

PRINCESS POCAHONTAS. Hold! Warriors--I am your Princess, and to get
at him you have to kill me first. (_To_ KING.) O King--I call you no
more "Father." O King your rule has been a time of blood and murder.
I was too young to think before, but now I know that all your works
are cruel, bad, not just. (WARRIORS _lower their weapons, and
whisper among themselves, as if saying, "Yes. She's quite right_.")
And I have been obedient as your child till now. But now my eyes are
opened, and I see that as King you are neither just nor kind towards
your tribe--or other men.

To bring it home to you, I swear that if you slay this man you also
slay your daughter! For I'll not leave him thus to die alone. (_To_
WARRIORS.) Now, braves, come on and do your work.

(_They hang back._)

How now--you never feared an enemy, so why fear me?

EAGLE'S WING (_bowing_). Nay, sweet Princess, it may not be. We care
not what of men we kill in fighting for our land, but this we cannot
do--to raise a hand against a woman, and she our own Princess.

KING (_furious_). How now! What talk is this? Ye speak as though you
had no King and no commands. Slay on--strike true, and spare not man
nor maid, for she no longer is a child of mine.

(_Braves still hesitate._)

Ye will not? Dogs, wouldst have me do it for myself? I will, and,
what is more, I'll slay you Eagle's Wing for this, and you too----

(_Enter a warrior scout_, L., _who rushes up to the_ KING _and
kneels while shots are heard outside_.)

SCOUT. O King! There be more white devils over there. They're
pressing on, and none can stand against them.

KING to WARRIORS. Stand firm, and kill these devils as they come. To
every brave who takes a white man's scalp I'll give the noblest
feather for his head. Stand firm! Bend well your bows.

(_While the_ KING _and_ WARRIORS _are looking off_ L. _towards the
fight_, POCAHONTAS _takes_ SMITH R., _draws a dagger and cuts_ JOHN
SMITH'S _arms lose. He shakes hands with her. Taking the dagger, he
rushes to the_ KING, _and seizing his hair with one hand, and
threatening him with the dagger with the other, he leads him_ C.)

SMITH. Now yield thee, King, as prisoner, or I will send thee quick
to other hunting grounds. (_To Warriors who rush forward to rescue
the_ KING.) Nay, stand you there: another step, and lo! your King
will die. (_A pause. All stand quite still._) I will not harm if he
lists to me. (_Leads_ KING _to front_, C., _and then lets go his
hold of him_. WARRIORS _remain at back. Distant noise of fighting,
cries and shots heard all the time_. WARRIORS _keep looking off to
see how the fight is going on_.)

(SMITH _standing_ L., _facing_ KING, C. POCAHONTAS, R., WARRIORS,
_back_.)

SMITH. If you would live in peace, your only way is now to join with
us. Our God is stronger than your idols, and our King is king of
many tribes far greater and more powerful than your own. But if you
join with us your wicked ways must cease; no more to kill your
people for no crime, no more to steal their goods or beasts, no more
to make them slaves against their will. Beneath the British flag all
men are free. (WARRIORS _whisper among themselves_. SMITH _turns to
them_.) What say you? Will you join and serve our King, and live in
peace, or will you go on being slaves of cruel chiefs, to live a
life of fear and poverty?

EAGLE'S WING. Nay. We should like to join you well, but we have aye
been faithful to our King, and what he says, why that is what we'll
do.

SMITH. You're right in being faithful to your King. Now, King, what
say you? Will you join our mighty King with all your braves, or will
you face his power and be destroyed?

KING (_sullenly_). You talk as though you were a king yourself and
conqueror, instead of but a prisoner in my hands. You must be mad or
very brave, since I could kill thee at one stroke.

SMITH. Well, mad or brave, it matters not; but there are others just
as mad or brave out there, who even now (_points off_ L.) are
pressing back your men; and were your men to kill off all of us, a
thousand more will come for each one killed, and in the end you too
would meet your fate. Know this, that Britain, once she puts her
hand to the plough for doing noble work, does not withdraw, but
presses on till peace and justice are set up, and cruel wrongs
redressed. You would yourself remain as King among your people, but
beneath the friendly wing of Britain's world-wide power.

KING to WARRIORS. My braves! I never asked your will before; but ye
have heard what this brave man has said. What think ye? Should we
yield or fight this white man's power?

EAGLE'S WING. My King, we all say "yield," and join this mighty
power, whereby we shall ourselves be strong.

POCAHONTAS (_kneeling to_ KING, R.). Once more I call thee Father,
and I pray, for all the wives and children of our tribe, that you
will take this noble man's advice, and bring true peace at last into
our land. (_Kisses_ KING'S _hands and remains kneeling while he
speaks_.)

KING. 'Tis well. Fair, sir, we yield; and on our oath we swear
allegiance to your King for aye and ever, weal or woe. We will be
true (_holding up right hand in scout's sign_).

WARRIORS (_holding up right hands in scout's salute_). We will be
true.

SMITH (_taking St. George's flag from under his coat, and tying it
on to a scout's staff, holds it aloft._) Behold your flag--the flag
of St. George and Merry England!

WARRIORS _salute and sing Ingonyama Chorus. Band plays "Rule
Britannia!"_

CURTAIN.

DRESSES.

WARRIORS.--Band or tape round head, with plait of hair over ear, and
four goose feathers with black tips.

Naked body coloured red brick dust colour.

Trousers: light-coloured if possible, with strips of coloured rag
and goose feathers stitched all down the outside seam of the leg.

Bare feet.

Bow and arrows and staff.

KING.--Like warriors, but with red blanket or shawl over one
shoulder, and headdress made of linen band with goose feathers, some
upright in it and continued down the back.

POCAHONTAS.--Headdress band of linen, with three upright goose
feathers and two drooping on each side; also a plait of hair over
each shoulder.

Brass curtain-rings tied with thread round each ear as earrings.

Necklace of beads, also bracelets.

A skirt.

Coloured short petticoat under it.

Bare feet.

JOHN SMITH.--Big hat with pheasant's tails feathers.

Beard and moustache and long hair of tow or crepe hair. Could all be
stitched to hat if desired. Steel gorget or wide soft linen collar;
long brown or yellow coat, with big belt.

Bagging knickerbockers.

Stockings.

Shoes with big buckles.

Old-fashioned flint-lock gun.

SCENERY.--Strips of brown paper, 1 ft. to 1-1/2 ft. wide, and 2 ft.
to 3 ft. wide at the bottom will represent trees if stuck up on the
back wall, and marked with charcoal and chalk to represent rough
bark.

SCOUTING FOR BOYS.

PART II.

will be published on January 30th, 1908.

_CONTENTS_:

CHAPTER II.--TRACKING.

HINTS TO INSTRUCTORS.

CAMP FIRE YARN NO. 5.

Observation of "Sign," or How Scouts
Find Out Things.

CAMP FIRE YARN NO. 6.

"Spooring" Men or Animals.

CAMP FIRE YARN NO. 7.

Reading "Sign": Sherlock Holmes-ism.

Stories, Games, and Practices in Tracking in
Town and Country.