“Well, you were after the Eagle and you got an oriole,” he said, half jokingly.  “That’s what I meant when I said that sometimes you don’t know where a trail will bring you out.  You got a lot to learn about scouting.  What you did to-day was better than tracking a half a mile or so.”

“The pleasure is mine,” said Hervey, in bantering acknowledgment of the compliment, “but if there’s anything higher in scouting than the Eagle award, I’d like to know what it is.”

“How much good has it done you trying for it?” Tom asked.  “Nobody is supposed to go after a thing in scouting the same as he does in a game.  He’s supposed to learn things why he’s going after something,” he added in his clumsy way.  “You went through the bird study test and you didn’t even know it was an oriole’s nest that you rescued.  And you forgot all about something else too, and it makes me laugh when I think about it; when I think about you and your tracks.”

“You think I’m a punk scout,” Hervey sang out, gayly.

“I think you’re a bully scout,” Tom said.

“If I win the Eagle you’ll say so, won’t you?”

“Maybe.”

“And do you mean to tell me that a scout can be any more of a scout than that—­an Eagle Scout?”

“Sure,” said Tom uncompromisingly.

For a few seconds the young hero of the lofty elm was too astonished to reply.  Then he said, “Gee, you’re a peachy scout, everybody says that, but you’re a funny kind of a fellow, that’s what I think.  I don’t get you.  The Eagle award is the highest award in scouting.  It means, oh, it means a couple of hundred stunts—­hard ones.  You can’t get above that.  You’re one yourself, you can’t deny it.  No, sir, you can’t get above that—­no, siree....  Do you mean to tell me that there’s anything higher in scouting than the Eagle award?” he asked defiantly, after a pause.

“Yop, there is,” said Tom, unmoved.

Hervey paused in consternation.  “Well, I’m for the Eagle award, anyway,” he finally said.  “That’s good enough for me.  And I’m going to get it, too; right away, quick.”

“You’ll get it,” Tom said.

“Think I will?”

“I don’t think, I know.”

“You mean you’re sure I will?”

“That’s what I said.”

“Positive?”

“That’s what I said.”

“Well, then I’d better get busy hunting for some tracks, hadn’t I?  I’ve got to make good to you as well as to my troop, haven’t I?”

“You ask a lot of questions,” said Tom in his funny, sober way.  “You don’t need to make good with me.”

“Believe me, I’ve got you and my troop both on my mind now.  Are you going to give me a tip about some tracks?”

“Maybe—­to-morrow,” Tom said.

“Do you know what I think I’ll do, Slady?” Hervey suddenly vociferated as if caught by an inspiration.  “I think I’ll follow this ledge around a little way and see if there are any prints.  Good idea, hey?”