The third box, addressed to Fred, proved to be from Mr. Stanton, containing the handbooks, badges and patrol flag.
After distributing the badges, and admiring the flag, each of the boys made a hasty examination of his book.
"How we goin' to learn about first aid to the injured?" inquired Gray.
"Oh, dad'll teach you that," responded Dunk readily. "He said he would."
"And Hawke's going to teach us aviation, and Carl can show us trailing," began Jerry.
"And my dad'll show you craftsmanship and machinery, and we all know swimming," cut in Fly.
"Whoopee, fellows," shouted Fred, "we've got nearly all the badges now!"
"Who knows all the states in the union?" asked Hawke with a smile, reading from the Scout Handbook.
It was found that only Carl and Fred could stand this test.
"Who can tie a bowline knot?" demanded Dunk.
"Say, this ain't no schoolroom," objected Jerry. "I see we've got to work some for those badges," he added thoughtfully, "but it's fun just the same."
"Tell you what we'll do," burst out Herb suddenly, throwing down his book, his dark eyes snapping.
The boys were ready in an instant for anything he might suggest.
"Let's get on all these duds," proposed the rancher, "have a regular scout tramp over to the ranch and surprise dad with a dressed-up parade."
"Can't we borrow a drum somewhere?" suggested Dunk.
"Dad's got one I can get," offered Jerry.
"All right, get a move on you," ordered the southerner. "It's just ten now, and if we start right soon we'll get there about time for dinner."
About a half hour afterwards, Captain Crawford was drawn to his window overlooking the parade grounds, by the martial sound of drum beats.
"Well, I never," he exclaimed to his wife, who hurried to join him.
Filing past the house two by two, in regular order and military step was the new Boy Scout Patrol, uniformed and carrying bright new rifles. Fred, bearing the flag, was slightly in advance, while just behind him was the tall form of their son, dexterously flipping the drumsticks and rolling out rhythmic march time.
Not once did any of the paraders turn in the direction of the house, although they felt they were being observed.
Captain Crawford leaned out of the window.
"Hurrah for the 7th infantry," he shouted. "I mean the seven infants," he amended laughing.