Rod of the Lone Patrol   By: H. A. (Hiram Alfred) Cody (1872-1948)

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 the fire. It was an open fire, and the flames licked around an old dry root which had been brought with other driftwood up from the shore. This brightly lighted room was a pleasing contrast to the roughness of the night outside, for a strong late October wind was careening over the land. It swirled about the snug Hillcrest rectory, rattling any window which happened to be a little loose, and drawing the forked tongued flames writhing up the large commodious chimney.

When the third chuckle had been emitted, Mrs. Royal laid aside the paper 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. "But I must say it was the best one I ever attended. That missionary had a great 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 another boyish chuckle. "Give it up, eh?" and his eyes sparkled as he turned them 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 her chair a little closer to the fire. "What in the world took him there to night? I never knew him to go to church, let alone to a missionary meeting."

"Oh, that is easily explained, dear. His only son, you know, is in the Yukon, and he was anxious to hear about that country. He was certainly the most interested person there, and after the meeting was over, he walked right up to Mr. Dicer and asked him if he had met his son."

"And had he?" Mrs. Royal inquired.

"Yes; knew him well. Now, the way those two men did talk would have done your heart good. To think of Captain Josh chatting with a missionary, when for years he has been so much down on missions and missionaries. That is one on the old captain, and I shall not forget it when I see him again, ho, ho," and Parson Dan leaned back in his comfortable chair and fairly shook with merriment.