The Story of Baden-Powell 'The Wolf That Never Sleeps'   By: Harold Begbie (1871-1929)

'The Wolf that never Sleeps'

BY

HAROLD BEGBIE

WITH ILLUSTRATIONS

Vestigia nulla retrorsum

LONDON GRANT RICHARDS 1900

"... A name and an example, which are at this hour inspiring hundreds of the youth of England...."

Southey's Life of Nelson .

First printed May 1900. Reprinted May 1900

To SMITH MAJOR

HONOURED SIR,

If amid the storm and stress of your academic career you find an hour's relaxation in perusing the pages of this book, all the travail that I have suffered in the making of it will be repaid a thousandfold. Throughout the quiet hours of many nights, when Morpheus has mercifully muzzled my youngest (a fine child, sir, but a female), I have bent over my littered desk driving a jibbing pen, comforted and encouraged simply and solely by the vision of my labour's object and attainment. I have seen at such moments the brink of a river, warm with the sun's rays, though sheltered in part by the rustling leaves of an alder, and thereon, sprawling at great ease, chin in the cups of the hand, stomach to earth, and toes tapping the sweet smelling sod, your illustrious self deep engrossed in my book. For this alone I have written. If, then, it was the prospect of thus pleasing you that sustained me in my task, to whom else can I more fittingly inscribe the fruits of my labour? Accept then, honoured sir, this work of your devoted servant, assured that, if the book wins your affection and leaves an ideal or two in the mind when you come regretfully upon "Finis," I shall smoke my pipe o' nights with greater pleasure and contentment than ever I have done since I ventured the task of sketching my gallant hero's adventurous career.

I have the honour to be, sir,

Your most humble and obedient servant,

THE AUTHOR.

WEYBRIDGE, April 1900.

CONTENTS

PAGE CHAPTER I AN INTRODUCTORY FRAGMENT 1

CHAPTER II THE FAMILY 6

CHAPTER III HOME LIFE AND HOLIDAYS 16

CHAPTER IV CARTHUSIAN 37

CHAPTER V THE DASHING HUSSAR 55

CHAPTER VI HUNTER 73

CHAPTER VII SCOUT 90

CHAPTER VIII THE FLANNEL SHIRT LIFE 103

CHAPTER IX ROAD MAKER AND BUILDER 119

CHAPTER X PUTTING OUT FIRE 135

CHAPTER XI IN RAGS AND TATTERS 158

CHAPTER XII THE REGIMENTAL OFFICER 172

CHAPTER XIII GOAL KEEPER 192

ILLUSTRATIONS

PAGE Major General R.S.S. Baden Powell Frontispiece

Professor Baden Powell 7

Mrs. Baden Powell 11

B. P. reflecting on the After deck of the Pearl 21

Rev. William Haig Brown, LL.D. 41

The Dashing Hussar (B. P. at 21) 61

"Beetle" 79

The Family on Board the Pearl 107

" Viret in Æternum " 179

Goal Keeper 201

CHAPTER I

AN INTRODUCTORY FRAGMENT ON NO ACCOUNT TO BE SKIPPED