Rod of the Lone Patrol Part 35

"But surely there is some one who would be willing to advance the money,"

Mrs. Royal replied. "Is it right that the girl should die without an effort being made to save her life?"

"It would take a large sum, Martha, and I am afraid that there is no one sufficiently interested in the girl who is able to do much. The specialist's fees alone would be great, to say nothing of other expenses.

I know where some of the money could be obtained, but I should be most loath to use it."

As Rod sat and listened, with flushed face and sparkling eyes, the dream of the past night once more came into his mind. He saw Whyn holding out her hands to the scouts while they were busy counting over their money.

Then an idea came to him which caused him to give vent to a slight expression of delight.

"What is it, dear?" Mrs. Royal enquired. "You seem to be amused over something."

"I was only thinking, grandma, and could not help it." He wished to unburden his mind, but thought it best to wait until he had seen either Captain Josh or the rest of the scouts.

Rod could hardly wait now until breakfast was over, so anxious was he to rush over before school to speak to the captain about his new plan. He finished the few ch.o.r.es he was in the habit of doing, and then sped across the field as fast as his legs would carry him.

The captain was in his shop near the house, but he was not working as Rod opened the door and entered. He was sitting on a bench, with his face buried in his hands. He looked quickly up as the boy walked in, as if ashamed to fee caught in such a manner.

"What's up now?" was his gruff greeting. "Ye needn't startle one out of his senses. Why can't ye knock in a proper manner?"

"Oh, captain," Rod panted, paying no attention to the rebuke, "I want to talk to you about something."

"Go ahead, then. It must be mighty important to bring ye here this mornin' in sich a hurry."

"It is, captain, and it's about Whyn."

"About Whyn, eh? What d'ye want to tell me about her?"

"That she can't get better, unless she goes to a specialist. Doctor Travis told grandad all about it last night."

For an instant the old man looked keenly into the clear eyes of the boy standing before him, and a deep love for this manly chap entered his heart.

"Sit down," he ordered, and his voice was husky. "So ye're interested in Whyn, eh?"

"Oh, yes. I don't want her to die."

"Neither do I, lad. Neither do I. But what are we goin' to do? Tell me that."

"Help her, captain. The scouts can do it. We've got money, and why shouldn't we give it for Whyn's sake?"

"What, take the money we've earned?"

"Yes. We've nearly four hundred dollars."

"But what about the prize, Rod?"

"Oh, we can get along without that, but we can't do without Whyn."

"Ye're right there, lad," and a mistiness came into the captain's eyes.

"But it'll take a lot of money to send her to that specialist. Four hundred dollars won't go very far."

"But it will help," Rod urged. "It will be our good turn, anyway. And say, captain, wouldn't you do a great deal for Whyn?"

"Sure, lad, indeed I would. Do almost anything, in fact."

"Well, then, suppose you sell the _Roaring Bess_."

"Sell my boat!" This was almost too much for the captain.

"Yes, why not? You can get another, can't you?"

"I suppose so," was the slow response.

"And if that isn't enough, you can sell your place. You would do it for Whyn's sake, wouldn't you?"

This was more than the captain had expected. He crushed back a naughty exclamation, and rose slowly to his feet.

"Look here, Rod, what d'ye think I am? A saint? Git away to school now, or ye'll be late. I'll think over what ye've said, and discuss it with the troop this afternoon. Ye'll see the boys at school, so tell them to meet here as soon as they git out. Ye'd better not tell them anything about yer plan until I've had time to think it over fer awhile."

Rod found it very hard to keep his mind down to his lessons that day. He was too much excited over the idea of helping Whyn. He wanted to speak to the other scouts about it, and thus relieve his feelings. But he had received the captain's order, and so must obey.

The rest of the scouts were most anxious to know what the special summons meant, so it did not take them long to reach Headquarters as soon as school was out. Their scoutmaster was there before them, who explained in a few words why he had called them together.

"I want yez to decide this matter fer yerselves," he told them in closing, "and I'll tell yez what I think about it when yez have made up yer minds."

"Certainly we must give the money," Rod cried, as soon as the captain was through. "It's for Whyn, and who wouldn't do anything for her? He has no right to belong to this troop if he wouldn't."

"Let's give it," the rest shouted in unison; "every cent of it."

"But what about the prize?" the captain asked.

"Let it go," was the general response.

"And the motor-boat?"

"We can do without that, eh, boys?" This from Rod.

"Yes, yes. Hurrah for Whyn!" and the scouts in their loyal enthusiasm threw their caps into the air, and shouted at the top of their voices.

Into the captain's eyes gleamed a light of joy and triumph. He felt at that moment like a general whose men had consented to make a mighty sacrifice for a great cause. He tried to say something, but the words would not come. Instead, he stepped up to each scout, and reached out his big right hand. This action on the part of their leader had more effect in filling their hearts with pride than an outburst of eloquence.

They understood something of what the captain felt, and how pleased he was at their decision.

"But remember, lads," he reminded them, "our money'll go only a little way, and we mustn't git too excited jist yit."

"How much will it take?" one of the boys asked.

"I can't say fer sure. But I wouldn't be a bit surprised if it should take two thousand dollars."

"Oh!" was the astonished exclamation from all. "Why will it take that much?" they enquired.