“Let’s form a parade with the garage for a float,” Bert shouted; “Hervey will lead the way, next will come the funny-bone division with all the veterans, next will come the portable garage with Willie Cook sitting on top, and behind that will march the new troop.” “Only remember that the garage can’t climb up trees,” I said to Hervey.
“You leave it to me,” Hervey said.
“And Darby Curren and the scoutmaster and Mr. Goobenhoff can sit on the driver’s seat,” Warde said.
The scoutmaster said, “Well, as long as we’ve all joined hands in this doubtful enterprise and agreed to stand and fall together, we may as well know each other. My name is Warren and these scouts form the First Troop of Columbus. Columbus is proud of her scouts.”
“Columbus was a man,” Pee-wee shouted.
“He discovered Columbus Avenue,” I said. “He used to hang out in Columbus Circle near Central Park.”
“Don’t you believe him, he’s crazy,” Pee-wee shouted.
“You’re all wrong,” Garry piped up, “Columbus was named after Christopher Street, he was named after the Christopher Street Ferry. These fellows with me don’t know anything about history.”
“We make a specialty of geography,” I said.
“And law,” Pee-wee shouted. “I know a lot about laws. I know a fellow that lives in Columbus, his name is Smith. Did you ever hear of him? Once I passed Columbus.”
“Columbus was lucky,” I said.
“I had lunch there,” Pee-wee shouted.
“He has lunch everywhere,” I said. “Wherever he goes there’s a food shortage the next day.”
“Well what are we going to do?” Warde said. “Are we going to jolly Pee-wee or start a parade?”
“Answered in the affirmative,” I said.
By that time all those fellows were laughing and Darby Curren said to them, “These boys are the moving spirits of camp, they are; especially that Willetts youngster.”
“Sure, we always keep moving,” I said. “Every day is moving day with us. I hope you’ll like us when you don’t know us so well.”
“We like you already,” one of those Columbus scouts piped up.
“You mean you like lunatics?” Pee-wee shouted at them.
Mr. Warren said,............