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THE BOY SCOUTS
465

loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean and reverent.

THINK OF ALL THAT SCOUT OATH MEANS!

Honor, duty, reverence, patriotism, self-sacrifice, obedience, all in that simple promise! Those are things that boys often consider very little. The full text of the Scout’s Law obliges the boy to tell the truth; to obey his father and mother, his own leader and officers of the law; to help others even at risk to himself; to look upon all other people as his brothers and equals; to be like Kim in Kipling’s story, "The little friend of all the world." He promises to look out especially for old people, cripples and little children; to take no reward for kindness; to befriend animals and protect them from abuse; to do his duty cheerfully, and not grumble or whine; to "grin and bear" disagreeable things and go about smiling and whistling; to use no profane or vulgar language, and to save his money.

A boy who has been idle, thoughtless and evil—minded breaks with his past and burns his old bridges on becoming a Boy Scout tenderfoot. He stands on a new moral plane with the public opinion of his companions to keep him up to the mark. Besides, he immediately has interesting things to think of and to do. He discovers new powers in himself that increase his self-respect. Then he goes into training for the rank of second-class scout, and that involves real work.

THE BOY SCOUT'S UNIFORM.

A uniform is not necessary, but it is advisable. All boys love uniforms, decorations and display. It is a very attractive outfit, all of an olive drab khaki, semi-military, semi-sporting in style. There is a flat-brimmed army hat of olive drab felt, with or without chin tie, a khaki flannel shirt and a sweater, knee breeches of the same material as the shirt and coat, a leather or web belt, puttee leggins, and a haversack. The usual articles carried are a 6 1-2 foot staff, a lanyard, a knife, a canteen, axe, poncho and whistle. A very limited camp outfit or cooking kit consisting of a coffee or tea can, stew or fry pan with cover, and one boiler with two handles may be carried in the haversack. There is a badge for the button hole, the scroll motto, "Be Prepared," a shoulder knot of the patrol colors, a neck kerchief of the troop colors and special "honor" badges for the sleeve. It is a rough and ready uniform and outfit but as inexpensive and serviceable as possible, neat and smart, and it stands for so much skill and general