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But there are not near so many foreigners visiting the Panama-Pacific Exposition as there would have been only for the terrible European war thats raging across the ocean, Rob happened to remark a little later when the other scout called his attention to a group of dark-featured men wearing the red fezzes of Orientals, and passing along as though viewing the wonders of the exhibition with a lively interest.
I suppose the building erected by California is reckoned the largest one of all on the grounds, isnt it, Rob? How much space does it cover, do you know?
They say five acres, Andy, which you must own is a shack of some size.
We havent been in it yet, said Andy, but I should imagine it must hold about everything connected with the life of the big State. Why, it would take a whole day to get around there, and see half of the things on exhibition.
Plenty of time for all that when we settle down to the business of sight-seeing, Rob told him. First of all I want to get this load off my hands, and he moved the suitcase as he spoke; not that its very heavy, you understand, only it weighs on my mind; but what it holds means sleepless nights for our good friend, Professor McEwen, until he gets my wire that it has been safely delivered.
I declare if those two girls over there dont make me think of Lucy Mainwaring and Sue Clifford away back in Hampton! exclaimed Andy suddenly. Oh! excuse me, Rob, I didnt mean to give you a start by mentioning Lucys name. Of course its only a chance resemblance, for neither of the girls
weve left behind us could be here at the Exposition. But Im a great fellow, you remember, to imagine people look like some Ive known.
Yes, and lots of times that failing has gotten you into a peck of trouble, too, Andy, Rob remarked, laughingly; there was that boy in scout uniform this very morning that you rushed up to with outstretched hand, and calling him Sim Jeffords. I nearly took a fit to see the blank look on your face when he drew himself up and gave you the cold stare.
Yes, thats a fact, Rob, he did freeze me. Chances are to this minute that boy thinks I was a fraud, perhaps some new sort of confidence operator. I saw him grab at his watch-chain in a hurry. He backed away, too, and never gave me half a chance to explain.
Im expecting right along, Rob told him, to have you discover some of our old enemies hovering around, and waiting for a chance to give us a jolt on account of the grudge they bear us. Theres Jared Applegate, for instance, the last we ever saw of him was at the time he was down in Mexico, having been compelled to run away from home after getting himself into a scrape by using some money that didnt belong to him.
Andy, instead of appearing dejected while Rob was rubbing it into him after this fashion, really seemed to enter into the joke himself.
Well, he went on to say with a snicker, honest to goodness a little while ago I did see two fellows walking along who made me think of Max Ramsay and his pal, Hodge Berry, the two meanest boys of our home town. Gave me something of a thrill, too, and I even had a sneaking notion to run over and shake hands with them; though back home I would cross the street rather than meet them face to face.
Yes, said Rob, thats always the case with people whore away from home. They get so tired of seeing strange faces that the sight of one they know makes them friendly. But I suppose youve noticed that the scouts seem to have quite a share in the running of things at this Big Show?
For a fact Ive seen quite a number of them about, and it strikes me they are a busy lot in the bargain, Andy admitted.
I understand they have a permanent camp on the grounds, Rob explained, which later on we must visit, and make acquaintances. They seem to be a hustling lot, and a credit to the khaki they wear.
But what dye suppose theyre doing here? asked the other.
Oh! there are dozens of things Boy Scouts can find to do at a monster Fair like this, said the patrol leader. I think some of them are acting as guides to parties of women and children. Others run messages for the department heads, because there must be a tremendous lot of that sort of thing that has to be done here. I saw one batch of scouts carrying a man on a litter, and from that I concluded they must have a scout emergency hospital somewhere on the grounds, where those who have been taken suddenly sick or become exhausted from the heat in the machinery buildings could receive first aid to the injured.
Andys face took on a look of pride. He even tenderly stroked the sleeve of his khaki coat and touched the badge on his lapel as though he considered it a great honor to be wearing that insignia of his rank in the troop to which he belonged.
That is one of the finest things about scout membership; it stimulates boys to aspire to emulate those who are striving to help others, or alleviate suffering in some way.
We ought to be nearing that building you spoke about, Rob, Andy remarked, after more time had elapsed. Seems to me weve covered miles since we saw Hiram streaking off for the aviation field and the Hall of Inventions.