The Boy Scouts in the Blue Ridge; Or, Marooned Among the Moonshiners

The Silver Fox Patrol arrives in the misty Blue Ridge, each boy in crisp khaki after a long train ride from Cranford. Leader Thad Brewster guides the group with confidence, while second‑in‑command Allan Hollister shares his Adirondack wilderness experience. Among them are fastidious “Smithy,” music‑loving Bumpus with his bugle, and athletic Davy Jones whose daring climbs are tempered by sudden cramps. Together they set out on a hike through the Smoky Range, eager to test their skills.

Their first trouble comes in good‑natured form when Step Hen’s knapsack disappears, prompting a lively search and plenty of teasing. While the boys comb the underbrush, rumors of moonshiners linger in the pine‑filled air, hinting at hidden valleys where illegal stills may operate. The patrol soon discovers a narrow trail that leads toward such a secluded spot, the scent of fresh timber mixing with faint whiffs of homemade liquor. Curiosity and a sense of duty push them onward, unaware how the secret locals will test their scouting principles.