The Boy Scouts with the Red Cross

A group of eager Boy Scouts from Oakvale finds themselves far from home, camping beside a restless river when the nearby cement plant erupts into violence. Their scoutmaster, Hugh Hardin, decides the boys can’t stand by while workers are wounded, and he selects a handful of the troop—each with a knack for first‑aid basics—to help the injured. The scouts scramble across the countryside, their camp hats bobbing, as they reach a makeshift field hospital hurriedly set up under a tree.

The scene is chaotic but purposeful: a Red Cross ambulance finally appears, and the boys rally with cheers, ready to carry stretchers and tend to wounds with the limited supplies they’ve improvised. Their youthful energy and sense of duty blend with the grim reality of gunshots and desperate patients, offering a vivid picture of courage and compassion in the midst of a labor dispute turned violent. This opening adventure sets the tone for a tale of teamwork, bravery, and the unexpected responsibilities that fall on brave young shoulders.