half past eleven
After the frame work of the structures was completed the scouts set to work with clasp knives and hatchets and stripped the cedars and firs of their branches . Then with this material they began to thatch the sides and roof of the lean-tos working the twigs in and out until they formed a thickly matted protection against the weather . They worked with a will in spite of cut and blistered fingers and pitch blackened hands until it began to look as if they would have their little lumbering village finished and ready for occupancy by mid-afternoon . At half past eleven Romper Ryan , Ray Martin and Buster Benson knocked off shelter-building , for they had been appointed cooks for the camp . Hastily they put together a big stone fireplace well away from any leaves and underbrush , and after they had a good fire going they began preparing the first meal at the Quarry Scout lumber camp . The three lads elected to the commissary department were the best cooks in the troop , and they did themselves proud on that particular occasion , for when Romper finally sounded his call to quarters on the bottom of the tin dishpan there were stacks of golden brown country sausages , snowy white boiled potatoes , savory strips of fried bacon , three big pots of steaming hot coffee and last , but not least , nearly a hundred chocolate doughnuts which Jiminy Gordon 's mother had contributed just by way of showing the boys how much she thought of them . In a jiffy seventeen youngsters were assembled in line , tin plate and cup in hand .