seven o'clock
Doubtless they would have their thoughts drawn from the sermon , as they sat with their folks in the family pews . And , too , looking out of the window at the waving trees they would probably picture themselves far away on the wooded slope of Big Bear Mountain , perhaps making their first camp , and starting the glorious fire around which , as the night drew on , they would gather to tell stories and sing school songs . And it could be set down as certain that few of those who expected to join the adventurous spirits starting forth on the long mountain hike slept very soundly on the last night . When the hour agreed on , seven o'clock , came around , there was a scene of bustle under the tower of the church , where the scouts had gathered , together with many friends both young and old who meant to give them a noisy send-off on their hike over Big Bear Mountain . Amidst many hearty cheers and the clapping of hands the Boy Scouts started off . Felix Robbins had been elected bugler of the troop , and as there was no regular instrument for him , he had thought to fetch along the fish horn the boys used in playing fox and geese . This he sounded with considerable vim as the khaki-clad lads marched away , with a flag at their head , the scout master keeping step alongside the column .