The Boy Scouts as County Fair Guides

A troop of Boy Scouts in a small Eastern town prepares to serve as guides and helpers during the county fair; the narrative opens with three boys returning from a fishing trip and introduces the troop's organization, leaders, and notable past deeds, including flood rescues and emergency first aid that earned medals. The account follows their planning and duties at the fair, encounters with showmen and a suspicious fakir, moments of personal trouble and influence among the boys, and the community's gradual recognition of their usefulness. Recurring themes include civic responsibility, preparedness, and practical application of scoutcraft.