How a Scout Died For France

In a letter found on the body of a dead German on the Western Front was the following account-an enemy account, of course-of a captured Boy Scout. " A traitor has just been shot-a little French lad belonging to one of those gymnastic societies which wear tricolour ribbons (the Eclaireurs, or Boy Scouts), a poor young fellow who in his infatuation wanted to be a hero. The German column was passing along a wooded defile, and he was caught and asked whether the French were about. He refused to give information. "

 Fifty yards further on there was fire from the cover of a wood. The  prisoner was asked in French if he had known that the enemy was in the forest, and he did not deny it. He went with a firm step to a telegraph post and stood up against it. with the green vineyard at his back, and received the volley of the firing party with a proud smile on his face. Infatuated wretch! It was a pity to see such wasted courage. "

 " Is such courage wasted when it acts as an inspiration to the great brotherhood of boys? " was the comment of General Sir Robert Baden-Powell, who read the letter at a meeting in the Guildhall in May last.