SCOUT NOTES

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVII, Issue 10, 10 December 1936, Page 30

SCOUT NOTES

(By "Tenderfoot.") It was hoped that once the rally was over we would be able to resume regular weekly troon reports, and maybe we shall: However, this week there are few, so perhaps I could give the story promised to the Cubs — they just lovo stories. GELERT, FAITHFUL HOUND. Here is a story whica comes to us from Wales, and one which Welsh children were never tired of hearing. It is the story of Gelert, the Faithful Hound. Many j'ears ago, when King John reigned in England, he had a beautiful hound named Gelert. Now King John really onli'. loved two things—one was his daughter Joan and the other his faithful dog.

The Princess Joan married a man named Llewelyn, a Prince in Wales, and as a wedding gift, King John gave them Gelert. Now Llewelyn was a hunter, and he trained Gelert to hunt with him. One day the dog chased a stag from Carnarvon to a great rock many miles off where the beast fell dead. After that Llewelyn never went hunting without the hound, and when ho strode out of the castle gates in the morning and put his hunting horn to his lips, of all the dogs it was always Gelert who got to his side first, eager to be off to the chase. Now Llewelyn had a little son, of whom he was very proud. The baby loved the great hound and Gelert would stay beside the child, guarding it carefully for hours when he was not out hunting with his master. One morning Llewelyn sounded his horn again and again, but strange to say, the hound did not appear. Tired of waiting, the Prince went off without him, but though he was out a long time, he could not shoot a stag, and he was sure it was because Gelert was not there.

So wearily he turned homewards. As he entered the castle gates the hound came out to meet him, and Llewelyn stopped short in dismay. For the great dog had a strange look in his eyes, and blood was dripping from his mouth. 'What has happened?" cried Llewelyn. "Has he killed something?" The servants all came running, but they could tell their master nothing, and they all huddled together, frightened of the great dog. i'hen Llewelyn went into the baby's room. There was the child's couchempty. The child had gone, and the covers on the couch were covered with blood. Llewelyn was sure then that the great hound had killed his little son. Gelert had followed his master into the room, and now he crouched at his feet whining. Llewelyn was furious with rage and sorrow. "Monster!" he cried. "You have slain my child." Drawing his sword, he plunged it into the clog's side. The animal gave a cry and fell back dead. At the sound of the dog's cry, a chuckle came from under the couch, and the baby crawled out, alive and well. Llewelyn bent down to pick him up, and then saw, under the couch, the mangled body of a huge dead wolf 1 Then he knew what had happened. The wolf had got into the castle, and the faithful dog had fought and killed it before it could harm his master's child. The Prince was broken-hearted. He had killed his best friend. He could not bring poor Golert back to life, but he made up his mind that the dog's brave deed should never be forgotten. He took the body of Gelert and went to the high rock where the dog had brought down the first stag. There he buried his faithful friend, and then told the story far and wide. People passing the spot stopped to look at the grave and everyone threw on it a stone. So the stones grew until a large cairn marked the spot, and to this day it is still called "Beth Gelert"—the grave of Gelert. Hundred of .years have passed, but people still tell the story of Gelert, the Faithful Hound. TROOP NOTES. Ist P.N. (Central) and Bth P.N. (St. Paul's) troops.—On Monday eveniiyj; a wide game embracing observation, estimation, Scouts' pace, etc., was given to the two troops by the Scouters and proved very successful for a first attempt. Points were awarded for promptness, politeness, behaviour, etc., on the journey. The troops are having a break-up banquet shortly and we hope that this will prove successful. Central report that owing to numbers in one patrol dropping the Court of Honour has decided to make only two patrols, namely, the Huia and Lara Nui. PatrolLeader Frank Perry and Patrol-Sec-ond L. Smith will lead the LaraNuis, and Patrol-Leader It. Barlow, with Patrol-Second Eric Perry, will lead the Huias. Cub Pack : We report tho appointment of Mr L. Kennedy as acting A.CM. to the pack and that he is going to like Cubbing. We wish him tho best of "Good Hunting" in his new job.

9th Palmerston North Troop (St. Patrick’s). —Scouter B. Looser was in charge of the greater part of our parade, which was held on December 3 and at which there was a good attendance. After flag break and inspection, some time was taken up with criticism of the uniforms, and there are many improvements to be made in various points. Work in the patrol corners then proceeded, following which was a period of games and obstacle relays. Scouter Looser took the troop for outdoor observation, which was conducted very successfully, although there is plenty of room for improvements. A hearty welcome was extended to Recruit Coates who has recently joined the troop. Scout Bob O’Connell has gained the second class standard in firelighting and cooking. On Saturday afternoon we went for a hike to Mr Andrew’s property, where we indulged in swimming and tracking. At teatime we received a visit from the All Saints’ troop, who were spending’the afternoon in a similar manner. We returned at 6 p.m. after an excellent day’s outing.