The Boy Scout Automobilists; Or, Jack Danby in the Woods

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

26625

Title

The Boy Scout Automobilists; Or, Jack Danby in the Woods

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

In this thrilling installment of the Boy Scout Series, Jack Danby and his troop join the National Guard for a massive war game. When a clever enemy trap threatens to capture the Scouts, Jack uses his mechanical skills and scoutcraft to expose the deception. With the help of his chums, he outsmarts the villainous Broom and saves his friends, proving that Boy Scouts are a vital reserve force for the militia.

Summary up to 500 words

Boy Scout Automobilists; Or, Jack Danby in the Woods follows Jack Danby, Assistant Patrol Leader of the Thirty-ninth Troop, as he prepares for a significant event: participation in National Guard maneuvers. The Scouts are selected to act as a reserve supply for the militia, engaging in a 'sham war' against a rival Blue Army. The story begins with the Scouts traveling to the camp near Guernsey, where they are instructed to remain separate from the regular militiamen to maintain discipline and avoid resentment. Upon arriving, Jack and his friend Tom Binns drive a special automobile, utilizing their mechanical knowledge to navigate the terrain. Their journey is interrupted by engine trouble, which proves providential. Had they continued at full speed, they would have walked into a trap set by the enemy. Instead, the breakdown allows them to hide in a field and observe the enemy's advance guard marching past. Jack realizes the enemy is attempting to cut off the main Red Army force from Bremerton by crossing near Mardean. Jack and Tom cut a telegraph wire to send a crucial message to General Harkness's headquarters, revealing the enemy's true position and strategy. This intelligence allows the Red Army to adjust their defenses and avoid being surprised. The Scouts then proceed to General Bean's brigade, where Jack continues to gather information while refusing to reveal his secrets to eager officers until he can verify the facts with General Bean himself. The narrative takes a darker turn when Jack is approached by a man named Broom, a known enemy who attempts to manipulate Jack into a meeting. Broom claims he wants to help Jack find out about himself, but his true intentions are malicious. Jack, along with Scout-Master Durland and Dick Crawford, agrees to meet Broom, suspecting foul play. They are led deep into the woods, where Broom reveals his trap. He intends to hang the three Scouts to eliminate them as enemies. Just as Broom prepares to execute his plan, a rescue party arrives. The rescuers, including Pete Stubbs and Tom Binns, who had secretly followed the group, reveal themselves with leveled rifles. Broom attempts to flee but is forced to retreat. The rescue party explains that they had been suspicious of the expedition and followed the group to ensure safety. The story highlights the importance of vigilance, the value of mechanical skills in wartime scenarios, and the camaraderie among the Scouts. It concludes with the Scouts safe, having successfully thwarted the enemy's attempt to silence them during the maneuvers.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

Download URL

https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/26625.epub.noimages

Local file path

data/epubs/pg26625.epub

Download EPUB

Downloaded at

2026-07-05 18:05 UTC

Categories

• Adventure
• Fiction