Emphasis Preaching Journal

As the last embers of the campfire dissipated, five members of our boy scout troop, armed with flashlights and canteens for our "long day's journey into night," continued our search for the infamous "bloody bones." Led by our fearless leader, the ever-
comedic Jules Brewster, we would comb the woods until we found our prey, capture this elusive giant and bring him back in chains and ropes, thus receiving our merit badges for courage. As we proudly marched behind our dashing hero, unbeknownst to us several other troop members had previously removed the outhouse from its resting place. One by one we fell into the hole where the latrine had been, letting out a spectacular series of invectives which awakened our scoutmasters and other members of the pack. So filled with uncontrollable laughter were my fellow troop members that they could barely string together the sheets and ropes to pull us out of the mess into which we had so brilliantly and gallantly plummeted. "I have heard about being knee deep in mud and waist deep in sand, but I regret to inform you troops that being neck deep in dung will bring no badges of merit for your chivalrous and courageous efforts," said our scoutmaster, holding his nose and suppressing his laughter. -- Stewart