Instructions: Guess the words defined by the cryptic clues (answers vary in length from four to eleven letters, and six are capitalized) then enter them in the grid one after another in the same order as their clues, starting in the upper left corner. Across words that don't end at the right continue on the next row, and down words that don't end at the bottom continue in the next column. Eleven across words and ten down words won't fit in the grid unless one of their letters is omitted. Those twenty-one letters, taken in order as they occur in across and down words, spell a seven-word message related to the mystery entry. Thanks to Kevin Wald for test-solving and editing this puzzle. (If you are having trouble printing these puzzles, you can download an Adobe Acrobat version of the puzzle and grid). [Want to see some hints?]

1. Our group follows start of action in strike break
2. Witchcraft holds ten back with attractive force
3. Get ready to take a step
4. Mark of current coin
5. These boys carry fat around
6. Baffle a fool with a sheet of paper
7. Challenge upset moderate center
8. Happiness is hugging trees
9. Witticism about small being the lion's share
10. Large body of water containing rare fluids
11. Rocky soil delayed ceremony
12. Mystery entry
13. Gooner's excited state
14. Start without leader for shelter
15. Chimp's distress about wood
16. Fish, losing top of head, becomes blue
17. Talk about Spanish river carriage
18. Man appears holding a large mass of rock
19. Hear welcome sound
20. Aircraft landed initially in ragged ridge
21. Stick Henry in charge instead of King
22. A noon examination revealing no sense of right and wrong
23. Senseless if reversed before starting the suit

1. Crudely hid things for a later look
2. In essence, socially backward and secular
3. Skin marking is a signal
4. Disney, for instance, recreated Taormina
5. Indian philosopher
6. It's dreary in Maldonado, Uruguay
7. Community gathering to take place before end of June
8. Judge takes Turkish coin for quartz
9. Watch end of tap slowly trickle
10. Newer analysis includes frog genus
11. Stern of ship hit barge
12. Oriental, as in a burlesque
13. Snide answer conceals thought
14. Burdened boy with plenty, essentially
15. Get going without a meal
16. A coat and a robe
17. Pleased about charter
18. Grand boater perhaps steps down to the river
19. Mound of sand covers head of crass simpleton
20. Stuff pig with top of turnip
21. Having wings, a teal flies
22. America rudely expels one picture-taker
23. Perform ceremony about established church
24. Looking forward to row about minerals