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diff --git a/41260-0.txt b/41260-0.txt index 4fa4294..5591d3b 100644 --- a/41260-0.txt +++ b/41260-0.txt @@ -1,33 +1,4 @@ -The Project Gutenberg EBook of Dan Carter Cub Scout, by Mildred A. Wirt - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with -almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org - - -Title: Dan Carter Cub Scout - -Author: Mildred A. Wirt - -Release Date: November 2, 2012 [EBook #41260] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK DAN CARTER CUB SCOUT *** - - - - -Produced by Stephen Hutcheson and the Online Distributed -Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net - - - - - +*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 41260 *** He opened the creaking door and peered inside. “Dan Carter—Cub Scout” @@ -5271,359 +5242,4 @@ their feet in a double hand salute, ending at attention. End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Dan Carter Cub Scout, by Mildred A. 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Wirt</title> @@ -144,42 +144,7 @@ p.t15,div.t15,.t15 { margin-left:19em;text-indent:-3em; margin-top:0; margin-b </style> </head> <body> - - -<pre> - -The Project Gutenberg EBook of Dan Carter Cub Scout, by Mildred A. Wirt - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with -almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org - - -Title: Dan Carter Cub Scout - -Author: Mildred A. Wirt - -Release Date: November 2, 2012 [EBook #41260] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK DAN CARTER CUB SCOUT *** - - - - -Produced by Stephen Hutcheson and the Online Distributed -Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net - - - - - - -</pre> +<div>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 41260 ***</div> <div id="cover" class="img"> <img id="coverpage" src="images/cover.jpg" alt="Dan Carter—Cub Scout" width="500" height="720" /> @@ -5109,379 +5074,6 @@ a wild yip of his own. “Long may they howl!”</p> <ul><li>Silently corrected a few typos (but left nonstandard spelling and dialect as is).</li> <li>Rearranged front matter to a more-logical streaming order.</li></ul> - - - - - - -<pre> - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Dan Carter Cub Scout, by Mildred A. Wirt - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK DAN CARTER CUB SCOUT *** - -***** This file should be named 41260-h.htm or 41260-h.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/4/1/2/6/41260/ - -Produced by Stephen Hutcheson and the Online Distributed -Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net - - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions -will be renamed. - -Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no -one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation -(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without -permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, -set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to -copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to -protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. 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Thus, we do not necessarily -keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. - -Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: - - www.gutenberg.org - -This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, -including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to -subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. - - -</pre> - +<div>*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 41260 ***</div> </body> </html> diff --git a/41260.txt b/41260.txt deleted file mode 100644 index a8c6b0e..0000000 --- a/41260.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,5630 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg EBook of Dan Carter Cub Scout, by Mildred A. Wirt - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with -almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org - - -Title: Dan Carter Cub Scout - -Author: Mildred A. Wirt - -Release Date: November 2, 2012 [EBook #41260] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ASCII - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK DAN CARTER CUB SCOUT *** - - - - -Produced by Stephen Hutcheson and the Online Distributed -Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net - - - - - - - He opened the creaking door and peered inside. -"Dan Carter--Cub Scout" - (_See Page 149_) - - - - - Dan Carter-- - Cub Scout - - - by - Mildred A. Wirt - - - Illustrated - - - CUPPLES AND LEON COMPANY - Publishers New York - - - Copyright, 1949, by - CUPPLES AND LEON COMPANY - _All Rights Reserved_ - - DAN CARTER--CUB SCOUT - - Printed in the United States of America - - - _To_ - PAUL E. REINBOLT - _Assistant Scout Executive, Toledo Area Council, - Boy Scouts of America_ - - - - - Contents - - - 1 Trespassers 1 - 2 The Cubs on Trial 15 - 3 Stragglers 27 - 4 Useful Information 39 - 5 A Flash of Light 53 - 6 Indian Feathers 65 - 7 A Night Excursion 81 - 8 Rain 95 - 9 A Rising Creek 111 - 10 The Cubs Lend A Hand 125 - 11 Dan's Discovery 138 - 12 A Crate of Pheasants 149 - 13 Accusations 159 - 14 Trouble on Rabb Island 171 - 15 The Grand Howl 185 - - - - - Dan Carter--Cub Scout - - - - - CHAPTER 1 - Trespassers - - -"Are you awake, Dan?" - -In the darkness of the cabin, Dan Carter stirred drowsily, scarcely aware -of the whispering voice from the adjoining bunk. - -Relaxed and comfortable, he lay a moment, listening to the quiet, steady -breathing of the five Cub Scouts who shared the quarters. - -Overhead, a splatter of rain pinged on the tin roof of the cabin. Faster -and faster came the droplets, beating a tattoo on his sleep-drugged -brain. - -Rain! Rain! Always rain! - -Since Midge Holloway's father had invited Den 2 of the Webster City Cub -Scouts to camp overnight in the riverside cabin at the rear of his -residential property, the weather hadn't given them a break. - -"Dan!" - -This time, hearing his name whispered, the boy sat up, pulling the -blankets with him. In the darkness, Sam Hatfield reached out to touch his -hand. An assistant Cubmaster of the citywide Pack, Sam served as leader -of Den 2 in which his son Fred was an active Cub. - -"Hear that rain, Dan? It's coming down hard again." - -"Look's as if we're in for another ugly day," Dan admitted. He kept his -voice low so as not to awaken the other Cubs. - -"The river's likely rising. Think I'll take a look at the boat." - -Swinging his long legs out of the bunk, the Cub leader began to pull on -his clothes. Dan enjoyed the warm luxury of the blanket a moment longer, -and then with a shiver threw it off. - -"I'll go with you," he volunteered. - -The two dressed quietly so as not to disturb the sleeping Cubs. - -In the bunk above Dan's, Brad Wilber, the Den Chief, rolled restlessly. -By contrast, Chips Davis, half his lean body protruding from a blanket, -slept peaceful as a babe. The other Cubs, Midge Holloway, Red Suell, Fred -Hatfield and Mack Tibbets, were equally dead to the world. - -Sam stooped to tuck the blanket around Chips' exposed torso. Then, with -slickers buttoned, he and Dan went out into the night. - -A gust of wind dashed rain into their faces, blotting out a view of the -Holloway house on the hill. The area near the cabin had dissolved into a -sea of mud. - -Sam's flashlight picked out the graveled path which led to the dock. - -During the night, the river steadily had risen. Fed by rampant streams to -the north, the swollen waters gradually had nibbled away the sandy beach. -The boat, tied securely the night before, now pounded against the dock on -a slack rope. - -While Dan retied it, Sam Hatfield pushed away a floating log which had -lodged against the dock post. - -"River's up another four inches," he observed gloomily. "And now, more -rain." - -"Think we ought to call it quits?" - -"That's for the fellows to decide," Mr. Hatfield replied. "It was swell -of Midge's father to let us use this place. It's almost like having a -regular camp. - -"The Cubs sure appreciate it. But they're fed up with the weather. -Another day of this and we'll be sprouting webs on our feet. - -"What's your thought, Dan? Do we stick, or shall we call enough--enough?" - -"I hate to be a quitter. It's easy enough to trot home to our folks. I'd -say, let's hang on another day the way we planned. Maybe the weather man -will give us a break." - -"Good," said Mr. Hatfield in relief. "I was hoping you'd say that, Dan. -The question is, will the other Cubs agree?" - -"They're all good sports. If only we could swim or hike, everything would -be swell." - -"It can't rain forever," said Mr. Hatfield cheerfully. "Fact is, it's -slackening now. If the weather clears, I may have an idea or two for -stirring up a little fun." - -From experience, Dan knew that Sam Hatfield, athletic director at Webster -City High School, never lacked ideas. For that matter, neither did -Midge's father, Burton Holloway, who was the organization's official Den -Dad. - -The camp-out on Mr. Holloway's property at the edge of Webster City had -been planned as a climax to the outdoor activities of the Den. Only the -weatherman, it seemed, had pulled a fast one. - -The first glimmer of a gray, muggy dawn filtered through the woodland as -Dan and the Cub leader climbed the slope to the log cabin. - -"I'll start a fire," Mr. Hatfield volunteered. - -Anticipating rain, the Cubs, before retiring, had stored a good supply of -birch bark, pine needles and dry wood in a natural ravine shelter twenty -yards from the cabin. - -Dan now helped Mr. Hatfield scrape the ground bare of soggy leaves. -Kindling the fire carefully, the Cub leader soon had a cheerful blaze -going which began to radiate heat. Dan's spirits rose. - -"Say, the rain is quitting!" he said jubilantly. "And here comes Midge's -father!" - -Burton Holloway, a lean man of athletic build, rapidly descended the -stone steps from the house. - -"You're all invited to our place for breakfast," he announced. "Have a -bad night of it?" - -"No, we were snug and warm in the cabin," Mr. Hatfield replied. "As for -breakfast, I don't think we should impose on Mrs. Holloway. We'll make -out." - -"Suit yourselves," the Den Dad smiled. "Anyway, tell the Cubs to come to -the house for anything they need." - -By the time the camp fire had burned down to cherry red coals, the Cubs -began to straggle from the cabin. Chips Davis, a tall stripling for his -eleven years, was first to thrust his seal-like head out into the cold -mist. - -"Another lousy day," he bemoaned. "Four of 'em in a row. Great!" - -"Pipe down and get busy," Dan growled. "A Cub is supposed to be game." - -"Sure, that's what it says in the manual. But the wise guy who wrote that -book was sitting at his typewriter in a nice cozy room with steam heat -and--" - -"Pipe down, I say!" Dan repeated. "Or if you can't take it, there's a -nice hot breakfast waiting for you up at the house." - -Chips glared at Dan, and then suddenly relaxed. - -"Forget it, Dan. Can't you take a joke?" - -Dan let the matter ride. "If you're sticking with the gang, it's your -turn to help cook breakfast," he reminded him. - -"Yes, Mr. Denner! Waffles, creamed chicken and fresh strawberries coming -right up." - -Chips bowed low, a mocking grin overspreading his freckled face. Only the -mischief in his blue eyes took the edge from his words. - -Now Chips never had entirely accustomed himself to Dan's election as -official denner of the Cubs. Always he had seemed to resent those two -gold stripes on the younger boy's left sleeve. Seldom did he miss a -chance to rub it in if ever Dan ventured a suggestion. - -"Where's Brad?" he asked abruptly. "He's supposed to help too." - -Almost as if he had heard his name spoken, Brad thrust his touseled dark -head out the cabin doorway. Thirteen and large for his age, the Den Chief -wore the uniform of a Scout. - -"Top o' the morning," he chirped. "Did I hear my name?" - -"The little boss was just saying you're supposed to help get breakfast," -Chips informed him. - -"Chips, I'm not trying to boss anyone," Dan said, with an effort, holding -his temper in check. "Every fellow is supposed to do his share. That's -all." - -"Take it easy, lads," said Brad in his quiet, friendly voice. "This -rotten weather has us all on edge. Chips and I will tackle that breakfast -in nothing flat. Just give me a chance to wash up." - -The threatened disagreement was brushed away as of no consequence. - -With a warm feeling of gratitude to Brad, Dan went into the cabin to make -up his bed. Good old Brad! Even tempered and with an efficient way of -getting things done, one always could depend on him to iron out friction. - -Inside the cabin, the other Cubs were scrambling into their long blue -trousers and jerseys. But the usual clamor of excited voices was lacking. -Even Red, who often kept the Cubs in high spirits with his wise cracks, -seemed subdued. - -"What are we doin' today?" he asked plaintively. "Another session of -whittling Indian totem poles?" - -"Mr. Hatfield has something in mind," Dan informed the Cubs. "He may tell -us at breakfast." - -Following Dan's example, the Den members folded blankets which could not -be aired outside, and straightened the cabin. By the time Midge and Mack -brought water from the house, a well-cooked breakfast was ready. - -As they squatted around the fire eating their fill of bacon and eggs, Mr. -Hatfield outlined the morning plans. - -"It won't take long to clean up the dishes," he remarked. "Then what say -to a boat jaunt across the river?" - -"Not to the village again?" protested Chips. "We have more supplies now -than we'll need until we leave here." - -"I thought we might hike to Paul Silverton's pheasant farm." - -"Not the wealthy sportsman?" demanded Mack Tibbets, all interest. - -"That's right. He raises unusual imported birds as a hobby. Of course, it -will be pretty wet underfoot, and if any of you would rather stay here or -go home--" - -"Who wants to stay?" Red demanded. "We've been cooped up long enough. -Let's get those dishes washed pronto!" - -"Hey, look fellows!" broke in Mack suddenly. "Is that the real thing or a -mirage?" - -By this time the sun had straggled through the clouds and was casting a -few feeble beams over the drenched camp. - -"The sun! Whoopee!" shouted Red, capering about like an Indian. "Aw, who -turned it off?" - -As if to tantalize the Cubs, the sun after its brief debut again slipped -under a cloud. But a moment later, out it popped again, this time for -several minutes. The Cubs, greatly cheered, went at their morning duties -with a will. - -By ten o'clock, knapsacks were packed with sandwiches, chocolate bars and -extra wool socks. - -"All set?" Mr. Hatfield asked. "We'll have to make two boat trips across -the river. I'll take the first load with Midge, Fred, Dan and Red. Then -I'll return for the others." - -"Let's go," Dan urged, leading the way to the dock. - -The mahogany dinghy which Mr. Holloway assigned to the Cubs' use was -durable and easily rowed. At a sign from the Cub leader, Dan picked up -the oars, while Midge and Red shoved off. - -Swollen by recent rains, the river current was swift and filled with tiny -whirlpools. However, all the Cubs could swim, and Dan took care to steer -clear of floating logs and debris. - -At Eagle Point, Dan and his passengers alighted and waited on the beach -while Mr. Hatfield returned for the second boatload of Cubs. - -When finally all the boys had gathered, Mr. Hatfield and Midge's father -led the group along the shore over a stretch of rising ground to the edge -of a dense woods. - -Then, in single file, the Cubs plunged through a tangle of damp brush -interwoven with grapevines. - -"I failed to reach Mr. Silverton by telephone this morning," Mr. Holloway -remarked regretfully. "Therefore, our visit will come as a surprise to -him." - -"Think he'll object to our seeing the pheasants?" The Cub leader had -paused to consider the path which branched off into several indistinct -ones farther on. - -"Why should he? We'll ask permission before wandering around." - -The Cubs trudged on, finding the way heavy going. Mud clung to their -hiking shoes, making walking increasingly difficult. - -An overhanging branch showered Chips with raindrops as he brushed against -it. "I sure hope that pheasant farm isn't much farther," he grumbled. - -"Softie!" jeered Midge. "Maybe you could sit down somewhere on a nice -comfortable log and we could bring the pheasants to you." - -"Aw, cut it," Chips growled. "Can't a guy crack a remark without being -accused of turning soft?" - -Mr. Hatfield and Dan, who were leading the Cubs, now halted unexpectedly, -bringing the entire line up short. - -Quite without warning, a heavy-set, round-faced man in checkered flannel -shirt and corduroy breeches, emerged from behind a tree. Clearly he meant -to block the trail. - -"What are you boys doing here?" he flung at them. - -Mr. Holloway moved past the Cubs to stand beside Dan and the Cub master. - -Sam answered politely: "We're on our way to Mr. Silverton's pheasant -farm. This trail leads there, I believe?" - -"You're on Silverton's land now. He told you to come here, did he?" - -"Why, no. We're a Den of Cub scouts, and we thought we'd ask -permission--" - -"You're trespassers," the stranger cut in. - -"I assure you we do not mean to be. We very much would like to visit the -farm." - -"Well, you can't. Mr. Silverton doesn't want no-account boys running wild -over the place. They scare the pheasants and make no end of trouble." - -"The Cubs are reliable," said Mr. Hatfield quietly. "I assure you, you'll -have no difficulty on that score." - -"Sorry, you'll have to leave." - -"If we might see Mr. Silverton--" the Cub leader began, but again the -other interrupted. - -"Well, you can't," he snapped. "I'm Saul Dobbs, and I'm in charge here. -Now get out before I lose patience." - -Glaring at the Cubs, the workman carelessly allowed his hand to drop to -his belt where he carried a revolver in a holster. The gesture was not -lost upon either Mr. Hatfield or the Cubs. - -"We'll go," said the Cub leader, still without raising his voice. "But -don't think you're scaring us." - -"Git going and don't come back!" Saul Dobbs ordered in a blustering -voice. - -"You may hear from us again after we have talked to Mr. Silverton," said -Mr. Hatfield. "Meanwhile, good-bye." - -With dignity, he turned and led the crestfallen Cubs back along the -twisting trail. - - - - - CHAPTER 2 - The Cubs on Trial - - -No sooner were the Cubs well beyond the hearing of Saul Dobbs than they -broke into excited argument over whether or not they should have -submitted to his threats. - -"Why didn't we just tell him to go jump in the river?" Chips demanded -furiously. "Just who does he think he is, anyhow?" - -"He happens to be Mr. Silverton's foreman," Dan pointed out quietly. -"Also, he was armed." - -"He was only bluffing," Red volunteered his opinion. "I say, why don't we -go back there and tell him off?" - -Mr. Hatfield paused on the trail. "Aren't you fellows losing sight of an -important fact?" he inquired. - -"That we were trespassers?" Dan supplied. - -"Exactly. If Mr. Silverton had given us permission to have visited the -farm, then we'd have been within our rights." - -"It was my fault," Mr. Holloway took the blame. "I should have telephoned -Silverton. Instead, I took it for granted we'd see him at the farm and -that he'd give his okay." - -"Considering that he's the foreman, I suppose Dobbs had a right to order -us off the property," Brad said. "But it was the way he did it that got -under my skin." - -"The point is, do we have to take it like meek little lambs?" Red -demanded. "I'm for having it out with him." - -"Here too," chimed in Mack. "Where can we find Mr. Silverton?" - -"That's what I don't know," admitted the Cub leader. "We might be able to -get some information in the village." - -"Let's go there now," Midge proposed. "Can't we buy something at one of -the stores as an excuse for asking a few questions?" - -The proposal appealed to the other Cubs and to Mr. Hatfield and Midge's -father as well. Accordingly, they hiked the half mile to the village of -Camden across the river from Webster City where nearly all of the boys -lived. - -Having purchased supplies several times before in the town, the Cubs -created little interest as they tramped into Barker's General Store. - -"What'll it be this time?" the genial storekeeper inquired after he had -waited on his other customers. - -Noticing that the fruit looked appetizing, Mr. Hatfield said he would -take two dozen of the fresh pears. - -"Flour? Beef? Bacon?" - -"Not today. We're well supplied. Matter of fact, we crossed the river -more for the excursion than anything else. This rain has kept us rather -closely confined." - -"Sure, the weather has been against you," the storekeeper agreed as he -weighed the fruit. "We're due for a turn though." - -Skillfully, Mr. Hatfield directed the conversation along the line he -wished it to take. - -"The Cubs were saying this morning they'd like to visit Silverton's -pheasant farm. By the way, who is in charge there?" - -"A fellow by the name of Dobbs--Saul Dobbs. He looks after the place for -Mr. Silverton. A rather disagreeable customer, I'm told." - -"I take it he doesn't like visitors at the farm?" - -"He drives 'em off," the storekeeper said, handing Mr. Hatfield his -change. - -"On orders from Mr. Silverton?" - -"That I wouldn't know. But Silverton seems like a fairly decent sort of -chap. Friendly and approachable." - -"He doesn't live at the pheasant farm?" - -"No, in Webster City. Has an office in the Gardner Building there. On -nice weekends, he drives out to the pheasant farm to look it over, but -mostly he lets Dobbs run the place." - -"I see," said the Cub leader, pocketing his change. "Well, good morning, -sir." - -Outside the general store, the Cubs gathered in a group to discuss their -next move. - -"You heard how it stacks up," said Mr. Hatfield. "If we want to visit the -farm, we'll have to see Mr. Silverton. That means a trip into Webster -City. Is it worth the effort?" - -"I wasn't so crazy to see the place at first," said Dan. "But now I am, -if only to prove to Saul Dobbs that he can't order us around." - -"Same here," agreed Midge promptly. - -Red proposed that the Cubs descend upon Mr. Silverton in a delegation. - -"That hardly seems wise," replied Mr. Hatfield. "I think someone should -stay in camp." - -"Why not appoint the ones who are to go?" suggested his son Fred. - -"Me for one!" urged Chips instantly. "I can give Mr. Silverton an earful -about that workman of his!" - -The Cub leader smiled. "That's what I'm afraid you might do, Chips. This -mission requires diplomacy and tact--you know, smooth talk and control. -I'll delegate Brad and Dan." - -"How'll we get there?" Dan asked, pleased to have been selected. - -"I'll take you in my car," offered Midge's father. - -The Cubs hiked back to the river and rowed to their camp. Although the -rain had ceased, the river, they noted, still was slowly rising. - -Mr. Holloway immediately backed his car from the garage, ready for the -trip to Webster City. - -"Good luck with Mr. Silverton," Sam Hatfield said as Brad and Dan climbed -in beside Mr. Holloway. "Just give him the facts." - -"And don't be afraid to talk up!" Chips added. - -As the car pulled away, Dan stole a quick glance at Brad. Always he had -admired the dark-haired older boy who seemed so sure of himself, yet -never was conceited. An outstanding athlete for his age, Brad would enter -Webster City High School in the fall. - -Dan, nearly ten, and fast growing into a bean pole, was considered old -beyond his years. Popular with nearly everyone, the sandy-haired, -blue-eyed sixth grader entered enthusiastically into all the Den and Pack -meetings. - -At the Gardner Building twenty minutes later, Mr. Holloway parked the car -by a curb meter, and accompanied the boys to Mr. Silverton's fourth floor -suite of offices. A receptionist inquired as to their wishes. - -"We'd like to see Mr. Silverton, please," Mr. Holloway requested. - -The girl's reply was discouraging. "Mr. Silverton is in an important -conference," she explained. "He may be detained an hour. Isn't there -something I can do?" - -Mr. Holloway explained that his business was with Mr. Silverton -personally and turned to Brad and Dan. "How about it fellows?" he -inquired. "I'd like to wait, but I have an important business matter to -look after." - -"The Cubs will be disappointed if we go back without even seeing Mr. -Silverton," said Brad. "Can't Dan and I wait for him?" - -"I'm sure you two can present the matter without me," Mr. Holloway said, -greatly relieved. "I'll try to get back here in about an hour to pick you -up. If Mr. Silverton is able to see you before I return, give him the -facts." - -"Yes, sir," grinned Brad. "We'll do our best." - -After the Den Dad had gone, Brad and Dan sat down on a bench to wait. -They studied a wall calendar and listened to the chatter of a ticker tape -stock machine in an adjoining office. Time dragged slowly. - -"Mr. Holloway will be coming for us soon," Dan said, ill at ease. "I hope -Mr. Silverton doesn't forget we're here." - -Just then, the receptionist came out of the inner office. "Mr. Silverton -will see you now," she announced. - -Dan and Brad followed the young woman through a door with frosted glass -into a large comfortable room with thick carpet. - -A stout, slightly bald man of nervous manner sat behind a massive -mahogany desk. - -"Yes?" he inquired, his tone implying that he expected the pair to state -the purpose of their call as briefly as possible. And then, noticing -their uniforms, he inquired: "Boy Scouts?" - -"Brad is," Dan corrected politely. "I'm a Cub, Wolf rank." - -"A Cub, eh?" Mr. Silverton repeated. "Is that something new in Scouting?" - -"It's a program somewhat similar to scouting only for younger boys and -the whole family--Mothers and Dads," explained Brad. - -"You have an organization motto? All that sort of thing?" - -"Oh, yes, sir," informed Dan eagerly. "Our motto is: 'Do your best.' -Every Bobcat who joins the organization also promises to be Square and to -obey the Law of the Cub Pack." - -"Interesting. Most interesting," said the stock broker. He doodled -figures on a scratch pad. "But what brings you here, may I inquire?" - -"The Cubs would like to ask permission to visit your pheasant farm," Brad -explained. - -Mr. Silverton frowned at the request. "My foreman, Saul Dobbs, informs me -that recently some of the pheasants have been stolen," he said -discouragingly. "Furthermore, boys have been sneaking in and scaring the -birds." - -"Not the Cubs, sir," said Dan earnestly. - -"Perhaps not, but my pheasants represent a considerable investment. I -can't risk losing choice birds. I'm sorry, but if Dobbs told you to stay -out, I'm afraid I'll have to back him up." - -Dan and Brad exchanged a startled glance. Instantly it dawned upon them -that the foreman already had prejudiced his employer against the Cubs. - -"Dobbs told you about our visit this morning?" Dan asked. - -"Yes, he telephoned to report you were there. He said you were quite -insistent upon seeing the farm." - -"But, sir, that wasn't exactly true," Brad denied. "We were all walking -along the trail, when up pops Mr. Dobbs with his revolver. He told us to -leave, so we did, without any argument. Mr. Hatfield and Midge's father -were along and they'll back me up in the statement." - -"You say Dobbs threatened you with a revolver?" Mr. Silverton asked, -displeased. - -"He didn't exactly threaten us," Dan answered truthfully. "He just put -his hand on the holster to let us know he meant business." - -"We wouldn't have turned-tail only we're law abiding and we knew we had -no right on the property without your consent," added Brad. - -The straightforward presentation seemed to impress the stock broker, for -after a moment's thought, he asked: "How many boys in your troop?" - -"Six in the den, not counting myself," Brad said. "All the boys are -strictly reliable. It's one of the rules of the Cubs that we strive to -give good will." - -"Cubs believe in being honorable," Dan added, observing that Mr. -Silverton was wavering. "You can depend on us not to damage anything on -your farm." - -"And why are you so set upon visiting the place?" - -"Your preserve has some of the best woodland in the county," said Brad. - -"Pheasants are incidental? You wouldn't by chance be wanting to set Saul -Dobbs in his place?" - -Dan and Brad looked at each other and grinned. "I guess that does enter -into it, sir," Brad said truthfully. "He was rather unpleasant and it -burned us up." - -"Can't say I blame you for your feelings. At times, Dobbs is inclined to -become somewhat officious. When I gave him permission to carry a -revolver, I didn't expect him to use it to frighten boys." - -"We weren't exactly alarmed," Brad said. "It was more annoying than -anything else." - -"You boys impress me favorably," Mr. Silverton continued. "Dobbs, I -think, gave me a wrong slant on the situation. Now, suppose I should -agree to allow the Cubs to visit the farm. Will you promise to follow the -rules?" - -"We will, sir," declared Dan eagerly. "I'll guarantee it." - -"Then take a look at this map," said the sportsman, whipping a small one -from the top desk drawer. "All the trails on my property are marked. Now, -you may visit the barns, the pheasant runs and the central area near the -foreman's house. But this breeding ground, where we keep the Germain -peacock pheasant, is restricted." - -Mr. Silverton etched in a small section along the river and highway. "You -agree to stay out of this area?" he asked again. - -"We've already given our promise," said Brad. - -"Good. Then take this map along," Mr. Silverton said, thrusting it into -Dan's hand. "Good afternoon, boys." - -Fingering the map, Dan remained facing the sportsman. "Please, sir--" - -"Yes, what is it now?" - -"May we have a paper, or some authorization? Saul Dobbs may not be -willing to take our word--" - -"Yes, to be sure," Mr. Silverton said hurriedly. He scribbled a brief -note on a memorandum sheet which bore his printed name. - -"This will take care of it," he said. "You should have no trouble from -now on with Dobbs." - -"I'm sure we won't," said Dan, pocketing the order. - -"But remember," Mr. Silverton warned as the boys turned to leave, "you're -on trial. If any of the Cubs disobey instructions, your privileges will -end. Now get along with you. I have work to do." - - - - - CHAPTER 3 - Stragglers - - -Jubilant at having obtained permission to visit the Silverton Pheasant -Farm, Dan and Brad told Mr. Holloway the good news when he came for them -twenty minutes later. - -"Fine!" he praised. "You boys must have put up a good argument. We'll -plan a trip to the farm tomorrow if the weather permits." - -The following morning, cheered by a warm sun which rapidly dried the damp -trails, the Cubs set off for the Silverton Pheasant farm with Sam -Hatfield and Midge's father. - -"Remember, gang," the Cub leader warned as he paused on the path where -the party had met Saul Dobbs the previous day. "We're here on trial. Mr. -Silverton will toss us out in nothing flat if we wander into forbidden -areas. Everyone got that straight?" - -To make certain that all the Cubs understood, Dan passed out the map -which Mr. Silverton had given him the previous day. - -"This section along Crooked Creek near the main road and the river is -taboo," he said, outlining it with his finger tip. - -"Wonder why Silverton doesn't want us to go there?" speculated Red. - -"Because he keeps his fancy pheasants in that area," Dan explained. "The -point is, Brad and I gave our promise the Cubs will stay away from the -marked section." - -"We will," said Midge. "You don't have to worry." - -"Lead on," sang out Mack. - -The Cubs moved single file along the narrow woodland trail, noticing many -fine oak, white elm, ash and birch trees. - -"Say, we could get wood here for some dandy Indian bows and arrows!" Fred -exclaimed enthusiastically. "Wonder if Mr. Silverton would mind?" - -"We'll not cut any wood without first asking permission," said the Cub -leader to his son. "And no playful whacks at any of the bushes," he -added, glancing at Chips who was known to have an itchy hand with a belt -axe. - -At a brisk pace, Mr. Hatfield led the Cubs on, crossing a creek at a -footbridge. Soon he came to an open space which permitted a view of the -Silverton barn, the hatchery, the holding pens and a small dwelling, -evidently the cottage where Saul Dobbs lived. - -Beyond the mesh enclosed pens, a field had been planted in cover strips -of sorghum grass. - -"Oh! Oh!" muttered Dan under his breath. "Here comes Old Man Trouble -himself!" - -Saul Dobbs, who had been interrupted as he clipped the wings of a -blue-breasted pheasant, trod angrily toward the Cubs. - -In his gnarled hands he still held the beautiful bird, whose handsome red -neck feathers shaded off into a long silver white tail. - -"What's the big idea?" Dobbs demanded harshly. "Didn't I tell you to stay -away from here? D'you want me to call the sheriff?" - -"One moment, Mr. Dobbs," said Sam Hatfield. "We have permission to visit -the farm." - -"Mr. Silverton said you could come here?" - -"Right." - -The information plainly annoyed the foreman, for he scowled. "How do I -know you ain't just saying that?" he demanded. - -Dan produced the memorandum written in Mr. Silverton's hand. Dobbs read -it in stony silence. - -"Okay, it's nothing to me one way or the other," he shrugged. "You can -look around if you like. But mind, don't get the birds stirred up." - -"Isn't that a silver pheasant you have in your hand?" Mr. Hatfield -inquired pleasantly. - -"Yeah," Dobbs agreed, leading the group to another pen. "This here one's -a rare breed from the Himalayas," he explained, pointing to a pheasant -with a short golden-orange tail. - -"Do you keep golden pheasants too?" asked Dan. - -"Sure, they're over in those pens near the barn. You can tell a golden -pheasant by their fluffy yellow crest, red breast and long yellow tail -feathers in scale pattern." - -"I see you are quite an authority on pheasants," the Cub leader remarked, -hoping to coax the man into a good humor. - -"Well, I been workin' fer Mr. Silverton more'n two years now," Dobbs -informed in a less hostile tone. "But pheasant raisin' is hard work. You -have to keep close watch of the eggs when they're hatching. There's pens -to be cleaned and fumigated, sick pheasants to be treated and always you -have to be on the alert to see that none of 'em get away. I got too much -to do." - -"We don't mean to put you to any trouble," said Mr. Hatfield. "Don't let -us keep you from your work." - -Dobbs shot the Cub leader a quick glance, half suspicious, and replied -curtly: "If you want to see the silver pheasants, there's a new hatch of -'em over in the south pens." - -"Does Mr. Silverton keep any birds that are imported from Burma or the -Malay States?" Dan asked eagerly. "How about Germain's peacock pheasant?" - -"Seems you're pretty well versed in pheasants," Dobbs said, eyeing the -boy keenly. "Who told you to ask that?" - -"Why, no one. Mr. Silverton mentioned it, that was all." - -"Well, we got a few of 'em," Dobbs said reluctantly. "We're having -trouble getting the birds started. You won't find any of 'em here by the -barn." - -Apparently annoyed by the question, the foreman walked away, leaving the -Cubs to their own resources. However, as they wandered from one enclosure -to another, they noticed that he watched them closely. - -Careful not to disturb any of the hens or cocks, the Cubs spent half an -hour around the pens. As they started to leave, Mr. Hatfield asked the -foreman if he thought Mr. Silverton would object if they cut a little -wood for Indian bow staves. - -"Oh, I guess it'll be all right, providin' you don't leave the trails," -Saul Dobbs said grudgingly. "Just be careful what you cut." - -Feeling that the foreman might not be such a bad sort after all, the Cubs -retraced their way through the woodland toward the river. - -Midway there, Fred suddenly announced that he was famished. "When do we -eat?" he moaned. - -"This seems to be as good a time as any," said Mr. Hatfield, squinting at -the sun which had climbed high overhead. - -From their knapsacks, the Cubs broke out sandwiches, fruit, and candy -bars. But when Chips would have started a fire to warm a can of soup he -had brought along, the Cub leader vetoed the proposal. - -"We're still on Silverton's land," he reminded the Cubs. "No fires." - -After lunch, the Cubs lay for awhile under the trees, basking in the -steamy warmth of the sun. - -"I see a lot of good hickory and birch around here," Red said, stirring -to effort. "Let's get busy on those Indian bow staves." - -"Go to it," Mr. Hatfield urged. "But don't mutilate any of the trees." - -For the next hour, the Cubs wandered about, selecting choice pieces of -hickory, white elm and other woods favored for staves. Midge's father -showed them how to dress the ends. - -"Time we're getting back," he announced suddenly, picking up his -knapsack. "Come on, gang." - -"Say, where is Chips?" Brad demanded, counting noses. - -"And Red?" added Dan. - -"They were here only a few minutes ago," Fred recalled. "Come to think, I -heard Chips say something about looking for a yew tree!" - -"That dumb cluck!" Dan exploded. "If he were in an evergreen forest, he'd -start looking for a date palm!" - -Mr. Hatfield whistled several times and waited for an answering signal. -None came. - -"Red and Chips can't be far away," he said. - -"Want me to go after them?" Brad volunteered. - -"We'll all follow their trail," the Cub leader decided. "But keep -together, gang. We've no time to look for other stragglers." - -The Cubs moved along, eyes intent on the ground. A short distance from -where they had eaten lunch, Brad came upon a heel mark in a little patch -of black, moist earth. - -Pausing, he studied the mark a moment. "From Chips' shoe," he identified -it. "I can tell by that wing design heel mark." - -A little farther on Dan found Red's tracks. A broken bush indicated the -direction in which he had gone. - -"At least they're together," Mr. Holloway said in relief. - -"Those dumb bunnies!" Fred said irritably. "What made 'em wander off that -way? Do they think we've got nothing to do but trail them?" - -Mr. Hatfield, deeply troubled, paused at intervals to give the familiar -whistle. No answering call came through the woodland. - -The trail of the two wanderers, led on and on to the banks of a racing -creek. - -Mr. Hatfield paused a moment to study a pile of logs and debris brought -down by the flood. The litter had accumulated in a narrow gorge -formation. - -"Notice how those logs form a dam across the stream," he remarked. - -"The water could back up fast in event of a real flood," agreed Mr. -Holloway, following the Cub leader's thought. "Fortunately, the rains -seem to have let up." - -"We're not far from the pheasant runs," Sam Hatfield said, thinking -aloud. "If I were in Saul Dobbs' place, I'd clear away those logs. -Perhaps there's no danger. But it strikes me considerable damage might be -done if the water should back up any distance." - -"Maybe he doesn't know about the jam," suggested Brad. - -"That may be," nodded the Cub leader. "However, some of those logs look -as if they've been here quite a while." - -Dan, noticing that the logs formed a perfect bridge across the stream, -started to walk across. The Cub leader called him back. - -"Say, Dan," he said, "let me see that map Mr. Silverton marked for you." - -"Sure." - -Leaping down from the log, Dan fished the paper from his pocket. While -the Cubs peered over his shoulder, Mr. Hatfield spread it out on the -ground. - -"We're very close to the area Mr. Silverton marked as restricted," the -Cub leader declared. "Directly across the stream is an abandoned logging -road which joins the main highway along the river. This map shows the old -road fenced off--" - -The Cubs waited, but Mr. Hatfield did not complete what he had started to -say. Instead, he stared at the log jam, lost in deep thought. - -"Anything wrong?" Dan asked, puzzled. - -"I was just wondering about that road across the creek," the Cub leader -said vaguely. - -He passed the matter off as of no consequence. Except for Dan, the Cubs -forgot the matter entirely, because at that moment, Brad gave an excited -shout. In poking about along the sandy shore, he had made a disconcerting -discovery. - -"Say, come here!" he called. - -The Cubs quickly joined him along the rim of the racing stream. - -"We've got to find Chips and Red right away!" he informed the group. "See -where their tracks lead!" - -The Den Chief pointed to a series of heel marks, leading directly away -from the stream. - -Clearly, Red and Chips after reaching the site of the log jam, had left -the main trail. - -Selecting another, they had continued on, walking into the forbidden area -of Mr. Silverton's property! - - - - - CHAPTER 4 - Useful Information - - -"For the love o' lemons!" exploded Dan as he saw for himself that the -trail of footprints led into the restricted area of the Silverton -property. "What got into Red and Chips?" - -"They knew we gave our promise to Mr. Silverton," Brad said, deeply -troubled. "And now, first crack, they go wandering off." - -"Let's drag 'em back here before Saul Dobbs learns about it," advised -Fred. "It would give him a good excuse for heaving us all off the place." - -Mr. Hatfield and Midge's father were even more troubled than the Cubs -over the actions of Chips and Red. - -"We shouldn't all enter the restricted area," Mr. Holloway said. "I'll -take Brad and Dan and go after them. The rest wait here with Sam." - -With the Den Chief and Dan at his heels, Mr. Holloway rapidly followed -the trail which, after leaving the creek, presently came out at a cleared -area. - -Directly ahead, they saw the two missing Cubs. - -"Wahoo! Wahoo!" shouted Dan to attract their attention. - -Red and Chips, who had their backs turned, whirled around to face the -approaching trio. Seemingly unaware that they had committed any offense, -they came trotting toward the group. - -"See what we found!" Chips cried, extending his hands which were filled -with gray pheasant tail feathers. - -Red had a similar collection. "We're going to use these for an Indian -headdress!" he announced. "We can enter it in the Pack's Indian craft -exhibit at the end of the summer, and maybe win first prize!" - -"You win first prize for being the Den's No. 1 Dodo," Brad said -furiously. "Cripes! Can't a fellow trust you a minute?" - -"Brad, let me handle this," said Mr. Holloway quietly. - -Turning to the puzzled Chips and Red, he asked them if they knew what -they had done. - -"We haven't done anything," Chips insisted. "If all this fuss is about -these feathers--we picked 'em up over there on the ground." - -"That's right," Red said, made uncomfortable by the Den Dad's steady -gaze. "You can bet we didn't pluck any birds. In fact, we didn't see a -single pheasant." - -"I wasn't referring to the feathers," replied Mr. Holloway. "Do you -realize where you are?" - -"Sure. On Mr. Silverton's land," Red answered, still failing to -comprehend. - -"You're in the forbidden area, Red. The Cubs pride themselves on keeping -their word and being honest. You and Chips knew the rules." - -The two culprits gazed at each other in consternation. - -"Gosh!" Chips exclaimed. "We didn't know we had wandered into the -out-of-bounds area. Did we, Red?" - -"We sure didn't," the other returned earnestly. "We just started off -looking for wood to make Indian bows. We didn't find what we wanted, so -we kept walking." - -"Then we found these feathers," Chips took up the tale. "About that time, -we heard Dan call. We didn't do any harm." - -"Perhaps not," admitted Mr. Holloway. "But that's neither here nor there. -The point is, through your carelessness, you've cast reflection on all -the Cubs. Brad and Dan pledged the Den's honor to Mr. Silverton." - -Chips hung his head. Red, twisting the gray feathers in his hands, -avoided the level gaze of the Den Dad. - -"We didn't know we were breaking the rules," Chips mumbled. "Dan only -gave us one look at the map. How were we to tell--" - -"Alibis don't go with me," said Mr. Holloway. "Well, the deed is done. -The next question is, what are we to do about it?" - -"If we get away from here before Saul Dobbs catches on, no one will be -the wiser," Chips said. - -"And is that what you think we should do, Chips? Sneak out of here and -keep quiet?" - -"Well, I don't know," Chips said, hanging his head. "It was just a -mistake." - -"But you and Red broke the rules. While you may not have intended to -disobey, you weren't careful." - -"Why not go to Mr. Silverton and tell him exactly what happened?" -proposed Dan. "If he's the right sort, he'll accept our apology and not -hold it against anyone." - -"How does that sound to you?" Mr. Holloway asked the two offenders. - -"Suits me," agreed Chips, while Red nodded morosely. - -"I'll have to talk this over with Mr. Hatfield and the other Cubs," said -the Den Dad. "But the idea sounds good to me." - -"It will mean a trip to Mr. Silverton's office," said Brad. "Probably -it's too late to see him today." - -"Tomorrow will have to do," said Mr. Holloway. "Well, we have no right -here. Let's get back where we belong." - -Returning to the Cubs who waited by the creek, the Den Dad explained -briefly what had happened. - -"Chips and Red are willing to apologize to Mr. Silverton tomorrow," he -said. "I hope that will square matters. Brad, I think it might be well -for you and Dan to go along, since you've already met Mr. Silverton." - -"I'll be glad to, sir," said Brad, while Dan nodded. - -Aware that Chips and Red already were worried by their mistake, the Cubs -did not plague them with questions or accusations. But everyone felt -depressed by the outcome of the little excursion. - -"By the way," said Mr. Holloway, as the group left the creek, "someone -should mention this log jam to Mr. Silverton tomorrow. It worries me. I -figure he can't know about it, or he'd have ordered it cleared away." - -"I'll be glad to speak of it," offered Dan. - -He fell into step with Chips and Red, who for a long while walked in -gloomy silence. - -"I don't see why Silverton's so fussy about the Cubs going into that -restricted section anyhow," Chips grumbled. - -"Guess he's afraid his special breed of Germain peacock pheasants will be -disturbed," Dan said easily. - -"Sure, that's what he told you. But why keep the Cubs out when he lets -others go there?" - -"What do you mean--others?" - -"Well, when Red and I were picking up those feathers we heard voices back -of us in the woods--men's voices." - -"That's right," Red agreed. "Someone must have driven up in a car on the -old logging road, because we thought we could hear an engine running on -the other side of the creek." - -"You must have good ears," Dan said. "We didn't hear any car. Or any -voices either." - -Mr. Hatfield, who had been walking ahead, had overheard Red's remark. -Dropping back, he fell into step with the Cubs, listening rather -attentively. Being a native, he knew that section very well. - -"That old logging road hasn't been used in years and has been allowed to -grow up in weeds," he said, thinking aloud. "I was told the sportsman -fenced it off where it crosses the main highway. When the pavement went -in three years ago, it nipped off the terminal of the logging road." - -"Maybe Dobbs or some of the workmen drove a car back in there," Dan -remarked. - -"It wasn't Dobbs," Red insisted. "He has a gruff, husky voice. There were -two men. One spoke in a high, almost squeaky voice, and the other was -just a mumble." - -"Did you see the men or hear what they were saying?" Mr. Hatfield asked -Red. - -"No, we didn't pay too much attention. Anyway, they were off quite a -distance. But if Silverton lets others go into that section, I don't see -why he hangs barbed wire around us!" - -"That has nothing to do with it," Mr. Hatfield replied. "We gave our -promise to stay away from the restricted area, and we broke it." - -"Chips and I already have said we'd explain to him," Red mumbled, -accepting the rebuke. - -Without meeting Saul Dobbs, the Cubs returned to the river's edge. Mr. -Holloway took the first boatload of boys across to the cabin. Mr. -Hatfield made the second trip, finally coming back for Brad and Dan, the -only ones left on the far shore. - -"How about taking a little jaunt upstream with me?" the Cub leader -suggested, shoving off. - -"Where to?" Dan asked quickly, surprised by the question. - -"I'm curious to see the exit of that old logging road," Mr. Hatfield -explained. - -"Let's go!" urged Brad, eager for adventure. "What do you expect to find, -Mr. Hatfield?" - -"I'm not sure I'll find anything, Brad. Let's just charge this trip off -to curiosity." - -Rowing against the strong current proved slow and hard work. But finally, -the Cub leader nosed the boat into a sheltered cove. Brad and Dan helped -him pull the craft high out of water. - -Scrambling up the steep slope, Mr. Hatfield and the two boys walked along -the pavement to the exit of the old abandoned logging road. A rail fence -blocked it off from the main highway. - -"Before the highway went through, this logging road ended at the river," -Mr. Hatfield explained. "Logs were hauled out and floated downstream to a -paper mill at West Haven." - -"When was the logging road abandoned?" Brad asked curiously. - -"Oh, at least eight years ago. The road was used some, I think, until -Silverton bought the woodland property for a game preserve. Then he -fenced off the exit to prevent trespassers from driving through." - -From where Dan stood, he could see only a short distance up the -weed-choked dirt road. Why, he wondered, was Mr. Hatfield so interested? -By this time he knew the Cub leader never did anything without a purpose. - -"Let's walk down the road a ways," Mr. Hatfield proposed. - -As he swung his long legs over the fence, the top rail tumbled to the -ground. Mr. Hatfield waited until Dan and Brad had stepped over, and then -stooped to replace the barrier. Carefully he examined the other rails -which had been carelessly set in position. - -"These logs have been removed quite recently," he told his companions. -"Wouldn't you say someone has been using this old road? Perhaps entering -and leaving it from the main highway?" - -"That would fit in with what Chips and Red said about hearing voices!" -Brad exclaimed. "But according to the map, this logging road doesn't -actually enter the restricted area of Mr. Silverton's property." - -"No, but it parallels the stream much of the way," Mr. Hatfield recalled. -"One could drive a car in, park almost anywhere, and if he chose, cross -the creek afoot." - -"That log jam makes a regular bridge!" Dan exclaimed. "But tell me! Why -would anyone except Silverton or his workman have any reason to use the -road?" - -Mr. Hatfield did not directly answer the question. Instead he said: "I'm -not indulging in any fancy speculation. Just wanted to check up on a few -points, that's all." - -Whistling a line from "I'm Forever Blowing Bubbles," the Cub leader set -off down the old road. Rather mystified, Dan and Brad tagged at his -heels. - -A short distance farther on, Mr. Hatfield paused to study automobile tire -tracks plainly visible in the grass and sand. - -"A car must have been through here two or three times at least," he -commented. "Where does this road lead, I wonder?" - -Dan offered him the marked map. According to it, they saw that the old -logging road crossed the pheasant farm and woodland, playing out in the -forest about two miles from the main highway. - -"We won't attempt to walk the two miles," Mr. Hatfield said. "However, I -do want to check back as far as the log jam in the creek." - -Still puzzled as to why the Cub leader was so interested in the old road, -Brad and Dan kept pace with him as he rapidly followed the tire tracks. - -Seeing no sign of a car, they came presently to the point of the twisting -stream which was choked with logs and debris. - -Mr. Hatfield immediately noticed that the water level had dropped -slightly since their earlier visit. - -"For the time being, there's no danger of flood," he said in relief. "But -if it should continue to rain--" - -"Is that why we walked back here?" Dan asked, unable to hide his -disappointment. "Just to check the water level?" - -Mr. Hatfield smiled and shook his head. He had found another clue. - -"Notice anything else?" he asked. - -"Why, no," Dan said, puzzled. Then he corrected himself. "Yes, I do! The -automobile tire tracks end here!" - -"And one can see where the car turned around," Brad added, pointing to a -bush that had been torn and bent. - -"That's what I came to find out," said Mr. Hatfield. - -"But why do you want to know whether or not the car turned around here?" -Dan asked. - -"Oh, I figure the information may sometime be useful," the Cub leader -replied vaguely. "Just a hunch." - -His curiosity satisfied, Mr. Hatfield seemed to lose all interest in the -old road. - -However, as the trio rapidly retraced their way to the river and their -waiting boat, he dropped a word of advice to his two companions. - -"Let's keep this little excursion to ourselves," he suggested. "No use -stirring up the Cubs about something that may not amount to anything." - -"You can depend on us to keep mum," Brad promised. "But the truth is, you -have us guessing too, Mr. Hatfield. What's it all about?" - -"Nothing I can definitely put a finger on yet," Mr. Hatfield replied -off-hand. "Shall we say it's just a feeling I have?" - -"That's a rather unsatisfactory answer, sir," grinned Dan. - -"Unsatisfactory perhaps, but it's better than going off half-cocked with -wild speculations." The Cub leader hesitated a moment and then added: -"I'm hoping Mr. Silverton will accept our apology for invading the -restricted area of his property today. If he shouldn't, well--a little -information may be useful." - - - - - CHAPTER 5 - A Flash of Light - - -Early the next morning after nearly two days at Mr. Holloway's shoreland -home, the Cubs regretfully broke up their camp. - -As they were packing their belongings into the cars, both Mr. and Mrs. -Holloway assured the boys they were expected back that weekend for a -meeting of the Pack. - -"We'll be here with bells!" declared Dan. "Next week may we visit the -pheasant farm again? I intend to read up on game birds at the library and -make a real study of 'em." - -"Whether we go there again or not, depends on Mr. Silverton," Mr. -Hatfield reminded the Cubs. "What's the plan now, Chips?" - -"Red and I are to meet Brad and Dan at Silverton's office at ten o'clock -this morning." - -"Fine!" approved the leader of the Cubs. "Be sure to let Mr. Holloway or -me know how you come out." - -Though rather dreading the interview with Mr. Silverton, Brad and Dan -were on hand at the stock broker's office five minutes before the -appointed hour. - -Chips and Red came dragging in ten minutes later. - -"Brace up, Red," Brad encouraged him, noticing his downcast face. "I -don't think Mr. Silverton will be so tough." - -"Oh, I'm not worryin' about the interview," Red replied. - -"Then what makes you look so down at the mouth?" - -"I'm sore because I lost my Wolf badge yesterday. I guess it pulled off -my jersey while we were in the woods." - -"That's too bad," Brad sympathized with him. "Well, maybe you'll find it -later." - -"Maybe," Red shrugged, running a hand nervously through his short-cropped -auburn hair. "Well, let's get this interview over with!" - -Brad spoke to the receptionist, who had been watching the Cubs with -intent interest. However, when he asked if they might see Mr. Silverton, -she explained that the stock broker was out of the city. - -"He may return tomorrow, but I'm not certain," she said regretfully. - -"We'll have to come back later then," Brad replied, disappointed by their -failure to see the sportsman. - -Once outside the office, the four boys discussed their next move. "We -could explain to Mr. Silverton by letter," Brad said. "It's better though -I think, to see him personally. Let's try to see him later." - -Chips and Red, who were on their way to the public library, parted with -their companions at the next corner. Brad and Dan went on together, -discussing plans for the week-end Pack ceremony at Mr. Holloway's cabin. - -So absorbed were they in their conversation that they bumped squarely -into a man who had crossed the street against a red light. The pedestrian -was Saul Dobbs. - -"Say, watch where you're going!" he exclaimed before they could -apologize. And then, recognizing the pair, he exclaimed angrily: "I've -been hoping to meet you again!" - -Without giving either Dan or Brad opportunity to speak, the man began to -berate them in a loud voice: - -"Mr. Silverton let you visit his pheasant farm, didn't he? And you -promised him you'd stick to the main trails and not disturb the -pheasants! But did you keep your promise? No! The minute you were out of -sight, you sneak into the restricted area!" - -"Just a minute, Mr. Dobbs--" interposed Brad. - -"Now don't try giving me any excuses! You deliberately went into that -section by the creek. I got the goods on you! And you needn't deny it -either!" - -"No one is denying anything," Dan said hotly. "If you'll give us a chance -to explain--" - -"You won't do any explaining to me! You're nothing but a bunch of -unreliable youngsters. If I have my way, you'll never set foot on Mr. -Silverton's land again!" - -"You're being unfair," Brad said quietly. "It's true two of the Cubs -wandered by mistake into the restricted area. But we went to see Mr. -Silverton a few minutes ago, intending to explain. We couldn't because -he's out of town." - -"A likely story! Well, get this straight! You're to stay away from the -farm." - -Though resenting Saul Dobbs' manner, Brad nevertheless said evenly: "Mr. -Silverton gave us permission to visit the pheasant farm. It seems to me -he's the one who should decide whether or not our privileges are -withdrawn." - -"I'll see to that," Dobbs said, his eyes blazing. "I knew there'd be -trouble to pay when he let you Cubs onto the property!" - -Pushing past the two boys, the foreman started on down the street. - -"Wait, Mr. Dobbs!" Dan called impulsively. "There's something we want to -tell you--the creek is jammed--" - -Dobbs paid not the slightest attention, if indeed, he heard. He strode -on, turning at the corner. - -"He's heading for Mr. Silverton's office," Brad guessed. "Probably he -will put in a bad word for us with the secretary." - -"Everything's messed up now," Dan said morosely. "Dobbs can make the -situation look ugly." - -"Trust him to do it too! Well, I'm afraid with Silverton out of town, all -we can do is report to Sam Hatfield and Mr. Holloway." - -Deeply disturbed by their meeting with Saul Dobbs, the two boys -speculated upon how he had learned that Chips and Red had entered the -restricted area. - -"He couldn't have seen them there or he'd have made a fuss about it -yesterday," reasoned Brad. "No, he's learned about it since. Maybe he -came upon footprints." - -At the next corner, the two boys entered a drugstore where they -telephoned Mr. Hatfield to report the failure of their mission. The Cub -leader's answer was reassuring. - -"Don't worry about it," he advised. "I'll talk to Mr. Silverton myself -when he returns to the city. I'm sure everything can be straightened -out." - -The conversation lifted a load from the minds of the two Cubs. During the -next two days, Brad and Dan went about their usual affairs, not giving -the matter too much thought. True, they twice telephoned Mr. Silverton's -office, only to be told he had not returned to the city. - -However, at the Pack meeting held Saturday night at Mr. Holloway's cabin, -their failure to clear up the misunderstanding was brought forcibly to -attention. - -Without consulting anyone, Chips and Red had made their collection of -pheasant feathers into an Indian headdress. With more enthusiasm than -tact, they proudly displayed their handiwork to the Den members. - -"Neat, huh?" Chips asked Brad. "Do you think it might win a prize in the -Pack handicraft show?" - -"The workmanship is all right," Brad admitted reluctantly. "But those -feathers--well, I wish you hadn't used 'em." - -"They were lying on the ground, going to waste." - -"Sure, I know," Brad sighed. "I guess there wasn't anything wrong about -taking 'em, except that they were picked up where we had no business to -be." - -"Then you think we shouldn't enter the headdress in the handicraft show?" -Chips demanded, a trifle sullenly. "After all the work Red and I did?" - -"Oh, I don't know," Brad said uncomfortably. "I'll have to ask Mr. -Hatfield. I'm all mixed up. I just wish Silverton would get back so we -could talk this over and clear up things." - -Troubled, the older boy looked about for the Cub leader. Both he and Mr. -Holloway were talking to the parents of the Cubs, answering a multitude -of questions. They were so busy he could not get near either of them. - -"Come on, Brad, join in the singing," called Mrs. Holloway, signaling him -from across the room. - -To please her, Brad mingled with the group. At the top of their lungs, -the Cubs were warbling: - - "Old Akela had a Pack. E I E I O, - And in this Pack he had some Dens. E I E I O. - With Den 1 here, and Den 2 there - Here a Den, there a Den, - Everywhere a happy Den, - Old Akela had a Pack. E I E I O." - -Joining in, Brad began to relax and to feel his worries slipping away. By -the time Mr. Hatfield gave the signal for the Pack meeting to start, he -again was in a cheerful mood. - -Six new Bobcats were to be taken into the Pack, among them Martin Howell, -a nine year old, who would join Den 2. - -Due to the soggy ground, it had not seemed advisable to build an outdoor -campfire. - -Instead, Mrs. Holloway, with the help of the Cubs, had made an imitation -fire in the center of the cabin room. - -In the absence of the Pack Cubmaster, Mr. Hatfield, his assistant, donned -a blanket and Indian headdress in preparation for conducting the -ceremony. - -Dan began to beat the tom tom. The Cubs, wearing one feather to signify -Wolf rank, two for Bear, three for Lion, and four for Webelos, formed a -square about the fire. - -Upon another signal, Brad brought into the room the boys who were to be -accepted into the Pack as Bobcats. - -"Akela," he said, addressing Mr. Hatfield, "I bring friends who would -join the Tribe of the Webelos." - -"Does the tribe wish them to join?" inquired Mr. Hatfield. - -"Let them enter!" chanted the Pack members in unison. - -Acting as Den Chief, Brad then led the newcomers into the square, so that -they faced Mr. Hatfield. - -"Do our friends know the Law of the Pack and are they ready to follow -it?" asked Mr. Hatfield. - -"They do, Akela." - -"Then let them repeat the Law." - -Solemnly the boys spoke the words: - - "The Cub FOLLOWS Akela. - The Cub HELPS the Pack go. - The Pack HELPS the Cub Grow. - The Cub GIVES good will." - -Mr. Hatfield then asked the parents of the candidates to come forward to -stand by their sons. Welcoming them to the Pack, he explained briefly -that Cubbing was a program for the entire family, and one which centered -about the home circle. - -The ceremony ended and the meeting broke up with another song. - -Remaining to help clear away the litter after the others had gone, Brad -and Dan walked down to the river's edge with Mr. Holloway. - -"The river seems to be rising again," the Den Dad said, checking the -level. "As yet, it is not alarming. But a hard rain on top of what we've -had might flood the lowlands." - -"I wonder if Dobbs has cleared out that dam in the creek?" Dan remarked, -turning to stare across the river toward the Silverton property. "We -tried to tell him about it but he acted so ugly--" - -The boy broke off so suddenly that Mr. Holloway who was retying the boat, -straightened up quickly. - -"What do you see, Dan?" he asked. - -"Nothing now, Mr. Holloway. A second ago--just as I spoke, I thought I -saw a flashing light across the river." - -"Where, Dan?" - -"On Mr. Silverton's land, or close to it. Near the old logging road, I'd -judge." - -"I see nothing now." - -"No, sir. The flash only lasted a second. There, it is again! See!" - -This time both Brad and Mr. Holloway saw the shooting beam of light. -Close to the ground, it shone brightly for a moment and then disappeared. - -"It might have been an automobile headlight or possibly a spot light," -Mr. Holloway said. "Odd that an automobile would be on that old road at -this time of night." - -"Shouldn't we go there to find out if anything is wrong?" - -"I hardly think so," Mr. Holloway replied, smiling at the boy's -eagerness. "Someone possibly may be prowling on Mr. Silverton's premises. -More likely though, Dobbs or another employee is doing night work. In any -case, it is none of our affair." - - - - - CHAPTER 6 - Indian Feathers - - -On the day following the meeting of the Pack, Dan, Brad, Chips and Red -tried once more to see Mr. Silverton in his office. - -The receptionist informed them that the sportsman had returned to Webster -City, but was not expected in that day. Questioned further by Brad, she -said she thought her employer had driven to his pheasant farm. - -Once outside the building, Chips proposed that the Cubs go there to see -him. "Let's get it over with!" he said impatiently. "This suspense of not -knowing what's what is getting me!" - -"Here too," chimed in Red. "If we've got to apologize, I'm for doing it -right away." - -"I suppose we could hike out there," Brad agreed reluctantly. "It's a -long walk though." - -"Let's go," urged Dan. "The Cubs will be expecting a report at our next -Den meeting." - -Anxious to get the matter settled one way or another, the four boys set -off for the Silverton Pheasant Farm. - -In passing through the village, they waved a friendly salute to the -proprietor of the general store. If the storekeeper saw them, he gave no -sign. At the moment, Brad thought nothing of the incident, though later -it was to return to mind. - -As the Cubs tramped on to the woodland trail, Dan spoke once more of the -strange lights seen the previous night near the old logging road. Red -considered the incident of slight consequence. - -"Saul Dobbs or some of Mr. Silverton's men probably were working late," -he said. "Think nothing of it." - -"But it seems sort of queer, Red." - -"What's queer about it? Dan, you're always trying to build a mystery out -of nothing." - -"I am huh?" Dan shot back. "If that's so, then why did Mr. Hatfield--" - -He broke off as Brad shot him a warning glance. Belatedly, he remembered -their promise to say nothing about the trip made with the Cub leader -along the old logging road. - -"Why did Mr. Hatfield--what?" demanded Chips. - -"Oh, nothing," Dan said, and deliberately changed the subject. - -Without meeting anyone, the Cubs rapidly made their way along the narrow -trail. Crossing the footbridge, they came presently within view of the -barn. - -Saul Dobbs, who had been repairing a wire fence in one of the pheasant -pens, noted the approach of the Cubs. - -With an exclamation of anger, he dropped his tools and strode toward -them. - -"What did I tell you about staying away from here?" he demanded, -deliberately blocking the path. - -"We were told Mr. Silverton is here," Brad said. "We came to see him." - -"Well, Mr. Silverton has no time to see you. Now git out and don't come -back!" - -Resenting the workman's manner, the Cubs stood their ground. Brad had -noticed a large blue automobile parked not far from the barn. - -"Is that Mr. Silverton's car?" he inquired. - -"Git out!" Dobbs ordered again, without answering the question. "Mr. -Silverton said this morning not to allow any Cubs ever to set foot on his -land again!" - -"Mr. Silverton gave such an order?" Brad gasped in disbelief. - -"He sure did," Dobbs retorted in great satisfaction. "You broke the rules -by going into the restricted area, so now you can take your medicine!" - -"You won't listen to our explanation!" Dan broke in hotly. "At least give -us a chance to talk to Mr. Silverton." - -"I told you he won't see you and that's final!" - -Angrily, Saul Dobbs grasped Dan by the shoulders and turned him squarely -around in the path. "Now git!" - -"You're just making that up about Mr. Silverton not wanting to see us!" -Chips shouted, ready to do battle in Dan's defense. "You mean you don't -want us to talk to him." - -Brad placed a restraining hand on the excited boy's shoulder. - -"Come on, Chips," he advised. "No sense making a fuss. We'll see Mr. -Silverton later on." - -"Like fun you will," Saul Dobbs muttered as the four Cubs started away. -"I'm telling you, he's had his fill of young tereduns." - -Completely discouraged, the boys treked back to the village. By now they -were firmly convinced that if Dobbs had not poisoned Mr. Silverton's mind -against them, he would do so at the first opportunity. - -"This is getting serious," Brad said. "We've got to see Silverton -somehow, even if it means calling his office every day." - -Warm and out-of-sorts from the long hike, the four boys dropped in at a -village drugstore for ice cream. The proprietor glanced rather sharply at -them as they entered a booth at the rear of the store, or so it seemed to -Brad. - -"Anything wrong with us today?" he remarked to the Cubs. "Everyone seems -to give us the icy stare." - -"Hadn't noticed it," Dan replied, reaching for the menu. - -"Well, maybe I imagined it," the Den Chief shrugged. - -But later, after the four had finished their ice cream, Chips paused at -the counter rack a moment to flip the pages of a comic magazine. - -"No loitering," the drugstore owner reprimanded him. "If you've finished -eating, go on outside. I can't have you cluttering up the place." - -"Well, for crying out loud!" Chips remonstrated. "We'll be glad to leave, -and we won't come back either!" - -Indignant over the rebuff, the four boys paid their bill and left the -drugstore. However, Brad was deeply disturbed by what had occurred. - -"We weren't doing anything," he said. "Chips barely had glanced at the -magazine when the proprietor jumped him." - -"Just another old crab!" declared Red. "This town's full of 'em." - -"I'm afraid there's more to it than that," Brad said uneasily. "When we -first went into the drugstore, the proprietor glanced at our uniforms in -a rather odd--almost contemptuous way." - -"Our uniforms?" Dan repeated, puzzled. "What's wrong with the Cub -uniform?" - -"Nothing. But he looked at us almost as if he were down on Cubs in -general. And earlier, that grocery store owner seemed to give us the cold -shoulder." - -"He did at that," recalled Red. "The last time we were here with Mr. -Hatfield he was beaming at us as if we were favorite sons." - -"Even strangers on the street grinned at us and acted friendly just -because we were Cubs," Dan added. "How do you explain the sudden change?" - -"I don't know, but I have a hunch--" Brad began, only to allow his voice -to trail off. - -A large blue automobile rounded the corner, taking the main highway -toward Webster City. Both Brad and Dan recognized the driver as Paul -Silverton. - -"There he is now!" Brad exclaimed. "Maybe he's driving back to his -office." - -"Let's trail him there, and have this thing out," Chips urged. "We ought -to catch him, if we hike right back to Webster City." - -Brad however, had a better idea. Knowing that Mr. Silverton might go to -his home rather than the office, he suggested that they wait fifteen -minutes, and then telephone for an appointment. - -"That's the ticket!" approved Dan. - -As the Cubs loitered around the village streets, they became increasingly -aware of unfriendly stares directed toward them. While not everyone they -met seemed hostile, now and then they were scrutinized with an intent -gaze which made them uncomfortable. - -"Have we got measles or something?" Red muttered. - -"Someone has been doing us dirt in this town," Brad volunteered his -opinion. "And I have a hunch who it is too!" - -"Saul Dobbs?" Dan demanded. - -"I'm not making any accusations just yet. After we've talked to Mr. -Silverton we may have the answer. Come on, let's make that telephone -call." - -Seeking another drugstore at the edge of the village, the Cubs dialed the -number of Mr. Silverton's office. Again they were informed he had not -returned. - -Brad next called the sportsman's home. Finally, after considerable delay, -he heard Mr. Silverton on the other end of the line. - -"Mr. Silverton," he began, in his eagerness, talking too rapidly. "I'm -sorry to bother you at your home, but there's an important matter the -Cubs feel should be straightened out. It's about visiting your pheasant -farm--" - -"You're one of those boys who came to my office?" - -"Yes, I'm Brad Wilbur." - -"Well, get this!" said Mr. Silverton speaking with biting accent "Your -privileges are at an end! Now don't bother me again!" - -"Mr. Silverton, let me explain," Brad said quickly. "I assure you we -didn't deliberately break our promise--" - -"You'll explain nothing to me," the sportsman replied. "I've seen quite -enough of your behavior. The Cubs may consider themselves lucky if I -don't notify their parents and the police!" - -And with that remark, Mr. Silverton slammed the telephone receiver. - -Brad, bewildered by the tongue lashing he had received, called the -telephone number again. But Mr. Silverton would not answer. - -"What did he say, Brad?" Dan demanded as the Den Chief turned to face the -group of Cubs. - -"Plenty! We're to stay away from the farm." - -"It's just like we thought," Chips declared. "Old Dobbs got to him first -and gave him a line about us." - -"I guess so," Brad nodded gloomily. "Silverton said we could consider -ourselves lucky that he hadn't notified our parents or the police." - -"The police!" Dan burst out. "How does he figure? Even if we did make a -mistake and go into the restricted area of the farm, that's no crime! He -couldn't turn us over to Juvenile Court authorities for that, could he?" - -"I shouldn't think so," Brad said, frowning. "But there may be more to -this than appears on the surface." - -"Meaning what?" demanded Red. - -"Well, I don't know. That's what bothers me. Mr. Silverton acted as if we -had done something serious. And you've noticed how the townsfolk here act -toward us." - -"Dobbs may have been telling them tales too!" Chips said bitterly. "Why -don't we have it out with that bird?" - -"If only we could see Mr. Silverton face to face, maybe we could make him -understand," Dan ventured. "Any chance he'll talk to us?" - -"I'm afraid not," replied Brad. "He slammed the receiver and now he won't -answer the 'phone." - -Leaving the drugstore, the four boys crossed the bridge and started on -the long walk back to Webster City. Their spirits depressed, they had -little to say. - -Chips and Red were inclined to feel slightly abused. On the other hand, -Brad and Dan were worried because all the Cubs had been blamed for an -innocent mistake. Without question, unless the matter were cleared up, -the reputation of Den 2 would severely suffer. - -At Denwood Avenue, Red and Chips took leave of their companions, going to -their separate homes. Brad and Dan continued toward the residential -section of Brandon Heights. - -"Mr. Silverton lives somewhere in this part of the city, doesn't he?" Dan -asked thoughtfully. - -"256 Eagle Road," Brad replied, recalling the number from having read it -in the telephone directory. - -"That's only two streets from here. Brad, why don't we go there and try -to see him?" - -"Again?" Brad kicked a pebble across the sidewalk. "What's the use?" - -"Well, I hate to give up," Dan said doggedly. "If we'd actually done -anything so bad, I'd be in favor of taking our medicine as Dobbs said. -But Silverton at least ought to listen to our side of the story." - -"All right, we can try," Brad consented, though without enthusiasm. -"Maybe if we tell him about that log jam, he'll soften up a bit." - -Two blocks farther on, the boys came to Eagle Road, an exclusive -residential street in which the homes were few and far apart. High above -the river valley, the large dwellings overlooked the business section of -the city. - -Mr. Silverton's home near the end of the winding street, was hemmed in -behind a tall privet hedge which half-hid a view of the handsome 15-room -brick home. At the rear was a rose garden. - -"Nice little shack Mr. Silverton has here," Dan observed, impressed. - -"A butler probably will answer the door and say his master regrets he -cannot see us," Brad declared as he unlatched the front gate. - -But in walking up to the porch, Dan spied Mr. Silverton at the west side -of the yard, talking to a gardener who was weeding a flower bed. - -"We're in luck, Brad!" he exclaimed. "There he is now!" - -The wealthy sportsman saw the boys as they crossed the lawn. -Straightening up from the flower bed, he regarded them with cold -disapproval. - -"Mr. Silverton, we apologize for intruding," Brad said. "We wouldn't have -come, only we want to clear up the misunderstanding." - -"As far as I am concerned, there is no misunderstanding," Mr. Silverton -answered, starting toward the house. "I understand only too well." - -"Saul Dobbs prejudiced you against us," Dan accused, following after the -sportsman, who plainly intended to walk away from the pair. - -"Prejudiced me?" Mr. Silverton paused and turned angrily toward Brad and -Dan. "I saw the evidence with my own eyes!" - -"Evidence?" Brad caught him up. "You mean footprints in the restricted -area?" - -"I mean dead pheasants. Two of my most valuable cocks imported from Burma -were killed!" - -"When, sir?" gasped Brad, stunned by the disclosure. - -"Saul Dobbs found them yesterday not far from the creek." - -"Surely you don't think the Cubs had anything to do with it," said Dan in -quick protest. - -For reply, Mr. Silverton dug into the pocket of his sports jacket and -brought forth a tarnished badge bearing the design of a wolf with two -pointed ears. - -"This was found close to the two dead pheasants," he informed cuttingly. -"Recognize it?" - -"A wolf rank badge," Brad admitted. "Maybe it's the one Red lost." - -"Furthermore," Mr. Silverton went on, "Dobbs has been making a check of -the pheasants. A large number of the common variety seem to be missing. -Some may have flown over the fences, but others have been taken." - -"You can't accuse the Cubs of that!" Brad said, beginning to lose control -of his temper. "After all, we were only there once, and no damage was -done. Two of our Cubs by mistake entered the restricted area, but they -did no harm." - -"No doubt you believe that to be true," the sportsman said. "But this -little badge proves otherwise. As I told you, it was found not far from -the dead pheasants." - -"We saw no birds when we went after Chips and Red," Brad recalled. "The -pheasants must have died afterwards of a natural death." - -"Possibly so. But that's neither here nor there. They died from having -been jammed against some heavy object and bruised. Many of the tail -feathers were missing." - -"Red and Chips wouldn't have harmed any of the pheasants," Dan insisted. - -Mr. Silverton now seemed determined to bring the conversation to an end. - -"How can you say what your friends did when they were out of your sight?" -he demanded. - -"Well, Chips and Red wouldn't do a thing like that," Dan said rather -lamely. "After all, they're Cubs." - -"And Cubs need feathers for Indian headgears!" Mr. Silverton retorted. - -Having delivered this parting shot, he dropped the Wolf badge at Dan's -feet, and without another word, walked into the house. - - - - - CHAPTER 7 - A Night Excursion - - -Brad and Dan were too stunned by Mr. Silverton's final accusation to make -any attempt to follow him toward the house. - -As they stood gazing after the sportsman, the gardener in an attempt to -soften his employer's dismissal, said kindly: - -"Mr. Silverton's out of sorts today, lads. It was a blow to him losing -those pheasants. He sets great store by 'em." - -"We told him the truth," Brad said, stooping to pick up the Wolf badge -from the grass. "The Cubs never intended to break any rules. As for -killing the pheasants--well, I can't believe it!" - -The gardener leaned comfortably on his hoe. "It's like the boss said," he -observed. "You may be honest and square yourselves, but how can you vouch -for your friends? You didn't see what they did while they were alone?" - -"No, but--" - -"And showing those Indian feathers at the village the way they did," the -gardener went on. "Why, it was circumstantial evidence! When Dobbs told -around that the Cubs had trespassed, it was only natural folks would put -two and two together." - -"So that was what Mr. Silverton meant when he spoke of the Indian -headdress," Brad muttered. "And it explains why the villagers gave us -such icy looks today! The Cubs are in Dutch everywhere." - -"It makes me sick," Dan said in disgust. "Come on, Brad." - -Sunk in gloom, the two boys left the residential property, and with no -destination in mind, went on down the street. The gardener's words, -together with Mr. Silverton's accusations, now made everything plain. - -The entire Cub organization had been incriminated on the basis of two -pieces of evidence--the finding of the Wolf Cub badge near the dead -pheasants, and the thoughtless display of the Indian headdress by Chips -and Red. - -"I knew those feathers would get us into trouble," Brad remarked glumly. -"And believe me, we're really in the soup!" - -"Brad, you don't think--" - -"That Chips or Red killed those birds for the feathers? No, I don't, Dan. -But Silverton's accusation is serious. We've got to see Mr. Hatfield -about this right away!" - -The two boys, anxious to unburden themselves, sought Mr. Hatfield at -Scout Headquarters. He listened attentively to the entire report, and -then surprised them by saying: - -"To tell you the truth, I've been a little afraid something like this -would develop." - -"Then you knew about the dead pheasants?" Brad asked in amazement. - -"No, but I noticed a few things at the pheasant farm which bothered me. -By the way, you told Mr. Silverton about the log jam in the creek?" - -Brad and Dan gazed at each other in disgust. - -"I guess we're just plain dumb," Dan apologized. "We forgot about it." - -"Well, that's not surprising, considering how upset you were about Mr. -Silverton's accusations," the Cub leader said, reaching for his -telephone. - -"You're calling Mr. Silverton now?" asked Brad. - -"No, first I want to talk to Chips and Red again. I'll ask them to come -down here for a few minutes if they can." - -In response to the call from the Cub leader, the other two boys made a -speedy trip downtown again. Mr. Hatfield, in the presence of the four, -then asked Dan to repeat the accusations made against the Cubs by the -pheasant farm owner. - -"First, is this your badge?" he asked Red, showing him the one Brad had -brought to the office. - -"It sure is!" Red cried. "Where'd you find it?" - -"Mr. Silverton picked it up on his farm near a couple of dead pheasants," -the Cub leader answered. "Red, serious accusations have been made against -all the Cubs. I called you here to ask you a couple of questions." - -"Shoot!" invited Red, shifting his weight uneasily. - -"You and Chips showed that Indian feather headdress around at the village -and elsewhere?" - -"Why, yes," Red admitted. "I guess maybe we shouldn't have picked up the -feathers, but we didn't see any harm in it at the time. We were kinda -proud of the thing after we made it." - -"Now for the second question. You boys found the feathers lying on the -ground?" - -"We sure did, Mr. Hatfield. I hope you don't think that either Chips or I -would have taken them from live birds?" - -"I'll show you the very place we picked them up," Chips added. "You can -bet your life we didn't go around plucking 'em out of live birds!" - -"Considering that Mr. Silverton has told the Cubs to keep off his -property, I'm afraid I won't be able to see the place," Mr. Hatfield -said, smiling. "But I do accept your word." - -"How are we going to prove to other folks that we didn't steal the -feathers?" Red demanded. "First off, I'll pitch that Indian headgear." - -"No, Red. The damage has been done. Hiding the headdress now would only -tend to confirm suspicions." - -"You mean Chips and I can enter it in the Pack handicraft show? I'm not -sure I'd want to after what's happened." - -"There's plenty of time to decide that later on," Mr. Hatfield returned. -He arose from his desk, a signal that the interview was at an end. -"Meanwhile, I'll see you all at the Indian Pow Wow tomorrow night." - -With the help of Mr. and Mrs. Holloway, the Den had planned its weekly -meeting on an Indian theme. Midge and Fred had spent the better part of -four days setting up a tepee in the Holloway back yard. The taut gunny -sacking had been painted with gaudy colors in Indian designs. - -"Hope it doesn't rain again and ruin the job," Midge remarked, as he -surveyed his work. - -Nearly all of the Cubs had finished their bows and arrows, and a few now -were working on other items they hoped to enter in the Pack handicraft -show. - -Admittedly, the elaborate feather headdress made by Chips and Red, was by -far the best article so far turned out by Den 2. - -But while the two boys followed the Cub leader's instructions and brought -the headgear to the Pow Wow on the appointed night, they no longer were -proud of their handiwork. - -Though the other Cubs were careful to avoid the subject, everyone knew -that the feathers had become a symbol of the uncleared charge hanging -over their heads. - -Entirely unknown to the Den members, Mr. Holloway and the Cub leader had -tried without success to see Paul Silverton the previous day. - -Through his secretary, the sportsman had sent word that he was "in -conference" and could not be disturbed. - -Determined that the unfortunate affair should not mar the Indian Pow Wow, -Mr. Hatfield and Mr. Holloway made no mention of their failure to iron -out differences. - -By the time the parents of the Cubs began to arrive at the Holloways, a -roaring Council fire was burning in the beach area near where the Indian -tepee had been set up. - -At a smaller fire, some distance away, Mrs. Holloway stirred a huge -kettle of fragrant stew which would be served after the ceremony. - -The tomtoms presently burst into life, and Sam Hatfield, garbed in an -Indian blanket, took the center of the circle. - -Relating the story of Akela, chief of the Webelos Tribe, he told of the -strength and wisdom of the great leader's father, "Arrow of Light," and -of his mother, "Kind Eyes." - -"From the Wolf of the forest, Akela learned the language of the earth," -he told the listening Cubs. "And from the Bears, he acquired the secret -names of the trees and the calls of the birds. Courage he learned from -the Lion." - -Mr. Hatfield then explained that the Webelos tribal name had an inner -meaning which in the organization signified progress from Wolf rank, -through Bear and Lion classification to the ultimate goal of full fledged -Scout. - -"We-be-lo-s," he repeated, spelling it slowly. "Loyal we'll be." - -"And what does 'Arrow of Light' signify?" inquired Mack. - -"Progress toward good citizenship. Cubs, like the Indians of old, must be -self-controlled, loyal, game and quiet--willing to talk little and listen -much." - -"If our Cubs live up to the rules--if they are square and game--our Den -will be respected and make its influence felt in the community," added -Mr. Suell, one of the Den fathers. - -The first part of the program completed, he then told the Cubs of an -exciting trip he recently had taken to Mesa Verde National Park, site of -the cliff dwellers. - -The Cubs asked a great many questions and examined pottery and blankets -which Mr. Suell had brought back from the Indian country. After that, -Fred, Mack and Dan put on an Indian ceremonial dance, characterized by -more energy than grace. - -Presently the Pow Wow concluded with all the Den members forming a -"living circle." In close formation, facing inward, each Cub grasped the -thumb of the boy on his left, raising right hand high in the two-finger -Cub sign. - -Up and down like a pump handle went their hands as the boys shouted: -"Akela, we'll do our Best!" - -At the word "Best," all the Cubs snapped smartly into salutes. - -"Now for grub!" shouted Red, breaking away. "That stuff in the kettle -sure smells good!" - -"Lead me to it," yelled Chips. - -Dan and Brad circulated among the parents, waiting until everyone had -been served before they took their helpings of stew. - -In the chill night air, the hot food exactly hit the spot. Time after -time, the Cubs went back for more until the big kettle was nearly empty. - -Brad and Dan sat slightly apart from the others, their faces splashed -with firelight. They were silently staring out across the dark river, -when Mr. Hatfield, coming up behind them, touched their shoulders. - -"Don't say anything to the other Cubs," he warned in a low tone. "Just -follow me to the beach." - -"What's up?" Brad asked in surprise. - -"I'll tell you at the beach." - -Wondering why the Cub leader was acting so mysteriously, the pair quickly -put aside their plates, and joined him at the dock. To their further -surprise, Mr. Hatfield began to untie the dinghy. - -"What's doing?" Brad asked again. - -"That's exactly what I propose to find out," Mr. Hatfield replied. "A few -minutes ago, I heard a car turn down into the old logging road." - -"Near Silverton's place?" Dan interposed. - -"Yes, at least I think the car was on the logging road. And I'm quite -certain I saw a flashing light on Mr. Silverton's property." - -"Then I was right the other night about that flashing light!" Dan cried. -"Are you going to investigate?" - -"Figured I might row up the river and look around. Want to ride along?" - -"We sure do," Brad declared, stepping into the boat. - -"I've already told your parents not to expect you home for an hour," the -Cub leader said as he shoved off. "I have my car here and will drop you -off at your homes after we get back." - -Few lights showed along the dark shore as Mr. Hatfield silently plied the -oars. The boat spurted along, propelled by powerful strokes. Nearby, a -sizeable fish leaped from the swift moving water, and fell back with a -splash. - -Hunched into their jackets, Dan and Brad speculated upon what the Cub -leader might expect to see or find once they reached the old logging -road. - -"Maybe we have no business going there," Mr. Hatfield said presently, -swerving the boat toward shore, "but I figure it this way. The Cubs are -under suspicion, and it's up to us to clear our name if we can." - -"You think someone may be sneaking into Silverton's place at night and -taking pheasants?" Dan guessed. "Then we get the blame!" - -"It's an angle I intend to investigate," Mr. Hatfield admitted. "In -looking around though, we'll have to respect Mr. Silverton's order not to -trespass." - -"In that case, it may not be easy to learn anything," Brad said, a little -disappointed. - -Without replying, the Cub leader eased the boat in until it grated on the -beach. Brad and Dan leaped out into the wet sand, and with Mr. Hatfield's -aid, pulled the craft well beyond reach of the greedy waves. - -The three hid the oars in a clump of bushes and set off at a fast walk -toward the exit of the old logging road. - -As they approached the log fence barrier, Dan suddenly halted. - -"Say, isn't that a car coming out of the road now?" he demanded. - -In the obscure light shed by a half moon, they saw a shadowy figure -replacing the removable rails of the fence opening. Another man sat -behind the wheel of a station wagon which had passed through to the main -highway. - -"Come on!" Mr. Hatfield urged the Cubs, hastening his step. "Let's see -who they are before they drive away!" - -However, as he spoke, the man at the fence suddenly abandoned his effort -to replace the rail. Allowing it to drop to the ground, he moved swiftly -to the waiting station wagon and scrambled in. - -With a roar of the engine, the station wagon pulled away. - -"Quick! See if you can read the license number!" Mr. Hatfield exclaimed, -turning the beam of his flashlight on the rear plate. - -"Can't make it out," Brad muttered. "The plate is covered with mud. Maybe -on purpose." - -"I thought the first two letters were WA," Dan said. "Couldn't be sure -though." - -Mr. Hatfield went over to the rail fence. - -"That car may have had a right to be on Silverton's property," he -commented as he stooped to lift the loose rail into place. "All the same, -I didn't like the way those fellows rushed off when they saw us coming." - -"They were up to something, all right," declared Dan. "They acted as if -they were afraid we'd see them." - -An automobile whizzed past on the main highway, its bright headbeam -momentarily illuminating the logging road exit. - -Dan bent to tie a dangling shoelace. In stooping, he noticed a small -piece of cardboard lying by the railing almost at his feet. - -Absently he picked it up, thinking that it looked a little like a -railroad ticket check. Then his interest quickened. - -"Say, turn on your flashlight a minute, Mr. Hatfield!" he exclaimed. "I -think I've found something!" - - - - - CHAPTER 8 - Rain - - -The bright beam of Mr. Hatfield's flashlight revealed the torn half of a -shipping tag from a freight shipment. Of recent date, it bore the -destination of Malborne. - -"Malborne is a city of about 500,000 population to the east of here," the -Cub leader remarked. - -Disappointed, Dan dropped the tag to the ground. "I guess this isn't -anything after all," he said. - -"No, wait, Dan!" Mr. Hatfield retrieved the torn ticket. "This may have -been dropped by one of the men in the station wagon. As a clue, it -doesn't mean much now, but later on, it might." - -Carefully, the Cub leader placed the soiled scrap of cardboard in his -jacket pocket. - -"How do you figure all this?" Brad asked earnestly. "Do you think those -men, whoever they are, may be stealing pheasants and maybe shipping them -out of here?" - -"Could be, Brad. At any rate. I'm convinced Mr. Silverton doesn't know -this road is being used at night." - -"I wish we could keep watch and find out who comes here," Dan proposed. -"Maybe the Cubs could divide up into pairs and take turns staying here." - -"All night? Afraid your parents wouldn't approve, Dan." - -"Whoever comes, seems to arrive fairly early in the evening," Brad -pointed out. "These summer nights it doesn't get dark until about nine -o'clock." - -"So you're siding with Dan?" Mr. Hatfield said, chuckling. - -"The Cubs would get a big kick out of keeping watch of this place, sir. -Even if they only kept a daytime patrol." - -"We might learn something at that," Mr. Hatfield conceded. "Well, I'll -talk to the fathers of the Cubs to see what they say. Meanwhile, let's -forget about that station wagon." - -As the three rowed downstream to the Holloway cabin a little later, they -noticed that the moon again was veiled by dark clouds. Even as they -reached the dock, a few splatters of rain stirred the water. - -"Here it comes again," Mr. Hatfield sighed. "This has been one of the -wettest seasons in my recollection." - -By the time the three reached the dock, everyone except Mr. and Mrs. -Holloway and their son had left the cabin. By then, rain was coming down -steadily. - -Brad and Dan, already wet through, made a dash for Mr. Hatfield's car. - -"I'll talk to Mr. Holloway and the other fathers tomorrow," the Cub -leader promised, starting the motor. "If this rain keeps on, we won't be -able to do anything for a day or two in any event." - -The rains continued. Although not heavy enough to occasion alarm as to -the level of the river, the Cubs were kept indoors. - -For want of an occupation, Dan spent much time swimming at the "Y". He -worked on the official buckskin record of Den meetings, bringing it up to -date. And he completed a stamp album which he intended to show in the -hobby and handicraft exhibit planned by the Pack. - -After that, confinement began to fret him. On the third day when he came -downstairs for breakfast, his first act was to glare at the weather -report in the morning paper. - -"For crying out loud!" he complained bitterly. "More rain, the man says. -Can you feature that?" - -"Perhaps it's a long range forecast," his mother said encouragingly. "The -sun seems to be straggling through the clouds." - -"It does look brighter," Dan admitted, willing to hope. "Maybe it will -clear up in a couple of weeks." - -By the time he had finished breakfast, the sun actually was shining. -Greatly encouraged, Dan went outside to inspect the garden. He was -intently studying a worm wriggling across the sidewalk, when a car -stopped at the curb. - -"Hi, there, Dan!" called Mr. Hatfield cheerily. "Wet enough for you?" - -Dan grinned with pleasure and went over to the car to talk to the Cub -leader. - -"I'm about ready to blow my top!" he told Mr. Hatfield. "Three days now -with nothing to do!" - -"It's been tough, Dan. The other Cubs feel the same way. Itching for -something to do. But rain or shine, we'll have our regular Den meeting -Friday night at the cabin?" - -"Meanwhile?" - -"Well, if it weren't so wet, we might start that patrol at the old -logging road." - -"You mean we can do it?" Dan cried, his face cracking into a smile. - -"I talked to most of the fathers. They're in favor of doing anything we -can to prove that the Cubs had nothing to do with killing those -pheasants." - -"When can we start, Mr. Hatfield?" - -"That's for the Cubs to decide. Not much use in keeping watch too early -in the day. Midge's father thought we might go on duty about four in the -afternoon and stay until after dark. One of the fathers will keep the -boys company on the last shift." - -"May we start this afternoon?" Dan demanded eagerly. - -"The woods are rather wet, don't you think?" - -"We could put on slickers and boots. Anyway, the sun's out again. The -ground will dry some before afternoon." - -"All right," Mr. Hatfield consented. "If it doesn't rain any more, find -another Cub and go out there at four o'clock. I'll send someone to -relieve you by six." - -"Oh, thanks, Mr. Hatfield!" - -"You may not thank me by the time your stint is finished," the Cub leader -laughed as he shifted gears. "It will be a tedious grind, and probably a -fruitless one. Oh, yes, one thing! Keep out of sight, and be careful -about leaving a lot of tracks." - -"We'll defeat our purpose if anyone learns we're watching the road." - -"Right. Well, good luck, Dan. I don't look for anything to develop today, -but starting the patrol will keep the Cubs out of mischief at least." - -Elated at the prospect of action, Dan immediately busied himself on the -telephone. First he called Brad, but the Den Chief was helping his father -with work about the house and could not make the trip to the woodland. - -"I'll take my stint tomorrow," Brad promised. - -Red, next on Dan's list, begged off because he had the start of a cold. -In the end it was Chips who agreed to go with him. - -From the start, however, the vigil bored Chips. He disliked staying out -of sight in the bushes near the old logging road exit, and he fretted at -inactivity. - -"You stay here and keep watch," he directed Dan. "I think I'll wander -around and look for different types of leaves to press and mount in a -scrapbook." - -"Nothing doing," Dan promptly vetoed the idea. "We stick together." - -"But I'm tired of hunching under these hot, bug-eaten bushes! No one's -come here in broad daylight and you know it!" - -"We don't know when that station wagon may return, Chips. We've got to -develop patience." - -"You and your preachy talk! It won't do any harm to move around a little. -My legs are getting cramped." - -"Mr. Hatfield said we'd defeat our purpose if we walk around and leave a -lot of footprints. Especially when the ground is soft." - -"I'll start sprouting roots if I sit here any longer," Chips complained. -He slapped angrily at a mosquito which buzzed around his head. "How long -are we supposed to stay here?" - -"I'm sticking until relieved. If you're soft and want to pull out, go -ahead." - -Dan waited, but Chips made no move to depart. - -"Well, Chips?" - -"Oh, you know I'll suffer it out," the boy muttered. "Quit rubbing it -in!" - -After that Chips made no further complaint, though at intervals he -twisted and squirmed and emitted loud groans which startled a gray -squirrel in the tree overhead. - -Throughout the long watch, not a person was seen nor a sound heard on the -old logging road. In the bush shelter near the barrier, the two cubs -passed the time by counting cars which traveled on the main highway. Even -Dan became a bit careless, making less effort to keep out of sight. - -Then suddenly he was startled to hear approaching footsteps. Quickly he -drew back into the leaves, pulling Chips with him. - -As the two Cubs waited, Saul Dobbs came into view. He walked to the -barrier gate and stood there for a few minutes, one foot on the lower -rail, gazing up and down the road. - -"He's looking for someone," Dan whispered. - -"Mr. Silverton maybe." - -"Silverton wouldn't use this old logging road, Chips. Not with that fine -car of his." - -Dobbs stood a moment longer at the gate, and then taking an old envelope -and a pencil stub from his pocket, scribbled a message. - -The Cubs saw him spear the paper on the barrier fence. However, the -breeze fluttered it to the ground. - -Picking up the message, Dobbs reread it and appeared to hesitate. To the -bitter disappointment of Chips and Dan, he then tore it to pieces and -thrust the scraps into his pocket. - -"Wonder why he did that?" Chips whispered. - -Dan motioned for his companion to be quiet. Dobbs had turned and now was -coming directly toward their hiding place. - -Unexpectedly, the man halted, staring at something on the road. Dan and -Chips felt their blood turn to ice cubes. For there on the moist ground -were several footprints made from Chips' shoe. - -Dobbs stared long and hard at the imprints and gazed up and down the -road. Apparently satisfied that no one had been in the vicinity recently, -he finally turned and went off in the direction from which he had come. - -"Whew! That was a close call!" Chips muttered when it again was safe to -speak aloud. "I see what you mean now about leaving tracks, Dan. We -doggone near gave ourselves away." - -"In the future we'll have to be even more careful. And we'd better warn -the other Cubs too. Wonder why Dobbs tore up that note after he wrote -it?" - -"He acted as if he were expecting someone and wanted to leave 'em a -message. Just our bad luck he changed his mind." - -"Anyway, our day hasn't been wasted after all," Dan declared. - -Time wore on uneventfully. Finally at six o'clock, the two Cubs spied -Fred and Mack coming up the pavement at a leisurely pace. - -Slipping from their hiding place, they greeted them with intense relief. - -"Anything doing here?" Fred inquired. - -Dan related how they had seen Saul Dobbs at the gate. - -"Nothing so strange in that," Mack commented. "After all, this road runs -through Mr. Silverton's property." - -"The only queer part was that he wrote a note to someone and then tore it -up," Dan pointed out. "It was almost as if he thought it over and decided -it was risky business--that someone might find it." - -"He nearly found us," Chips cut in. "Better be careful in leaving -footprints on this road." - -"How long will you stay here?" Dan asked the two newcomers as he and -Chips prepared to leave. - -"Mr. Hatfield said we could take over until eight o'clock," Mack -answered. "Then he and Midge's father will watch for awhile." - -"Lucky guys," grinned Chips. "Especially if the mosquitoes are in biting -trim!" - -For the next two days, the Cubs took turns watching the exit of the old -logging road. Though they remained faithful to their assignment, the -novelty began to wear off and the task became increasingly tedious. - -True, the Cubs developed a certain technique for making time pass more -quickly. Working always in pairs, they brought books, magazines, and an -occasional card game with them to the hide-out in the brush. - -Even so, a two-hour vigil seemed endless. Mosquitoes were a constant -torment, and nothing ever seemed to happen. - -After his initial appearance, Saul Dobbs did not return again to the exit -of the logging road. Nor did they glimpse the mysterious station wagon -which had so intrigued their interest. - -"Maybe it was an accident it came down this road the other night," Brad -said late one afternoon as he and Dan were taking their trick together. -"It's a cinch it's not coming back. We've wasted our time." - -"I'm beginning to think so too," Dan replied in a discouraged voice. -"Gosh, this place is like a steam bath!" - -"The worst it's been since we took over," Brad agreed. - -The afternoon had turned unusually hot and sultry. Not a leaf stirred in -the trees overhead. Wiping the perspiration from his face, Dan got up to -stretch his half-paralyzed legs. - -Through the gap in the trees overhead, he could see only a tiny patch of -sky which seemed to be darkening. - -"Looks like another rain cooking up," he observed. - -"Cripes! Not again!" Brad moaned, peering up at the overcast sky. "If -this keeps on, I'm going to build myself an Ark." - -"Better start the carpenter work then, Brad. It sure looks like rain. And -she's coming up fast this time." - -Moving out of their shelter the better to view the sky, the two boys were -somewhat alarmed to note that a large black cloud was rolling in fast -from the west. - -"That means rain and a hard one," Brad said. "Think we ought to strike -out for home?" - -"Well, I hate to leave our post until Mr. Hatfield gives the order," Dan -said after a moment's consideration. "Anyway, we've waited too long. We -never could get home ahead of the rain." - -"You're probably right," Brad agreed, anxiously studying the fast-moving -clouds. "The storm is due to break almost any minute. Lucky we brought -along our slickers." - -Buttoning themselves into their long raincoats, the two boys prepared as -best they could for the expected downpour. - -Soon a faint breath of air rustled the tree leaves. In the quiet of the -forest, the sound was ominous. - -"Here she comes!" muttered Brad. - -Scarcely had he spoken when a rumble of thunder echoed through the woods. -A few drops of rain filtered down between the thick canopy of leaves. - -Then, wind and rain came on with a rush which sent the two boys deeper -into the woods for shelter. - -Though they flattened themselves against the lee side of two large oaks, -they could find no protection. The rain began to fall in a torrent. It -lashed their faces, streamed down their slickers and soaked their shoes. - -Limbs loosened by the wind came crashing down. Now and then a vivid flash -of lightning etched an electrical pattern across the dark sky. - -"It's not very safe here," Brad said, ill at ease. - -"We ought to seek shelter deeper in the woods, or get out entirely," -agreed Dan, buttoning his slicker tighter about him. - -Even as he spoke, a brilliant flash of lightning etched across the sky, -so bright that momentarily it blinded the two boys. And the following -roar of thunder made them jump. - -Simultaneously, came a ripping, tearing sound which told them that the -heart of a mighty tree had been struck. - -"Gosh! It's that big oak!" Dan exclaimed, squinting through the rain. - -The big tree came crashing down, smashing away smaller saplings and -bushes in its path. - -"It might just as well have been this one," Dan murmured, gazing uneasily -up into the mass of swaying, wind-twisted boughs above his head. "We're -in a bad spot!" - -"How right you are," murmured Brad. - -A bright flash of lightning made the woods as bright as day. In that -moment the boys saw the wind whirling like a vicious animal in the -treetops. And two hundred yards away another tree fell, making a -resounding crash as it toppled. - -The sight spurred the Cubs to sudden decision. - -"Dan, I know Mr. Hatfield wouldn't want us to risk staying here in this -storm," Brad said, seizing his companion's arm. "Come on, boy, we're -getting out of here!" - - - - - CHAPTER 9 - A Rising Creek - - -Alarmed by the intensity of the storm, Dan and Brad made a dash through -the whipping trees, seeking an open area. Rain now was descending with -furious power, lashing directly into their faces. - -"Gosh, I can't see a thing!" Dan gasped. "Which way is the road?" - -Brad turned on the beam of his flashlight, but it failed to penetrate the -blinding wall of rain. - -Just then the lightning flared again, revealing an opening through the -bushes. Beyond Brad glimpsed the old logging road, a river of rainwater -despite its under-base of gravel. - -"This way, Dan!" he shouted encouragingly. "Follow me." - -Sloshing through water and mud, they reached the barrier fence and -climbed over. The blinding sheet of rain all but blotted out a view of -the pavement. - -"We're safer here anyhow," Brad said as they emerged from the woodland. -"Brother! Is this a storm?" - -The rain showed no signs of slackening. However, now that the boys were -in a cleared area, the wind seemed less menacing. - -"It's dropping a little," Brad observed, studying the treetops along the -pavement. "The crest of the storm probably has passed." - -"But the rain is still wet," Dan shivered. "And it's steady. No sign of a -let-up." - -Along the ditches, muddy water was rushing at a furious rate, draining -toward the nearby river. - -The two boys scarcely knew which direction to go. They could recall no -houses close by where they might seek shelter. The nearest habitation was -Mr. Holloway's camp across the river, but they had no boat. - -"There's a filling station up the road about a quarter of a mile!" Brad -recalled, shouting to make himself heard above the roar of the wind. -"Let's go there!" - -Dan nodded and followed his companion. Rain drove directly into their -faces, closing off their view and making it difficult to walk. - -"I sure wish a car would come along," Brad muttered. - -Now that they would have welcomed a ride, the busy highway suddenly had -become a deserted thoroughfare. - -Struggling on, the Cubs presently came to a stone bridge arching over a -creek. Upon reaching it, the boys noticed that already its murky waters -were within two inches of flooding the pavement. - -"Wow!" Brad exclaimed, pausing to glance briefly at the raging torrent. -"She's coming up fast--and I mean fast!" - -"Isn't this the same creek that flows through Mr. Silverton's property, -Brad?" - -"That's right." - -"If the log jam hasn't been cleared out before this, the water's likely -to start backing up in the pheasant runs just as Mr. Hatfield predicted!" - -"I'm afraid of it," Brad agreed. "Saul Dobbs ought to have looked after -things. But if he failed to, well, this storm will sure make a mess of -things at the farm." - -The boys stood a moment longer watching the torrent race beneath the -stone archway. So fast was the creek rising that they could see the -lapping waters nibbling away at the concrete. It would soon cover the -pavement. - -"Twenty minutes and the water will be running over the road," Brad said. -"If it's clearing out at the pheasant farm, all well and good. But if it -starts backing up there, Dobbs is in for plenty of trouble." - -Dan made no reply. The two boys pushed on through the slanting rain -without meeting or being passed by a car. Finally, soaked and muddy, they -reached the filling station. - -An attendant, seeing them coming, flung open the office door. - -"You look like a couple of drowned rats," he laughed. "Here, shed those -coats before you flood the place!" - -Brad and Dan stripped off their slickers and wiped their dripping faces -with a coarse towel which the attendant brought from one of the rest -rooms. Then they sat down by the electric heater to outwait the rain. - -"This is a regular cloudburst," the filling station attendant remarked, -watching the rain pelt against the window. "Worst storm we've had this -summer." - -"May we use your telephone?" Dan requested. - -"Sure. Go ahead. It's your nickel." - -Dan dialed Mr. Hatfield's number, intending to tell the Cub leader that -he and Brad had taken refuge at the filling station. - -There was no answer. Actually, the Cub leader at the moment was driving -to the logging road. Alarmed by the intensity of the storm, he had lost -no time in setting forth to pick up the Cubs. - -Unable to reach Mr. Hatfield, Dan next telephoned his own home where his -mother answered. - -"I'm glad you are safe, Dan," she said in relief. "I'll call Brad's -mother and set her mind at ease. Don't try to come home until the rain -lets up." - -For a half hour, the storm continued without signs of slackening. Then as -suddenly as it had started, the rain ended. Clouds gradually cleared away -and the sun straggled out. Steam began to rise from the drying pavement. - -Brad and Dan wandered outside, debating whether to return to their post -or walk to Webster City. - -"Mr. Hatfield wouldn't expect us to go back there after such a terrific -storm," Brad said. "On the other hand, I don't like to walk off a job -just because the going gets tough." - -A big truck loaded with furniture rumbled into the station. The driver -sprang out and after ordering the attendant to fill up the gasoline tank, -began to inspect the heavy-tread tires. - -"That was sure some storm," he remarked to the filling station man. "Up -in the hills the rain was heavy." - -"It's a cinch the river will rise again," replied the attendant, removing -the hose from the mouth of the gasoline tank. "Creeks running high?" - -"Out of their banks most places." - -"Any serious floods between here and Alton Heights?" - -"Not yet, but it's only a matter of time. The water's coming up fast. I -was lucky to get through." - -The snatch of conversation had been overheard by Brad and Dan and added -to their alarm. - -Although they knew the river would not rise to a dangerous level for many -hours, the flood risk at Silverton's pheasant farm was immediate. - -If the rain had been heavy in the hill area as reported by the trucker, -then an enormous amount of water soon would pour down into Crooked Creek. -Even under normal circumstance, the narrow stream scarcely could be -expected to carry the excess away without flooding. - -Brad stood nervously drumming his fingers against the wall of the filling -station, thinking matters over. - -"I sure wish I knew if Saul Dobbs ever cleared away that log jam," he -said. "What do you think, Dan?" - -"Your guess is as good as mine. But knowing him, I'd say he hasn't -touched those logs." - -"That's what I'm afraid of Dan. Dobbs has been mighty unpleasant to the -Cubs. Even so, I'd hate to see any of Mr. Silverton's pheasants drown -through his carelessness." - -"Same here." - -"Dan, I'm going to telephone Dobbs," Brad said, reaching a sudden -decision. "Then we'll have the matter off our minds at least. Got a -nickel?" - -"My last one," Dan said, fishing a coin from his pocket. - -Brad found the number of the Silverton Pheasant Farm in the directory -which hung from a cord on the wall. But no one answered his call. He -allowed the telephone to ring a long while before finally hanging up the -receiver. - -"No use," he said in disappointment. "Dobbs doesn't seem to be there. -Maybe he's outside looking after the pheasants." - -The filling station attendant who had come into the office for change, -overheard Brad's remark. - -"You're trying to get Saul Dobbs?" he inquired. - -"That's right." - -"You won't find him at the pheasant farm. Just before the storm broke I -saw him driving toward Webster City." - -"And he hasn't returned since?" - -"Haven't seen him." - -"Then that means there's no one in charge now at the pheasant farms," -Brad said anxiously. "With the creek rising so fast, it's likely to back -up into the pens." - -"Saul Dobbs is a careless, shiftless sort," the filling station man -replied with a shrug. "I never could see why Mr. Silverton kept him in -charge." - -Turning from the telephone, Brad's troubled eyes sought those of Dan in -silent question. - -Both boys knew that something must be done quickly if the pheasants were -to be saved. Yet they hesitated to disobey by again venturing onto -private property to investigate the choked stream. - -"Let's telephone Mr. Silverton," Dan urged. "Being in the city, he may -not realize how heavy the rain was out here." - -Brad lost no time in making the call. But when he gave his name at Mr. -Silverton's office, he coldly was informed that the sportsman was "busy." - -"I must talk to him right away," Brad argued. "It's important." - -"Sorry," repeated the voice. "Mr. Silverton has given orders that your -calls are not to be transmitted to him. So sorry." The receiver clicked -in his ear. - -"How'd you like that?" Brad howled. "We try to save his old pheasants and -he won't even talk to us!" - -"We've got to get word to him somehow," Dan insisted. "Brad--" - -"Yeah?" - -"Why don't we hitch a ride with that truck driver into the city? If we -can get to Silverton's office in time, we ought to be able to make -someone understand what's happening out here." - -Brad did not take a moment to debate. Already the trucker was starting to -pull away from the filling station. - -"Come on," he urged, bolting out the door. - -The boys signaled the truck driver who halted just before he reached the -main highway. - -"Are you driving to Webster City?" Dan shouted. - -"That's right." - -"Will you give us a lift?" - -"I sure will," the trucker agreed heartily, opening the cab door. "Hop -in, boys." - -As the truck rattled along the slippery road, Dan and Brad told the -driver of their urgent reason for reaching the Gardiner Building. - -"You're making no mistake in thinking that creek will flood," the trucker -declared, putting on more speed. "Even if the stream isn't clogged, she's -sure to go over her banks." - -To help the boys, the driver dropped them off directly in front of the -Gardiner Building. Their shoes caked with mud, their wet hair still -plastered down, the pair made a sorry appearance as they entered Mr. -Silverton's outer office. - -Seeing Brad and Dan, the receptionist regarded them with cold -disapproval. - -"I told you over the telephone that Mr. Silverton will not see you," she -said before Brad could speak. "Those are his orders." - -"But we must see him!" Brad insisted. "Rains have flooded the creek and -some of the pheasants may drown if they aren't taken care of right away!" - -The receptionist looked somewhat startled. Having no idea what the boys -were talking about, she shook her head. - -"I positively cannot disturb Mr. Silverton now," she said. "If you want -to wait on the chance he'll see you when he comes out, you may." - -"How long will that be?" Dan asked. - -"Mr. Silverton usually leaves his office at four-thirty." - -"That's fifteen minutes yet," Brad said, glancing anxiously at the wall -clock. "We shouldn't delay. Please--" - -"I've already explained that I cannot disturb Mr. Silverton. Now if you -don't mind, I have work to do." - -The receptionist busied herself typing a letter. However, the boys saw -her gaze with disapproval at the enlarging pool of water which dripped -from their slickers onto the floor. - -At intervals, Dan and Brad would get up from the bench and go to the -window. Fifteen minutes already had elapsed. And still Mr. Silverton's -office door remained closed. - -Then at twenty minutes to five, when the Cubs had nearly given up hope, -the sportsman unexpectedly walked out of his inner office. He wore his -hat and coat and would have passed through without speaking to anyone, -had not the receptionist stopped him. - -"Mr. Silverton, these boys have been waiting a long while to see you," -she informed the pheasant farm owner. "They are quite insistent that it -is important." - -The sportsman gazed at Brad and Dan, and appeared to look straight -through them. - -Deliberately turning his back, he then strode toward the outer door. - -The Cubs had no intention of allowing him so easily to elude them. - -"Please, Mr. Silverton, we must see you for a minute!" Dan exclaimed, -starting after him. - -The sportsman acted as if he had not heard the appeal. Walking rapidly, -he continued toward the elevator. - -Rebuffed, but nevertheless determined that Mr. Silverton should listen, -the two boys pursued him down the hall. - -"Mr. Silverton, listen to us just for a moment--" Brad began, but the -stock broker cut him short. - -"Pests!" he exclaimed. "Unless you cease annoying me, I'll turn you over -to a policeman. I've had quite enough of Cub Scouts!" - -By this time the elevator had stopped at the third floor. Glaring angrily -at Brad and Dan, Mr. Silverton entered the cage. - -But not alone. - -Stung by the sportman's bitter words, the two boys crowded in with him. -The cage door closed. - -"Mr. Silverton," Dan said, gazing directly at the sportsman. "We're sorry -to force ourselves upon you. But I'm afraid you'll have to listen to us -now." - -"Oh, I will, eh?" Mr. Silverton demanded. "We'll see about that!" He -rapped his cane sharply on the floor of the cage door. "Attendant, let me -out of here!" - -However, he spoke too late, for already the elevator was moving slowly -downward. - - - - - CHAPTER 10 - The Cubs Lend A Hand - - -"Mr. Silverton," Dan began, speaking rapidly because he knew he had only -a moment in which to present his case. "It's about your pheasants--" - -"Attendant, stop the elevator at the second floor," the sportsman -directed the operator of the cage. "I'll walk!" - -The elevator man, observing the despairing look of the two boys, -deliberately let the lift slide past the second floor level. - -"Sorry, sir," he said, fumbling with the levers. "Too late, sir." - -"Mr. Silverton, you've got to listen!" Dan went on desperately. "The -creek's rising fast out at your farm! With that dam across the stream, it -may flood the pheasant runs." - -At last he had gained Mr. Silverton's attention. - -"Dam?" the sportsman demanded. "What are you talking about?" - -"Logs have jammed across the creek, sir. Mr. Hatfield, our Cub leader, -said if it rained hard, water would be almost certain to back up and -flood." - -"A trucker told us the area up in the hills had a regular cloud burst," -Brad added. "When that water gets down here, adding to what we've already -had, the creek will come up fast." - -The elevator had halted at the first floor and the cage door slid open. -But Mr. Silverton had lost his desire to elude the boys. - -"Saul Dobbs told me nothing about the stream being clogged," he said, -looking worried. "How long has this condition existed?" - -"We noticed the logs on our visit to your farm several days ago," Brad -said. "We wanted to tell you then, but you wouldn't talk to us." - -"Humph! I haven't forgotten a certain little matter still between us." -Mr. Silverton's pouchy face again became frozen and unfriendly. He turned -to leave the elevator, saying in curt dismissal: "Well, thanks for -telling me." - -"But sir!" exclaimed Brad. "Don't you think--that is--shouldn't you try -to do something to save the pheasants?" - -"Saul Dobbs can be depended upon to look after my interests. Should any -emergency develop at the farm, he'll get in touch with me." - -"But that's just the point, Mr. Silverton," Dan interposed. "Dobbs isn't -on the farm." - -Mr. Silverton now gave the boys his complete attention. - -"Not there?" he demanded. "How do you know?" - -Dan related the information given to him by the operator of the filling -station. At last he saw that the sportsman was beginning to be disturbed. - -"If Dobbs isn't at the farm, that changes the picture!" Mr. Silverton -exclaimed. "With the creek rising, the pheasants easily could be -endangered! Why did Dobbs go away without notifying me?" - -Neither Dan nor Brad made any attempt to answer. Nor did Mr. Silverton -expect them to do so, for he seemed to be thinking aloud. - -"I'll drive out there right away and see what's happening! Will you boys -come with me? I'll need you to point out where the gorge is choked." - -"Sure, we'll be glad to go!" Brad agreed quickly. - -Mr. Silverton led the way to a nearby parking lot where he kept his -automobile. At a fast clip they drove over the slippery pavement to the -pheasant farm. - -En route, they encountered two areas where fast-running ditch water had -overflowed the road. However, they were not too deep to prevent the car -from getting through. - -"I had no idea the rain was so heavy," Mr. Silverton commented. "Of all -times for Dobbs to leave the farm unattended this takes the prize!" - -The drive to the farm offered the two boys an excellent opportunity to -explain to Mr. Silverton again that the Cub Scouts never had intended to -break any of the rules laid down by him. - -Delicacy however, prevented them from bringing up the subject. Mr. -Silverton seemed so worried and absorbed in his thoughts that they -decided any discussion of the matter or apology must wait until after the -present emergency. - -As the big blue car descended the private gravel road and presently -emerged at the cleared area of the pheasant farm, Brad and Dan saw that -they had not exaggerated the situation. It was even worse than they had -anticipated. - -Already an ugly line of murky water had spread through the woodlands to -the lower level areas. The hatching yard in the grove was covered with an -inch of water. Overflow from the creek slowly nibbled at the walks -leading to the house and to the barn on somewhat higher ground. - -"Dobbs!" Mr. Silverton shouted. "Are you here?" - -Receiving no answer, the sportsman parked his car some distance behind -the barn and ran to the house. All the doors were locked. - -"You were right!" Mr. Silverton said to the Cubs. "Dobbs has gone off, -apparently for the day!" - -"And the water's creeping up fast," Brad said, gazing anxiously at the -pheasant pens which already were beginning to flood. - -"A nice mess!" the sportsman muttered. "Half of my pheasants will be lost -if I don't get them out of the fields." - -"Can't we help?" Dan offered. - -"Yes, I'll need you and anyone else I can get. This will be a big job. -We've got to work fast to keep ahead of the rising water." - -Smashing a glass pane at the rear door of the foreman's dwelling, Mr. -Silverton went inside to telephone. - -"I'm trying to round up men," he explained a few minutes later to Brad -and Dan. "But at best it will take an hour for anyone to get here. And -it's an awkward time--close to the dinner hour." - -"All the Cubs would help if I could get word to them," Dan said eagerly. - -"I can use anyone, and I'll pay well for the work. The vital thing is to -get help fast." - -"Say, Mr. Hatfield should be showing up at the old logging road exit to -relieve us of our stint!" Brad exclaimed. "Dan, if you could reach him--" - -"I'll go after him," Dan agreed instantly. "If he isn't there, I'll call -him from the filling station." - -"If you cut through the woods, be careful not to be trapped by the flood -waters," Mr. Silverton warned as Dan started away. "Keep well to the -north of the creek." - -Leaving Brad to help the sportsman, Dan set off through the woods at a -fast dog trot. - -Shadows were deepening among the trees, but he kept his sense of -direction. Circling around the flooded area, he struck the logging road -at a point well beyond the clogged point of the stream. - -To the right he could hear the rush and roar of the torrent which raced -toward the river. Unless the log jam gave away or the crest of the flood -was soon past, he knew that in a short while the entire side road would -be under water. - -His shoes and clothing caked with mud, Dan presently came out at the rail -fence barrier. A familiar looking car, which had pulled up on the other -side of the paved highway, was just starting away. - -"That's Mr. Hatfield's automobile!" Dan thought. "If only I can catch him -before he drives away!" - -Scrambling over the rail barrier, he shouted the Cub leader's name. In -the act of shifting gears, Mr. Hatfield heard the boy and turned his -head. - -Seeing Dan, he quickly switched off the engine and ran to the fence. - -"Where's Brad?" he asked anxiously. "When the storm broke so suddenly, I -came out here as fast as I could. Had a flat tire on the way, which held -me up. Is Brad all right?" - -"He's with Mr. Silverton," Dan replied, and poured out his story of -Dobbs' disappearance and the threatened flood disaster at the pheasant -farm. - -"No one there but Brad and Mr. Silverton?" - -"That's right, and the water is coming up fast. Mr. Silverton's trying to -get men from Webster City, but having no luck. Brad stayed with him to do -what he could." - -"Silverton _is_ in a spot," the Cub leader declared. "When I saw that log -jam in the creek, I was afraid something like this would happen." - -"Mr. Hatfield, do you think the Cubs could help?" Dan asked breathlessly. -"If only we could round them up!" - -"We can and will, Dan. Jump into the car! We'll make a whirlwind trip -into Webster City and see how many boys we can find!" - -Driving as fast as the slippery pavement permitted, the two soon reached -the city. Notified as to the emergency at the pheasant farm, Red, Chips, -Mack and Fred immediately offered their services. - -"Wear your slickers and either high boots or galoshes," the Cub leader -advised the boys. "It's plenty moist out at Silverton's place and the -creek still is rising." - -Mr. Hatfield, in stopping at his own home to pick up his son and a pair -of hip boots for himself, paused long enough to telephone Mr. Holloway -and Midge. The information received from across the river was -disconcerting. - -"They can't come with us," he reported to the Cubs. "The river is rising -fast, and Mr. Holloway is afraid the cabin may be flooded within a few -hours. He and Midge are sticking close to look after things there." - -"Gosh all fish hooks!" Red groaned as he piled into Mr. Hatfield's car -with the other Cubs. "If the flood reaches the cabin, some of our Den -equipment may be ruined. Especially our handicraft work." - -"I left the pheasant feather war bonnet there somewhere," Chips added -with concern. - -"Mr. Holloway and Midge will look after your things," the Cub leader -reassured the boys. "The water hasn't reached the cabin yet. As soon as -we've done what we can to help Mr. Silverton, we'll drive over to Mr. -Holloway's place." - -"After the way Silverton talked about the Cubs, he doesn't deserve too -much help--" Chips began, but a glance from Mr. Hatfield silenced him. - -Taking the longer route which entered the Silverton property from the -higher level road, the Cub leader was able to drive his car within a -hundred yards of the pheasant farm barn. - -"Wow! The water's even higher than it was when I left!" Dan exclaimed in -dismay. - -Already, many of the pheasant pens were partially submerged by the -creeping, chocolate-colored water. - -Brad and Mr. Silverton, wet to their waists, had used grain to coax some -of the more valuable pheasants into traps or carrying crates. - -Sorely beset, they had been unable to free the penned pheasants or to -carry any of the crates to higher ground. - -"We sure are glad to see you!" Brad exclaimed as the Cubs tumbled from -Mr. Hatfield's car. "Boy! Can we use a little help." - -"Where shall we take the pheasants?" the Cub leader asked, quickly -surveying the situation. - -"I think the barn is the best place," Mr. Silverton decided. "Turn them -loose there. The water shouldn't come that high." - -"Get busy, boys," Mr. Hatfield instructed the Cubs. - -Handling the crates carefully, the boys carried them one by one to the -barn. There, after making certain the doors and windows all were closed, -they set the startled birds free on the ground floor. - -Meanwhile, along the pheasant runs, Mr. Silverton aided by Brad and Mr. -Hatfield, had been collecting the traps. As rapidly as the pheasants were -caught, the Cubs carried them to the barn where they milled with the -others. - -"We've done all we can here," Mr. Silverton decided as deepening shadows -made it difficult to locate straggling pheasants. "Some will take refuge -in the trees and bushes." - -"The water's still coming higher," Mr. Hatfield observed as he prepared -to move his car. "If the gorge were cleared out, the level should drop -fast." - -"Let's see what can be done," Mr. Silverton proposed. - -Both men moved their cars to higher ground lest flood waters continue to -rise. Then, followed by the Cubs, they circled around to the old logging -road, approaching the dam from the upper and drier side. - -"Why Dobbs would leave a mess like that in the stream, I can't figure!" -Mr. Silverton exclaimed in disgust as he caught sight of the jam. "He -must have known about it, but he never spoke of it to me." - -Mr. Hatfield casually pointed out that the logs formed a natural bridge, -adding: "Almost as if they had been laid deliberately." - -"They do at that!" the sportsman agreed. "Let's have a closer look." - -While Mr. Hatfield and the Cubs waited on dry land, he waded out to -examine the accumulation of debris. When he returned to the group a few -minutes later, his expression was grim. - -"You're right, Mr. Hatfield," he declared. "I'm convinced those logs were -placed deliberately. Apparently, more has been going on here than I -suspected!" - -"Any chance to dislodge them?" the Cub leader questioned. - -"Not without a crew of men. But a stick of dynamite would do the trick. I -think Saul Dobbs has some locked up in the tool house." - -While the Cubs waited, the two men started back to the house to obtain -the dynamite. - -"What I can't figure, is why anyone would go to the trouble of making a -log bridge at this particular point," Dan said, frowning as he watched -the water spill over the makeshift dam. "Farther up stream, there's a -perfectly good foot bridge." - -"This section is near the restricted part of the woods," Brad commented. -"Mr. Silverton keeps his best Germain pheasants there. And say! I wonder -if they're safe?" - -"The water's backing up fast in that direction," Red observed. - -"Maybe we ought to investigate," Dan proposed. "Think it's safe to cross -the dam?" - -"The water isn't more than ankle deep," Brad decided. "We can get across -if we're careful." - -Joining hands, the Cubs cautiously waded through the shallow sheet of -water which coursed over the top of the dam. - -"Mack, you and Fred stay here to wait for Mr. Hatfield and Silverton," -Brad instructed. "Otherwise, they'll wonder what became of us." - -Though disappointed to be left behind, the two Cubs made no protest. -Brad, Dan, Chips and Red, then went on alone. - -"Chips, I wish you'd show us again where you and Red picked up those -pheasant feathers," Brad said suddenly. - -"Sure, providing the place isn't under water," the other agreed. "I guess -it won't be, because we're moving into higher ground." - -The four Cubs continued for a short distance, and then Red and Chips fell -into an argument as to the exact place where they had found the feathers. - -"It was right here," Red insisted, indicating a small clearing. - -"No, it wasn't," denied Chips. "It was farther on." - -Dan paid no heed to the two Cubs, for he had made an interesting -discovery of his own. - -"Fellows, come here!" he called excitedly. "See what I've found!" - - - - - CHAPTER 11 - Dan's Discovery - - -Dan stood at the entrance to a path which had been masked with a pile of -dead brush. - -"Just what have you found?" Chips demanded as he and the other Cubs -hurried over. "I don't see anything to make a howl about." - -"Then look at this!" - -Dan lifted away the pile of brush. Beyond they saw a freshly made path -which wound through a dense tunnel of overhanging bushes. - -"It's just another trail," said Red in disappointment. "The way you -yipped, I thought you'd made an important discovery, Dan." - -"Don't be so cock-sure this isn't important," Brad caught him up. -Stooping, he peered up the path, trying to see in which direction it led. - -"What's important about it?" Red demanded. "Mr. Silverton's farm has -dozens of trails. We saw 'em marked on the map, didn't we?" - -"That's the point," drawled Dan. "I don't think this trail ever was on -the map." - -"Got it with you?" Brad asked. - -"The map?" Dan dug in one pocket after another. "I don't think I -have--yes, here it is!" - -Emerging from the path so as to obtain a better light, Brad studied the -map. In the deepening shadows, he barely could make out the markings, and -was unable to locate the trail. - -"You're right, Dan," he said finally. "This trail doesn't appear on -Silverton's map." - -"Anything so remarkable about that?" Chips demanded. "Maybe the path was -made after he drew up the map." - -"Smart deduction," Brad grinned, returning the map to Dan. "But made by -whom? That's the fifty dollar question." - -"Maybe by those fellows in the station wagon who've been using the old -logging road," Dan offered his theory. - -"Might be," Brad admitted. "It all fits in. The natural bridge--this -path." - -"What fits in where?" Chips demanded in an aggrieved tone. "You guys -think you're funny, talking in code?" - -"We're not hiding anything," Brad denied. "All the clues are plain to see -if you know how to read 'em." - -"What you're saying doesn't make sense to me." - -"Nor me," added Red. - -"Well, it's like this, kiddies," grinned Brad. "You and Chips found a lot -of pheasant feathers here, didn't you?" - -"Check." - -"And not far from the same spot, Mr. Silverton or Dobbs come upon two -dead birds. Check?" - -"Sure," admitted Red, "but I still don't see--" - -"We know someone has been using the old logging road. Well, maybe that -log jam was put in the creek for a purpose." - -"To make a bridge across," supplied Dan. "Whoever did it, wanted the dam -to look natural." - -"You think someone planned to flood the pheasant runs?" Chips asked. - -"No," Brad explained patiently, "that part probably was an accident. The -bridge was just a convenient means of getting into this section of the -woodland." - -"Then you believe someone has been stealing pheasants from Mr. -Silverton?" Red said slowly. - -"Ah, the bright boy is catching on!" declared Brad. - -"Your theory may sound good to you, but I'd say it's full of holes like a -sieve," Red retorted. - -"For instance?" - -"Well, Saul Dobbs must have known about that log jam. And living on the -place, how could he help but know if a strange car used the old road?" - -"That's what I'm wondering myself." - -Hardly knowing what to do, Brad stood staring thoughtfully up the dark, -mysterious looking path. It had not been used many times, he knew, for -the grass was worn thin in only a few places. Elsewhere, it merely was -heavily trampled. - -Though tempted to see where the trail led, he hesitated to take time to -explore it. Soon it would be quite dark, and none of the Cubs had brought -a flashlight. - -Furthermore, with night coming on, the air was becoming chilly. In their -damp clothing, the boys already were thoroughly uncomfortable. - -"What do you say, Brad?" Dan asked eagerly. "Shall we find out where this -path leads?" - -The question stirred the Den Chief to decision. - -"We might follow it a little ways," he said. "But someone ought to stay -here, just in case Mack or Fred should come looking for us." - -"I don't want to stay--not alone," announced Chips, as the Den Chief's -gaze singled him out. - -"Then you and Red wait here together," Brad directed. "Dan and I won't be -gone long." - -"If you hear us whistle twice, come a-running," Chips advised as the pair -started off together. "Mr. Hatfield may get back any minute and want us -all in a hurry." - -With Dan leading the way, the two boys walked swiftly along the path. The -ground sloped upward away from the general direction of the creek. All -along the tunnel of bushes, Brad noticed broken branches, indicating to -his observing eye that an object wider than the path itself had been -carried along the trail. - -"I hardly can see ahead," Dan complained. "It's sure getting dark fast." - -"Since we've come this far, let's keep on a little longer," Brad urged. -"I think I see a clearing ahead." - -A few yards more and the pair came to a small lean-to constructed of -second-hand lumber marred by numerous knot holes. The building, low to -the ground, had been set back almost out of sight amid the bushes. - -"What's this?" Dan asked, for they had come to the end of the path. - -"Looks a little like a tool shed, only I don't think it could be," Brad -said, equally puzzled. "Let's have a look inside." - -The ill-fitting door had a bolt and padlock. However, the latter hung -loosely and had not been snapped shut. - -Brad opened the door and peered into the dark interior. - -"Nothing here," he reported, and then corrected himself. "Yes, there is -too! Looks like a crate of something." - -Diving into the lean-to, he pulled the crate out where they both could -see it. - -"Pheasants!" exclaimed Dan. "Two of them!" - -"Beauties if you ask me, Dan. What kind are they?" - -"This one looks like a Germain peacock type," Dan said, identifying it -from a picture he had seen in a library book. "Gray plumage eyed with -metallic spots. His tail probably would spread out if he weren't cooped -up." - -"And the other one?" - -"It might be an Impevan pheasant," Dan said doubtfully. "That green -crested head and red neck feathers would make me think so." - -"For all of me, it could be a grouse," Brad chuckled. "Wonder why these -birds are cooped up here without any food or water, and not too much -air?" - -"Brad, you don't suppose--" - -Dan did not finish what he had intended to say, for at that moment -running footsteps pounded on the path. - -"Someone's coming--but fast!" Brad muttered, shoving the crate back into -the lean-to. "Hide!" - -He drew Dan back deep into the bushes behind the building. - -Scarcely had the two taken cover, than a bedraggled figure bounded into -view. In relief, the pair saw that it was Red who had followed them. - -"Brad! Dan!" he hissed in a stage whisper. - -Mystified by his secrecy, the pair stepped from their hiding place. - -"Quick! Duck back out of sight!" Red muttered in warning. "They're coming -this way!" - -"Who's coming?" Brad demanded. - -"A couple of men. I don't know who they are." - -"Where did you see them?" Dan asked, for as yet he heard no sound on the -trail. - -"Listen!" Red said, his words fairly tumbling over each other. "Fred and -Mack saw 'em coming up the log road in a station wagon. When they came to -the water, they parked and crossed the bridge afoot." - -"They?" Brad caught him up. - -"I tell you I don't know who they were. Fred and Mack were on this side -of the log bridge. When they saw those birds coming, they hid in the -woods to watch." - -"Were they seen by the men, Red?" - -"I don't think so. Mack sneaked on ahead to warn you. He's with Chips now -at the entrance to this path." - -"And the men are coming this way?" - -"I didn't wait to see, but I think so." - -"Jeepers!" Brad muttered. "If they see that the bushes were pulled away -from the path, they'll be suspicious." - -"Mack and Chips took care of that. They put the brush back in place. The -only thing that might give us away unless we're seen, are footprints. And -it's too dark to make them out now." - -"Listen!" Dan warned, grasping Brad's hand. "I can hear someone coming up -the path now." - -"Duck!" Red advised, taking shelter in the thicket. - -Brad started to follow his example, then thought of something. - -"That crate of pheasants!" he whispered to Dan. "Help me with it." - -Dan could not guess what the Den Chief intended to do, but there was no -time to ask questions. As Brad carefully swung open the door, he lifted -out the crate. - -"Easy, so those birds don't start squawking," Brad cautioned. "Shift it -into the bushes." - -With Red's help, Dan lifted the crate back out of sight. Meanwhile, Brad -had closed the door of the lean-to. - -The approaching footfalls and murmur of voices now were very close. - -Flattening himself on the ground, Brad crawled into the bushes, -disappearing into their shelter just as two men entered the clearing. - - - - - CHAPTER 12 - A Crate of Pheasants - - -In the indistinct light, the Cubs scarcely could distinguish the features -of the two strangers. - -Both were dressed in rough clothing and high rubber boots. The taller of -the pair wore a large-brimmed felt hat which completely hid his face. - -The other, whom the Cubs never before had seen, was stockily built, -muscular, and walked with a heavy tread. - -Neither of the men spoke as they moved directly to the lean-to. The -taller of the pair opened the creaking door and peered inside. - -"Nothing here!" he exclaimed. "Not a single crate!" - -"Are you sure?" the other demanded, looking for himself. "Then we've been -double crossed!" - -"Looks like it, Jake," the other muttered, angrily slamming shut the -door. "He told us he'd leave the birds here, didn't he?" - -"Yeah. He telephoned me at my home early this morning and said everything -was set. Figure he pulled a fast one?" - -"Unless the storm coming up kept him from leaving the birds here." - -"Maybe, but I got my doubts," the other rejoined. "For a long time now, -he's been trying to crawl out of this business. The yellow livered dog is -afraid of being caught." - -"We've got to put the screws on him harder then. Lately, he ain't been -delivering enough to hardly make it worth while." - -Still talking, the two men started to move away from the lean-to. At that -instant Red, who was nearly paralyzed from having remained so long in the -same position, shifted slightly. - -A stick beneath his body crackled, in the stillness of the forest, -snapping like a tiny firecracker. - -"What was that, Jake?" - -"Didn't hear anything," the other man replied, but he stopped to listen. - -In the bushes behind the lean-to, the three Cubs sucked in their breath -and waited tensely. - -"Thought I heard someone back there in the brush," the heavy-set man -declared. "I think I'll take a look." - -He started toward the bushes where the three Cubs had gone into hiding -with the crate of pheasants. - -"Aw, come on," the other said impatiently. "It's getting late and the -creek's still rising. If we don't get back, we might be trapped on this -side of the stream." - -"Oh, all right," his companion agreed. "But I'd have sworn I heard -something." - -To the relief of the three Cubs, the pair with no further conversation, -walked rapidly away. - -Red, Dan and Brad waited until they were certain there was no risk of the -two men returning. Then they came out of their hiding place. - -"What do you make of it, Brad?" Dan asked, keeping his voice low. "Ever -see those two before?" - -"Never! They came here expecting to find that crate of pheasants." - -"Saul Dobbs must have left them in the lean-to," Dan speculated. "Brad, -he's cheating Mr. Silverton--and then trying to throw the blame on the -Cubs!" - -"He may be in on some sort of crooked deal," Brad said slowly. "But we're -jumping to pretty fancy conclusions. After all, we don't have any real -evidence." - -"We heard what those two men said," Brad declared excitedly. - -"Sure," said Brad evenly, "but they didn't mention any names." - -"One called the other Jake," Dan recalled. "Of course, that's not much to -go on." - -"Saul Dobbs' name wasn't spoken," Brad went on. "We don't like the man, -so naturally we decide he's in on something shady." - -"What do you think we should do?" Dan asked, willing to follow the older -boy's advice. - -"I don't know whether we should make any accusations or not," Brad -returned doubtfully. "One can't go around accusing persons on flimsy -evidence. I guess the best thing to do is saying nothing until we've had -a chance to report this to Mr. Hatfield." - -"What about this crate of pheasants?" Dan asked. "Shall we put it back in -the lean-to?" - -"I don't like to do that. Those birds need food and water right now." - -"Why not take 'em to the barn and turn them loose with the other -pheasants?" Dan suggested. "Then we can explain to Mr. Silverton later -on, if we need to." - -"That's a good idea!" approved Brad. "Come on, let's move along and find -out what's happened to Chips." - -Carrying the crate of pheasants, the three retraced their way along the -dark path. At the masked entrance, there was no sign of Chips. - -Brad whistled softly and the boys came quickly out of hiding. - -"Where did those men go after they left here?" Brad questioned. "Did you -see 'em?" - -"Sure," Chips answered, staring at the crate of pheasants which Red and -Dan carried between them. "They were plenty mad about something too!" - -"But which way did they go?" - -"Back toward the log jam and the road." - -"I sure hope Mack and Fred kept out of sight," Brad said anxiously. - -As the four started for the creek, he explained to Chips what they had -seen and heard near the lean-to. - -"Did you recognize either of those two men?" he asked Chips. - -"Hardly could see their faces, Brad. They were hopping mad because you -hid the crate of pheasants." - -At the creek, Mack and Fred who had taken refuge among the oak trees, -came out of hiding as the other Cubs emerged from the trail. - -Excitedly they reported that the two men had crossed the log bridge only -a few minutes before, wading through the deepening water to the parked -station wagon on the old road. - -"Did you get the license number?" Dan inquired. - -"Couldn't," Fred explained. "Too dark to see that far. And the men never -turned on their car lights." - -"They had a hard time getting the motor started," Mack contributed. "The -driver got mad and began berating the other fellow. Oh, they were -heated!" - -"You didn't hear any names spoken?" Brad questioned. - -"Names?" Mack repeated. "Well, one of 'em called the other Bernie." - -"That's two names we have now!" Red exclaimed. "Jake and Bernie. Ever -hear of anyone by either of them?" - -None of the Cubs had. Mack thought it possible that the pair were known -to Mr. Silverton, and in fact, might have been employed by him to do work -on the farm. - -"That's possible, of course," Brad conceded. "But if they were farm -workers, why would they talk about being double crossed?" - -Although nearly a half hour had elapsed since Mr. Hatfield and the -sportsman had gone to the house in search of dynamite, neither had -returned. During their absence, Mack and Fred had made an effort to -dislodge some of the logs which were causing the water to back up. Their -attempts however, had been unavailing. - -"The creek still is rising," Fred declared as the Cubs waded across the -piled-up debris to the other side of the stream. "Wonder what's happened -to Mr. Hatfield and Silverton?" Answering his own question, he added: -"They may have had to go into the city after dynamite." - -Talking over the matter, it was agreed that Mack, Fred, Red and Chips -would wait at the log jam, doing what they could to release the smaller -tree branches. Brad and Dan were to carry the crate of pheasants to the -barn, and if they could find Mr. Silverton, report to him what they had -seen and heard. - -Splashing through the knee-deep water, the two boys picked their way -through the darkness. Once, stumbling over a submerged tree stump, Dan -nearly dropped his end of the shipping crate. - -But finally, with no mishap, they reached the clearing. - -The rising water now had flooded all the pheasant pens and was creating a -large island of the house and barn. - -"If the creek keeps coming up, water will start filtering into the barn -in another hour or so," Brad said anxiously. "Then we'll need the Cubs to -help move the pheasants into the loft." - -Mr. Hatfield's car was nowhere to be seen, a fact which led the two boys -to believe that the Cub leader and Mr. Silverton had driven away to -obtain dynamite. - -At the barn, Brad and Dan opened the crate and turned loose the two cocks -which were absorbed in the flock. - -"There's nothing we can do here," Brad said. "I suppose we may as well go -back to the creek." - -As the pair turned to leave, they heard footsteps outside the barn door. -Thinking that it was Mr. Hatfield or Mr. Silverton, Dan called: - -"Here we are! In the barn!" - -No one answered his shout. But a moment later, the door of the barn was -flung back, and the boys found themselves gazing into the blinding light -of a gasoline lantern. - -A massive, squat figure, whose shadow was grotesque, stood silhouetted in -the doorway. - -"So, it's you again, my young friends!" observed a harsh, mocking voice. -"This time I've caught you red handed!" - -Brad and Dan could not see the man's face for the glare of the lantern. -But there was no mistaking the voice. The one who confronted them from -the doorway was Saul Dobbs. - - - - - CHAPTER 13 - Accusations - - -"So you've been stealing pheasants while I was away!" the workman accused -the startled boys. "This time you won't get off with excuses! I'm turning -you over to the police on a delinquency charge!" - -Saul Dobbs set the lighted lantern on the floor and moved toward Brad and -Dan. Before he could lay hands upon them, the barn door creaked behind -the foreman. - -"What's going on here?" demanded a familiar voice. - -Dobbs whirled around to see Mr. Silverton and Sam Hatfield standing -directly behind him. - -"I caught 'em this time, Mr. Silverton," the workman said in keen -satisfaction. "When I found 'em here, they were stealing the pheasants." - -"Idiot!" Mr. Silverton reprimanded him. "If it hadn't been for the Cubs, -two thirds of my pheasants would have drowned. Where, may I ask, have you -been?" - -Dobbs lost some of his assurance. "Why, I drove into town for a few -minutes," he stammered. "The storm came up suddenly. As soon as I could -get back here--" - -"It's taken you long enough," Mr. Silverton retorted. "Your job was to -stay here. Where were you?" - -"Why, I--that is--I had an appointment with a friend. It--it was just -personal business." - -"And while you were attending to your personal business, the pheasant -runs were flooding. You knew that the creek was choked with logs and -debris?" - -"Why--no." - -"Then why didn't you?" Silverton pinned him down. "The Cubs discovered it -on their first visit here. Unless the dam is dynamited, the water will -keep rising for hours." - -"I'll see what can be done right away," Dobbs said, reaching for the -lantern. - -As he stooped, his gaze fell upon the shipping crate which Dan and Brad -had deposited on the floor only a few minutes before. His attention -fastened upon it only momentarily, and then deliberately he looked away. - -However, both Brad and Dan had seen the glance, and it dawned upon them -that the foreman had knowledge of the crate having been left in the -lean-to. - -Despite the urgency of getting back to the creek to dynamite the log jam, -Brad determined to bring up the matter then and there. - -"Dan and I very easily can explain why we're here--" he began, only to -have Mr. Silverton interrupt. - -"There's no need for you to explain to Dobbs, boys." - -"But we feel you should know, sir," Dan broke in. "We brought two cocks -which we found across the creek in a shipping crate." - -"In a shipping crate?" the owner of the pheasant farm repeated in a -puzzled voice. - -Dan explained how he and Brad had come upon the hidden path, and of -seeing the two strangers who had complained of being double-crossed when -they failed to find the crated pheasants. - -"Dobbs, what do you know of this matter?" his employer demanded severely. - -"Why, not a thing." The foreman laughed nervously. "Not a thing. We built -a little lean-to about a year ago where I sometimes keep a few tools. -Haven't used it in months or been near there." - -"You told me nothing of having built the shack, Dobbs. In fact, I find -there are many things you neglected to report. Who are the men who have -been trespassing on my property?" - -"I wouldn't know," Dobbs whined. "I've never seen anyone use the old -logging road." - -"No mention was made of anyone using it," Brad tripped him up. "However, -that's how they have been coming here--down the road at night, crossing -the log bridge afoot and then apparently to the lean-to." - -"That ain't so!" Dobbs denied, suddenly losing control of his temper. -"You're just saying it to make trouble for me. You want me to lose my -job! You're sore because I told Mr. Silverton about the Cubs trespassing -on the restricted area." - -"We're reporting exactly what we saw," Brad replied. - -"Can you describe the two men?" Mr. Silverton asked, paying no attention -to Dobbs' accusation. - -"One was heavy set and about middle age," Brad recalled. "The other was -taller. We couldn't see their faces plainly because it was so dark." - -"They called each other Jake and Bernie," Dan contributed. - -The names struck sparks in Mr. Silverton's mind. - -"Not Bernie Bauer and Jake Freeze?" he demanded. - -"We didn't hear the last names, sir," Dan returned regretfully. - -"Nevertheless, your general description fits the pair," Mr. Silverton -said, turning again to the crestfallen foreman. "Friends of yours, aren't -they, Dobbs?" - -"I know Bernard Bauer and Jake Freeze slightly," Dobbs replied, -considering his words carefully. "But believe me, Mr. Silverton, they've -never come here. At least not to my knowledge." - -"I've suspected for a long while that someone was stealing some of my -best pheasants, Dobbs. In fact, we discussed it several times. But it -remained for the Cubs to bring the proof I needed!" - -"Proof! What proof have they dug up? How do we know they didn't make up -the whole story about finding those cocks in the lean-to?" - -"I'll vouch for the honesty of Brad and Dan," said Mr. Hatfield, who had -listened silently to the discussion. "For that matter, their findings do -not surprise me. I've suspected for some time that trespassers were using -the old logging road." - -While the Cub leader spoke, Dan by the light of the lantern had been -inspecting the pheasant crate. Now he was ready to spring his most -important discovery. - -"If you want proof that someone has been stealing pheasants, look at -this!" he exclaimed. - -Attached to the shipping crate with a bit of wire was the torn half of an -old tag, showing that it had been expressed to Malborne. - -In the wavering light of the lantern, Mr. Hatfield and the owner of the -pheasant farm inspected the writing. - -"We found the other half of this shipping tag on the old logging road -several days ago," Dan told Mr. Silverton. "Apparently, the crate has -been used repeatedly." - -Mr. Hatfield, who had kept the missing half of the tag, removed it from -his billfold and gave it to Mr. Silverton. - -"Obviously, pheasants have been shipped out for resale," the sportsman -said. "This convinces me. And I rather think Freeze and Bauer are our -boys!" - -"The Cubs have given you a twisted story," Dobbs whined. "I tell you I -never saw this pheasant crate before." - -"Dobbs, you're lying!" Mr. Silverton accused him. "I've seen that crate -myself. Isn't it one we kept as an extra? I remember one of the slats was -broken. You mended it--" - -"And here is the repaired place," Dan pointed it out. - -Thus tripped in his story, Dobbs began to stammer and make the excuse -that he had failed to recognize the crate. - -"I've had enough of your alibis," Mr. Silverton said angrily. "You'll do -the rest of your explaining to the police!" - -"Don't turn me over to the authorities, Mr. Silverton," the man pleaded. -"I've worked for you two years--doing the best I could. I did make -mistakes--I admit it, and the worst one was ever getting acquainted with -those two yellow dogs, Jake Freeze and Bernie Bauer." - -"Now we're getting somewhere, Dobbs. So you admit you worked with them in -stealing my pheasants?" - -"If I tell you the whole story, will you let me off?" Dobbs tried to -bargain. - -"We'll see," his employer returned coldly. "Unless you do tell me, I'll -call the police. I promise you that!" - -Dobbs drew a deep breath and said sullenly: "Well, it was like this: I -knew Freeze and Bauer several years ago before I came to work for you. -During the war I was employed by a man named Willis who had an estate -north of here." - -"I've heard of him," Silverton nodded. - -"He had deer in his forest. Meat was scarce then, and it seemed a shame -for folks to go without, just for want of a few ration stamps." - -"So you made a deal to supply deer to Freeze and Bauer?" Mr. Silverton -demanded, guessing at the story. - -"That's about the size of it," Dobbs admitted. "Only they came to me with -the proposition. I never liked the business, so I pulled out and came to -Webster City." - -"Then you got mixed up in pheasant stealing?" - -"Not intentionally. Believe me, Mr. Silverton, I've worked hard trying to -keep things running smoothly here." - -"You receive a generous salary for your work, I believe?" - -"Oh, I ain't complaining," Dobbs said uncomfortably. "You've been decent -to me--mighty decent." - -"How did you get mixed up with Freeze and Bauer again?" - -"They learned I was working for you and followed me here. At first I -wouldn't listen to 'em, but they kept threatening if I didn't play along, -they'd tip off to you about my previous black market activities. Then I -knew I'd lose my job." - -"So you made a deal with them?" - -"They forced me into it. I never got much out of it myself." - -"How long has this stealing been going on, Dobbs?" - -"Only since last fall. At first Freeze and Bauer didn't take many -pheasants. Lately, they've pressured me into letting them have more and -more." - -"The pheasants were shipped out of town for sale, just as the Cubs -thought?" - -"I don't know where they were sold," Dobbs said. "Freeze and Bauer never -told me any of the details of their business, and I didn't ask. Mostly -they drove in here at night, using the old logging road." - -"You let them know when the coast was clear, so to speak?" - -"They made me do that. But believe me, Mr. Silverton, I never let 'em -have as many pheasants as they wanted." - -"Very considerate of my interests," the sportsman said sarcastically. -"You knew about the log jam in the creek, of course." - -"Freeze and Bauer put the logs in so they could cross the stream at that -point and reach the lean-to. I was afraid it might make trouble, but I -didn't look for the rains to be so heavy." - -"You left the two pheasant cocks in the lean-to and then went away late -this afternoon? That was to give your friends a chance to come here while -you were away?" - -"They ain't friends of mine," Dobbs insisted. "I told you, they've been -making life mighty hard for me." - -"Where do the two live?" - -"At a little hotel on Brady Avenue in Webster City." - -"I'll swear out a warrant for their arrest immediately," Mr. Silverton -declared. "As for you, Dobbs--" - -"Don't be too hard on me," the workman pleaded. "I told you the whole -truth. I never would have got mixed up in the dirty business only they -kept after me. I'll be glad to see 'em behind bars." - -"Will you testify against them?" - -"I will if you'll let me off, Mr. Silverton. I swear it!" - -"All right," the sportsman agreed, impatient to be finished with the -discussion. "I want no scandal, so I'll let you off. But understand this! -You're through here--fired. Now get out! My secretary will send you your -final pay check." - -"Thanks, Mr. Silverton," Dobbs mumbled, shuffling toward the door. - -His heavy boots sloshed through a trickle of water which had seeped -unnoticed into the barn. - -"The creek's still rising!" he exclaimed, startled. - -As Dobbs thrust open the barn door, more water trickled in. - -Mr. Silverton seized the lantern from the floor. As he flashed it -out-of-doors, he saw that the entire area near the house and barn was -flooded. - -"It's coming up fast!" he exclaimed in dismay. "We've got to dynamite the -log jam right away or the water will keep rising!" - - - - - CHAPTER 14 - Trouble on Rabb Island - - -The rapidity with which the creek waters had flooded the low area and the -higher ground where the barn was situated, alarmed Mr. Silverton and Sam -Hatfield. - -"Where is Fred?" the Cub leader asked anxiously. "And the other boys?" - -"We left them at the creek, not far from the log jam," Dan explained. -"They've probably moved to higher ground somewhere along the old logging -road. We told them to wait." - -"We've got to get back there and work fast!" Mr. Silverton said, starting -hurriedly away. - -"Mr. Silverton, let me dynamite the jam for you," Dobbs offered -unexpectedly. "It's dangerous work and you ain't used to handling the -stuff." - -Mr. Silverton hesitated, apparently on the verge of refusing the request. - -"Please let me help," Dobbs urged. "It's the least I can do to make -amends." - -"Very well," the sportsman agreed. "We need your help. The dynamite is in -my car. Be careful it doesn't get wet, because it's all I have." - -"I'll set off the blast," Dobbs said, starting away. "Just be sure all -the boys are out of range when she goes off!" - -"We'll round the Cubs up now," Mr. Hatfield said. "What about these -pheasants here in the barn?" - -"Dan and I can move them up into the loft," Brad offered eagerly. - -"If we can dynamite the dam, it may not be necessary," Mr. Silverton -said. "First, let's see what can be done at the creek. If we fail there, -we'll have to come back and move everything out." - -Dobbs obtained the dynamite from Mr. Silverton's car, and the party set -off for the creek. Failing to see Fred, Mack, Chips and Red by the dam, -Mr. Hatfield gave the familiar Pack whistle. - -From higher land far up the logging road came an immediate response. - -"Round up the Cubs, Brad," Mr. Hatfield instructed the Den Chief. "Then -keep them all together until after Dobbs sets off the dynamite." - -"Sure," Brad agreed. "Coming, Dan?" - -Leaving the log jam where an avalanche of water was pouring over the pile -of debris, the two boys quickly found the other four Cubs. - -"We thought you never would get back," Red said. He was wet to the waist -and covered with mud, having fallen down on the slippery road. "The creek -came up so fast, we moved out." - -Brad and Dan recounted their own experiences at the barn, and ended by -telling Dobbs' confession. - -"And all the while that guy was trying to put the blame on us!" Chips -exclaimed indignantly. "What a nerve! He drove us away from here because -he was afraid we'd learn the truth." - -"And we did, thanks to Mr. Hatfield's suspicions about the logging road," -declared Brad. "But if Dan hadn't noticed the shipping tag on that crate, -I doubt Dobbs ever would have confessed." - -"What happened to Freeze and Bauer?" Fred questioned. "They got away?" - -"Temporarily," Brad answered. "Mr. Silverton knows their address though. -So unless they wise up and slip out of town, he'll swear out a warrant -for their arrest." - -Keeping together, the Cubs returned to the creek, the banks of which had -dissolved into a dark, murky, ever-spreading lake. - -On the log jam, endeavoring to place the charge of dynamite, were Dobbs, -Sam Hatfield and Mr. Silverton. Seeing the Cubs, Mr. Hatfield shouted to -Brad to come and hold the lighted lantern. The others, he warned to keep -far away. - -Carefully Dobbs placed the dynamite charge, having trouble in keeping it -dry until the fuse could be lighted. - -"Now everyone get out of here quick!" he ordered. "I'm sticking until the -last minute." - -As the long fuse began to burn, Mr. Silverton, Brad, and Sam Hatfield, -quickly waded back to the waiting Cubs. Together, all retreated a safe -distance. - -"Come on, Dobbs!" Mr. Silverton shouted to the workman. "Better get out. -That fuse will burn fast!" - -Thus urged, Dobbs leaped off the logs and started at a run through the -water. Gasping for breath, he reached the Cubs. - -With increasing tenseness, everyone waited for the explosion. Minutes -passed and it did not come. - -"The fuse has damped out," Dobbs muttered. "I'll go back and see what's -happened." - -"No, wait!" Mr. Silverton commanded, placing a restraining hand on the -man's arm. - -Even as he spoke, there came a terrific blast which shook the ground -where the Cubs stood. Logs were hurled helter-skelter as the pile of -debris broke up. - -"She's moving out!" Dobbs cried jubilantly. - -Wading to the stream's edge, the Cubs watched the splintered logs float -off downstream. - -A few of the larger pieces at either side of the jam had not been -dislodged by the blast, but the gap was large enough for the main flow of -the torrent to pour through. - -"The water level will lower rapidly now," Mr. Silverton said in -satisfaction. - -Soon the Cubs observed for themselves that damp rings were appearing on -the bases of the trunks of nearby trees, indicating that the flood was -receding. - -"The danger here is past," declared Mr. Hatfield. "But on the river, I -fear it's a different story." - -"Do you suppose the Holloway place is under water?" Brad asked anxiously. - -"Not the house," the Cub leader replied. "But the cabin may be flooded. -If not by this time, it may a little later. The river rises slowly, but -for days now it has been almost at bank level." - -"Shouldn't we go there and see if Mr. Holloway needs help?" Dan -suggested. "A lot of Cub stuff is stored in the cabin." - -"Including that Indian headgear Red and I made!" Chips contributed. "I'd -sure hate to lose it just before the Pack handicraft show." - -"Speaking of that feather headgear, I owe the Cubs an apology," Mr. -Silverton said. "Several of them, in fact. There's no time to speak of -certain matters now, but later on, you'll hear from me. In the meantime, -thanks for everything you've done tonight!" - -The Cubs, eager to reach Mr. Holloway's place, said good-bye and left the -sportsman and Dobbs at the creek. Returning to Mr. Hatfield's parked car, -they rode with the Cub leader into Webster City, and on toward the -outskirts. - -As the highway curved near the river, the Cubs noted with increasing -anxiety that large areas of low-lying shore had been nibbled away. - -Finally, at the Holloway residence, they piled out of the car to see -lighted lanterns moving in the vicinity of the log cabin. - -Mr. Hatfield and the Cubs trooped down the slope to find Midge, his -father, and Mrs. Holloway, moving bedding, furniture and knickknacks from -the cabin. - -"Glad you're here!" Midge's father greeted the newcomers. "From the look -of your clothes, you've already had a bout with this flood." - -"A winning one, we're glad to report!" the Cub leader laughed. "Need help -here?" - -"We certainly do, although for the moment the situation is fairly well in -hand. But I'm worried about the folks on Rabb Island." - -The island of which Mr. Holloway spoke was situated in mid-river only a -short distance downstream from the Cub's cabin. Until recently it had -been unoccupied. - -"Why, I didn't know anyone lived there," Dan said in surprise. - -"A family of four moved in about three weeks ago," Mr. Holloway revealed. -"They're living in a shack there--the mother and father and two -youngsters." - -"Rabb Island is low," the Cub leader said. "And the river has risen -several feet in the last few hours." - -"The Dustin family has a boat of sorts," Mr. Holloway said. "I wouldn't -worry, only I know Mr. Dustin went away late this afternoon just before -the storm broke. Whether he got back or not, I don't know." - -"Then Mrs. Dustin and the two children might be on the island alone?" Mr. -Holloway asked. - -"That's what's worrying me. I don't know." - -"Any way we can find out?" - -"I intend to row over there as soon as I get things cleaned up here. But -the water's risen so fast I haven't had a chance." - -"I'll go over right away and check up," volunteered the Cub leader. "That -is, if I can borrow the boat." - -"Midge and I hauled it up by the boat house. The dock is under water -now." - -"We'll help you get it out," Dan offered eagerly. "Need anyone to go -along?" - -"I can only take one Cub, because I may need to bring passengers back." - -"Take me," urged Chips, who had just come out of the flooded cabin after -having rescued the Indian feather headdress. "I'm a good rower." - -"Better than I am," conceded Dan as he saw Mr. Hatfield hesitate. - -"Why, yes, Chips, you may go along," agreed the Cub leader. "Now let's -launch the boat." - -The Cubs carried the craft to the water's edge. Chips climbed in with Mr. -Hatfield who took possession of the oars. The Cubs then gave a mighty -shove which sent the boat well on its way. - -"That dope!" Red exclaimed belatedly. - -"Who is?" demanded Brad who stood near the submerged dock watching the -boat disappear into the darkness of the river. - -"Chips! Didn't he take our Indian headdress with him?" - -"He did have it in his hand," declared Dan. "But it should be safe -enough." - -"Unless he absently drops it into the river! Or the boat may leak and the -feathers get wet. We did a lot of work on that headdress. Only this -morning Mr. Holloway told me he thought it might be one of the best items -entered in the Pack exhibition." - -"Well, don't worry about it," Brad advised. "Chips thinks a lot of that -headdress too. Depend upon it, he'll take care of those precious -feathers!" - -After the boat had vanished beyond view, the Cubs returned to the cabin -to see if anything had been left undone. - -Every object which possibly might suffer damage from the rising water, -already had been removed to the Holloway home on the hill. - -"The cabin itself can't be injured by water," Mr. Holloway told the boys. -"But it's likely to be left in a dirty mess." - -"We'll make a date right now to help you clean the place," Dan offered. -"Everyone show up at the next Cub meeting armed with a mop!" - -Because Brad and Dan were soaked through, Mrs. Holloway insisted that -they change clothing before starting home. Midge's extra Cub uniform was -a fair fit for Dan, while Brad borrowed garments from Mr. Holloway's -wardrobe. The other Cubs were provided with changes of socks. - -"Sorry I can't give you all complete outfits," Mrs. Holloway said -regretfully. - -"Don't bother," Mack told her. "Our folks will be coming for us in a few -minutes anyhow." - -While the Cubs were waiting for the arrival of their parents, Mrs. -Holloway brewed hot chocolate and made sandwiches. In the warm kitchen, -the boys consumed great quantities of food, and recounted the story of -their exciting pheasant hunt at Mr. Silverton's farm. - -"Say, shouldn't Mr. Hatfield and Chips be getting back?" Dan presently -asked, glancing at the kitchen clock. "They've been gone a long while, or -so it seems to me." - -"I was thinking the same thing," agreed Mr. Holloway. "Suppose we go down -to the river again and see if the boat is coming." - -Leaving the others to dry out by the stove, Dan and Mr. Holloway went -down to the water's edge. The river lapped angrily at their feet. As far -as they could see there was no sign of a returning boat. - -"No use to worry," Mr. Holloway said. "They'll be coming along any -minute--unless they should have run into a bad situation on the island." - -"The river's still rising," Dan observed. "Though not as fast as it was -an hour ago." - -He and Mr. Holloway took a last look out across the river toward Rabb -Island and then turned away. On the steps leading to the house, Dan felt -a strange compulsion to pause and once more gaze over his shoulder. - -As he did so, he saw several flashes of light from the direction of the -island. - -"Wait, Mr. Holloway!" he exclaimed. "I saw something just then!" - -Excitedly, he indicated the direction from whence the flashes had come. -"I couldn't tell exactly what it was, sir." - -Once more the pair returned to the water's edge, watching intently and -waiting. Perhaps three minutes elapsed and then a dim light blinked on -and off several times. - -"That might be a flashlight!" Mr. Holloway said. "It's certainly coming -from Rabb Island or close to it." - -"Maybe Mr. Hatfield is trying to signal us! I know he had a flashlight in -his pocket." - -"It looks like code," Mr. Holloway declared as the signals again were -seen. "Morse code. Can you read it, Dan?" - -"No, but Brad can. He studied it in scouting last year." - -"Then get him! But be quick about it. Those flashes are becoming weaker." - -Requiring no urging, Dan darted up the stone steps two at a time, -bursting into the Holloway kitchen. - -"Come quick, Brad!" he urged. "Someone is signaling from Rabb Island in -Morse code. We need you to read it." - -Not only Brad but all the Cubs poured out of the kitchen and ran down to -the river. - -The flashes of light still were visible from across the water. - -"Can you make them out, Brad?" Mr. Holloway asked. "It's important that -we read the message. Mr. Hatfield and Chips may have run into trouble." - -"The flashes are so weak," Brad said. "I can't get it. Yes, now I can." - -"BOAT LOST. SEND--" - -"Boat lost! Send help!" Dan finished as the flashes faded completely and -did not reappear. "Chips and Mr. Hatfield must have reached the island, -but they're in trouble. We've got to get to them right away!" - - - - - CHAPTER 15 - The Grand Howl - - -Alarmed for the safety of Chips, Mr. Hatfield and the dwellers of Rabb -Island, Mr. Holloway immediately telephoned the Coast Guard station for -assistance. He was assured that a rescue boat would be sent immediately. - -"It will take them at least a half hour to reach the island," the Den Dad -reported to the Cubs. "Meanwhile, a lot may be happening there." - -Decidedly worried, Mr. Holloway and the Cubs established a vigil on the -river front. The flashlight signals from Rabb Island were not repeated. -This however, was no consolation. - -"Mr. Hatfield's flashlight battery probably is so weak it won't operate," -Brad said. - -"Say, can't we borrow a boat from somewhere and row over there?" Dan -demanded, made anxious by the long wait. "Dorman Clark keeps a motor -boat." - -"But his place is two miles down stream," Mr. Holloway reminded the Cubs. - -"It would take us longer than thirty minutes to get there, launch the -boat, and beat our way upstream to Rabb Island," Brad objected. - -Mr. Holloway nodded in agreement. "Our best bet is to wait here for the -Coast Guard launch," he decided, "even though it's hard to remain idle." - -Little more was said by the Cubs although their anxiety was far from -relieved. Wandering up and down the shore, they repeatedly checked the -level of the water. Slowly but steadily, the river was creeping higher. - -"Two years ago when the floods came, Rabb Island was almost entirely -submerged," Brad remarked, gazing anxiously at Mr. Holloway. "Do you -think there is danger it might be covered again?" - -"The river was at least two feet higher then, Brad. There's no immediate -danger of the entire island being flooded." - -"We're not positive Mr. Hatfield and Chips reached the island, though the -signals appeared to come from there," Mack remarked. "If we interpreted -the message right, something happened to the boat." - -"That's what I can't figure," said Dan. "Do you suppose it sprung a -leak?" - -"Possible, but hardly likely," the Den Dad replied. "That boat was tight -as a drum. I caulked the seams myself." - -"Hey!" Brad suddenly shouted. "I see a light on the river!" - -The other Cubs turned to gaze where he pointed. Far across the water they -could see a bright, moving light. - -"It's the Coast Guard launch," Mr. Holloway said in relief. - -Plowing slowly upstream against the turbulent waters, the launch kept to -midstream, churning on through the darkness toward Rabb Island. - -Their minds now partially relieved, the Cubs nevertheless waited in -suspense along the shore, wondering what might be amiss. - -Finally, after at least another twenty minutes, the rescue craft was seen -to put off from the island. - -"She's heading this way!" Brad observed. - -A few minutes later, churning up spume, the launch halted well beyond the -shallows opposite the submerged Holloway dock. In short order a small -boat was lowered. Aboard were Sam Hatfield, Chips, Mrs. Dustin, her two -small children, and a very bedraggled dog. - -"What happened?" Mr. Holloway demanded as he and the Cubs waded out to -pull the boat up onto land. - -"Well, it's quite a story," the Cub leader replied, carefully assisting -Mrs. Dustin from the boat. "Before I go into it, suppose we get this lady -and her children into the house. They've had a harrowing time of it on -the island." - -Mrs. Dustin brushed aside a wisp of damp hair which had blown across her -drawn, care-lined face. She wore a man's coat over her housedress, but -the latter was soaked from the knees down and clung to her as she walked. - -"My husband went to Webster City late this afternoon and couldn't get -back," she explained. "Then the river came up frightfully fast. It -flooded our little place, ruining everything. The children and I had to -take refuge on the highest point of the island. I don't know what we'd -have done, if help hadn't come when it did." - -Mrs. Holloway slipped an arm about the woman's shaking shoulders as she -led her and the two small children toward the house. - -"Don't worry about anything now," she comforted. "You'll spend the night -here and we'll get word to your husband. We have plenty of room." - -Having delivered the passengers safely, the Coast Guard launch now -prepared to pull away, but not before Sam Hatfield and Mr. Holloway both -had thanked the crew for the timely rescue. - -"It's just part of our job," the boatswain replied carelessly. "Glad to -have been of service." - -After the launch had disappeared in the darkness, Brad and the other Cubs -gathered about Mr. Hatfield, urging him to relate what had occurred on -Rabb Island. - -"What became of Mr. Holloway's boat?" Dan asked. "And why was it -necessary to send the distress message?" - -"Well--" the Cub leader hesitated, glancing briefly at Chips. "Oh, we had -a little bad luck. The boat broke away after we left it on shore." - -"It wasn't bad luck exactly," Chips corrected quietly. "I was careless. -Mr. Hatfield told me to fasten the boat, and I did tie it to a dock -post--only not securely enough." - -"It wasn't really your fault, Chips," the Cub leader said generously. - -"Yes, it was, sir. I should have been more careful." - -"Accidents can happen to anyone, Chips." - -"What became of the boat?" Dan asked although he knew the question was a -rather useless one. - -"Well, it drifted off somewhere downstream," the Cub leader replied. "If -we're lucky, it may lodge some place fairly close. Then again, this swift -current is likely to carry it miles. If any damage is done I'll either -buy a new boat or see that it is properly repaired." - -"Now don't give that a thought," the Den Dad cut in. "We'll find the boat -tomorrow." He turned to Chips, clapping him on the shoulder. "Don't look -so glum, lad. No one blames you for the accident." - -"It's not just the boat I'm thinking about," the boy answered. "The -Indian headdress was lying on the seat when it floated away." - -"Then there goes the Den's chance to win first prize at the Pack -exhibition!" exclaimed Red. "Gosh! After all the work we did on that -headdress!" - -"How did you happen to lose it?" Fred asked in a discouraged voice. - -Chips explained that he had left the feather piece lying on the boat seat -when he and Mr. Hatfield had gone to the rescue of Mrs. Dustin and her -two children. Upon their return, both the boat and the headdress had -floated away. - -"We'll never enter it in the competition now," he ended in disgust. "The -boat may be found, but the headdress is sure to be a mess after lying out -all night in the weather." - -Loss of the handicraft article upon which the Den had pinned hope of -victory in the Pack exhibition, thoroughly discouraged the Cubs. However, -because Chips already blamed himself for the loss, they said little about -it. - -"There's an outside chance the boat may have lodged at the Fulton bridge, -a quarter of a mile down river," Mr. Hatfield remarked thoughtfully. "The -current would carry it in that direction. I think I'll drive that way on -my way home." - -Brad and Dan immediately sought permission to accompany the Cub leader. - -"I'll be glad to have you," Mr. Hatfield said. "Better telephone your -parents and tell them not to bother to pick you up. I'll drive you home -after we've looked for the boat." - -Eager to be off, Mr. Hatfield borrowed a lantern from Midge's father. -With Brad and Dan, he then selected the main highway which would take the -car across the Fulton bridge. - -"It's too late for us to make an extensive search for the boat tonight," -he remarked as they drove along. "The chances are it will drift miles -from Rabb Island. All the same, we'll keep our eyes peeled." - -Under the pale light of the moon, the boys caught occasional glimpses of -the racing river. At the bridge where rolling waves dashed against the -stone supports, Mr. Hatfield halted the car for a better view. - -Gazing down over the cement railing, Dan and Brad saw boxes, boards, logs -and miscellaneous debris swept past. Other refuse of the river had lodged -in quieter waters. Foam rose in a soapy sea around the bridge pillars -where the waves slapped high. - -But there was no sign of the missing boat. - -"Guess it was too much to expect," Mr. Hatfield said, turning away from -the railing. "Well, nothing to do but organize a search tomorrow. I'm -afraid though, that the boat will be badly battered by the time we -recover it." - -Mr. Hatfield and the Cubs returned to the parked automobile and drove on. -For a short distance the highway curled close to the rivers edge. At one -point, shallow water flooded the pavement. - -The car churned through it without the engine damping out. But a short -distance ahead they came to another area of flooded pavement, more -extensive and apparently much deeper. - -"Wonder if we can make it?" Mr. Hatfield remarked. - -Doubtful that the car could negotiate the water, he parked and walked -down the road to investigate. Brad and Dan also alighted, following the -Cub leader. - -"We probably can get through all right," Mr. Hatfield said after making -an inspection. "But there's likely to be more water ahead. Perhaps we'd -better go back and take another road." - -While Brad and the Cub leader discussed what to do, Dan, who had been -gazing out across the dark ribbon of river, suddenly noticed a shadowy -object lodged some ten yards from shore. - -"Mr. Hatfield!" he exclaimed. "Look over there! Could that be our missing -boat?" - -The Cub leader flashed his light on the area in the river which Dan -indicated. A rowboat, plainly the one which had floated away from Rabb -Island, had snagged against a bush in the backwash of the flooded river. - -"Sure enough, it's Mr. Holloway's boat!" the Cub leader exclaimed. "You -have keen eyesight, Dan!" - -"The boat doesn't look as if it will hold there very long," Brad observed -anxiously. "See! The current is teetering it back and forth now!" - -"If only we had another boat, we could go after it," Mr. Hatfield said. -"By morning, it may not be here." - -As the three watched, the swift current caught the craft and swung it -slightly to the left. - -"It's holding by a breath and a prayer," Dan said. "Any minute it will -float away and that may be the last we'll ever see of it." - -"Couldn't we wade out and bring the boat in?" proposed Brad. "The current -is swift, but the water shouldn't be too deep here close to shore." - -"It's over your head and mine part of the way, Brad. And neither of us -classifies as an expert swimmer." - -"But I do," spoke up Dan. Then he corrected himself: "I don't mean to -hold myself out as an expert, but I'm considered pretty good at the Y. -Mr. Hatfield, I could take off my shoes and wade out there. I wouldn't -have to swim except the last few yards." - -"It's too dangerous, Dan. The current is treacherously swift. It might -sweep you past the boat and on down river." - -"But if I don't try, we'll lose the boat," Dan argued. "And the Indian -feather headdress! The Cubs were counting on it to win the Pack -handicraft exhibition." - -"Mr. Holloway's boat is worth considerable money," Brad added, swinging -toward support of Dan's plea. "If only we could get it now before it's -damaged--" - -"I know I could swim out there," Dan argued. "At the Y I've done three -times that distance without even tiring." - -"But not in a swift current, Dan," the Cub leader said. - -"I'll be swimming downstream, not against the current, Mr. Hatfield. -Please let me try." - -"Dan, it's too risky. If I could swim worth a cent myself--" - -"You can't," said Dan. "That's why you're afraid to let me try. I know my -own strength in the water. I can do it easily." - -Mr. Hatfield smiled and stood a moment studying the current which eddied -about the half-submerged bush and the boat. - -"I believe there's a rope in the back of the car," he said finally. "If -it's long enough we may be able to do something." - -Fetching the rope, he coiled it carefully and tested its length by -tossing it far out into the river. It fell only a few feet short of the -boat. - -"My throw was weak," the Cub leader said. "The rope actually is long -enough to reach. Dan, you're dead sure you want to try this?" - -"Rarin' to go!" - -"Then strip to your shorts. You'll need freedom of movement." - -Dan eagerly pulled off his shoes and divested himself of his outer -garments. Carefully the Cub leader then tied the rope about his waist and -tested the knot to make certain it would hold. - -"Wade out as far as you can into the river," he instructed the boy. "When -you have to, swim. If you can't make it, Brad and I will pull you in -fast." - -"I'll make it," Dan said grimly. - -Brad and the Cub leader removed their own shoes and socks, rolled up -their trousers, and waded out a short distance into the flood. - -"Now be careful," Mr. Hatfield warned as Dan prepared to start on alone. -"If you find yourself in trouble, signal with a quick tug of the rope." - -"I'll be all right," the boy replied confidently. - -While Mr. Hatfield and Brad held one end of the rope, he waded on alone, -picking his way cautiously. The muddy water washed to his knees, then to -his waist, and finally came to shoulder depth. - -The next moment the swift current swept him from his feet. Dan began to -stroke smoothly only to discover that the river was carrying him -downstream much too fast. Unless he exerted every ounce of his strength, -he would be carried beyond his goal. - -Dan dug in. His arms dipped and swept downward to his sides in powerful -drives. His legs, churning in the steady six-beat crawl, gave him added -propulsion. - -The bush and the lodge boat loomed directly ahead. But the current, bent -on carrying him with it, seemed to take on perverse strength. Despite his -best efforts, he saw that he would be carried past his goal. - -"Swim, Dan!" Mr. Hatfield shouted. "Swim hard!" - -Dan heard and made a supreme effort. Though his breath was coming hard, -his muscles offering painful complaint, he deliberately forced himself -into a faster rhythm. The current swung him, but as he passed the bush, -the boy lunged for it. - -Achieving a handhold, he clung fast. The river swung his feet from -beneath him, tugging and jerking. But still Dan held on as he struggled -to regain his breath. - -"The boat, Dan!" he heard Brad shout. "Get it quick! It's drifting away!" - -The boy's weight on the bush had dislodged the craft, which now was -moving slowly off down river. - -With an indignant snort, Dan plunged downstream in pursuit. Two strokes -enabled him to grasp the craft by its trailing painter. - -But the next instant, both he and the boat were brought up with a hard -jerk. A sharp pain shot through his waist where the rope had been tied. - -"Hold fast to the boat!" Mr. Hatfield instructed. "We'll pull you in." - -Against the current, the Cub leader and Brad slowly pulled hand over hand -until Dan was in shallow, quiet water. There he was able to get to his -feet and drag the boat to shore. - -"Good work, Dan!" Mr. Hatfield praised, reaching out to help him. "For a -minute I thought you were going to be swept past the bush." - -"So did I," grinned Dan. "Lucky you insisted I tie that rope around my -waist. Otherwise, I'd have had a hard time of it." - -"How about the Indian headdress?" Brad demanded. "Is it safe in the -boat?" - -Mr. Hatfield turned the beam of his flashlight on the craft's seat. The -feather piece lay exactly where Chips had dropped it, undamaged by water. - -"The Cubs will be glad to hear this," Brad said in relief, retrieving the -handicraft article. "We're mighty lucky tonight." - -Dan untied the rope from his waist and began to put on his clothes. Brad -and Mr. Hatfield debated what to do with the boat now that it had been -recovered. - -"It's too large to be taken into the car," the Cub leader decided. "I -guess the best we can do tonight is to hide it in the weeds well back -from the river's edge." - -While Dan finished dressing, he and Brad carried the craft far back from -the rising water, overturning it in a patch of high grass. - -"I'll come for it in a trailer the first thing tomorrow," Mr. Hatfield -said. "During the next few hours, the river shouldn't rise much higher." - -Feeling well repaid for their exertion, the three wiped the mud from -their shoes and presently drove on through the area of shallow water to a -clear stretch of pavement. - -However, they had gone less than a quarter of a mile, when directly ahead -they sighted still another flooded section of roadway. - -"Oh! Oh!" said Mr. Hatfield, pulling up just before he reached the sheet -of water. "This time, I'm afraid we're stuck." - -The flooded area extended perhaps seventy-five yards. At the deepest -point of the water a station wagon had stalled. Two men were endeavoring -without much success to push the vehicle. - -"We might lend them a hand," Mr. Hatfield suggested. "No chance of -getting through here ourselves. We'll have to turn back." - -Dan had been staring fixedly at the station wagon. "Mr. Hatfield!" he -exclaimed excitedly. "Isn't that the same car that's been going in and -out of Mr. Silverton's place?" - -"It sure looks like Freeze and Bauer!" added Brad before the Cub leader -could speak. "They're stuck like a couple of whales in a puddle!" - -"Mr. Silverton intends to swear out a warrant for their arrest," Dan -said. "I'll bet an Indian head cent they're driving out of town and -intend to skip!" - -"Unless we can stop them," said Brad, looking hopefully at the Cub -leader. - -"We can't start a fight without good cause," Mr. Hatfield replied. "If -Mr. Silverton were here, or the police--" - -Brad had noticed a lighted dwelling only a short distance from the -roadway. - -"Say, why can't I sneak over there and telephone Mr. Silverton!" he -proposed. "If I get in touch with him, maybe he'll decide to have those -men arrested right now." - -"Go ahead, Brad," Mr. Hatfield urged, swinging open the car door for him. -"Dan and I will stay here and keep watch." - -Without attracting the attention of the two men, Brad darted up the hill -and was lost to view. Dan and the Cub leader remained in the car, -watching. - -The pair in the station wagon had pushed the vehicle for a short -distance. There encountering deeper water, they gave up in disgust. - -"I think they've about decided to start off afoot now," Mr. Hatfield -observed. "In that case, they may elude us." - -"Can't we try to stop them?" - -"We can try, Dan. But without an arrest warrant or proof that the men are -guilty of any crime, there's very little we can do." - -Just then Brad came hurrying down the hillside to the car. - -"I reached Silverton and he's called police!" he reported breathlessly. -"A cruiser or patrol car should come along in a few minutes. Silverton -and Dobbs are driving over too. They're ready to swear out a warrant." - -"Good!" Mr. Hatfield exclaimed. "But will we be able to hold the pair -until help gets here?" - -Freeze and his companion, apparently abandoning all hope of pushing the -station wagon to dry pavement, had begun to unload their luggage. - -"They _are_ skipping town!" Dan declared anxiously. "I guess they must -have wised up after they failed to find the crate of pheasants at Mr. -Silverton's place." - -"Here they come now," Brad muttered a minute later as the two men -splashed through the water toward the car. "Oh, heck! If we don't think -of something, they'll get away!" - -Mr. Hatfield, however, did not intend to allow the pair to escape without -at least an attempt to hold them. Warning the Cubs to remain in the car, -he stepped out onto the road just as the two waded up carrying their -heavy luggage. - -"Stuck?" he inquired casually. - -"Looks like it, don't it?" growled Jake Freeze. "You can't get through -with your car. I'd advise you to turn around and go back the way you -came." - -"Guess I will," Mr. Hatfield said easily. "You're abandoning your station -wagon?" - -"We're in a hurry to catch a train," Freeze answered. "We'll have it -towed in by a garage." - -"Maybe I can give you a lift to town," Mr. Hatfield offered, stalling for -time. - -"Sure, we'll appreciate it," Bauer growled. "I'm tellin' you we've had a -rotten run o' luck tonight." - -Mr. Hatfield turned his car around in the narrow road, taking as long as -he possibly could. Then he swung open the rear door for the two men to -enter. - -As Freeze settled himself, he gave Brad and Dan a sharp glance, noticing -their Scout uniforms. - -"Cubs!" he exclaimed. "Say, haven't I seen you kids somewhere?" - -"Why, we wouldn't know," Brad answered. "Unless maybe it was in Webster -City." - -"Cubs!" the man repeated. "Now I got it! Dobbs was telling us that they -were swarming over the Silverton place and might make trouble--" - -"Trouble?" Dan interposed innocently. "What sort of trouble?" - -But neither Freeze nor his companion was to be trapped into further -speech. - -Suddenly suspicious, they started to get out of the car. - -"Thanks for offering a lift," Freeze muttered, "but we'll telephone for a -tow car." - -Mr. Hatfield had observed the headlights of two approaching vehicles. - -"It won't be necessary to telephone," he said with quiet jubilation. "I -rather think help is coming now." - -Even as the Cub leader spoke, Mr. Silverton's car drove up, followed by a -police cruiser. - -Freeze and Bauer, abandoning their luggage, made a dash for the hill. -Belatedly they realized that they had fallen into a trap. - -Mr. Silverton and Saul Dobbs had leaped from the sportsman's car. -Deliberately, they cut off escape. - -"Just a minute!" the owner of the pheasant farm said, stepping in front -of Freeze and Bauer. "I have a few questions to ask you two." - -"Such as?" Freeze demanded insolently. - -"For one thing, I want to know why you've been shipping my pheasants out -of town? And trespassing on my property?" - -"I don't know what you're talking about," Freeze muttered, trying without -success to shove past the sportsman. - -"We don't know nothin' about any pheasants," Bauer added. - -"I think you do," Mr. Silverton corrected. "You needn't deny that you've -been trespassing. Dobbs already has confessed his part." - -"Why, you dirty double-crosser!" Freeze accused, starting for the -workman. "I'll get you for this!" - -Before he could lay hands on Dobbs, he was firmly grasped by a police -officer who informed him and Bauer that they both were under arrest. - -"This is an outrage!" Bauer protested bitterly. "You've no evidence -against us. Dobbs has been telling lies to try to save his own skin." - -"We'll let the judge decide about that," the policeman retorted. "Come -along without any fuss, or we'll use the handcuffs." - -Aware that resistance would be quite useless, the two men sullenly -submitted to arrest. They were loaded into the police car and taken away. - -Mr. Silverton then turned to express his appreciation once more to the -Cubs and their leader. - -"From now on, I want it understood that the Cubs are free and welcome to -come and go whenever and wherever they please on my property," he -declared. "And I want to help the Cub movement here in Webster City. -Tomorrow I'll send the organization a check for one hundred dollars." - -"That's entirely too generous," Mr. Hatfield protested. "After all, the -Cubs only tried to do what was right." - -"And it's right that I should make the contribution," insisted Mr. -Silverton. "I'd gladly pay double the amount for the service the Cubs -have rendered tonight." - -Mr. Hatfield, Brad and Dan, rather worn from their adventures, followed -the police cruiser and Mr. Silverton's car into Webster City. - -In backtracking along the highway, they encountered two extensive patches -of flood water. However, it rose only to hub-cap depth, and they reached -the city without further delay. - -During the next two days, events moved with supersonic speed for the -Cubs. True to his word, Mr. Silverton sent the organization a check for -one hundred dollars. With it came an urgent invitation for the Cubs to -visit the farm whenever they wished, with exclusive right of obtaining -pheasant feathers or wood. - -"Say, we all can make fancy Indian headgears now!" declared Fred -enthusiastically. - -From Mr. Silverton, the Cubs learned that both Freeze and Bauer had -pleaded guilty to stealing pheasants and were to be sentenced on a -larceny charge within a few days. Dobbs, relieved of his job, had left -Webster City to seek employment where he was unknown. - -Now that their names had been cleared in the community, the Cubs centered -all their thoughts upon the coming Pack meeting and exhibition of -handicraft articles. - -All the Den members were plugging for Chips and Red to win a prize with -their entry. However, on the night of the exhibition, when they saw the -many fine items entered by other contestants, they were filled with -misgiving. - -The collection of Indian articles was one of the best ever shown in -Webster City. In addition to many elegant feather bonnets, there were -buckskin shirts, shields, Indian leggings, baskets, beaded belts and -carvings of bone. - -"Chips and Red have one of the best entries," Brad told Dan after he had -inspected all the items on display. "But they may not win a prize. That -buckskin shirt shows a lot of work." - -"And the judges have gone back to look at it at least three times," Dan -agreed gloomily. - -At last came the all important moment for the awaited announcement of the -contest winners. - -Raising his hand in signal for silence, the Cub master read off the names -of minor prize winners. - -"And now, the grand prize--the silver trophy which will be awarded to the -Den which entered the over-all handicraft article deemed by the judges to -be the best." The Cub Master paused for effect as all the Cubs waited -tensely. Then he gazed directly at Red and Chips and added: "Den No. 2 -wins the trophy with its entry of a pheasant feather war bonnet!" - -The Cubs let out a whoop which could be heard half way across the river. -Everyone clapped Red and Chips on the shoulder, congratulating them on -their victory. - -"We're sure proud of you," Brad declared. "And of the trophy!" - -"Maybe you and Dan will win something yourselves," Chips hinted broadly. - -"But we had no entries. Only a couple of Indian bows which weren't any -good. They didn't take any prize." - -"Wait and see," Chips chuckled. - -The Pack meeting resumed, with Mr. Hatfield telling the boys of his pride -in their accomplishments. - -"Honor is a Cub's most precious possession," he ended his little talk. -"And that brings me to an important moment. The Cubs sincerely feel that -had it not been for the untiring efforts of two of our members, the honor -of the organization might have been tarnished." - -As if drawn by a magnet, all eyes now focused upon Brad and Dan. The two -boys shifted uneasily, already beginning to feel uncomfortable. Their -faces were flushed with embarrassment. - -"Let's give 'em the Grand Howl!" proposed Mr. Hatfield. - -Now as Brad and Dan knew well, the Grand Howl was reserved only for -distinguished guests or individuals the Pack wished to honor. - -Before they could protest, all the Cubs formed a circle about the pair. -Squatting down, each boy made the familiar two-finger Cub sign. Then, -like young wolves, they gave a long and lusty howl: - -"A-h-h--kay Laa! W-e-e-l d-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-r Best!" - -The final word was yelled sharply and in unison. Then the Cubs leaped to -their feet in a double hand salute, ending at attention. - -"Brad and Dan!" Chips shouted boisterously, "They're tops in the gang!" - -"And here's to the Cubs!" responded Dan, uttering a wild yip of his own. -"Long may they howl!" - - - - - Transcriber's Notes - - ---Silently corrected a few typos (but left nonstandard spelling and - dialect as is). - ---Rearranged front matter to a more-logical streaming order. - - - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Dan Carter Cub Scout, by Mildred A. 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