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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 awareof the whispering voice from the adjoining bunk.
Relaxed and comfortable, he lay a moment, listening to the quiet, steadybreathing of the five Cub Scouts who shared the quarters.
Overhead, a splatter of rain pinged on the tin roof of the cabin. Fasterand faster came the droplets, beating a tattoo on his sleep-druggedbrain.
Rain! Rain! Always rain!
Since Midge Holloway's father had invited Den 2 of the Webster City CubScouts to camp overnight in the riverside cabin at the rear of hisresidential property, the weather hadn't given them a break.
"Dan!"
This time, hearing his name whispered, the boy sat up, pulling theblankets with him. In the darkness, Sam Hatfield reached out to touch hishand. An assistant Cubmaster of the citywide Pack, Sam served as leaderof 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 hisvoice 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 onhis 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, FredHatfield and Mack Tibbets, were equally dead to the world.
Sam stooped to tuck the blanket around Chips' exposed torso. Then, withslickers buttoned, he and Dan went out into the night.
A gust of wind dashed rain into their faces, blotting out a view of theHolloway house on the hill. The area near the cabin had dissolved into asea 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 tothe north, the swollen waters gradually had nibbled away the sandy beach.The boat, tied securely the night before, now pounded against the dock ona slack rope.
While Dan retied it, Sam Hatfield pushed away a floating log which hadlodged against the dock post.
"River's up another four inches," he observed gloomily. "And now, morerain."
"Think we ought to call it quits?"
"That's for the fellows to decide," Mr. Hatfield replied. "It was swellof Midge's father to let us use this place. It's almost like having aregular 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'dsay, let's hang on another day the way we planned. Maybe the weather manwill 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 wouldbe swell."
"It can't rain forever," said Mr. Hatfield cheerfully. "Fact is, it'sslackening now. If the weather clears, I may have an idea or two forstirring up a little fun."
From experience, Dan knew that Sam Hatfield, athletic director at WebsterCity High School, never lacked ideas. For that matter, neither didMidge's father, Burton Holloway, who was the organization's official DenDad.
The camp-out on Mr. Holloway's property at the edge of Webster City hadbeen planned as a climax to the outdoor activities of the Den. Only theweatherman, it seemed, had pulled a fast one.
The first glimmer of a gray, muggy dawn filtered through the woodland asDan 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 ofbirch bark, pine needles and dry wood in a natural ravine shelter twentyyards 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 blazegoing which began to radiate heat. Dan's spirits rose.
"Say, the rain is quitting!" he said jubilantly. "And here comes Midge'sfather!"
Burton Holloway, a lean man of athletic build, rapidly descended thestone steps from the house.
"You're all invited to our place for breakfast," he announced. "Have abad night of it?"
"No, we were snug and warm in the cabin," Mr. Hatfield replied. "As forbreakfast, I don't think we should impose on Mrs. Holloway. We'll makeout."
"Suit yourselves," the Den Dad smiled. "Anyway, tell the Cubs to come tothe house for anything they need."
By the time the camp fire had burned down to cherry red coals, the Cubsbegan to straggle from the cabin. Chips Davis, a tall stripling for hiseleven years, was first to thrust his seal-like head out into the coldmist.
"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 thatbook was sitting at his typewriter in a nice cozy room with steam heatand--"
"Pipe down,
I say!" Dan repeated. "Or if you can't take it, there's anice 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 yourturn to help cook breakfast," he reminded him.
"Yes, Mr. Denner! Waffles, creamed chicken and fresh strawberries comingright up."
Chips bowed low, a mocking grin overspreading his freckled face. Only themischief in his blue eyes took the edge from his words.
Now Chips never had entirely accustomed himself to Dan's election asofficial denner of the Cubs. Always he had seemed to resent those twogold stripes on the younger boy's left sleeve. Seldom did he miss achance 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 darkhead out the cabin doorway. Thirteen and large for his age, the Den Chiefwore 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, holdinghis temper in check. "Every fellow is supposed to do his share. That'sall."
"Take it easy, lads," said Brad in his quiet, friendly voice. "Thisrotten weather has us all on edge. Chips and I will tackle that breakfastin 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 makeup his bed. Good old Brad! Even tempered and with an efficient way ofgetting things done, one always could depend on him to iron out friction.
Inside the cabin, the other Cubs were scrambling into their long bluetrousers 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 ofwhittling Indian totem poles?"
"Mr. Hatfield has something in mind," Dan informed the Cubs. "He may tellus at breakfast."
Following Dan's example, the Den members folded blankets which could notbe aired outside, and straightened the cabin. By the time Midge and Mackbrought 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 sayto a boat jaunt across the river?"
"Not to the village again?" protested Chips. "We have more supplies nowthan 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, itwill be pretty wet underfoot, and if any of you would rather stay here orgo 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 amirage?"
By this time the sun had straggled through the clouds and was casting afew feeble beams over the drenched camp.
"The sun! Whoopee!" shouted Red, capering about like an Indian. "Aw, whoturned it off?"
As if to tantalize the Cubs, the sun after its brief debut again slippedunder a cloud. But a moment later, out it popped again, this time forseveral minutes. The Cubs, greatly cheered, went at their morning dutieswith a will.
By ten o'clock, knapsacks were packed with sandwiches, chocolate bars andextra wool socks.
"All set?" Mr. Hatfield asked. "We'll have to make two boat trips acrossthe river. I'll take the first load with Midge, Fred, Dan and Red. ThenI'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 wasdurable and easily rowed. At a sign from the Cub leader, Dan picked upthe oars, while Midge and Red shoved off.
Swollen by recent rains, the river current was swift and filled with tinywhirlpools. However, all the Cubs could swim, and Dan took care to steerclear of floating logs and debris.
At Eagle Point, Dan and his passengers alighted and waited on the beachwhile Mr. Hatfield returned for the second boatload of Cubs.
When finally all the boys had gathered, Mr. Hatfield and Midge's fatherled the group along the shore over a stretch of rising ground to the edgeof a dense woods.
Then, in single file, the Cubs plunged through a tangle of damp brushinterwoven with grapevines.
"I failed to reach Mr. Silverton by telephone this morning," Mr. Hollowayremarked regretfully. "Therefore, our visit will come as a surprise tohim."
"Think he'll object to our seeing the pheasants?" The Cub leader hadpaused to consider the path which branched off into several indistinctones farther on.
"Why should he? We'll ask permission before wandering around."
The Cubs trudged on, finding the way heavy going. Mud clung to theirhiking shoes, making walking increasingly difficult.
An overhanging branch showered Chips with raindrops as he brushed againstit. "I sure hope that pheasant farm isn't much farther," he grumbled.
"Softie!" jeered Midge. "Maybe you could sit down somewhere on a nicecomfortable log and we could bring the pheasants to you."
"Aw, cut it," Chips growled. "Can't a guy crack a remark without beingaccused 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 flannelshirt and corduroy breeches, emerged from behind a tree. Clearly he meantto 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 pheasantfarm. 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 askpermission--"
"You're trespassers," the stranger cut in.
"I assure you we do not mean to be. We very much would like to visit thefarm."
"Well, you can't. Mr. Silverton doesn't want no-account boys running wildover the place. They scare the pheasants and make no end of trouble."
"The Cubs are reliable," said Mr. Hatfield quietly. "I assure you, you'llhave no difficulty on that score."
"Sorry, you'll have to leave."
"If we might see Mr. Silverton--" the Cub leader began, but again theother 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 tohis belt where he carried a revolver in a holster. The gesture was notlost upon either Mr. Hatfield or the Cubs.
"We'll go," said the Cub leader, still without raising his voice. "Butdon't think you're scaring us."
"Git going and don't come back!" Saul Dobbs ordered in a blusteringvoice.
"You may hear from us again after we have talked to Mr. Silverton," saidMr. Hatfield. "Meanwhile, good-bye."
With dignity, he turned and led the crestfallen Cubs back along thetwisting trail.