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!”
Конец ознакомительного фрагмента.
Текст предоставлен ООО «ЛитРес».
Прочитайте эту книгу целиком, купив полную легальную версию на ЛитРес.
Безопасно оплатить книгу можно банковской картой Visa, MasterCard, Maestro, со счета мобильного телефона, с платежного терминала, в салоне МТС или Связной, через PayPal, WebMoney, Яндекс.Деньги, QIWI Кошелек, бонусными картами или другим удобным Вам способом.
