Dan Carter and the Great Carved Face Part 11

Dan was pleased to have acquired a genuine Navajo blanket. The next night after school, he and Brad took it to the river camp to show to the other Cubs.

Mr. Hatfield especially, was impressed by the fine quality of the weaving.

"This is too fine a blanket to keep here until the pow-wow," he declared.

"Since Dan is in charge of the sand painting, why not make him custodian of the blanket?"

"In that case, I want to take it home with me," Dan returned promptly.

"That is, until the day of the pow-wow."

"I was going to suggest that, Dan."

Using the blanket's base design, the Cubs made a rough sketch of the sand painting. Then they began to block out the main outline on the beach.

They were hard at work when an elderly man sauntered into camp. Dan instantly recognized him as Professor Sarazen, and rushed to welcome him.

"Making good use of that blanket, I see," commented the teacher.

After admiring the start which the boys had made on the sand painting, he remarked that he had come, hoping someone would show him the carving at the ravine.

"I'll be glad to guide you to the spot," Dan offered.

"So'll I," chimed in Chips, eager for a little diversion.

"Wouldn't mind a little hike myself," added Fred quickly.

Mr. Hatfield laughed, remarking that he thought all the Cubs wanted to go.

"Mystery always is more intriguing than work," he chuckled. "But then, we're well along with our preparations for the big pow-wow. The hogan is finished, the sand painting started, and we expect to get at our Wells Fargo station in a couple of days. Let's all knock off, and go to the cliff."

The Cubs were hopeful that Professor Sarazen would be impressed by the great carved face. Nor were they mistaken.

Upon reaching the ravine, he made a careful inspection of the work, declaring it to be Indian in origin.

"A somewhat crude carving," he told the Cubs, "but the work of a man of great talent. Amazing that such a face could be created here and no one have seen the artist."

After Professor Sarazen had studied the face awhile, viewing it from several angles, the group returned to the river camp.

"Time to break up for tonight, boys," Mr. Hatfield said. "See you all tomorrow after school-same time."

As the other Cubs gathered up their belongings, Dan went to the hogan for the Navajo blanket. He was gone a long while. When he came out of the hut, he went directly to Mr. Hatfield.

"I can't find the blanket Professor Sarazen let us have," he said nervously. "Did you put it anywhere?"

"Why, no, Dan. I saw you put it inside the hut myself."

"Just before we all left for the cliff," Dan agreed.

"It must be there."

Dan shook his head. "It's gone-stolen," he said miserably. "It was valuable too. How am I going to face Professor Sarazen?"

CHAPTER 7 A BRUSH-OFF

Professor Sarazen had very little to say when Dan gave him the disheartening information about the Navajo blanket. His kindly silence, however, made the Cubs feel all the worse about the loss.

"It wasn't your fault," the professor said quietly.

"But it was!" Dan insisted. "When we borrowed the blanket, it was understood that we'd take good care of it. We never dreamed anyone would run off with it in broad daylight."

"It may show up later," Professor Sarazen said to encourage him. "I hope so."

Well aware that the Cubs felt very badly, he did not add that the blanket was one of the most valuable in his collection.

While Dan talked with Professor Sarazen, Mr. Hatfield and Brad again searched the hogan where the blanket had been left.

"h.e.l.lo! Something else is gone!" the Cub leader exclaimed, his gaze roving swiftly about the interior of the hut. "I stored a box of tinned food here, ready for a cook-out later this week. You didn't move it, Brad?"

"Haven't been inside this hogan all day."

"Well, it went the same way the blanket did," Mr. Hatfield said grimly.

"Frankly, Brad, I don't like the way things are disappearing."

"That paddle too," Brad recalled. "The Cubs still blame Ross."

"I don't think he took it," Mr. Hatfield said. "Ross isn't a thief.

Someone else is prowling around this camp. We'll have to be very careful about leaving anything of value lying around, even during the daytime.

Warn the Cubs."

"I will, Mr. Hatfield."

In inspecting the inside of the hut, the Cub leader's eye picked up several moccasin prints not far from the doorway. He stooped to examine them.

"Ha! Here's something!" he exclaimed.

"Moccasin prints!" agreed Brad. "Say, do you suppose those two Indians-White Nose and Eagle Feather could have been sneaking around here?"

"It's a possibility, Brad."

"They didn't wear moccasins though," the Den Chief recalled. "I noticed that they wore cowboy type boots."

"These prints definitely were made by an Indian moccasin. No use saying anything about it to the other Cubs, Brad. It might make them uneasy.

Just keep your eyes open, and be careful about leaving things unguarded."

"I sure will, Mr. Hatfield."