Dan Carter and the Great Carved Face Part 25

"We ought to have stepped on your tongue," Brad retorted. "You've done it now!"

"Done what?"

"You had to blurt out about that cave."

"Well, I thought they knew about it, and the sand painting too."

"You thought wrong," Brad said furiously. "You just fed them a lot of useful information. Now, unless I'm tangled up, they're out for mischief."

"Mischief?" Red echoed blankly. "I don't know what you're talking about."

"Those Indians came here looking for someone," Brad told him. "When you mentioned the sand-painting and the cave, you evidently gave them just the clues they needed."

"And now they're on the way to find that cave," Dan added. "If they should find the man they're looking for there-wow! Fireworks!"

"Gee, I didn't know," Red mumbled. "I'm sorry."

Brad thought fast. He handed the grocer the list of supplies, asking him to fill the order as quickly as he could.

"We've got to get out to the camp right away," he told the other two Cubs. "White Nose and Eagle Feather are looking for trouble. If they find the cave and the medicine man they're after, there's no telling what they may do! We've got to get there first and warn him!"

CHAPTER 15 THE MAN IN THE CAVE

Now that it was too late to recall the information so carelessly given, Red was distressed by his slip of tongue.

"What'll we do?" he asked helplessly. "Can't we stop those Indians?"

Dan already had rushed to the grocery store door. By this time the two Indians were across the street, walking very rapidly. He called to them, but they paid no heed.

"We've got to find either Mr. Hatfield or Mr. Holloway right away," he declared. "If we don't-well, Brad's right-no telling what may happen."

The three Cubs were deeply worried, for White Nose and Eagle Feather plainly were being driven by thoughts of revenge.

"What's all this about anyhow?" Red demanded. "Why are you both so scared they'll go to the cave?"

"There's a lot you don't know," Brad shot back. "Furthermore, Dan and I haven't time to explain things now. Come on! We've got to get out to camp right away or there may be no pow-wow today."

Decidedly crestfallen to think he had made a serious blunder, Red said no more. The three Cubs quickly paid for the groceries, and with the sacks, started off at a fast walk for the Holloway place at the edge of the park preserve.

Enroute, Brad and Dan told Red of their fear that the man sought by the two Indians might be hiding in the cave.

"No one was there when we explored yesterday," Dan admitted. "All the same, Mr. Hatfield found plenty of evidence someone had been living there recently."

"What d'you think would happen if White Nose and Eagle Feather find the cave?" Red speculated uneasily.

"No telling," Brad answered. He quickened his pace. "You heard that story they told about the stolen turquoise toad."

"Gosh! You think the medicine man they're after may be hiding in the cave?"

"We're wondering, that's all. If White Nose and Eagle Feather should come upon the fellow unexpectedly-well-"

"But if he stole the turquoise maybe he deserves to be punished," Red argued.

"Maybe," Brad shrugged. "But if I'm any judge, those Indians will do their punishing first and ask questions afterwards."

"They had knives in their belts," Red admitted with a shiver.

Reaching the Holloway home, the Cubs rapped on the door. Mrs. Holloway did not answer. Noticing that the garage door was open and the car missing, Brad deduced that the Den Mother had gone on a quick errand. But they did not have time to await her return.

"We'll have to leave the groceries here on the porch," he told the other two. "We've got to find Mr. Holloway. I don't suppose Mr. Hatfield has come out to the camp yet."

Depositing their packages, the Cubs hastened down to the river's edge.

The camp was entirely deserted. They saw that Mr. Holloway had been working there, however, for wood had been gathered for the ceremonial campfire.

Dan peered inside the hogan. The sand painting remained in perfect condition. In fact, the entire camp looked in readiness for the pow-wow.

Yet no one was around.

"It's too early," he said. "Mr. Holloway probably went into town and the others aren't here yet. We'll have to wait."

Brad paced nervously in front of the hogan, trying to decide what to do.

As Den Chief, the decision rested entirely upon him. The safe, conservative thing to do, of course, was just to wait for Mr. Holloway or Mr. Hatfield and let them take over.

On the other hand, he was afraid that any delay might be serious.

Although White Nose and Eagle Feather didn't know the exact location of the cave, it wouldn't take them long to find it, now that they had a clue upon which to work. If the mysterious occupant of the cave were to be warned in time, it would have to be immediately.

"I'm going to try to get to the cavern ahead of White Nose and Eagle Feather," he announced with sudden decision. "With luck, I may make it."

"We'll go with you," Dan insisted. "It's not safe alone."

Not wasting a minute, the three started off through the woods. They were a considerable distance from camp before they remembered that they had not left a note for Mr. Holloway or Mr. Hatfield to explain their absence.

"We may get back before they show up," Brad said. "I hope so, but there's no telling what we may run into. I sure hope we aren't making a mistake starting off this way."

In an attempt to take a short route to the cave, Brad chose an inland route. There was no marked trail. Every inch of the distance was a battle against the underbrush. When finally the boys emerged on the beach, not more than a hundred yards from the cave, they were worn from their struggles.

Dan suddenly reached out and jerked Red back into the bushes.

"Down!" he commanded.

Red ducked low and then demanded in a whisper:

"What's the idea?"

"Look out on the river and you'll see!"