Dan Carter and the Great Carved Face Part 29

"We can't leave him alone, that's sure," Brad said with decision. "Dan, you and Red, hot-foot it for the camp. I'll stay here."

"You're needed more than I am to run off the events and take part in the canoe race," Dan replied. "Without you, Den 2 hasn't a chance."

"Getting help for Old Miquel is more important than winning a compet.i.tion, Dan."

"Of course," the younger boy agreed simply. "But you'll be needed while Midge can subst.i.tute for me in the race. See what I mean?"

"The Pack comes first," Red sided with Dan. "I'd stay and let Dan go only-well, I might as well admit it, I'm scared to death to be here alone."

Neither Dan nor Brad made light of Red's fears for they knew that even an hour's wait in the cave could prove a terrifying experience.

"We're wasting valuable time," Dan urged. "Get going, you two. I don't mind staying. Honestly, I don't."

"Want Red to wait with you?"

"No. If the pow-wow is run off, he'll be needed in camp. No use tying him down here when he couldn't do any good. I'll make out."

"We'll hurry as fast as we can," Brad promised. "The second we reach camp, we'll send a doctor and some stretcher bearers."

The Den Chief clasped Dan's hand for an instant, well aware that the younger boy deliberately had sacrificed himself that his Cubmates might have a better chance to win.

"If Old Miquel should come to, he might get rough," Brad warned in parting. "Don't take chances. If he makes trouble, just get out of the cave as fast as you can."

"Sure," Dan promised. "Don't worry about me. I'll be okay. Just get to camp as fast as you can and tell Mr. Hatfield what happened."

With reluctance, Red and Brad started off through the tunnel, not at all sure that they were doing right in leaving Dan behind. But then, they had no choice. Old Miquel must have medical attention at once, or he might never recover.

At the mouth of the cave, the two Cubs halted briefly to take bearings.

White Nose and Eagle Feather had vanished. The sun was well up in the sky, indicating that the hour was even later than they had antic.i.p.ated.

"Gosh, I'll bet the pow-wow has started!" Red exclaimed. "We've got to get back fast."

Brad edged around the ledge to the beach. He was starting off the way they had come when Red halted him with a suggestion.

"I know a shorter way," he insisted. "It's through the woods, and hard going for a short distance. But we can cut off at least twenty minutes."

"You're sure of the trail?" Brad asked dubiously.

"It isn't marked, but I know this section. Besides, one can't get lost in the park."

"Don't you believe it!" Brad replied. "Maybe not permanently lost, but one could lose a lot of time wandering around looking for a main road or a marked path."

"We're not far from our camp, Brad. I'm sure of the way."

"Okay then, lead off. The important thing is to get back as fast as we can. Old Miquel's life may depend upon it."

Confidently, Red started off, circling behind the beach into a dense forest of towering trees.

At first the going was quite easy, but as they moved farther and farther from the water front, the underbrush became more difficult. Soon they encountered a swampy area which slowed them down.

"Say, we're not making any time this way," Brad protested, wading through a boggy place. "Let's strike back toward the beach."

"The going will be easier as soon as we're through this," Red insisted.

"I remember. Even though it's hard going for a little while, we'll save time."

Brad had his own opinion. However, realizing that it was too late to turn back now without losing more precious minutes, he kept silent. He blamed himself severely for having listened to Red. From past experience he should have known that the younger boy's enthusiasm often carried him away.

The swampy area behind them, the Cubs looked in vain for a marked trail.

"We should have hit it right here," Red declared, deeply troubled. "Well, it can't be too far ahead."

"You're not losing your way, are you?" Brad demanded. "Dan's back there in the cave, waiting and-"

"I'll get you into camp," Red cut in though with less confidence. "I may be a little mixed, but I'm sure of my directions. We'll strike the marked trail any minute now."

On they plowed, past fallen trees and then through another stretch of mosquito swamp. By this time Red was mud to his knees. The sleeve of his jacket was torn, and his face had been scratched by brambles. Brad was in little better condition.

For awhile Red kept doggedly on, the older boy plodding behind him. Then they came to another much larger area of fairly deep swamp. Both boys halted, gazing at each other in despair.

"We're lost," Red burst out, "and it's all my fault. I thought I knew the way. Now I'm mixed up."

Brad did not blame his friend for he knew he had tried his best.

"We can't cross this swamp area," he said quietly. "We made a bad mistake leaving the beach route. Now we'll have to retrace part of our way, and try to hit the old trail."

"That will delay us a lot. And Dan-he'll be expecting us."

"I know," Brad said grimly. "We've let him down. But it can't be helped.

We made one mistake. The important thing is not to make two of 'em. With luck, we'll still reach camp before it's too late."

CHAPTER 18 THE POW-WOW

Mr. Hatfield stood in the doorway of the hogan, staring past the Holloway home on the hill toward the main road.

"It's not like Brad and Dan to be late," he remarked to Mr. Holloway. "I can't guess what's keeping them."

"Red's not here either," the Den Dad returned looking worried. "The boys were here early-we know that, because a sack of food was left on our porch. But what's become of 'em?"

The sun had risen high and the hour set for the start of the Pack pow-wow now approached. All the Cubs shared Mr. Hatfield's uneasiness. Without Dan and Brad, particularly the latter, it would be most difficult to carry on the planned ceremonies and compet.i.tions.

Already the Den 1 boys were starting to arrive for the big meet, many of them with their parents.

"I've telephoned to their homes," Mr. Holloway added. "All three boys left early, presumably for here. We know they arrived, only to vanish."