Dan Carter Cub Scout Part 17

Dan related how they had seen Saul Dobbs at the gate.

"Nothing so strange in that," Mack commented. "After all, this road runs through Mr. Silverton's property."

"The only queer part was that he wrote a note to someone and then tore it up," Dan pointed out. "It was almost as if he thought it over and decided it was risky business-that someone might find it."

"He nearly found us," Chips cut in. "Better be careful in leaving footprints on this road."

"How long will you stay here?" Dan asked the two newcomers as he and Chips prepared to leave.

"Mr. Hatfield said we could take over until eight o'clock," Mack answered. "Then he and Midge's father will watch for awhile."

"Lucky guys," grinned Chips. "Especially if the mosquitoes are in biting trim!"

For the next two days, the Cubs took turns watching the exit of the old logging road. Though they remained faithful to their a.s.signment, the novelty began to wear off and the task became increasingly tedious.

True, the Cubs developed a certain technique for making time pa.s.s more quickly. Working always in pairs, they brought books, magazines, and an occasional card game with them to the hide-out in the brush.

Even so, a two-hour vigil seemed endless. Mosquitoes were a constant torment, and nothing ever seemed to happen.

After his initial appearance, Saul Dobbs did not return again to the exit of the logging road. Nor did they glimpse the mysterious station wagon which had so intrigued their interest.

"Maybe it was an accident it came down this road the other night," Brad said late one afternoon as he and Dan were taking their trick together.

"It's a cinch it's not coming back. We've wasted our time."

"I'm beginning to think so too," Dan replied in a discouraged voice.

"Gosh, this place is like a steam bath!"

"The worst it's been since we took over," Brad agreed.

The afternoon had turned unusually hot and sultry. Not a leaf stirred in the trees overhead. Wiping the perspiration from his face, Dan got up to stretch his half-paralyzed legs.

Through the gap in the trees overhead, he could see only a tiny patch of sky which seemed to be darkening.

"Looks like another rain cooking up," he observed.

"Cripes! Not again!" Brad moaned, peering up at the overcast sky. "If this keeps on, I'm going to build myself an Ark."

"Better start the carpenter work then, Brad. It sure looks like rain. And she's coming up fast this time."

Moving out of their shelter the better to view the sky, the two boys were somewhat alarmed to note that a large black cloud was rolling in fast from the west.

"That means rain and a hard one," Brad said. "Think we ought to strike out for home?"

"Well, I hate to leave our post until Mr. Hatfield gives the order," Dan said after a moment's consideration. "Anyway, we've waited too long. We never could get home ahead of the rain."

"You're probably right," Brad agreed, anxiously studying the fast-moving clouds. "The storm is due to break almost any minute. Lucky we brought along our slickers."

b.u.t.toning themselves into their long raincoats, the two boys prepared as best they could for the expected downpour.

Soon a faint breath of air rustled the tree leaves. In the quiet of the forest, the sound was ominous.

"Here she comes!" muttered Brad.

Scarcely had he spoken when a rumble of thunder echoed through the woods.

A few drops of rain filtered down between the thick canopy of leaves.

Then, wind and rain came on with a rush which sent the two boys deeper into the woods for shelter.

Though they flattened themselves against the lee side of two large oaks, they could find no protection. The rain began to fall in a torrent. It lashed their faces, streamed down their slickers and soaked their shoes.

Limbs loosened by the wind came crashing down. Now and then a vivid flash of lightning etched an electrical pattern across the dark sky.

"It's not very safe here," Brad said, ill at ease.

"We ought to seek shelter deeper in the woods, or get out entirely,"

agreed Dan, b.u.t.toning his slicker tighter about him.

Even as he spoke, a brilliant flash of lightning etched across the sky, so bright that momentarily it blinded the two boys. And the following roar of thunder made them jump.

Simultaneously, came a ripping, tearing sound which told them that the heart of a mighty tree had been struck.

"Gosh! It's that big oak!" Dan exclaimed, squinting through the rain.

The big tree came crashing down, smashing away smaller saplings and bushes in its path.

"It might just as well have been this one," Dan murmured, gazing uneasily up into the ma.s.s of swaying, wind-twisted boughs above his head. "We're in a bad spot!"

"How right you are," murmured Brad.

A bright flash of lightning made the woods as bright as day. In that moment the boys saw the wind whirling like a vicious animal in the treetops. And two hundred yards away another tree fell, making a resounding crash as it toppled.

The sight spurred the Cubs to sudden decision.

"Dan, I know Mr. Hatfield wouldn't want us to risk staying here in this storm," Brad said, seizing his companion's arm. "Come on, boy, we're getting out of here!"

CHAPTER 9 A Rising Creek

Alarmed by the intensity of the storm, Dan and Brad made a dash through the whipping trees, seeking an open area. Rain now was descending with furious power, lashing directly into their faces.

"Gosh, I can't see a thing!" Dan gasped. "Which way is the road?"

Brad turned on the beam of his flashlight, but it failed to penetrate the blinding wall of rain.

Just then the lightning flared again, revealing an opening through the bushes. Beyond Brad glimpsed the old logging road, a river of rainwater despite its under-base of gravel.