Project Gutenberg's Dan Carter and the Haunted Castle, by Mildred A. Wirt This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org Title: Dan Carter and the Haunted Castle Author: Mildred A. Wirt Release Date: November 2, 2012 [EBook #41259] Language: English Character set encoding: UTF-8 *** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK DAN CARTER AND THE HAUNTED CASTLE *** Produced by Stephen Hutcheson and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net Dan Carter and the Haunted Castle “Dan, you made a bull’s-eye!” “Dan, you made a bull’s-eye!” “Dan Carter and the Haunted Castle” (See Page 44) Dan Carter and the Haunted Castle by Mildred A. Wirt Illustrated CUPPLES AND LEON COMPANY Publishers New York Copyright, 1951, by CUPPLES AND LEON COMPANY All Rights Reserved 1 A Prize Contest 2 The Chimney Niche 3 Robin Hood’s Strong Box 4 Laughter From the Woods 5 Competition 6 Ghost of the Castle 7 A Mysterious Arrow 8 Expert Shooting 9 A Neglected Duty 10 Checking Up On Ross 11 Fire 12 A Debt To Pay 13 Kill-Joy Kain 14 Clues 15 A Message 16 Treasure 17 A Valuable Collection 18 Billy Hides Out 19 A New Cub 20 Epilogue [1] [2] DAN CARTER AND THE HAUNTED CASTLE Printed in the United States of America Contents 1 13 25 35 47 56 65 73 84 94 102 114 123 135 142 149 156 165 178 191 Dan Carter and the Haunted Castle CHAPTER 1 A Prize Contest A stir of excitement swept the room, causing the Cub Scouts to shift restlessly in their seats. The monthly meeting of the Pack was nearing its end. Not a Cub from either Den 1 or Den 2 had failed to attend, for Sam Hatfield, their leader, had promised the boys “a real surprise.” Now, as a break came in the regular program, the Cubs sensed that the moment for the long awaited announcement had arrived. “Something worth while is in the wind, that’s sure,” whispered Brad Wilber. The Den Chief spoke to a sandy-haired boy whose nose was buried in a book. “Mr. Hatfield has kept his secret from everyone. What do you think is up, Dan?” “Huh?” demanded Dan Carter, coming suddenly to life. Reluctantly he closed “The Merry Adventures of Robin Hood,” a volume obtained a few minutes earlier from the Webster City Public Library. “Oh, don’t bother that book worm,” laughed Midge Holloway, [3] [4] another Cub in Den 2. “He never hears anything that goes on at a meeting, even if he is the official Denner.” “I resent that slur,” retorted Dan goodnaturedly. “I hear every word.” “Sure he does,” declared Chips Davis, coming to the defense of his friend. “Dan’s just smart enough never to waste any of his time.” A loud, offensive snicker greeted this remark. Looking quickly across the cave, the Cubs of Den 2 saw that the offender was Ross Langdon, a tall, gangling boy in Den 1. Now Dan and Ross always had been athletic rivals. In a recent swimming contest the Den 2 boy had soundly defeated the older lad. Ross hadn’t taken it too well. Whenever an opportunity afforded, he made belittling remarks. The Cubs of Den 2, Brad, Red Suell, Chips, Midge and Fred Hatfield, the son of their leader, were in no mood to “take” anything from Ross. So they pinned him with hard glares, and Midge muttered: “Quiet, you!” “I didn’t say a word,” retorted Ross, pretending innocence. “You were the one who remarked that Dan never hears anything.” Midge would have uttered a sharp retort had not Dan given him a nudge in the ribs. He was willing to overlook the snicker, because he’d made up his mind to have no trouble with Ross. Fortunately, the Pack meetings came only once a month unless Mr. Hatfield called the gang together for something special. At the regular weekly gatherings of Den 2, everything went smooth as silk because Ross never attended. However, the Cubs of Den 1 reported that their sessions sometimes were a bit rough as a result of the older boy’s desire to boss everyone. Before Ross could pass another remark, Mr. Hatfield took the floor. Signaling for silence, he said: “Fellows, I have an interesting announcement to make. I don’t know how this will strike you, but a sporting goods firm—Fielding & Jones Corp.—has offered a substantial prize to the organization putting on the best play.” “What sort of prize?” demanded Dan quickly. “A complete archery set. Practice and tournament targets, bows and arrows—everything. All first class equipment.” “Sounds okay,” nodded Brad. Thirteen years of age, the Den Chief was also a Boy Scout and very dependable for his years. “How many organizations will compete?” inquired Midge. “That’s hard to guess,” the Cub leader replied. “I know several church clubs are entering the contest. Now, I thought if the fellows are interested, we might make it a joint Den 1 and Den 2 project.” “Swell!” approved Chips Davis. “That way, we’ll have a bigger field from which to draw acting talent.” “Let’s do it!” approved Midge, while the other boys in Den 2 nodded vigorously. “Suppose we hear from Den 1,” said Mr. Hatfield. [5] [6] [7] With the exception of Ross Langdon, all the other boys were in favor of joining forces to try to win the prize. Ross remained noncommittal, thinking it over. “Now that it’s settled we’re to make the play a joint affair, I’m open to suggestions,” Mr. Hatfield resumed. “Any bang-up ideas?” “Let’s make it an Indian pow-wow!” proposed Ross. “We’ve got a lot of costumes already sewed that we can use.” Mr. Hatfield nodded and waited for other suggestions. “An Indian script would be old stuff,” protested Dan. “It’s the first idea that pops into one’s mind. Probably a dozen other organizations will come up with the same thing.” “Maybe you’ve got a better idea!” Ross scoffed. “Well, no, I haven’t at the moment,” Dan admitted, and then his gaze rested for a moment on the Robin Hood book. “Yes, I have too!” he announced. “Let’s hear it, Dan,” invited Mr. Hatfield. “If we’re to win first prize, we need the best idea we can get.” “Why not build our play around the adventures of Robin Hood?” Dan proposed. “Remember? He was the famous archer who lived with his men in the green glades of Sherwood Forest near Nottingham Town.” “That was in the time of King Henry the Second, wasn’t it?” Brad asked, taking up with the idea. “The forest setting would be dandy, and we could have green costumes!” “And throw in a little real archery,” added Fred. “Wasn’t Robin Hood expert at it?” “The very best,” Dan declared, paraphrasing the book he had just been reading. “‘No archer ever lived that could speed a gray goose shaft with more skill than he.’” “Who wants to do Robin Hood?” Ross cut in. “An Indian pow- wow would be more fun.” “Indians are old stuff,” Chips Davis said. “Tell us more about Robin Hood, Dan.” “That would take some doing, because it’s a long book. I’ll tell you how the story begins though. One day Robin Hood came upon a group of foresters who twitted him about his ability as an archer. Robin Hood won a wager with them by shooting a deer. The foresters were jealous and turned upon him. One of the men shot an arrow at Robin Hood, who returned the shot. Unfortunately, he killed the man, and became an outlaw.” “Nothing in that idea,” broke in Ross. “I’m in favor of the Indian pow-wow.” “Oh, peddle your feathers somewhere else,” cut in another member of Den 1. “Dan’s idea sounds good! Tell us some more.” “Robin Hood always befriended the poor people,” Dan explained. “The book would provide any number of exciting scenes, including a big archery tournament.” “What characters could we have?” demanded Red Suell. “The main part would go to Robin Hood. Then we could have the [8] [9] Sheriff of Nottingham, Little John, foresters, the tinker, the king, Eric O’Lincoln, the cook, Allan-a-Dale, the merry friar, and a dozen others.” “Let’s do it!” urged Brad. “The play would be a lot of fun and give the fellows a chance to practice with bows and arrows.” Mr. Hatfield brought the proposal to a vote. Ross Langdon was the only Cub who held out for the Indian pow-wow. “I’m willing to go along on the Robin Hood idea if I can have his part,” he said grudgingly. “Modest, aren’t you?” Midge twitted him. “Ross probably has a good reason for wanting the lead part,” said Mr. Hatfield quickly. “How about it, Ross?” The boy flushed and looked a bit ashamed. “Oh, I don’t want to be Robin Hood just to have the lead part,” he defended himself. “Then why not settle for one of the foresters?” demanded Red. “I figure the one who plays Robin Hood should be the best archer in the Pack. Well, that’s me.” “You are a modest little guy!” Midge snorted. “I bet you can hit the bull’s-eye every time at three paces back!” “I’m good and you know it!” Ross insisted. “You’re good and you know it,” Midge growled. “Of all the conceit—” “Never mind, boys,” said the Cub leader, breaking off what promised to be a lively argument. “We’ll not quarrel about who has this or that part. When the time comes, they’ll be assigned.” “But don’t you think Robin Hood should be good with a bow and arrow?” Ross demanded. “In the tournament scene, wouldn’t it be something if he couldn’t hit the target?” “I agree that the part of Robin Hood should be played by the Cub most skilled with a bow and arrow,” Mr. Hatfield said. “We’ll determine that by having a preliminary contest.” “Suits me,” grinned Ross, pushing back his chair. “I’m the same as Robin Hood right now!” “Oh, one more surprise,” Mr. Hatfield said, as the boys started to leave their places. “One of the Den Dads, Mr. Holloway, has a moving picture camera. He will make a movie of the play as we work it out.” “Where will we take the pictures?” Dan asked. “Here at the Cave?” The room which the Cubs used in summer time for their meeting place was high over the beach, reached by a long flight of stairs. Barely large enough to hold all the boys at one time, it never would provide a suitable background for the Robin Hood play. “We’ll have to find ourselves a forest primeval to double for Sherwood Forest,” Brad chuckled. “I know just the place too.” “Where?” demanded Dan. “Out west of the city near the Haunted Castle.” [10] [11] [12] “The Haunted Castle!” repeated Midge with keen interest. “Never heard of such a place. How’d it get that name?” Brad admitted that it was one he had made up. “The forest adjoins an old place that resembles a deserted castle,” he explained. “When last I visited the area, no one lived there.” “Is it really haunted?” asked Chips. “Now what do you think?” laughed Brad. “I’ve yet to meet an honest-to-goodness ghost. But if there were any, the Castle would be an ideal home for the old boy.” “Suppose we investigate the Haunted Castle and the forest,” proposed Mr. Hatfield. “The setting sounds first class to me, if we can get permission to use the grounds. Who owns the place, Brad?” “I don’t know sir, but I can find out.” “I wish you would before our next meeting. If we’re aiming to win the prize, we’ll have to get busy on the play right away.” “I’ll look into the matter today,” Brad promised. Enthusiastic over the prospect of acting in Robin Hood, the other Cubs urged Mr. Hatfield to call another Pack meeting that coming Saturday. “I’ll tell you what,” he consented. “Let’s have a hike. How would you like to go out to the Haunted Castle and look over the place? If Ross cares to bring along his archery set, we might get in a little practice.” “Sure, I’ll fetch the equipment,” Ross offered willingly enough. “You’ll see I wasn’t boasting when I said I can hit the bull’s-eye.” “We’ll give you a thorough test,” Mr. Hatfield responded dryly. The hour had come to close the meeting. After singing one of their songs, the Cubs said good-bye to Mr. Hatfield and started off in little groups. Descending the steps to the beach, Brad and Midge walked with Dan. Just ahead, they could hear Ross complaining to a Den 1 Cub that the Robin Hood idea wasn’t nearly as good as the one he had proposed. “Oh, forget it,” the other boy advised. “Indians are stale.” “I suppose the Robin Hood idea is original,” Ross retorted. Brad, Dan and Midge knew Ross well enough to realize that he was not likely to let the matter drop. “I have a hunch he’ll make trouble before we’re through,” Brad said in an undertone. “If he gets to be Robin Hood, he may go along. If not—well, he’ll kick up a lot of dust.” “Let him try,” replied Midge. “Chances are Ross will win the part fair and square,” Dan said. “We all know that despite his boasting he probably handles a bow and arrow better than anyone in the Pack.” “If he gets the part, the play is the same as ruined,” Midge predicted. Brad, however, refused to take such a pessimistic view. [13] [14] [15] “Maybe Ross won’t win,” he said cheerfully. “It hasn’t been proven yet that he’s the best shot. Wait until Saturday. Once we get to the Haunted Castle he may whistle a different tune.” CHAPTER 2 The Chimney Niche Early Saturday afternoon found the Cub Scouts of both Den 1 and 2 hiking briskly along a deserted road leading to “The Castle.” Immediately after the previous week’s Pack meeting at the Cave, Brad had inquired as to the ownership of the property, learning that the Webster City Savings Bank held title. Further, he had been told that the mansion had been built twenty- two years earlier by Gorman Lubell, a millionaire who had lost his fortune in the stock market. The unusual dwelling had been built of massive stone to resemble a miniature English castle. The interior never had been completely finished. Year after year, the Castle had stood deserted. Periodically, the bank cut the weeds and trimmed back the shrubbery, but of late even this duty had been neglected. “Brad, you obtained permission for us to visit the property, didn’t you?” Mr. Hatfield asked as the boys trudged along. “The bank president was out of the city,” the boy answered. “I talked to his secretary though. She said she was sure it would be all right.” “Even if we find the grounds unsuited as a locale for our play, we can get in some archery practice,” Mr. Hatfield remarked. To make certain that equipment would be available, Mr. Holloway, one of the Den Dads, had driven on ahead to set up a target. He had borrowed several bows for the occasion, and Ross had brought his sets. “Ever do any shooting, Dan?” Brad asked his friend as they presently approached the bank property. “A little, but it was more than a year ago. No chance I’ll give Ross any competition for the Robin Hood role.” “Oh, maybe you will,” the older boy encouraged him. “You’re good at most games requiring skill.” “Ross has had more practice than any of the Cubs.” “I know,” Brad admitted. “He may win the role. I hope not.” Ross, apparently sensing that he was being discussed, approached the two boys. Brad and Dan immediately fell silent. “Plotting something?” Ross demanded suspiciously. “Of course not,” Brad replied. Of all the Cubs in the Pack, Ross was the only one who rubbed him the wrong way. “I heard you say something about Robin Hood,” Ross declared. “I guess you figure you’ll nail the role for someone in Den 2.” “Don’t be stupid!” Brad exclaimed impatiently. “You heard Mr. [16] [17] [18] Hatfield say the part will go to the best archer.” “Who will be chosen through an elimination contest,” Dan added. “I’ll win too, if the competition is fair and square!” “Say, you give me a pain!” Brad exploded. “You know very well it will be on the level. Maybe you think you were cheated when Dan beat you in the swimming meet last summer?” Ross flushed and shifted the archery equipment to another hand. The lost swimming meet was a sore subject with him. Dan had defeated him soundly in a fair race. Ross remembered too that after the contest the younger boy had been kidnapped by a crook who had previously tangled with the Cubs. This adventure has been recounted in the volume entitled, “Dan Carter and the River Camp.” As a result of his experience with water front thieves, Dan had gained considerable attention in Webster City. Ross, who liked the limelight, had rather resented the younger boy’s gain in popularity. Hence, he was more than ever determined that Dan should not win the leading role in the Robin Hood play. The Cubs presently arrived at the old Lubell property. “Mr. Holloway’s here,” Dan noted, observing the familiar car parked by the roadside. “He’s set up the target too.” Beyond the clearing which the Den Dad had selected for an archery range, rose a heavily wooded area. “Just like Sherwood Forest in England!” Dan exclaimed. “Say, this place should be all right for our play!” “That castle has atmosphere too,” Brad agreed, highly pleased. The building was a large, sprawling structure of many towers and turrets. A luxurious growth of vines covered the walls and blocked off some of the windows. “They say that building has thousands of dollars’ worth of imported marble in it,” Brad said, staring at the desolate dwelling. “It’s just a big white elephant now. A pity it never was finished.” “Mr. Lubell ran out of money?” Dan asked. “Yes, he lost every penny he owned and was on charity at the time of his death. The bank never was able to find a buyer.” “Unless the property gets some care pretty soon, it will fall into complete ruin,” Dan remarked. His attention had been drawn to a smashed window pane. He noticed also that the foundation of the house had been damaged in several places. Walls remained in excellent condition however, and also the tall chimneys. “Say, I’ll bet that place has some dandy fire places!” he commented. The other Cubs had gathered about and were eager to explore. “Maybe we can find a ghost,” chuckled Red, gazing with keen interest at the castle cupolas. “Let’s see what the place looks like inside, fellows.” [19] [20] “Well, I don’t know,” the Den Chief replied doubtfully. “I didn’t say anything at the bank about exploring the interior.” “It’s easy enough to get in,” Red urged. “All one has to do is reach through one of those broken window panes and unlatch the catch. From the look of this place, plenty of folks have been in there ahead of us.” “The bank might not like it,” Brad said, holding back. Before the Cubs could discuss the question further, Mr. Hatfield and Burton Holloway called them together. “I’ve been looking over the grounds,” Midge’s father declared. “This place will make an almost perfect Robin Hood setting for our movie. The castle gives just the background touch needed, and will fit in with the story.” “A brook runs behind the castle too!” announced Fred, who had made a brief inspection tour. “The remains of a draw bridge still is there.” “We can use it in the first scene of our play,” Dan declared enthusiastically. “The one where Robin Hood meets Little John on the narrow bridge and neither will give way to the other. They fight with cudgels until, after hours of struggle, Robin Hood topples into the water.” “That ought to make a corking scene,” approved Midge. He added darkly, “Especially if Ross is Robin Hood.” “I don’t see why Robin Hood should be the one to get a ducking,” Ross protested as he strung his bow ready for target practice. “Why not have Little John be the one to lose out?” “Because it wasn’t that way,” Dan told him. “Little John proved himself a fine fighter and a good shot, so Robin Hood and his merry men allowed him to join the band.” “Let’s elect Ross the Sheriff of Nottingham,” chuckled Chips, in jest. “Like fun!” Ross retorted. “Just bring on your target and I’ll show you I can hit the gold band every time.” Eager to try their skill, the Cubs lined up ready to take instruction from Mr. Holloway. With the exception of Ross, Dan and Midge, the other boys had never tried archery. “The first thing we learn is how to face the target,” the Den Dad instructed. “Look straight ahead and extend your left arm out to the side. Heels together. Relax!” “Kindergarten stuff,” muttered Ross impatiently. Ignoring the boy, Mr. Holloway explained the fundamentals of the sport. He told the boys to draw the string with their first three fingers of the right hand, avoiding the use of thumb or little finger. “When you have the arrow on the string, sight over the arrow point,” he advised. “Don’t look up until you hear the arrow hit the target. If you do, you will miss.” Midge took his turn first. He drew the string back to his chin, closed his left eye and let the arrow fly. Ping! It struck the target but on the lower rim. After his father had told him how to correct his aim, Chips took the bow. On the first shot he hit his left arm with the bowstring, receiving a painful bruise. [21] [22] [23] “Remember your fundamentals and that won’t occur,” Mr. Holloway said. “Elbow bent, wrist straight, shoulder low, index finger under the jawbone and the string to the center of the chin.” Dan’s turn came next. His form was excellent despite lack of practice. Two of his arrows went in the gold and the other four in a group in the next ring. “Not bad, Dan!” Mr. Holloway approved. “Let’s see you beat that, Ross.” Ross confidently took his place in front of the target. With easy grace he sent an arrow winging on its way. It struck the bull’s-eye, causing the Cubs to cheer lustily. “See, didn’t I tell you?” Ross demanded. He shot two more arrows. Both missed the target completely. “I’m a little out of practice,” Ross muttered. Instead of shooting the remainder of his arrows, he handed the bow to a Cubmate from Den 1. For nearly an hour the boys practiced, some acquiring the art readily and others finding it difficult to catch on to the trick of relaxing. “We’ll definitely assign parts next time,” Mr. Hatfield told the boys. “Off hand, I think Fred will make a good Friar Tuck and Brad could act the part of Little John.” “Do I get to be Robin Hood?” Ross demanded. “That will be decided later,” the Cub leader replied, a trifle annoyed that the Den 1 boy should make such an issue of the role. “We’ll need a good actor for the part.” While some of the Cubs remained to practice archery and pose for camera shots, Dan, Brad, Midge and Ross set off to explore the castle. Long shadows extended from the forest to give the castle a shadowy, eerie appearance. “Gosh, the place does have a spooky look,” Brad remarked, pulling at the vines which half-covered one of the lower windows. “Let’s climb in,” proposed Ross, gaining a foothold on one of the stone blocks. “I don’t think we should—” Dan began, but Ross cut him short. “Oh, the place is wide open. Why shouldn’t we go in?” Reaching his hand through the broken window pane, he unlatched the catch. The leaded window swung back on creaking hinges. Ross climbed in and helped the others through. The Cubs found themselves in the central living room. One wall had been paneled but the others never had been finished. The main point of interest was a huge fireplace ornamented with imported tiles in an old English hunting scene design. Crossing to the hearth, Dan gazed curiously up the deep chimney. “Filled with old bird’s nests,” he reported. Dan ran a stick part way up the chimney, knocking down some of [24] [25] [26] the debris. “Hey! Quit it,” Ross commanded. “You’re stirring up an awful dust.” Dan’s stick had lodged between two loose bricks. To free it, he reached up and moved the bricks slightly. Much to his astonishment, one of them pulled out. “This old chimney is falling apart,” he said. “Either that or—” “Or what?” Brad demanded. Rather excited, Dan thrust his arm far up the chimney and groped about. “Find anything?” Brad demanded eagerly. “I’m not sure,” Dan murmured, as his fingers continued to explore. “Yes, I think that brick was set loose on purpose. Sure as shooting, I can feel a deep niche in the chimney—a hiding place!” CHAPTER 3 Robin Hood’s Strong Box Excited by Dan’s discovery, the other three boys clustered about him. “Let me look up that chimney,” Ross said. In his eagerness to see, he rather rudely shoved Dan aside. The Den 1 boy thrust his arm far up the dirty flue, groping about in the niche. “Nothing here,” he reported in disgust. “Not a thing.” “I could have told you that if you’d have given me a chance,” said Dan, still annoyed by the older boy’s lack of manners. “It’s a dandy hiding place though, and deserves a name. Let’s call it Robin Hood’s Strong Box.” “You and your kid games!” Ross scoffed. “It’s just a hole behind a loose brick.” Brad had taken his turn at examining the niche. “I’m sure it was built into the chimney as a hiding place,” he declared. “At any rate, it would make a good one,” added Midge, siding with Dan. “What better name for it than Robin Hood’s Strong Box?” “All in favor of that name say ‘aye’,” directed Brad. Ross voted a very loud “no” which the other Cubs ignored. “The ayes have it,” Brad announced. As he spoke, the Cubs distinctly heard footsteps in a corridor adjoining the room where they stood. They listened a moment, thinking that another Cub had followed them into the house. [27] [28] But the footsteps, instead of coming closer, receded. “Who’s there?” called Brad. “Is that you, Fred?” There was no answer. Certain that someone had been in the house, the boys quickly went through the lower rooms. All were deserted. “That’s funny,” Dan said, deeply puzzled. “I was sure I heard someone.” “It sounded as if whoever it was might have been sneaking up on us too,” Midge added uneasily. “Oh, you guys have been reading too much Robin Hood,” Ross muttered. “I’ve seen enough of this old place. Let’s explore outside.” Dan and the others would have preferred to roam through the mansion for a while longer. However, to avoid an argument with Ross, they gave in to him. Leaving by the same window through which they had entered, Brad fastened the catch behind them. “I wonder if the bank knows this window is broken?” he remarked. “I think I’ll drop in there tomorrow and tell them.” “A good idea,” approved Dan. “Prowlers could do a lot of damage here.” In returning to the archery range, the Cubs chose a by-path which led past a narrow, pebbly brook. The ribbon of water was spanned by a narrow bridge constructed from two logs. “Say, this place is made to order for our Robin Hood movie!” Dan exclaimed as he saw the log bridge. “Just the props we need for a scene between Robin and Little John!” “You’ll be Robin Hood, I take it?” Ross cut in, annoyed that the younger boy should think of all the ideas. “Oh, pipe down, Ross!” Brad silenced him. “You heard Mr. Hatfield say that role will be chosen after we have an archery contest.” “Oh, Ross may play the bridge scene if he wants to,” Dan said with a chuckle. “Mighty generous of you,” Ross retorted. “You know I’ll win the part anyway.” “Don’t be too sure of that,” Midge cut in. “If I remember correctly, you made that same boast—that you would win—the time we had the swimming meet. Remember? Dan didn’t have much to say, but he came in ahead and won the cup for the Den.” “Aw, I was off form that week,” Ross muttered. “I won’t even need to practice to beat all the Cubs at archery.” “Modest, aren’t you?” Brad grinned. “Well, time will tell.” The four boys returned to the archery range where Mr. Hatfield was instructing the Cubs. He warned them that one might be injured by thrusting the breast into the way of the bowstring, or by [29] [30] [31] overdrawing. “While you are learning, it is better never to practice unless Mr. Holloway or I can be with you,” he advised. He added, however, that Ross, Dan, Brad and Midge, who understood fairly well how to handle a bow, might be excepted from the rule. “We’ve had enough practice for one day, I think,” Mr. Hatfield ended the session. “Now to assign a few of the roles—tentatively, of course.” “Am I Robin Hood?” demanded Ross. “We’ll not select that role today,” the Cub leader replied. “Probably before the final choice is made, several boys will be tried out in the part. Acting ability as well as archery skill is required, you know.” Mr. Hatfield then announced that Brad had been selected for the role of Little John. Midge would be Friar Tuck and Chips would play Allan-a-Dale. “I want to take at least one scene this afternoon to test out lighting effects,” Mr. Holloway told the boys. “The film probably won’t be used in the final screening, but it will point up some of the defects we must overcome. Any ideas for a test scene, boys?” “Dan has one,” grinned Brad. “Let’s have it,” Mr. Holloway invited. Dan described the brook with the log bridge. “The setting would be perfect for a prologue scene between Little John and Robin Hood,” he declared. “But since Robin Hood hasn’t been selected —” “I want to play the part,” Ross broke in. “Dan can take his turn trying out later on. I want to do the first scene with Brad.” “All right,” agreed Mr. Holloway, his eyes twinkling. “Suppose you describe the scene, Dan. Tell us what happens.” “Robin Hood meets Little John at the bridge. Both seek to cross first. To settle the dispute, they cut themselves cudgels and duel with them on the log bridge.” “Little John gets pushed in?” Ross asked with relish. “Oh, no,” chuckled Dan. “Robin Hood is the loser in this contest, and tumbles into the soup. Then he blows three blasts on his horn and all the members of his band swarm out of the forest.” “I don’t think Robin Hood should get a ducking,” Ross protested quickly. “That’s not in keeping with the star part.” “It’s in keeping with the story,” Mr. Holloway assured him. “We must keep our script true to fact, you know.” “Well, I’m not keen to take a ducking,” Ross announced. “Dan may do the first scene. I’ll take my turn later.” “Oh, no you don’t!” Chips said quickly. “You asked for the part, so you get it.” “We can omit the ducking today,” Mr. Holloway settled the matter. “Well, let’s go!” [32] [33] He brought his moving picture camera equipment from the car and joined the boys at the bridge. Brad and Ross armed themselves with sticks cut from branches of a tree. After the scene had been fully discussed, the two boys took their places on either side of the bridge. The other Cubs from both Den 1 and 2 remained in the woods, ready to swarm out when Robin Hood should blow three shrill blasts on his horn. “We’re minus a horn today, but by our next practice we’ll have one,” Mr. Hatfield said. “Also, the Den mothers have promised to help us out by making Lincoln green woodsmen costumes for all who act in the play.” The filming of the scene began. Repeatedly Ross had to be warned by Mr. Hatfield to “take it easy.” Although the script called for him to be tumbled into the water, he seemed determined that Brad should be pushed off the log. Back and forth Brad and Ross whacked with their sticks as the film recording was made. Mr. Holloway was on the verge of signaling the end of the scene, when the Den 1 boy made a quick lunge at Brad. The latter moved sideways, failing entirely to parry the blow with his own stick. Caught off balance, Ross fell slightly forward and lost his footing. Before he could save himself or Brad could offer a helping hand, he fell sideways into the shallow water. As Ross sprawled amid the lily pads, the watching Cubs burst into laughter. The day was warm and the creek waters exceedingly shallow. The ducking, they knew, would do the boy no harm, and was a fate quite deserved. “Are you all right, Ross?” Mr. Holloway asked. Putting aside his camera, he ran to help the boy. Still chuckling at the mishap, the other Cubs gathered around. “Brad did that on purpose!” Ross said, angrily pulling off a lily pad which had plastered against his face. “Look at me!” “You’re a little dampish,” Brad grinned. “I’m sorry you slipped. I didn’t touch your stick, you know.” “This scene is stupid!” Ross fumed. “I’ve had enough of Robin Hood for one day! I’m going home.” “I’ll take you,” Mr. Holloway offered sympathetically. “You should get into dry clothes right away.” As the two walked toward the parked car, Ross made a sorry sight indeed. His shoes and trousers were caked with mud and a lily pad still clung to the back of his shirt. “That was a ripping scene,” Brad laughed, once Ross was beyond hearing. “Falling into the brink may cure that know-it-all of wanting to hog the best scenes. I thought I’d die laughing when he fell in!” “You weren’t the only one,” said Dan in an odd tone of voice. “Did you hear laughter from the woods?” “From the woods?” Brad echoed, rather mystified. “The other Cubs, you mean?”