Part 4 (1/2)
”Scouting for Den 1, I'll bet a cent,” Brad replied. ”You know Ross! He's already afraid we'll get ahead of him somehow.”
”We usually do, too,” grinned Dan.
Ross and Dan long had been friendly rivals. Both were excellent swimmers, though in a Pack compet.i.tion, Dan had proven himself to be the better.
Ross, who prided himself upon excelling in all sports, never had forgotten.
”He's here to see how we're getting along in canoe practice,” Dan remarked. ”Well, I hope he gets an eye full!”
Ross was tall and gangling, having grown so fast that his Cub uniform already was too small for him. He was strong for his age, inclined to be arrogant, and was the least liked of any boy in Den 1.
Aware that Mr. Hatfield and Mr. Holloway were within hearing distance, Ross addressed the two Cubs respectfully enough.
”Working hard, I see.”
”Oh, just practicing a little,” Dan answered carelessly.
”You should,” Ross retorted boastfully. ”Den 1 is all set to take you for a cleaning in the canoe race. We'll win in a walk.”
If the Den 1 boy had hoped to get a retort from Brad or Dan, they disappointed him by remaining silent. Irked by his failure to start a spirited debate, Ross picked up the paddle upon which Red had been working.
”Hey, be careful!” Red protested. ”You'll make the paint run!”
”Couldn't make it look much worse than it is,” Ross said contemptuously.
”You should see some of the paddles Den 1 has painted.”
”Works of art, I suppose?” Brad asked dryly. ”Going to exhibit 'em at the museum?”
”Maybe, after we've nailed first prize at the Pack exhibition.”
”Put that paddle down before you wreck it!” Red ordered furiously.
”You're getting sand on the fresh paint.”
”Excuse me.” With an elaborate bow, Ross laid the paddle on the sand near the river's edge. Glancing around, he next demanded: ”Where's your hogan?”
”Haven't started it yet,” Brad replied. ”We'll probably get it up over the week-end.”
”Den 1 has a dandy all finished,” Ross continued boastfully. ”We put it up in nothing flat.”
Dan could not resist saying cuttingly: ”It probably looks like it too! We aim to take our time and do a good job.”
Ignoring the jibe, Ross glowingly described the accomplishments of the Den 1 Cubs. Not only had they completed a Navajo hogan, but they likewise had started to build a trading post and a Wells Fargo station, he informed his listeners.
”We're building a loom too, for blanket weaving,” he went on grandly.
”And we've already gathered six boxes of clothing to send out West to the Navajo reservation.”
”You're ahead of us all right,” Dan conceded. ”But we've only started on the program. You'll see us put on steam.”
”I hope so. Otherwise, Den 1 will have absolutely no compet.i.tion at the pow-wow.” Affecting a bored air, Ross sauntered away.