Dirk lifted his head wearily. “I wanted to speak to you about that, Ryan. I didn’t know they were going to fill your shoes with water and steal your things, or I wouldn’t have stood for it. Those were coward’s tricks; and I want you to know I’m sorry.”
“Bein’ sorry won’t help you much. Maybe I believe you, and maybe I don’t; but anyways, you were out here with that bunch, cookin’ up trouble, and you sure looked pretty cheap. Blum was tryin’ to get you to do his dirty work, and he’s such a coward himself he has to pull this secret society stuff and make little kids that don’t know any better follow him around like he was somebody, the nasty little brat. So that’s the kind of a friend you pick, huh?”
Dirk sighed. “I said I was in the wrong, Ryan, and I apologized. I’m sorry I got mixed up in this affair. What else can I say?”
“You’ve said enough, as far as I’m concerned. Now, unless we both get back to Tent One pretty quick, you and I will be spendin’ tomorrow on the wood-pile. Those scared kids have probably wakened up the whole camp.”
Dirk nodded, rising to his feet. “But before we go, Ryan, tell me just one thing. I—I guess I’m not the right sort of chap to get along here at Lenape. I try to do the right thing, but I always seem to end up in trouble. Tell me, what is the matter with me?”
Brick, taken aback at the other’s frankness, looked at the ground. “I’m no preacher,” he mumbled slowly. “When—when I first came to Lenape, I guess I was just as bad as you, and a lot worse. And maybe my trouble was the same as yours. I was always thinkin’ first of Brick Ryan, and never stoppin’ to wonder how it struck the other fellow. Then one of the leaders got me to see that I could get most fun out of campin’ by doin’ things for Lenape instead of bein’ selfish and tryin’ to show how smart a guy F. X. A. Ryan was. I—I guess that’s what they mean when they talk of camp spirit,” he ended lamely; “thinkin’ about the good of the crowd instead of just showin’ off for your own benefit. Now, let’s get along!”
“You mean—— Say!” cried Dirk with glowing eyes, “I’d like to do something for the camp! No, I don’t mean asking my father for some money and buying stuff for everybody to use. I mean, well—if we won that baseball game Wednesday, I guess it would be a thing to be proud of! Ryan, I’m going to play as I never played before—for the honor of the camp!”
“That would be a starter,” Brick admitted. “Now, for gosh sakes, let’s get out of here!”
The two made their way back to their bunks without mishap, and turned in to take a much-needed sleep. However, before he shut his eyes for good, Dirk pondered over the events of the night; and he decided that he would not forget the advice that his red-haired tent-mate had offered him in the Council Ring.
Next morning, as Dirk was racing down to Indian Dip in the sparkling lake along with the rest of the newly-risen campers, he found Dumb Blum at his side.