Dirk, not trusting himself to speak, shook his head dumbly, and looked at the floor. He might have known the Chief would say no, but—but——
The director was watching him with new interest. “Well, you are persistent!” he exclaimed. “That might count for something in your favor. Now, let me ask you a question. You’ve been at Lenape for four days. What have you learned that will stand you in good stead on a stiff hike and canoe-trip through some of the wildest country in the state?”
“Nothing, I guess,” confessed Dirk humbly. “I haven’t even learned to swim, and even the littlest fellows make fun of me wading around in the shallow water. But I’ll try, Chief, I will! Only let me——”
“Your canoe is still on the dock, isn’t it?”
“Yes. Mr. Rawn said he wouldn’t let me take it out until I could swim and learn how to handle a paddle. I—I haven’t bothered to learn. I can see I’ve wasted my time fooling around with silly things, and loafing——”
“All right. That’s enough. Dirk, you have lots of stuff in you that, if you want it badly enough, can help you become a first-rate camper. You’ve shown it by getting out and chasing flies on the baseball team, and that’s a fine start. If you really believe what you’ve told me just now, your spirit in the future will be the finest thing that could come to you. You can see that your chances of holding your own on the Long Trail this year are pretty slim. But, since you’re so eager, I don’t mind telling you that there is a chance!”
Dirk’s eyes widened, and he jumped up. “You mean—— What do you want me to do, Chief?”
“I’ll make a bargain with you. Man to man. The Long Trailers will start next Monday for the river. That gives us five days. If, during those five days, you can pass all the requirements for the Lenape honor emblem, I’ll ask Mr. Carrigan to take you along!”
“Do you really mean it? Why, Chief, that’s a wonderful offer! And I’ll do it—I know I will!” Dirk cried.
The director was amused. “Don’t be too sure, Dirk. You don’t know what you are up against.” He opened the drawer of his desk and drew out a printed card. “Here is a list of the things you will have to do. It’s a long list, and four days is a short time. Remember, too, that you must not neglect your regular camp duties to work on any of the tests. One of the requirements, and the biggest, is that you must show a fine, all-around camp spirit; and that means you will have to think of the honor of your tent and the welfare of everybody and everything in camp. But if you do a good job out there in left field tomorrow at Shawnee, I’ll sign this card in this space calling for participation in an inter-camp athletic contest, and that will be one less test for you to do before Sunday night.”