“Why, no, not yet.”
“We’re looking for him,” Dan explained. “Guess he must be somewhere else.” Without telling more, he ran back to the river front to report to Mr. Hatfield.
Both Mr. Hatfield and Midge’s father were troubled to learn that Red had not been found at the house. Anxiously, they gazed toward the dark woods.
“Maybe he’s lost in there,” Dan said, reading their thought. “I saw him start off that way.”
Mr. Hatfield reached for a powerful flashlight which he always kept ready for use. “I thought Red had more sense than to go beyond view of the camp fire,” he commented. “He can’t be very far away though.”
“Let’s call to him,” proposed Mr. Holloway. “If he’s anywhere near, he’ll hear us.”
The two men shouted Red’s name repeatedly. No answering cry came from the darkness. However, the other Cubs gathered about, alarmed by the disappearance of their den mate.
“It’s really my fault,” Brad said, addressing the two men. “I shouldn’t have let him do it.”
“Do what, Brad?” questioned Mr. Hatfield. “What are you talking about.”
“The truth is, Red planned to play a little joke on the Cubs.”