The Cubs dropped their knapsacks and trooped down to the beach. Chips’ footprints plainly were visible in the sand, showing where he had wandered in his fruitless search.
“See any paddle?” the boy demanded.
“Are you certain you left it here, Red?” Dan inquired dubiously.
“Certainly I’m certain! Right here by the river. I wanted it to dry so I left it turned up to the sun.”
“Well, it couldn’t have paddled itself away!” Chips wisecracked.
“Very funny!” Red glared at him. “I spent a long while painting that paddle. Now it’s gone. Either one of you took it for a joke or—”
“On your honor, fellows, has anyone seen Red’s paddle?” Brad soberly questioned the group.
All the Cubs reasserted that they had not touched the missing item.
“When last I saw it, Red was laying it out in the sun just as he said,” added Midge. “Maybe it floated away.”
“Like fun!” Chips snorted. “This river doesn’t have a tide. I know what became of that paddle!”