“Afoot?”
“Not much chance of trailing it that way. Maybe Mr. Hatfield will let us take the canoe.”
Brad had observed that the Cub leader already was paddling toward shore with long, sure strokes.
The two Cubs went down to the water’s edge to meet him. Quickly, Brad explained what had happened. As they had expected, Mr. Hatfield showed immediate concern.
“We can’t afford to lose another paddle,” he said. “We’ll have to find this one, that’s all.”
Motioning for Brad and Dan to exchange places with Fred and Midge, he pointed the canoe down stream.
For the next twenty minutes, the three searched every cove and back-water along the shore. The lost paddle could not be found.
“It beats all what could have happened to it,” Brad said, resting a moment. “You didn’t see anyone in camp while we were out on the river, did you, Dan?”
“Not on the beach,” the younger boy answered slowly. “I did see someone watching me from the woods—an Indian, I think.”
“I guess it’s no use looking any farther for the paddle.”