“I can’t say, because I don’t know. It’s just a feeling I have. Mr. Suell and I will take turns guarding the camp tonight.”
“Then you think the Cubs may be in danger here?” Brad asked, startled.
“No, Brad, if I thought so, we’d break camp and pull out tonight. We’ll set up a watch as a precaution. First thing in the morning, I’ll go to the mainland to have a talk with Mr. Manheim.”
After the camp work was out of the way, the Den Dads built a huge fire on the beach. Mr. Suell then gave the boys a brief talk on Cubbing in other countries of the world, telling them that the organization extended to 50 lands.
“And are the ideals and aims the same everywhere?” Brad questioned, tossing another stick of wood into the flames.
“Practically so, Brad. In most countries, the Kipling Jungle stories have been made the basis of Cubbing. Akela is the name of the Cub leader in nearly all nations. The two-fingered sign of the Wolf is the Cub sign around the world.”
Dan, who lounged on the sand beside Brad, had listened with keen interest. But now his attention wandered.
Beyond the rim of flickering light, he thought he saw movement. Was that shadowy form a trick of wind and tree boughs? Or might someone be spying upon the camp?
“Wake up, Dan!” Brad nudged him hard in the ribs. “Mr. Hatfield just asked you to lead in the singing of ‘Cheer, Cheer, the Den’s All Here.’ Are you asleep?”
Dan tore his eyes from the area of darkness. After all, he told himself, he probably had fancied the shadow. Imagination played strange tricks upon a fellow.