All the Cubs were taken ashore to dry out by the fire. Mr. Holloway and the Cub leader stretched Tim out on the dock, wrapping him in blankets. It was unnecessary to apply artificial respiration, for he soon opened his eyes and began to breathe normally.
“We’ll look after Tim,” Mr. Hatfield advised Dan as the shivering boy hovered near. “Hike to the tent and change your clothes.”
“Mr. Hatfield, there’s something I want to tell you—”
“Later, Dan.”
Brad threw a blanket over the boy’s shoulders and led him away.
“The Den is proud of you, Dan,” he declared as he waited while the other changed into dry clothing. “You earned yourself a medal tonight.”
“I didn’t do anything,” Dan replied. “Or rather, anyone would have done the same.”
“You thought and acted in a split-second. That was what counted, Dan. If Mr. Manheim hadn’t been so bull-headed about taking too many Cubs on the raft, the accident wouldn’t have occurred.”
“It was badly balanced from the start, Brad. I can’t understand those tanks—”
“What tanks, Dan?”