“Who are you?” Mr. Hatfield inquired, stripping off his leather jacket and wrapping it about the shivering boy. “How did you get in the river?”
The boy merely stared at the Cub leader and did not answer. Then with a supreme effort, he tried to pull away from the supporting arm.
“I go,” he mumbled. “All right now.”
“Where will you go?” interposed the Cub leader. “Don’t be foolish. You’re in no condition to walk. Come on, boys. Let’s take him to the Cave.”
Having no stretcher or board which could be used as one, Brad and Mr. Hatfield made a seat of their arms and carried the boy to the steps leading up into the Cave. There they were joined by Mr. Holloway and Red’s father who helped.
Once in the Cave, the Cubs made the boy comfortable on a couch. Stripping off his wet garments, they wrapped him in a warm blanket.
“Feeling better?” Mr. Hatfield asked him. “I think I should call a doctor.”
“No—please,” he mumbled, pleading with his eyes.
To Mr. Hatfield and the fathers of the Cubs it was apparent that the boy slowly was recovering from his ordeal in the river. And it also was evident that for some reason, he did not wish to reveal anything about himself.
“Suppose you tell us your name,” Mr. Hatfield suggested, seating himself beside the boy.