“The Den needs a bookcase,” Mr. Hatfield reminded the pair as they admired their ‘find’. “We’ll expect you boys to produce something handsome now that you have the tools.”
“We’ll do it too,” Mack promised.
With the treasure hunt over, all the Cubs gathered on the beach for a council fire and “feed.” Mrs. Holloway passed out hot dog sandwiches, chocolate and thick wedges of pie.
When the boys could eat no more, they stretched out on the sand, and begged Mr. Hatfield to tell them a ghost story.
“I might tell you about the ghost of Skeleton Island,” he chuckled.
“A true story?” Dan demanded.
“It may have elements of truth,” the Cub leader replied. “Basically though, the tale is a product of the imagination.”
“You mean you’re making up the story?” Midge asked in disappointment.
“No,” the Cub leader corrected. “I first heard about Skeleton Island as a boy. According to the tale, it once was an old pirate stronghold. River pirates would come upstream and hide their loot on the island.”
“Was any of it ever dug up?” Midge demanded.