Part 2 (1/2)
”What are you boys doing here?” he flung at them.
Mr. Holloway moved past the Cubs to stand beside Dan and the Cub master.
Sam answered politely: ”We're on our way to Mr. Silverton's pheasant farm. This trail leads there, I believe?”
”You're on Silverton's land now. He told you to come here, did he?”
”Why, no. We're a Den of Cub scouts, and we thought we'd ask permission-”
”You're trespa.s.sers,” the stranger cut in.
”I a.s.sure you we do not mean to be. We very much would like to visit the farm.”
”Well, you can't. Mr. Silverton doesn't want no-account boys running wild over the place. They scare the pheasants and make no end of trouble.”
”The Cubs are reliable,” said Mr. Hatfield quietly. ”I a.s.sure you, you'll have no difficulty on that score.”
”Sorry, you'll have to leave.”
”If we might see Mr. Silverton-” the Cub leader began, but again the other interrupted.
”Well, you can't,” he snapped. ”I'm Saul Dobbs, and I'm in charge here.
Now get out before I lose patience.”
Glaring at the Cubs, the workman carelessly allowed his hand to drop to his belt where he carried a revolver in a holster. The gesture was not lost upon either Mr. Hatfield or the Cubs.
”We'll go,” said the Cub leader, still without raising his voice. ”But don't think you're scaring us.”
”Git going and don't come back!” Saul Dobbs ordered in a bl.u.s.tering voice.
”You may hear from us again after we have talked to Mr. Silverton,” said Mr. Hatfield. ”Meanwhile, good-bye.”
With dignity, he turned and led the crestfallen Cubs back along the twisting trail.
CHAPTER 2 The Cubs on Trial
No sooner were the Cubs well beyond the hearing of Saul Dobbs than they broke into excited argument over whether or not they should have submitted to his threats.
”Why didn't we just tell him to go jump in the river?” Chips demanded furiously. ”Just who does he think he is, anyhow?”
”He happens to be Mr. Silverton's foreman,” Dan pointed out quietly.
”Also, he was armed.”
”He was only bluffing,” Red volunteered his opinion. ”I say, why don't we go back there and tell him off?”
Mr. Hatfield paused on the trail. ”Aren't you fellows losing sight of an important fact?” he inquired.