Part 28 (1/2)

Mr. Silverton hesitated, apparently on the verge of refusing the request.

”Please let me help,” Dobbs urged. ”It's the least I can do to make amends.”

”Very well,” the sportsman agreed. ”We need your help. The dynamite is in my car. Be careful it doesn't get wet, because it's all I have.”

”I'll set off the blast,” Dobbs said, starting away. ”Just be sure all the boys are out of range when she goes off!”

”We'll round the Cubs up now,” Mr. Hatfield said. ”What about these pheasants here in the barn?”

”Dan and I can move them up into the loft,” Brad offered eagerly.

”If we can dynamite the dam, it may not be necessary,” Mr. Silverton said. ”First, let's see what can be done at the creek. If we fail there, we'll have to come back and move everything out.”

Dobbs obtained the dynamite from Mr. Silverton's car, and the party set off for the creek. Failing to see Fred, Mack, Chips and Red by the dam, Mr. Hatfield gave the familiar Pack whistle.

From higher land far up the logging road came an immediate response.

”Round up the Cubs, Brad,” Mr. Hatfield instructed the Den Chief. ”Then keep them all together until after Dobbs sets off the dynamite.”

”Sure,” Brad agreed. ”Coming, Dan?”

Leaving the log jam where an avalanche of water was pouring over the pile of debris, the two boys quickly found the other four Cubs.

”We thought you never would get back,” Red said. He was wet to the waist and covered with mud, having fallen down on the slippery road. ”The creek came up so fast, we moved out.”

Brad and Dan recounted their own experiences at the barn, and ended by telling Dobbs' confession.

”And all the while that guy was trying to put the blame on us!” Chips exclaimed indignantly. ”What a nerve! He drove us away from here because he was afraid we'd learn the truth.”

”And we did, thanks to Mr. Hatfield's suspicions about the logging road,”

declared Brad. ”But if Dan hadn't noticed the s.h.i.+pping tag on that crate, I doubt Dobbs ever would have confessed.”

”What happened to Freeze and Bauer?” Fred questioned. ”They got away?”

”Temporarily,” Brad answered. ”Mr. Silverton knows their address though.

So unless they wise up and slip out of town, he'll swear out a warrant for their arrest.”

Keeping together, the Cubs returned to the creek, the banks of which had dissolved into a dark, murky, ever-spreading lake.

On the log jam, endeavoring to place the charge of dynamite, were Dobbs, Sam Hatfield and Mr. Silverton. Seeing the Cubs, Mr. Hatfield shouted to Brad to come and hold the lighted lantern. The others, he warned to keep far away.

Carefully Dobbs placed the dynamite charge, having trouble in keeping it dry until the fuse could be lighted.

”Now everyone get out of here quick!” he ordered. ”I'm sticking until the last minute.”

As the long fuse began to burn, Mr. Silverton, Brad, and Sam Hatfield, quickly waded back to the waiting Cubs. Together, all retreated a safe distance.

”Come on, Dobbs!” Mr. Silverton shouted to the workman. ”Better get out.

That fuse will burn fast!”