Part 29 (1/2)
The island of which Mr. Holloway spoke was situated in mid-river only a short distance downstream from the Cub's cabin. Until recently it had been unoccupied.
”Why, I didn't know anyone lived there,” Dan said in surprise.
”A family of four moved in about three weeks ago,” Mr. Holloway revealed.
”They're living in a shack there-the mother and father and two youngsters.”
”Rabb Island is low,” the Cub leader said. ”And the river has risen several feet in the last few hours.”
”The Dustin family has a boat of sorts,” Mr. Holloway said. ”I wouldn't worry, only I know Mr. Dustin went away late this afternoon just before the storm broke. Whether he got back or not, I don't know.”
”Then Mrs. Dustin and the two children might be on the island alone?” Mr.
Holloway asked.
”That's what's worrying me. I don't know.”
”Any way we can find out?”
”I intend to row over there as soon as I get things cleaned up here. But the water's risen so fast I haven't had a chance.”
”I'll go over right away and check up,” volunteered the Cub leader. ”That is, if I can borrow the boat.”
”Midge and I hauled it up by the boat house. The dock is under water now.”
”We'll help you get it out,” Dan offered eagerly. ”Need anyone to go along?”
”I can only take one Cub, because I may need to bring pa.s.sengers back.”
”Take me,” urged Chips, who had just come out of the flooded cabin after having rescued the Indian feather headdress. ”I'm a good rower.”
”Better than I am,” conceded Dan as he saw Mr. Hatfield hesitate.
”Why, yes, Chips, you may go along,” agreed the Cub leader. ”Now let's launch the boat.”
The Cubs carried the craft to the water's edge. Chips climbed in with Mr.
Hatfield who took possession of the oars. The Cubs then gave a mighty shove which sent the boat well on its way.
”That dope!” Red exclaimed belatedly.
”Who is?” demanded Brad who stood near the submerged dock watching the boat disappear into the darkness of the river.
”Chips! Didn't he take our Indian headdress with him?”
”He did have it in his hand,” declared Dan. ”But it should be safe enough.”
”Unless he absently drops it into the river! Or the boat may leak and the feathers get wet. We did a lot of work on that headdress. Only this morning Mr. Holloway told me he thought it might be one of the best items entered in the Pack exhibition.”
”Well, don't worry about it,” Brad advised. ”Chips thinks a lot of that headdress too. Depend upon it, he'll take care of those precious feathers!”
After the boat had vanished beyond view, the Cubs returned to the cabin to see if anything had been left undone.
Every object which possibly might suffer damage from the rising water, already had been removed to the Holloway home on the hill.