Dan sucked in his breath, completely taken by surprise.
Skillfully laid out in brilliant colors, was a sand painting. In scope it was far more elaborate than the one which had been destroyed outside of the hut.
“Can you beat that!” Dan exclaimed. “How did it get here?”
Before Mr. Hatfield could voice an opinion, Mr. Holloway and the other Cubs had rushed up.
For awhile the hogan buzzed with excited conversation, as the boys speculated upon how the painting had been transferred.
“It wasn’t really transferred, though the basic design is the same,” Mr. Hatfield pointed out. “Dan’s painting was broken up so that the same materials could be used here to make this much more elaborate picture.”
“Not Ross, that’s sure,” contributed Red. “He doesn’t have that much skill.”
“This picture was done by an expert,” Mr. Holloway agreed. “An Indian, I’d judge. Note the skill with which the curving lines have been put on.”
“Why was the picture made here?” mused Brad. “Why inside the hogan?”
“I think I can guess the answer,” Mr. Hatfield replied. “Navajo sand paintings usually are done inside a hogan—often in the home of the person for whom a ‘cure’ is sought.”
“And the custom is to destroy the painting before the day is done,” Mr. Holloway added. “By tomorrow morning, we may find this picture wrecked as were the others.”
“Gosh, I hope not!” Dan exclaimed. “This painting is the best one yet.”
“It will be just the thing to set off our handicraft exhibition at the pow-wow tomorrow,” Brad declared. “We’ll really have something nifty to show the Den 1 Cubs when they show up for the canoe race!”
“Can’t we take turns guarding the hogan tonight?” suggested Mack. “I’m willing to take a trick.”
Mr. Hatfield turned down the proposal. “Your parents wouldn’t want you up all night,” he said. “Furthermore, if you did stay up, you’d be no good for the pow-wow.”
“But we don’t want to lose this sand painting, Mr. Hatfield.”
“Tell you what,” Mr. Holloway volunteered. “My house is just up the hill, so it won’t be a hardship for me to keep watch. I won’t guarantee to stay here all night, or to prevent destruction of the painting. But I’m willing to check occasionally.”
Mr. Hatfield and the Cubs thought the Den Dad would be taking too much upon himself. However, he insisted he wanted to assume guard duty, so finally it was agreed that he should assume responsibility for watching the river camp that night.