“And hunting is illegal in the metropolitan park preserve!”
“Sure, it is. Notice anything unusual about this snare!”
Dan nodded. “I saw some pictures like it in those Indian books I read.”
“Maybe White Nose and Eagle Feather set it up here,” Fred speculated.
“Maybe,” agreed Brad, his voice trailing off.
He pocketed the snare, and the Cubs went on to the day camp.
So much time had been lost that the boys knew they would have to work fast to complete their hogan before dark. During their absence, Mr. Hatfield and Mr. Holloway had started the frame of the hut. Bent boughs had been tied firmly together with leather and cords.
“The Navajos have eight different types of houses,” the Cub leader informed the boys as they worked. “The dwelling is erected in a single day, for all the neighbors come in to help. On the reservations, they’re usually made of pinon logs, cedar bark, an earth roof, and the chinks filled with mud.”
For an hour the Cubs labored, taking satisfaction in seeing the hogan grow slowly but surely.
“There!” Brad declared in satisfaction, as the square doorway was nailed on, “it’s finished! I call it a dandy job too!”
“You do?” demanded a voice from behind him.
Brad whirled to see Ross Langdon standing there, a grin on his face.
“Oh, hello, Ross,” Brad greeted him, trying to make his voice cordial. “Didn’t hear you come up.”
Ross had been studying the hogan, and obviously was impressed by the work. But he would not say so. He sauntered over and leaned rather heavily against the doorway.
“Hey, Ross!” exclaimed Dan, dropping his hammer. “Don’t do that. You might knock the thing down.”
“Why should I bother?” Ross retorted loftily. “A good strong wind will take care of it. Den 1 has a much better hogan. We really did a job.”
“Glad to hear it,” Dan replied, refusing to take offense.
Ross’ unexpected arrival in camp did not please the other Cubs. Chips, in particular, had not abandoned his belief that the Den 1 boy had been responsible for the loss of the painted paddle. He now eyed him suspiciously.
“What brings you here so often, anyhow?” he demanded.
It was on the tip of Chips’ tongue to accuse Ross of taking the missing paddle. However, a warning glance from Brad caused him to lapse into silence.