Dan Carter and the Cub Honor

by Mildred A. Wirt

  CHAPTER 19 CUB HONOR

  The church gymnasium was jammed with spectators. Every seat had beentaken ten minutes in advance of the scheduled game between the Cubs andthe Purple Five. Now, crouched in a tight little knot at one end of thefloor, the Den 2 boys were awaiting the starting signal.

  Dan's gaze roved over the audience. In the front row not far from wherehis own parents sat, he sighted both Mr. Maxwell and Mr. Brennan.

  He heaved a sigh of relief. Actually, he hadn't dared hope that thechurch trustees would attend the game, even though he had mailed themtickets.

  Dan's searching eyes traveled on through row upon row of spectators.Toward the back of the gymnasium, he saw Mr. Greene, the Juvenile Courtdirector, and another court official he did not know by name.

  "Everyone's here," he whispered jubilantly.

  "Everyone except Mr. Weldon," Brad replied and his voice was tense withworry. "What if he doesn't show up?"

  "He promised, didn't he?"

  "Sure, but we haven't seen him since that day in the belfry. Maybe he'sskipped town. Tell you the truth, Dan, I'm jittery. If he doesn't come toidentify Pat, what'll we do?"

  "He'll come," Dan said.

  Though he spoke confidently, he too shared the older boy's uneasiness.Twice since the two had seen Mr. Weldon in the church belfry, they hadreturned to seek him. They had found only a locked, and apparentlydeserted church. The stranger who had claimed to be Chub's father,obviously had moved out immediately after his meeting with them. Had heleft Webster City? They had no way of knowing, but they had not once seenhim on the street.

  As for the game itself, feeling was running high. The greater percentageof rooters seemed to favor the Cubs, but one section of the gymnasium wasjammed with friends of Pat and the Bay Shore boys. Dan wondered how theywould take a loss of the game, or a disclosure that the Purple Five teamwas wanted in Juvenile Court.

  "I feel sort of sorry for Pat," he remarked privately to Dan. "The guydoesn't have a suspicion of what's going to happen to him."

  "Assuming that Mr. Weldon shows up."

  "Pat isn't such a bad sort when you get to know him," Dan went on. "He'sa show off, of course, and full of mischief. He's quieted down a lotthough lately."

  "Conscience hurting you, Dan?"

  "No such thing! If Pat and his bunch wrecked that old Christian Church,then it's only right that they take their medicine. I'm not forgettingthat they let the blame fall on the Cubs."

  Brad glanced nervously at the wall clock. "Three more minutes until gametime," he said. "I only hope the Cubs win! It's terribly important,because if Pat's team wins, and then everything breaks wide open, theymay accuse us of putting the finger on 'em to get even."

  Not only Dan and Brad, but all of the Cubs were exceedingly nervous. Thisthird game in the series was the deciding one. The Den 2 boys did not somuch mind losing, but they hoped that they would play their best.

  The line-up however, was discouraging. Chips, although out of quarantine,had not been permitted to play. He sat in the audience, beside Mr.Hatfield, looking pale and dejected.

  Brad would play center, as always. Red and Midge were assigned as guards,while Dan and Chub were forwards. That left only Fred as substitute,which meant that the Cubs would have to take care not to be put out onpersonal fouls.

  "If we only had Chips in the game, we'd have a chance at least," Bradconfided to his friend. "But Chub--"

  "He's improved a lot this last week," Dan said loyally. "I've beenhelping him every night after school, teaching him a few tricks. He'spepped up a great deal."

  "I've noticed that," Brad admitted, turning to look at the younger boy,who even now was practicing baskets. "Do you suppose he could know--"

  "About his father? I've wondered the same thing, Brad. He hasn't droppeda word, but the last couple of days he's seemed on fire. He's been sojolly and so full of pep. I just hope he's that way tonight."

  The sounding of a whistle warned the Cubs that it was game time. Theyhuddled together for a last-minute conference, then trotted out to theirplaces on the floor.

  "Come on, Cubs!" yelled the Den 2 rooters.

  "Get in there, Pat!" shouted the Purple Five supporters. "Show 'em yourstuff!"

  The game started fast. The Purple Five had elected to take the southbasket in the first half.

  As the Cubs fully expected, the Purple Five center was inches taller thanBrad. He out jumped his opponent, and easily tapped the ball to Pat inthe first second of play.

  Red though, was on his toes. He guarded Pat so closely that he could notpass or shoot for the basket. The referee tossed the ball between them.Red out jumped his opponent, and sent the ball bouncing toward Chub.

  The boy missed it, but recovered. He hesitated, uncertain what to do.

  "Shoot it to Dan!" shouted Chips from the sidelines.

  Chub heard and hurled the ball. The shot was wild, but Dan made a leapinto the air and caught it. The crowd roared with delight.

  "Shoot! Shoot!" screamed the Den 2 rooters.

  The ball went smoothly from Dan's hands. It made a high loop and withscarcely a sound, dropped through the north basket.

  The Cubs had scored two points in the first three minutes of play!

  Thrilled by their success, the Cubs tried harder than ever for victory.However, the Purple Five were not to be caught napping a second time. Patand his teammates began to play less cautiously, always watching for achance to shatter the defense of the Cubs.

  The Den 2 plays were working perfectly until the ball reached Chub.Repeatedly, Brad or Midge fed him the ball, only to have him muff theshot. Whenever possible, they passed to Dan, but both Purple Five guardsconcentrated on him.

  "They watch me like a hawk," Dan complained as the two teams rested atthe end of the first quarter. "If I could just get a free shot at thatbasket once in a while!"

  The score stood 2 to 6 in favor of the Purple Five. The Cubs truly wereworried. Unless they dug in fast, they'd lose the game.

  Chub touched Dan on the arm. "Why don't you put Fred in instead of me?"he asked. "I--I try, but I can't seem to find the basket."

  Dan slapped him on the back. "You're doing fine," he said. "Quit worryingand just think about the game."

  "I wanted to do well tonight 'specially," Chub said. "There's someonehere watching me--"

  Dan had forgotten entirely about Chub's father. Now he saw the other boyturn and glance directly at a man who stood at the end of the gymnasiumwith a group of spectators who had arrived too late to obtain seats.

  So Mr. Weldon had kept his promise! Dan felt a great load drop from hisshoulders. What a surprise Pat would get, when the game finally ended!

  Dan saw Chub wave to his father, and noted the happy light in the boy'seyes.

  "He knows the truth," Dan instantly decided. "Someone has told him.That's why he's trying so hard tonight. He wants to make good for hisfather."

  Just then Mr. Hatfield came across the floor to speak to Dan. Drawing himaside, he asked his opinion about keeping Chub in the game.

  "Fred doesn't particularly want to play," the Cub leader said. "Chub hasmissed a good many chances to score though. If you take him out--"

  "No, try him awhile longer," Dan replied quickly. "Chub is playing bettertonight than he ever did before. Let him stay in. After all, winningisn't everything."

  "I'm glad to hear you say that, Dan," Mr. Hatfield answered. "This hasbeen a good clean game so far, and that's what counts. Excellentsportsmanship on both sides."

  The game went on, and for a while the Cubs played with renewed energy.Chub managed a basket and the fans cheered madly.

  But the next minute, Pat captured the ball. Before Red could stop him, hedribbled down the floor, cut in under the basket and scored.

  Dan was annoyed at himself. He was playing well but the Purple Fiveguards wouldn't give him a chance. Time and again they deserted Chubentirely to concentrate their attention on him.

>   Even so, he twice broke through and made spectacular shots. At the end ofthe half the score stood 8 to 6, with the Purple Five leading by only onebasket.

  "We may take 'em yet," Dan said grimly as he rested with his teammates."Bear down, fellows."

  Baskets were held to a minimum in the third quarter. The players all weretiring. Mr. Hatfield took Chub out of the game for awhile, substitutingFred. When the Purple Five ran up two baskets in quick succession, hecalled him to the bench and let Chub go in again.

  The Cubs truly were discouraged. With the score at 12 to 6 it seemed tothem they were sunk.

  "Come on, Cubs!" the rooters pleaded. "The old fight."

  Dan gritted his teeth and tried harder than ever. He leaped for a highone, and fastening upon the ball, ran full tilt into a Purple Five guard.He pivoted, faked a pass to Chub, and dropped the ball through thebasket.

  After that, playing as if inspired, he scored again. Once he tangledbriefly with a Purple Five guard, and the referee called a personal foulon both players. The Purple Five player missed the free throw, while theCubs again scored.

  With less than a minute to play, the tally now was: 12 to 11 in favor ofthe Purple Five.

  "One basket would do it," Dan thought desperately. "If we don't snag it,we'll lose by a single point."

  How much time was left? A minute at best. Perhaps only seconds. Assuredof victory, Pat and his teammates were playing a delaying game. Withouttrying to make another basket, they merely sought to prevent a Cub fromgetting his hands on the ball.

  It seemed to the frantic Cubs that they couldn't shatter the tightdefense. Pat dribbled the ball lazily, passing it to a player in themiddle of the floor.

  "Get in there! Break it up!" Chips and Fred yelled from the sidelines."Thirty seconds to play!"

  Thirty seconds! Holy Mackerel, the game was the same as over! Danbreathed heavily. He was winded, and sick with the fear of defeat.

  Only one basket was needed--only one.

  Then Dan saw his chance. Still employing "keep it away" tactics, Patlazily passed the ball to the forward who guarded Chub. The player missedthe catch and the ball rolled free.

  Like a flash, Dan darted in and seized it.

  "Stop him!" Pat yelled.

  Both guards were on Dan in an instant. They boxed him in, making itimpossible for him to have an unobstructed shot for the basket.

  Dan knew that he never could score. True, he could make a wild shot, butit never would find its mark.

  Chub, however, stood unguarded a little beyond the center of the floor.

  Dan passed the ball to him. Chub caught it squarely, then hesitated.

  Only a few seconds now remained. Dan saw the time keeper starting toraise his hand in signal. Another instant and the game would be over.

  "Shoot," he yelled. "Shoot, Chub!"

  The younger Cub still seemed to hesitate. For a dreadful moment, Danthought that he intended to try to pass the ball back.

  Then, Chub took careful aim and attempted the longest basket of his life.The ball looped high, striking the backstop.

  The Cub rooters groaned, certain that Chub had missed. But the ball camedown, striking the rim of the basket.

  There it teetered while the spectators as one, held their breath. Then itdropped through the netting.

  At the same moment, the game came to an end. The score read: 13 to 12 infavor of the Cubs.

  "Golly, did I really make that basket?" Chub demanded, dumbfounded.

  Dan and the other Cubs rushed over to clap him on the back.

  "You were swell!" Brad assured him. "You too, Dan," he added warmly. "Ifyou'd tried to grandstand that last shot yourself, the Cubs would havelost. It was teamwork that saved the game!"

  Chub's eyes sparkled with delight. "Know something?" he confessed. "WhenI made that last shot, I-I closed my eyes. I was scared I'd miss becauseI always do on the long shots. So I just closed my eyes and said a littleprayer."

  "No matter how you did it, the Cubs won!" Dan chuckled. "I wonder how Patand his boys will take it?"

  The Purple Five, discouraged by defeat, had gathered in a little knotacross the room. Pat could be seen talking to the group very earnestly,but what he might be saying the Cubs could not guess.

  Chub, greatly excited, was unable to contain his enthusiasm.

  "T-This was the biggest thrill of my l-life," he declared. "Did I reallydo all right?"

  "Swell," Red assured him patiently.

  "I'm glad," Chub sighed. "Being a Cub means so much to me. But I've neverbeen able to carry my end."

  "You did tonight," Dan said. "You're a credit to the team and to Den 2."

  "I'll remember that always," Chub replied soberly.

  He slipped away then into the crowd. Dan saw him join his father and theyboth went off together.

  The crowd already was filing out of the gymnasium. Brad came hurryingover to speak to Dan.

  "Say, we must work fast!" he announced breathlessly. "Mr. Greene andthose church trustees are leaving!"

  "They can't do that until Mr. Weldon tells what he knows!" Dan exclaimedin dismay. "He's supposed to identify Pat and his bunch!"

  "We're making a mess of it," Brad declared. "This was supposed to be ourbig moment, and what happens? Everyone pulls out!"

  "You stop Mr. Greene and the trustees," Dan directed. "Take them to theclubroom. I'll fetch Mr. Weldon."

  "Okay, but hurry," Brad advised.

  Dan started off in search of Chub and his father. He was annoyed athimself for having let them get out of his sight. Now they seemed to havevanished completely.

  As he searched, Pat Oswald sought him, diffidently offering his hand.

  "The Cubs played a dandy game," he said. "You deserved to win."

  "Why, thanks," Dan replied, hiding his astonishment.

  He shook Pat's hand and then felt suddenly almost ashamed of himself. Inanother minute or two, he'd be accusing this same boy in front of Mr.Greene and the church trustees. It didn't make sense.

  "Anything wrong?" Pat asked curiously.

  "Plenty." Dan spoke in cold misery. But he couldn't tell him the trutheven then. This was the hour the Cubs long had awaited. If he weakenednow, Den 2 might never clear its dishonored name.

  "You look sort of funny," Pat said, staring hard at him. "Guess youplayed too hard."

  Dan shook his head. "I'm looking for Chub and a man with him," he said."Have you seen them?"

  "They left the church together."

  "Left the church?" Dan repeated in disbelief. "Why, Chub hadn't evenchanged his clothes!"

  "He slipped a pair of jeans over his shorts and went that way. They musthave been in an awful hurry. The man just hustled him into a taxi and offthey went."

  Dan stared at Pat, drinking in the words. Why, it was incredible!

  "You're telling me straight?" he demanded.

  "Sure." Pat grinned, and added impudently: "Cub's honor!"

  Dan felt completely deflated. He knew without checking that Pat hadspoken the truth. For some unknown reason, Mr. Weldon has hustled his sonaway from the gymnasium. Deliberately, he had welched on his promise toclear the Cubs! Now the true story might never be disclosed publicly.

  "Say, you _are_ sick," Pat said with concern. "Anything I can do?"

  Dumbly, Dan shook his head. "You've done it already," he said. "The Cubslost everything they valued tonight."

  "I don't get it," Pat said, looking puzzled. "You won the game, didn'tyou?"

  "What's a game? More than victory or anything else, the Cubs cherishedtheir good name in the community."

  Pat stared at Dan a moment. "What's that got to do with me?" he demanded.

  "I think you know, I'd hoped that tonight the Cubs might clear themselvesof the untruths that have been told about them. Now I know that chance isgone."

  With dignity, Dan turned and walked away from Pat into the dressing room.

  CHAPTER 20 PROOF

  I
n the clubroom, the Den mothers were serving hot chocolate and homebaked cookies to the Cubs and their friends.

  When Dan stepped into the room which buzzed with conversation, he notedat once that the Bay Shore boys had not accepted an invitation to sharerefreshments. This was not surprising, for in previous games Pat and hisfollowers had left the building immediately after the contest.

  As he scanned the crowd, Brad and Midge came over to speak to him.

  "Have you seen Chub?" the Den Chief asked anxiously.

  Before Dan could reveal what he knew, Brad went on: "Right after thegame, he came to me and thanked me for being nice to him. Said the Cubsall had been swell, and he wanted me to tell them so for him. I didn'tthink much about it at the time. But now I'm worried."

  "Chub's gone."

  "Gone where, Dan?"

  "I don't know. But I have a hunch he's with his father, and that we'llnever see either of them again."

  Dan then related his own last meeting with Chub and recounted Pat'sreport of seeing the two leave the church together in a taxi.

  "Mr. Weldon must have decided to skip town and take Chub with him!" Bradgasped. "Gosh! Where does that leave us?"

  "Just where we came in." Dan spoke dejectedly. "Without Mr. Weldon, wecan't prove a thing! We're sunk!"

  "I asked the church trustees and Mr. Greene up here too," Brad groaned."They're talking to Mr. Hatfield now."

  He jerked his head to indicate the chocolate table where the four menstood. Mr. Greene had accepted a cup of cocoa from one of the mothers.Mr. Maxwell and Mr. Brennan, however, had refused the refreshments.

  As Brad glanced in their direction, the Cub leader motioned for the boysto join the group.

  "Brad," Mr. Hatfield said, "Mr. Maxwell tells me that he and Mr. Brennanreceived an urgent request to come here tonight. Is it true someone toldthem that evidence would be produced tonight to clear the Cubs of chargesagainst them?"

  "Dan sent the tickets," Brad said. "I asked the trustees up here. Dan andI did have the evidence, but we can't produce it now."

  "So?" Mr. Maxwell inquired. He began to put on his gloves. "We've wastedour time. I might have known it was another Cub trick."

  "But it wasn't!" Dan burst out indignantly. "The Cubs never did damageyour old church. We could tell you who did do it, but we have no proof.Anyway, you wouldn't believe us!"

  Mr. Maxwell ignored Dan completely. He turned to Mr. Hatfield.

  "Our attorney will file suit in the morning," he announced. "We have beenvery patient in trying to make a settlement with the Scout organization.Now we are tired of waiting. Good evening."

  He picked up his hat and started for the door. Mr. Brennan, obviouslyembarrassed by such outspoken words, hesitated and then followed.

  Before the pair reached the door, it opened and in poured Pat Oswald andall the Bay Shore boys.

  "Hold it!" Pat called out. "Everybody listen!"

  Dan thought that the Purple Five players must have come to collect theirshare of the game receipts.

  Therefore, he was amazed when Pat pulled a cloth bag from his jeans andshoved it at Mr. Hatfield.

  "Here's the money from the first game," he said. "We don't want it."

  "Why, thanks, Pat," said the Cub leader. "The Cubs can use it, I guess,as we have a lawsuit to fight."

  "That's why we're here," Pat announced. The room was very still now andhis voice seemed raspy. "We've talked it over, and we want to make aclean breast of everything. Then you can take us to jail."

  "Go ahead, Pat," Mr. Hatfield encouraged. "What is it you want to say?"

  "It wasn't the Cubs who wrecked the old church," the boy blurted out. "Wedid it and they got the blame. We saw a window smashed, so we smashedanother and climbed inside. We didn't mean to do any real damage--we justdidn't think."

  No one spoke for a moment after Pat had made his confession. Finally, Mr.Maxwell said:

  "Well, this does throw a different light on the matter. But how do weknow they're telling the truth?"

  "We wouldn't lie," Pat retorted scornfully. "Anyhow, why would we tellyou this if it weren't so? It only gets us into a peck o' trouble."

  Mr. Greene, the Juvenile Court director, now moved forward to face thechurch trustees.

  "The boy is telling the truth," he said quietly. "For weeks, ourdepartment has been making an investigation. We weren't ready to make anannouncement, lacking absolute proof."

  "You haven't it now, either," Mr. Maxwell snapped. "You're a personalfriend of Mr. Hatfield, and that's why you're siding with the Cubs."

  The disclosure that Pat and his boys were responsible for the damage hadnot pleased him. He knew well enough that their parents were notwell-to-do and the boys themselves never would be able to pay.

  A silence fell upon the room. Then Mr. Hatfield's voice rang out, clearand confident.

  "We do have the proof."

  His dramatic, confident statement electrified and thrilled everyone. TheCubs scarcely could believe that the wonderful words had been spoken.Why, Mr. Hatfield never so much as hinted that he had learned the truth!How had he come upon his information?

  Flashing a confident smile, the Cub leader took a long, fat envelope fromhis pocket.

  "Documentary proof," he said. "This is a letter from a man who was aneye-witness of what occurred at the old church. Rather, it is a swornstatement which he signed in the presence of witnesses."

  "Not from Chub's father?" Dan cried eagerly.

  "Yes, Dan. The letter came to me late today. Mr. Weldon and his son haveleft Webster City."

  "For good?" Red asked, sorry to hear the news.

  "Oh, Chub will be back from time to time. His father had obtained anexcellent job in a city about fifty miles from here. Mr. Greene, though,can tell you more about that."

  The Juvenile Court director took up the report. "Chub has been a ward ofthe court for some time," he informed the Cubs. "He's never been happyliving in a foster home. When his real father claimed him, we were gladto reunite them. However, we had to be assured that Mr. Weldon couldsupport his son, before sanctioning the arrangement."

  "Now everything has been settled?" Brad questioned.

  "Yes, we gave Mr. Weldon permission today to take his son. Chub wanted toplay in the basketball game, so they waited for that."

  "Why didn't he come and say goodbye?" Chips demanded, hurt.

  "I can answer that," Mr. Hatfield replied. "He was afraid he'd break downif he stayed. Anyway he and his father had to catch a train. He left anote though, for the Cubs. We'll read it at a closed meeting of theorganization."

  "Let me see that signed document," Mr. Maxwell directed. "The one you saywas signed by an eye witness to happenings at the old church."

  Mr. Hatfield offered him the sheet of paper which bore a notary's seal.It was a document, the Cubs knew, which would stand up in any court.

  In grim silence Mr. Maxwell read the statement. Then he handed it over toMr. Brennan.

  "I'm sure you must agree now that you have no case against the Cubs," Mr.Hatfield said.

  "Maybe we haven't," Mr. Maxwell admitted reluctantly. "We'll drop oursuit. But these other boys ought to be locked up!"

  Mr. Greene said in an even voice: "If you insist upon preferring charges,the court will consider them. However, our investigation already hasdisclosed that the building often was left unlocked. Terry Treuhaft wasnot the most careful caretaker."

  "Well, someone ought to pay for the damage!" Mr. Maxwell muttered.

  "Isn't it true that the building has been sold?" Mr. Greene pursued thematter. "I was informed today that the trustees have disposed of the oldchurch at a very high figure. I was given to understand that thestructure will be demolished, the materials salvaged and another buildingconstructed."

  Mr. Maxwell drew in his breath, astonished by the Court director'sknowledge. Then surprisingly, he relaxed and smiled.

  "It is true, we have sold the building," he admitted. "You're right. Wecan afford to forgive and forget."

/>   After that, everyone suddenly seemed in good humor. Mrs. Hatfield presseda cup of chocolate into Mr. Maxwell's hand, while Midge's mother urgedMr. Brennan to have "just one more cookie." Soon everyone was laughingand talking together, and past events were entirely forgotten.

  Pat and the other Purple Five players would have slipped away, had Dannot stopped them. They too were urged to remain for music andrefreshments.

  "I guess they aren't going to send me to jail after all," Pat said,sipping his hot chocolate with keen enjoyment. "It was a close callthough!"

  "Better be careful in the future," Dan advised.

  "You bet!" Pat agreed. "We're through with all that stuff. Y'know, itonly gets you into trouble. No more smashing windows or swiping thingsfor us!"

  "Such as ice cream freezers?"

  "Sure, we took 'em that night of the party," Pat admitted sheepishly."We've been ashamed of it ever since too. The Cubs were swell tous--treated us square even when we were mean to them."

  "Cubs always try to do things the right way," Dan replied. "You know thecode?"

  Pat shook his head.

  "'A Cub is Fair; A Cub is Happy; A Cub is Game.'"

  "And above all, a Cub values his honor," added Mr. Hatfield, who hadoverheard the two boys talking. "Thanks to you, Pat, Den 2 again willhave a good name in Webster City."

  Pat cast his eyes down, still feeling ashamed.

  "It must be great to be a Cub and belong to the Pack," he said at length."It's a lot better than a gang, isn't it?"

  "A great deal better, Pat."

  "But Cubs wouldn't be for--for kids like me."

  "Why not?" Mr. Hatfield asked quietly. "From the start, I had hoped tointerest you boys in the organization. That was why I favored thebasketball games."

  "You mean we can join the Cubs?"

  "You certainly can," Mr. Hatfield assured him. "Since you live in anotherpart of town it wouldn't be practical to come here often. But you couldhave your own den. I'll help you find a leader and organize."

  "You will?" Pat's freckled face lighted like a Christmas tree. "Gee! Waituntil I tell the fellows!"

  The Bay Shore boys all shared Pat's desire to join the Cub organization.Eagerly they asked for detailed information. Pat especially wanted toknow if they might play another series of basketball games the followingseason.

  "Of course," Mr. Hatfield promised. "Den 2 will be glad to play yourden."

  "Our den!" Pat liked the sound of the word. "Say, that's something! We'llhave uniforms too, won't we? And pins?"

  "Everything that goes with Cubbing."

  "There's just one thing more," Pat said. He cast his eyes down, and thenwent on quickly. "About wrecking that cardboard fort. A couple of thefellows did it and then were sorry. If we could rebuild it or anything--"

  "We'll talk about that later," Mr. Hatfield said. "Just now, so thatyou'll feel you're really being taken into one of the finestorganizations in the world, we want to introduce you to the LivingCircle."

  "What's that?" Pat asked suspiciously.

  "We'll show you," Dan offered.

  Joining with the Bay Shore boys, the Cubs formed a circle. Each youngsterfaced inward, extending his left hand, palm downward, into the circle.Each Cub then grasped the thumb of the boy to his right, raising his freehand in the organization's sign.

  "Are we really Cubs now?" Pat asked, his eyes gleaming.

  "Not yet, but soon," Dan answered with a friendly grin. "You fellows haveplenty to learn."

  "The salute?" Pat chuckled. "Nothing to that." He raised his right hand,smartly paying deference to all the Cubs.

  "There are even more important things, Pat."

  "Don't I know?" the Bay Shore boy drawled. "Honor and honesty and loyaltyto friends. It may take me a long while, but with your help, Dan, somedayI'll be the fairest, squarest Cub of the lot!"

  THE END

  Transcriber's Notes

  --Silently corrected a large number of palpable typos in spelling and punctuation (merely nonstandard spelling was not changed)

  --Inverted the order of two paragraphs of dialogue at the top of page 59 to correct a typesetting error.

  --Rearranged front matter to a more-logical streaming order.