Dan Carter And The Money Box Part 39

"Jack, I truly need and want you," the widow repeated. "Since my own sons grew up, I've wanted another boy the worst way. One I could depend on.

Shucks! I wouldn't have a boy without spirit!"

"I'll never run away again," Jack said earnestly. "I promise!"

"When a Cub gives a promise, he never breaks it," Mr. Hatfield reminded him. "So be sure you really mean it."

"I'm not a Cub," Jack said slowly. "I'd like to be one someday."

"There's no reason why you can't join the organization if you're willing to live up to the rules," Mr. Hatfield a.s.sured him. "We'll give you a little start now. Boys, show Jack the Cub sign."

The boys all raised the two first fingers of their right hands, holding them high.

"What does that mean?" Jack asked curiously.

"Those two fingers signify the ears of the Wolf," Dan explained.

"It's the Indian sign for 'intelligence,'" Mr. Hatfield added. "If you want to be a Cub, Jack, you must learn to use your head instead of your emotions. Remember that the next time you're inclined to do something rash."

"I'll remember," Jack grinned, making the sign with his right hand. "From now on, you can depend on me. I promise!"

CHAPTER 20 Knights of the Round Table

In the Cubs' meeting room at the church, parents had gathered to witness a knighting ceremony of the entire Pack.

The room had been gaily decorated with colorful banners made by the boys of Den 2. Chairs had been arranged in a perfect circle to represent the Round Table.

Earlier in the evening Den 1 already had offered its ceremonial performance. Now it was time for Den 2 to show what it could do.

From the ante-room where the Cubs were scrambling into their suits of armor, a buzz of conversation issued forth.

"Hurry up, fellows!" Dan urged the others. "We're three minutes past starting time now. Everyone all set?"

"I can't get this flashlight to work," complained Red. As a torch bearer, he was a.s.signed to hold a long pole with a flashlight attached to the end.

"You've been playing with it too much," Brad told him. "Luckily, I brought some extra batteries. Here, put this in, and we'll be ready to start."

"I'm going to forget my lines," Babe mumbled, repeating them over and over.

"You'll do fine," Brad encouraged him. "All ready, fellows? Dan, you're to do the knighting honors. So get in there!"

A trumpet, slightly off-key, blared a triumphal salute.

Pulling his armor into place, Dan marched into the ceremonial hall to take his position in front of a torch bearer. Addressing the onlooking parents, he said clearly:

"Among us tonight there are a few who have not yet joined the Knights of the Round Table. Although these newcomers have no armor of steel, they are equipped with armor of good will, squareness and honor. So we are gathered here to welcome them into our circle. Bring the first man forward!"

Brad, holding a torch high, led Jack Phillips from the sidelines. At a signal, the boy knelt on his left knee in front of Dan, who said:

"As a knight of the Cub Scout organization, you must promise always to do your part. You must follow our leader, obey his orders and give good will."

"I promise always to do my best," slowly repeated Jack, who had been coached in his lines.

With his wooden sword, Dan tapped the boy lightly on the shoulder.

"I dub thee a Knight of the Round Table," he said. "As a knight and member of Den 2, you are expected to help with all our crusades. Arise!"

As Jack scrambled up, everyone cheered and clapped. The ceremony however, was not over.

"We welcome you, Sir Jack!" Dan continued. "Don your armor!"

A suit fas.h.i.+oned from cardboard, burlap and roofing discs had been prepared for the boy. Babe and Midge helped him get into the costume.

Then as Jack reappeared all decked out as a knight, the other boys formed a double column, facing each other. Swords were raised above their heads to form a long archway. Jack walked through to take his place at the end of the line.

Next, Babe, who was only a Bobcat, received the Order of the Wolf. Other promotions and achievement awards were given out.

As a climax to the knighting ceremony, Dan was promoted from Wolf to Bear rank. The boy had worked hard to win the honor, learning rules of safety, making many handicraft articles and learning how to tie difficult knots.

His most appreciated task however, had been the making of a fifty-page Den sc.r.a.pbook.

In the book the boy had included press notices of Den meetings and activities. Ten of the pages were devoted to snapshots of the Cubs and to published accounts concerning the missing money box and its recovery.

"This sc.r.a.pbook will be one of the Den's most treasured possessions," Mr.

Hatfield a.s.sured him at conclusion of the knighting ceremony. "It will serve always as a nice reminder of our little adventure."

Before the evening was over, the Cubs were to have another very pleasant surprise. Soon the Cub Master made the announcement for which everyone had been waiting. Den 2 had won first prize in the knighting ceremony, with Brad and Dan being awarded individual honors for having the most original suits of armor.

After congratulations were over, Dan thought to ask Mr. Hatfield if he had heard what was to become of the tramp, Carl Blakemore.

"He was in jail the last I heard," the Cub leader replied. "I was told though that Mr. Merrimac offered to go his bail. He investigated and found that the fellow had told the truth about being his nephew."

"Queer that he didn't know him by sight."

"He'd never seen him-not even as a boy," Mr. Hatfield explained. "It was quite humiliating for Mr. Merrimac to find out about Carl. However, he's making the best of a bad situation, and I understand, wants to help him if he can."

The Den Mother and her helpers had prepared a fine supper for all the Cubs. Dan and Mr. Hatfield were starting toward the table, when at the same moment they saw a newcomer enter the church meeting room.

"Why, it's Mr. Merrimac himself!" Dan exclaimed.

The elderly man never before had attended a Cub meeting, and in fact, derived little enjoyment from social affairs.

Now his gaze wandered from Cub to Cub until he had picked out Dan and Brad from the group. Made aware that he seemed to be looking for them, they went over to speak to him.

"Well, boys," he said heartily, "I believe I made you a little promise several days ago. And according to the code of the Cubs, a promise always must be kept. Right?"