Dan Carter And The Haunted Castle Part 34

"I'll be your double," Billy volunteered. "Whenever a scene requires very accurate shooting, I can subst.i.tute for you, but my face won't show."

Details of the various scenes in which both boys would take part were worked out. Then it was time for the Cubs to leave.

"You'll come again-soon?" Billy asked wistfully, escorting the group to the estate entrance.

"Sure," Dan told him. "As often as we're invited."

"That will be every single day!" Billy laughed. "You won't forget your other promise-to make me a Cub?"

"No one can make you a Cub," Dan replied. "That's up to you. You may be sure, though, we'll take you into the organization."

"The initiation will be soon," Mr. Hatfield promised. "Meanwhile, boys, let's all remember the Cub motto-'Do Your Best.' If we're to win first in the play contest, we all must put forth top effort."

CHAPTER 20 Epilogue

On the day set for the presentation of the Cubs' Robin Hood play, the boys of Dens 1 and 2 arrived early at the Castle grounds.

The weather had favored them. A rain the previous day had settled the dust and the air was pleasantly cool.

"Everything's perfect," Brad declared in satisfaction. "Now if we don't m.u.f.f our lines, we're all set."

"I don't know," Dan replied, none too confident. "I almost wish we had adopted Ross' idea and put on an Indian pow wow instead of such an elaborate presentation."

"Don't you think it!" the Den Chief replied. "Just as Mr. Hatfield said, Indian shows are a dime a dozen."

"That one the Hi-Y Club put on was good though, Brad. We have real compet.i.tion."

The previous night the Cubs had witnessed the Indian skit presented by another compet.i.tor for the grand prize. As Dan remarked, it had been very good indeed.

Ten organizations finally had entered the contests. Six of the performances had been of mediocre caliber. The other three, however, definitely were in the running for the prize.

"Don't forget, the last things usually are best," Brad encouraged his friend. "We've worked hard and we should win."

"We should, but will we?" Dan countered. "The shooting match is our big scene. If I should get nervous and miss the target-that would ruin everything."

"You won't be nervous, Dan," Brad said. "Quit your worrying. Now let's get into our costumes. The crowd soon will arrive."

For the occasion, the bank had opened the Castle to visitors. One room had been set aside as the Cubs' dressing quarters. Here all of the Cubs had gathered.

"At any rate, we have top-notch costumes," Midge declared in satisfaction as he scrambled into his tight-fitting suit of green. "Thanks to Mr.

Brekenridge and the bank officials!"

The room buzzed with conversation. Red could not find his cap with the yellow feather. Chips, certain that he would forget his lines, kept mumbling them over and over. Everyone talked at once, and no one listened. Of the group, Billy Brekenridge appeared the most calm.

"I wish I had your confidence," Dan told him enviously.

"Oh, I don't need any," the boy laughed. "My part is small, at the very end. I know I can shoot Robin Hood's last arrow straight and true."

"Wish I could be as sure of myself," Dan sighed.

"Just relax and don't think about the crowd," Billy advised him. "You've improved a lot in practice this last week. You'll do fine."

The crowd soon began to arrive, everyone seating themselves on the gra.s.s near the Castle. Presently, Mr. Hatfield brought word that the judges had appeared.

"I have news for you," he told the Cubs. "The judges may announce the winner of the contest at conclusion of our performance. All the other plays have been given, you know. Ours is the last one to be graded."

"I hope they award us something for effort," Chips said grimly.

Mr. Hatfield explained that the grading would be according to strict rules. A certain number of points were to be allowed for originality of material, a certain number for costumes, stage direction, acting ability, and general effectiveness.

By two o'clock, the hour set for the start of the play, a large throng had gathered on the Castle grounds.

The Cubs were amazed to see Colonel Brekenridge in the audience. He sat in the shade in his wheel chair, accompanied by his nurse.

At last came the moment of starting. Four trumpeters announced the opening with blasts from their instruments.

Although all scenes had been taken many times, Mr. Holloway had posted himself at an advantageous position to make a final filming of the play.

It was planned that the picture later would be offered to other organizations for showings.

The play began with the prologue in which Robin Hood encountered Little John at the bridge.

Their sprightly duel evoked much laughter from the crowd and went off without a single mistake.

"Even the judges were laughing," Brad whispered to Fred. "We're doing all right so far."

As the play unfolded, the audience learned that a reward of two hundred pounds had been offered for Robin Hood's head, and that the Sheriff of Nottingham had sworn he himself would seize the outlaw.

The Cubs were uncertain how Ross Langdon would act his role. During practice he had alternately sulked or clowned.

As it developed, the doubts proved needless. Ross was as determined as the other Cubs to win honors for the Pack. He spoke his lines carefully, and his bl.u.s.tering manner exactly fitted the role.

Finally, came the vital scene of the play, the shooting match at Nottingham Town.

When Dan's turn came to shoot, he could feel his heart hammering against his ribs. The other archers in the scene had shot their arrows flying into the target.

And, as luck would have it, two of the shots had been especially good. To uphold the role of Robin Hood, he must beat both of them.

"Gos.h.!.+ Do your best, Dan," Midge whispered to his friend. "I didn't mean to put an arrow in the gold. It slipped away from me!"

Dan dared not look too long at the target. Drawing the bow, he loosed the string.

For a moment he stood motionless, his eye fixed upon his point of aim. He was afraid to hope. If the arrow failed to beat the other two-the match was a farce!

Then a shout went up and the audience began to clap.