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Read Ebook: Dan Carter and the Haunted Castle by Wirt Mildred A Mildred Augustine
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Ebook has 1677 lines and 38612 words, and 34 pages
"Robin Hood always befriended the poor people," Dan explained. "The book would provide any number of exciting scenes, including a big archery tournament."
"What characters could we have?" demanded Red Suell.
"The main part would go to Robin Hood. Then we could have the Sheriff of Nottingham, Little John, foresters, the tinker, the king, Eric O'Lincoln, the cook, Allan-a-Dale, the merry friar, and a dozen others."
"Let's do it!" urged Brad. "The play would be a lot of fun and give the fellows a chance to practice with bows and arrows."
Mr. Hatfield brought the proposal to a vote. Ross Langdon was the only Cub who held out for the Indian pow-wow.
"I'm willing to go along on the Robin Hood idea if I can have his part," he said grudgingly.
"Modest, aren't you?" Midge twitted him.
"Ross probably has a good reason for wanting the lead part," said Mr. Hatfield quickly. "How about it, Ross?"
The boy flushed and looked a bit ashamed. "Oh, I don't want to be Robin Hood just to have the lead part," he defended himself.
"Then why not settle for one of the foresters?" demanded Red.
"I figure the one who plays Robin Hood should be the best archer in the Pack. Well, that's me."
"You are a modest little guy!" Midge snorted. "I bet you can hit the bull's-eye every time at three paces back!"
"I'm good and you know it!" Ross insisted.
"Never mind, boys," said the Cub leader, breaking off what promised to be a lively argument. "We'll not quarrel about who has this or that part. When the time comes, they'll be assigned."
"But don't you think Robin Hood should be good with a bow and arrow?" Ross demanded. "In the tournament scene, wouldn't it be something if he couldn't hit the target?"
"I agree that the part of Robin Hood should be played by the Cub most skilled with a bow and arrow," Mr. Hatfield said. "We'll determine that by having a preliminary contest."
"Suits me," grinned Ross, pushing back his chair. "I'm the same as Robin Hood right now!"
"Oh, one more surprise," Mr. Hatfield said, as the boys started to leave their places. "One of the Den Dads, Mr. Holloway, has a moving picture camera. He will make a movie of the play as we work it out."
"Where will we take the pictures?" Dan asked. "Here at the Cave?"
The room which the Cubs used in summer time for their meeting place was high over the beach, reached by a long flight of stairs. Barely large enough to hold all the boys at one time, it never would provide a suitable background for the Robin Hood play.
"We'll have to find ourselves a forest primeval to double for Sherwood Forest," Brad chuckled. "I know just the place too."
"Where?" demanded Dan.
"Out west of the city near the Haunted Castle."
"The Haunted Castle!" repeated Midge with keen interest. "Never heard of such a place. How'd it get that name?"
Brad admitted that it was one he had made up. "The forest adjoins an old place that resembles a deserted castle," he explained. "When last I visited the area, no one lived there."
"Is it really haunted?" asked Chips.
"Now what do you think?" laughed Brad. "I've yet to meet an honest-to-goodness ghost. But if there were any, the Castle would be an ideal home for the old boy."
"Suppose we investigate the Haunted Castle and the forest," proposed Mr. Hatfield. "The setting sounds first class to me, if we can get permission to use the grounds. Who owns the place, Brad?"
"I don't know sir, but I can find out."
"I wish you would before our next meeting. If we're aiming to win the prize, we'll have to get busy on the play right away."
"I'll look into the matter today," Brad promised.
Enthusiastic over the prospect of acting in Robin Hood, the other Cubs urged Mr. Hatfield to call another Pack meeting that coming Saturday.
"I'll tell you what," he consented. "Let's have a hike. How would you like to go out to the Haunted Castle and look over the place? If Ross cares to bring along his archery set, we might get in a little practice."
"Sure, I'll fetch the equipment," Ross offered willingly enough. "You'll see I wasn't boasting when I said I can hit the bull's-eye."
"We'll give you a thorough test," Mr. Hatfield responded dryly.
The hour had come to close the meeting. After singing one of their songs, the Cubs said good-bye to Mr. Hatfield and started off in little groups.
Descending the steps to the beach, Brad and Midge walked with Dan. Just ahead, they could hear Ross complaining to a Den 1 Cub that the Robin Hood idea wasn't nearly as good as the one he had proposed.
"Oh, forget it," the other boy advised. "Indians are stale."
"I suppose the Robin Hood idea is original," Ross retorted.
Brad, Dan and Midge knew Ross well enough to realize that he was not likely to let the matter drop.
"I have a hunch he'll make trouble before we're through," Brad said in an undertone. "If he gets to be Robin Hood, he may go along. If not--well, he'll kick up a lot of dust."
"Let him try," replied Midge.
"Chances are Ross will win the part fair and square," Dan said. "We all know that despite his boasting he probably handles a bow and arrow better than anyone in the Pack."
"If he gets the part, the play is the same as ruined," Midge predicted.
Brad, however, refused to take such a pessimistic view.
"Maybe Ross won't win," he said cheerfully. "It hasn't been proven yet that he's the best shot. Wait until Saturday. Once we get to the Haunted Castle he may whistle a different tune."
Early Saturday afternoon found the Cub Scouts of both Den 1 and 2 hiking briskly along a deserted road leading to "The Castle."
Immediately after the previous week's Pack meeting at the Cave, Brad had inquired as to the ownership of the property, learning that the Webster City Savings Bank held title.
Further, he had been told that the mansion had been built twenty-two years earlier by Gorman Lubell, a millionaire who had lost his fortune in the stock market.
The unusual dwelling had been built of massive stone to resemble a miniature English castle. The interior never had been completely finished. Year after year, the Castle had stood deserted. Periodically, the bank cut the weeds and trimmed back the shrubbery, but of late even this duty had been neglected.
"Brad, you obtained permission for us to visit the property, didn't you?" Mr. Hatfield asked as the boys trudged along.
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