A WOLF CUB COUNCIL
A Council was in progress; and once again it was in the old pigsty.
But this time it was not a Council of War; frightfulness and rebellion
were not the questions under discussion. No, it was a Wolf Cub Council,
and Danny was seated upon the Council Rock--a huge boulder the boys
had managed to drag into the pigsty with the help of one of the
under-gardeners.
“I have a proposal to bring forward,” said Danny. “The Council (you’re
the Council) can vote upon it when I have explained it. If you want to
be Cubs we must form a Six. That means getting three more boys. I have
kept my eyes open the last few days, and I have three names to propose.”
This was a splendid Council--it was so serious and important. The boys
wriggled with excitement.
“Who do you propose?” said David.
“I propose, first, Hugh Burnett, the gamekeeper’s son. He’s a jolly
good chap, and knows the woods and the surrounding country very
thoroughly. All the people round think a lot of him. I should say he’s
a born Cub.”
“Yes,” said Bill. “I think Hugh is all right. His father used to be
our chief enemy, and chase us out of the woods. Once he gave David a
thrashing for taking a nest of pheasants’ eggs. But he seems nicer
now.”
“Then I suggest Jack Miles, the blacksmith’s boy. He’s a regular sport.
I don’t believe he’s afraid of anything in the world. He ought to make
a good Cub with a bit of training.”
“Yes,” said David. “He and Bill had the worst fight I ever saw, once.
He made Bill’s nose bleed; it went on for half-an-hour. Bill broke one
of his front teeth. He gave Bill a jolly good whacking, too!”
“Good!” said Danny, “that’ll probably mean they will be better friends
now.”
Nipper was beginning to look anxious. “They’re all so big,” he said.
“It’s bad enough having Bill and David, but with all that lot, what’ll
happen to me?”
“I’ve thought of you, kid,” said Danny. “There’s a nice little chap
would make a pair for you--Bobby Brown, Dr. Brown’s son. He’s only just
eight, and a bit quiet, but you chaps will soon put some life into him.”
“Hooray, hooray!” said Nipper; “he’ll be my _ally_, and we won’t half
show you fellows something.”
“Don’t forget the Cub spirit,” said Danny; “there’s going to be no more
bullying now. Besides, the younger ones mustn’t show cheek to the Sixer
and Second. Who will second my motion?”
David seconded the proposals, and the rest of the Council was unanimous.
“Carried,” said Danny. “Now let’s go and ask the boys if they’ll join
the Six.”