“So Maushop went home, wondering what he could offer to the Great Spirit. He looked at his favorite bow and arrows, the moccasins his wife had sewn for him, even his best knife. While he was doing this Queeg entered the lodge, and Maushop knew what was dearest to him. So he told Queeg to go to the top of the hill.

“Queeg climbed the hill, just like you did today. Maushop followed behind him, and when Queeg got to the top he called out to the Great Spirit. ‘Great Spirit, here is my offering, my dearest son.’ Then a great eagle came out of the sky and swooped down, grabbing Queeg in his enormous talons and carrying him off.

“Maushop stood there, all alone, crying for his son. The Great Spirit spoke to him. ‘Because of your great sacrifice the people will live and prosper. To remind them of your great sacrifice, I will put a mark here so they will remember Queeg and how you loved him very much, but you loved your people even more.’ Then the eagle came flapping out of the sky, holding this rock in his talons. He dropped it here, and it’s been here ever since.”

The boys were quiet, looking thoughtfully at the rock and glancing at the sky.

“I don’t believe it,” Eddie announced.

“Me neither,” agreed Rickie.

“But it was a good story, Mrs. Stone,” Stubby reassured her.

A sudden squawk made them all jump, and Lucy looked up. Officer Culpepper was pulling into the parking lot in his police cruiser. He climbed out of the black-and-white car and walked over to the group, carrying a large Thermos and a bag of doughnuts.

“You boys ready for some hot cocoa?”

Rickie had already opened the bag and the boys were pushing and shoving, grabbing for the doughnuts.

“Hey,” he thundered. “That isn’t how scouts behave. Get in line. Take turns. There’s enough for everybody.”

“That’s amazing,” commented Lucy as the boys obeyed. “I’d give anything for a voice like yours.”

“Well, Bill probably wouldn’t like it very much.”

“No. I don’t think he would.” Lucy laughed. “It would make being a den leader a lot easier, though.”

“Is’pose,” agreed Culpepper, taking an enormous bite of doughnut.

“Any new developments in the Sam Miller case?” asked Lucy. “Have they found out who did it yet?”

“Not that I know,” Culpepper said. “Of course, I’m just a town cop. They don’t tell us much. We’re just supposed to direct traffic and find lost bicycles and leave the investigating to the state police.” He shrugged. “Last year the town wouldn’t even give us a cost-of-living increase. Nobody thinks much of us.”

“These scouts certainly think you’re something special,” said Lucy, indicating the boys, who were admiring the officer’s uniform and cruiser.

“Is that a real gun?” asked one of the boys.